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Unwrap the Magic of Korea: 18 Unique Holiday Gifts for Your Loved Ones!
Looking for something extraordinary to gift this holiday season? Whether you’re surprising a loved one or treating yourself, these carefully curated Korean treasures will bring a touch of culture and charm to your celebrations. I love giving gifts from the country that I’ve decided to call home and if you have someone in your life interested in Korea, or at the very least interested in very aesthetically pleasing items, this list of unique gifts from Korea is for you. From traditional crafts to modern must-haves, this list is filled with gifts that go beyond ordinary and are sure to delight anyone on your list. Not your standard Korean souvenirs, this…
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The Most Touristy Thing In Wando Is A Tower
Wando, Korea might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of traveling in Korea. Tucked away in the southern part of the country, this island is most visited by travelers that are taking the ferry from the southern part of mainland Korea to Jeju Island. That’s exactly why we were visiting, but wow is the food good and the ocean glistening here. We’ll be through a few times, so for our first trip through, we stopped at what seems to be the most touristy thing there—the Wando Tower (완도타워). I thought we’d just pop in to this observatory and pop out, but boy was I…
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Travel Back In Time At The Jeju Folk Village
There are some amazing traditional folk villages in Korea, and the Jeju Folk Village (제주민속촌) definitely makes the list. There are more than 100 houses that were actual residences and they’ve tried to portray what time was like in the 1890s on Jeju Island. An interesting thing about this folk village is that it brings together mountain villages and fishing villages among other different living spaces into one place. So it feels like a few villages instead of just one. You could easily spend a few hours here not just looking, but also getting in on the traditional experiential action. If you’re looking for things to do with kids in…
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Jeju Citrus Museum: Where To Begin Your Jeju Hallabang Journey
If you’re searching for things to do with kids in Jeju, the Jeju Citrus Museum (감귤박물관) is a great place to start to add an educational perspective on any citrus adventure to come. It offers a fascinating dive into the history and culture of Jeju’s citrus, with plenty to learn about the different varieties grown on the island. Plus, if you’re curious about picking oranges in Jeju, this is the perfect spot to get an introduction before heading out to the orchards! Any good citrus adventure on Jeju Island should start with some history and culture and you can get both at the Jeju Citrus Museum: (This post contains affiliate…
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SKIN1004: Probio-Cica Enrich Cream and Intensive Ampoule Review
As a longtime SKIN1004 user I am not surprised at all that I loved the Probio-Cica cream and ampoule. Recommended to me as I have dry skin and am aging gracefully, this duo was rich, nourishing, and hydrating and that’s exactly what my skin consistently needs. When I first began my SKIN1004 journey, I was introduced to their Madagascar Centella toner and ampoule and much like I loved those, I found these products extremely hydrating on my dry skin. Need a skin pick-me-up, try these now! Getting into SKIN1004 and want to see if the Probio-Cica line is for you? The ampoule and cream are amazing. Find out why: (This…
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SEOULDAL: How To Ride The Moon-Shaped Balloon In Seoul
Move over N Seoul Tower and Seoul Sky Observatory—there’s now a high-flying hot spot in town for those craving panoramic views of Seoul, Korea. Say hello to SEOULDAL (서울달), a moon-shaped gas balloon that’s lifting off in the heart of the city. This isn’t just any observatory; it’s an aerial adventure that takes you soaring above Yeouido, offering a unique vantage point to experience Seoul like never before. Get ready for a unique experience in Seoul, Korea. Here is all you need to know about SEOULDAL: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to…
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7 Ways We Ate Abalone In Wando, Korea
I am an abalone fiend. Can’t get enough. So, when we were headed through Wando recently, the island responsible for about 80% of the country’s abalone production, I was determined to try as many abalone dishes as I could. Here, the locals have mastered the art of preparing this delicacy in various mouthwatering ways. From thinly sliced raw abalone served fresh to the warm, hearty comfort of abalone porridge, there’s something for every palate. But one of the most surprising creations you’ll find here is “abalone bread.” Get ready to learn about all of the abalone delicacies you can try in Wando, Korea. If you’ve ever wondered how to eat…
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Mixsoon’s Flagship Store In Myeongdong Is An Elegant Stop For K-Beauty
A few years back, Seongsu-dong became the buzz for pop-ups and Korean beauty flagship stores in Seoul, Korea. While it continues to be one of the coolest spots in the city, beauty brands catering to their foreign customers are turning their attention to Myeongdong‘s lasting appeal. SKIN1004 set up shop there, and now MIXSOON has joined the scene with their new flagship store (믹순 플래그십 스토어). Headed to Myeongdong? Don’t miss out on a visit to the Mixsoon Flagship Store: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)…
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The SKIN1004 Flagship Store In Myeongdong Is Moody, Bold, and a Must-See
The first time I stepped into the SKIN1004 Flagship Store in Myeongdong (스킨1004 플래그십 스토어 명동), I was immediately struck by how different it felt from the usual skincare shops crowding the streets of Seoul and especially the ones in Myeongdong. Nestled in the heart of this bustling district, the store’s exterior boldly breaks away from the sea of glass-fronted boutiques that surround it. Instead, the SKIN1004 Flagship Store presents an intense rock-textured facade, a nod to untouched nature but with a modern twist that draws you in with its unexpected warmth and depth. Let it draw you in. Let it. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
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That Time I Got Korean Cupping Therapy: What Is It and My Honest Opinion
If you’ve ever wondered about those mysterious red circles you sometimes see on people’s backs at the sauna or pool in Korea, then let me introduce you to cupping therapy, or buhang (부항). It’s an age-old practice in traditional medicine, but, trust me, there’s a lot more to it than just some circular marks. In recent years, it’s become quite a popular treatment — even Hollywood celebs are showing off their cupping marks and you often see it on athletes in major competitions like the Olympics! I’ve personally experienced it on both my back and, most recently, my stomach, and I can tell you, it’s interesting at the very least.…
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Wellness Korean Style at Jwagusan Recreational Forest in Jeungpyeong
I was recently on a wellness adventure to Jeungpyeong in Chungcheongbuk-do and one of the stops was the beautiful Jwagusan Recreational Forest (좌구산 자연휴양림). In recent years, the Korean parks and forests have done a lot to emphasize their wellness opportunities and have created numerous wellness experiences to really entice visitors to come and do more when surrounded by the beautiful forests that blanket the country. To start your adventure into the recreational forest, be sure to stop at the Forest Meditation House to join a program. We took part in a traditional herbal color flower tea therapy, forest trekking, and a foot bath with tea. See what you can…
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Why Lee Moon Won Clinic’s Korean Hair Care Is Trending With Foreigners
When foreigners arrive in Korea and start to settle in, one of the most surprising and frustrating issues they encounter is sudden hair loss and an itchy scalp. Not only an initial issue though, it can become continuous. What’s happening? Drastic changes in everything from diet to water quality, combined with the stress of adapting to a new environment can do a lot to your hair. But you’re not alone—Koreans face similar challenges, and the country is home to numerous specialized hair clinics. The good news? Many of these clinics are now expanding their services to cater specifically to the needs of foreign clients, offering multilingual support to ensure you…
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Baskin Robbins Madang In Samcheong Is A Traditional Treat
Baskin Robbins back home may look the same from place to place, but one of the fun things about visiting Baskin Robbins in Korea is that they can be quite unique. After the Care Bear-themed Baskin Robbins, our next favorite Baskin Robbins in Korea is the traditional Hanok Baskin Robbins in Samcheon-dong (배스킨라빈스 삼청마당점), actually the first Hanok-themed Baskin Robbins in the country. Located in the tourist-friendly area near Insadong and Bukchon Hanok Village, it’s an easy Baskin Robbins to add into a Seoul itinerary. Get ready to visit and try their exclusive menu items that pay homage to traditional Korean treats only available here. Look out for this Baskin…
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Incheon’s Open Port Area and Living Museum: What To See
Incheon, Korea has some really cool things to see and there are a number of them all in one place. You can easily see Incheon Chinatown, Fairytale Village, and Wolmi Island all in one day if you want to. Nestled between them though, is the quieter but very intriguing Open Port Area that is accessible right from the subway station but somehow very overlooked by most visitors. It’s easy to walk along this collection of historic buildings and think you just want to get to the Chinatown restaurants for some jjajangmyeon or over to the rainbow steps in Fairytale Village, but trust me, you should stop and take a gander…
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Yulgok Botanical Garden and The Hillside Of Chrysanthemums To Find This Fall
If it has “botanical garden” in the name, you can trust that it’s saved on my map to see. If you’re adventuring in the Paju area and heading northwest of Seoul, you’ll want to have it on your list to visit especially in autumn in Korea. Yulgok Botanical Garden (율곡수목원) has one of the most beautiful Siberian chrysanthemum covered hillsides in all of Korea. Of course there are plenty of other reasons to go, but this was the highlight for us, not to mention the cosmos and reeds waving int the winds. Am I making you ready for a fall escape yet? Yulgok Botanical Garden definitely demands a spot on…
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Doganitang: Why I Love Korean Ox Knee Soup
The first time I had doganitang (도가니탕), or Korean ox knee soup, I had just finished an English lesson and my 70 year old student invited me to lunch. He was the kind of older Korean guy there was no declining so I went along and was quite taken aback when the soup he’d ordered us was filled with some sort of gelatinous meat. I wasn’t completely sold at first, but my old friend had good taste so I knew to trust him and eat what was in front of us. Over the years, doganitang has become one of my favorite Korean soups and it might just become one of…
