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Which immigration office in Seoul should I go to?
Yes, you read that right. Which one? There are THREE immigration offices in Seoul, Korea and while that might seem great, it has and can cause a lot of confusion when you go to book an appointment to get things done. Need to renew your visa in Korea? Reserve a visit to your immigration office in Seoul? First, make sure you know where to go. You do NOT have a choice about which immigration office to go to. It all depends on your local address. Once you now where you’re going, continue reading to find out what information you need to report to the Korean immigration office in Korea when…
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What is Hangul Day?
When you start living in Korea, one of the first things you do is look up all of the national holidays so you know when you have off from work, right? Or, was that just me? Either way, you figured out the holidays in Korea at some point and a holiday in October every year you probably noted was Hangul Day. A celebration that goes beyond marking a historical event, it is a celebration of language, the commitment to preserving a cultural identity through language, and it can be a pretty fun day off. Over the years, Hangul Day has evolved from a symbol of resistance to a vibrant celebration…
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The Korean Stone Art Museum Now Museum Wave: Statues & Media Art
It’s always fun to find the museum gems in Seoul, Korea and finding them when no one else is there. I’ve visited and love to continually visit the numerous art museums in Seoul, but recently, I made my way to the Korean Stone Art Museum (우리옛돌박물관), nestled in the picturesque Seongbuk-dong district. The museum has undergone a transformation and now there’s also a Museum Wave (뮤지엄 웨이브). From contemporary art to cultural stories and statues, this is a cool museum to find in Seoul. Set on the side of a mountain, it’s not the easiest place to find (actually, it’s easy to get to via public transportation, but it’s not…
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Bank of Korea Money Museum in Myeongdong: A Hidden Gem
Most people go to Myeongdong for shopping or maybe for all of the delicious street food, but there are some really interesting hidden gems in Myeongdong and museums that people could easily walk by. The Bank of Korea Money Museum (한국은행 화폐박물관) is one of those hidden gems in a beautiful historical building in downtown Seoul. Learn more about the history of currency culture in Korea and abroad, how currency is made, and check out some really interesting currency design from around the world. Get ready to learn about money in Korea: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase…
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12 Korean Drinking Games: A Guide to the Fun and Frolic
In Korea, socializing is an art form. When Koreans go out together, whether it’s with colleagues after work, university friends catching up, or a group of new acquaintances getting to know each other, the evening usually follows a kind of unspoken structure. There are rounds, there are rituals, and there are games. Lots of games. Korean drinking games aren’t just about the alcohol. They’re about laughter, the competition, the teasing, and the sense of connection taht comes from sitting around a table and playing together. If you’ve spent any time in Korea’s noraebang alleys or pojangmacha tent bars, just one stop on a Korean-style night out, you’ve probably seen these…
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Kid-Friendly Food in Korea: No Kids’ Menus But Lots Of Food
If you’re planning a trip to Korea or have recently moved here with your little ones, you might be wondering: Do kids’ menus exist at restaurants in Korea? Whether you’re visiting Korea or living in Korea, so much of the experience is about eating out. There are a ton of awesome things to do with kids in Seoul but dining out with children in Korea can seem daunting. No, there aren’t really kids’ menus in Korea, but that doesn’t mean your kids won’t eat well. In fact, once you understand how food works here, it’s actually pretty easy. If you don’t have much experience with Korean menus or kid-friendly Korean…
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Hongdae Shopping Guide: Korean Fashion Brands, Flagship Stores and Street Shopping Tips
Popular as a nightlife district in Seoul, Hongdae has grown into quite the shopping district for fashion enthusiasts and a hub of creativity even if you’re just looking to walk down the bustling Hongdae Shopping Street. If you’re looking to do some shopping in Seoul, definitely don’t overlook Hongdae. For fashion lovers, there are popular Korean fashion brands like Covernat, What It Isn’t, Fallett, Gentle Monster and more. There are a lot of great things to do in Hongdae from seeing buskers and street dancers to eating, drinking, and of course shopping! In this guide to shopping in Hongdae, we’ll navigate the labyrinth of Hongdae’s fashion scene, fun design stores,…
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Sky Capsule Busan: Tickets, Route, Tips and the Haeundae Blueline Park
If you’ve been searching Busan on Instagram or TikTok, you’ve already seen them, colorful little retro capsule pods gliding above the coast, the ocean stretching out behind them. That’s the Haeundae Sky Capsule (해운대스카이캡슐), part of the Haeundae Blueline Park (해운대블루라인파크), and it has become one of the most popular and photographed experiences in Busan since it opened in 2020. This guide covers everything you need to ride it: how to book, which direction to choose, what the prices are, how to combine it with the Haeundae Beach Train (해운대해변열차), and the attractions worth stopping at along the route. One important note before anything else: the Sky Capsule is on…
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Korea Postage Stamp Museum: Where To Teach Kids About Old School Mail
If you’ve visited Myeongdong a bit, chances are you’ve walked right by the big Korean Post Office. It sort of seems out of place to find something so necessary for local life in such a busy and touristy area. Step inside and you can also find the small but very interesting Korea Postage Stamp Museum (우표박물관) which holds more than 6,000 stamps, envelopes, and postcards. If you’ve got kids in Korea or just want to have something to do in Myeongdong to take a break from the shopping hustle and bustle, here’s one spot you can add to your list. An hour is all you need, but it’s a nice…
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Poop Cafe Seoul: What Happened to Insadong’s Famous Ddong Cafe (And Where to Get Your Toilet Mug Latte Now)
This hilarious poo-themed cafe has been around since I first got to Korea decades ago and yet I never really felt the urge to visit this quirky spot… until I had a daughter. Kids will find it hilarious and the adults with them will probably chuckle a bit too. Before we get too far into this, I don’t want to create confusion. I have updated this article because the original Ddong Cafe (또옹카페) on the top floor of Ssamziegil in Insadong has closed. The space is now a branch of Maldong Donut (말똥도넛), specifically the Hi Maldong Insadong (하이말똥 인사동) branch, and the good news is that the poop fun…
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HiKR Ground, Seoul: The Free K-Pop Experience Center, Floor By Floor
Welcome to the ultimate Hallyu playground in Seoul, Korea. HiKR Ground (하이커 그라운드) is an immersive tourism space opened by the Korea Tourism Organization, oh and I should mention it’s one cool and FREE thing to do in Seoul. It is a vibrant fusion of K-Pop, K-Drama, and Korean culture, designed especially for the younger generation to have a blast and learn more about Korean tourism. I’ve been back to HiKR Ground more times than I can count at this point. I’ve gone on my own, I’ve taken my daughter, and I regularly bring study tour groups through when they’re in Seoul, usually at least a couple of times a…
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Korean Fried Chicken Guide: The Best Chains, What To Order and Where To Go In Seoul
Korea has more fried chicken restaurants than McDonald’s and Starbucks locations combined. That statistic, reported by the Korea Herald in 2015, gives you some sense of how seriously Koreans take their chicken, and how many options you’re walking into when you visit. Korean fried chicken is different from what most visitors expect. It’s double-fried, which gives it a crispiness that holds up longer than American-style fried chicken. The sauces are varied and bold, soy-based, gochujang-based, cheese-based, and combinations that don’t exist anywhere else. And the chimaek experience, sitting in a chicken hof with a cold beer and a shared plate of mixed chicken, is one of the most satisfying ways…
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PAINTERS Show in Korea: A Fun Family-Friendly Performance
Looking for something fun to do in Korea? Something especially fun to do with kids in Seoul? You should definitely check out the nonverbal performance called PAINTERS. Imagine a performance that combines live painting, humorous and serious beats and movements, and cutting-edge media art. The PAINTERS have revolutionized the world of art and entertainment with their unique blend of live drawing, 3D visual effects, exciting dance, and comedy. They’ve consistently been the best-selling show for audiences for three consecutive years, and they’re one of the top 5 most popular attractions in Korea over the last 5 years. If you haven’t seen the show yet, you’re missing out! PAINTERS is a…
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The Korean Moon Jar: What It Is and Why It’s Iconic
The world of ceramics is filled with treasures that span centuries and cultures and Korea is a country that has an immense history with ceramics in a variety of forms. The Korean moon jar is a uniquely beautiful piece of Korea’s ceramic culture and stands as an iconic symbol of simplicity, elegance, and cultural significance. These unique porcelain vessels, with their milky white glaze and distinctive shape, have captured the hearts of artists, collectors, and connoisseurs for generations and more recently, thanks to RM of BTS, a new and younger generation of people around the world have learned about the iconic moon jars. Get ready to learn about the iconic…
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Guide To Gimhae: The Historic Places, Spaces & Fun Things Too!
Have you been to Gimhae, Korea yet? Often overlooked due to its proximity to Busan, this city, also home to the airport nearest Busan, has some cool things to see that I’ve enjoyed as it’s where my Korean in-laws live. Gimhae is relatively easy to get to and if you’re going to Seoul, you can just take a flight from Gimpo. It’s only 50 minutes and is sometimes even cheaper than the train to Busan! From museums to fortress walls and an awesome amusement park, there are a lot of cool things to do in Gimhae. The next time you want to head south, maybe head here. A lot of…
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Anthracite Coffee in Korea: Collect Them All
For the coffee enthusiasts who have an insatiable passion for exploring one-of-a-kind cafes Anthracite Coffee is a must visit and you’ll see why. Not only serving up high-quality coffee, Anthracite Coffee transforms unconventional spaces into havens of aromatic delight, where the art of coffee is masterfully cultivated and the spaces they set up shop in are celebrated. While you’ll find numerous cafes in Korea that have taken to creating interesting spaces out of the most inane places, Anthracite has been doing it longer than many and better than even more. Get ready to learn about the four distinctive branches of Anthracite Coffee. I’m sure you’ll want to “collect” them all.…
