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Incheon Island Hopping: Day Trips and Weekend Getaways From Seoul
Did you know there are more than 70 islands in Incheon? Not all are inhabited, but they’re out there. When people think of island trips in Korea, they think of Jeju or Ulleungdo, but there are far more options, and many of them are close enough to Seoul to reach in an afternoon. Island hopping from Incheon is a well-known weekend option for Koreans but most foreign visitors never consider it. Some of these islands are reachable by subway. Others require short ferries of ten to forty minutes. A few are remote enough to require real planning and a full day of travel. Between them, they cover beaches, trekking, ancient…
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The Best Books To Study Korean
So you’re ready to jump in and start studying Korean. You’ve celebrated Hangul Day in Korea and think the language is for you. I’ve been living in Korea since 2006, which means I’ve watched the Korean-learning landscape change almost completely, back then your options were basically a couple of dusty university textbooks and whatever your hagwon handed you. Now, thanks to K-pop and K-dramas going global, there’s an entire industry of books, apps, and free websites built for people learning Korean, and it can honestly be a little overwhelming to know where to start. There are a lot of great online Korean courses to choose from, but just as important…
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Learn Korean Online: The Best Online Korean Classes & Apps
Whether you want to learn Korean so you can understand more of what your favorite Korean idols are saying or because you plan to live in Korea, there are a ton of resources out there to help you. Learning Korean, at least at a basic level, makes it a lot easier to live in Korea or even just visit. Koreans are very proud of their language, even having a holiday called Hangul Day to celebrate. So, take part, learn some words, and have some fun. With that in mind, here are some recommendations for the best websites to learn Korean, with resources from beginner level to people practicing for the…
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Wonju, Korea: A Guide To The Area
Looking for a fun day trip from Seoul? This weekend is a good time to travel to Wonju if you ask me. About an hour and a half to two and a half hours away with multiple museums, hiking trails, and suspension bridges to visit, as well as the grand Wonju Market, Wonju is a great place to visit near(ish) Seoul. It’s one of the best places to take a daytrip to from Seoul. Here are the best things to do in Wonju. Plan your daytrip to Wonju: How To Get To Wonju By Bus: From Seoul Express Bus Terminal, you can get a bus to Wonju that takes about an…
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The Best Korean SIM Cards & eSIMs For Your Trip to Korea
I help tourists, generally university students headed to Korea every spring and summer, sometimes just a few and sometimes upwards of 30 tourists at a time which means I’m often on the search for the updated info on SIM cards, eSIMs, and the WiFi amenities my travelers need. Did you know there are more than 500,000 public WiFi hotspots in Seoul? WiFi is readily available and easy to access in Korea, but you still need a Korean phone number for a surprising number of things, so a SIM or eSIM is not only a convenient travel purchase, but for Korea can very much be a necessary one. So here we…
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Don’t Miss Death Note: The Musical In Seoul Now!
If you’re interested in Japanese culture, it’s hard not to know about Death Note. As one of the most popular mangas and animes, its influence has spread worldwide with translations and adaptations in different languages. Did you know that in 2015 Death Note was adapted into a Korean Musical as well? If you’re looking for a musical to see in Seoul, I definitely recommend this one, especially if you’re a fan of the anime. Get ready to see Death Note in Seoul: (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…
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Sanrio Is Trending In Seoul: The Sanrio Cafes To Visit Now!
If you’re a fan of the company Sanrio and their many cute characters, then you’re in for a treat in Seoul right now. From the Sanrio Lover’s Club Café to the Cinnamoroll Cafe, there are pop-ups and more just for the Sanrio lovers out there. Though Sanrio is all about the most kawaii (cute) characters of Japanese pop culture, this trend is not just for children. People in the 20s are jumping on it too. It seems that nostalgia is trending in Korea and anything that is a couple decades old or older is coming back in with a fun and cute vengeance. Are you ready for the revival? Or…
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Jeonju Hanok Village: The Complete Guide to Korea’s Food Capital
There are many fantastic places to visit in South Korea, but only one is the birthplace of bibimbap and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Jeonju is one of the most popular destinations in Korea outside of Seoul, beloved for its food, its 700+ traditional Hanok buildings, and a pace that feels different from the capital. A day trip works, but a weekend is even better. Want to plan a trip to Jeonju Hanok Village? Check out the scenery? Eat some delicious bibimbap and chocolate treats or even visit a unique Hanok village? Here’s everything you need to know to plan a trip to Jeonju Hanok Village in Jeollabuk-do, Korea. Plan…
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The Best Things To Do At Night in Seoul
The city of Seoul is vibrant at night. Neon lights brighten the view everywhere you look and the nightlife in Seoul is amazing. I had never been in a place where things just don’t close before arriving here. From night markets to noraebangs, or karaoke rooms, there is so much to do at night in Seoul, Korea. Are you a night owl? An insomniac? This is the city for you. You can take night walks in Seoul along the Seoul Fortress Wall or go to a night market in Seoul to eat all of the delicious food. Where do you think you’ll go first? Things to know about going out…
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The Man Who Laughs: A Musical To See In Korea Now!
Did you know that you can see musicals at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts? Musicals are a really popular way to tell stories, and they’re no less popular in Korea. Sometimes Kpop Idols will take up roles in musicals and bring even more attention to them. One example of this happening now is with The Man Who Laughs (웃는남자). When this musical first premiered, EXO’s Suho and Super Junior’s Kyuhyun played the lead role of Gwynplaine. Even though they aren’t in the show anymore, it’s still an incredibly good story with a lot of emotion that a lot of people can relate to. How to see The Man Who…
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4 Unique Art Parks in Korea Where Nature and Creativity Collide
I didn’t expect to stumble upon a giant pine beer in the middle of a mountain trail, but that’s exactly the kind of surprise I love finding when exploring Korea. There’s something magical about discovering art where you least expect it, tucked between tall trees, set beside a beautiful riverside, or peeking out of a hillside. If you’ve explored Seoul’s galleries and trendy exhibitions, but you’re looking for something a bit more off the beaten path, a little more secret, know that Korea’s art scene is not just indoors. Some of the most whimsical, thought-provoking, delightful, and family-friendly art is scattered across Korea’s forests, mountains, and riversides. The best part…
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Korean PC Bang: What It Is, What It Costs and How To Use One
In an electronically advanced city like Seoul, there is an active underground world that operates day and night in comfortable personal cubicles, each with a high-spec computer, fast internet, headphones, and food that you order from the screen in front of you and which arrives at your desk without you needing to get up. That is a Korean PC bang. PC bangs are not just for gamers. They’re useful for anyone who needs a reliable internet connection, a place to work, or simply wants to experience one of the most distinctly Korean spaces that exists. And because most are open 24 hours a day, they’re one of the better options…
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The Best Overseas Money Transfer Service: SentBe
Whether you’re trying to send money abroad to pay off your student loans or sending gifts to family, the need for easy money transfer services has grown immensely. It’s amazing how much easier it is now. I remember in 2006 when I first arrived in Korea how much paperwork at the bank it required and how long I had to sit there to do it. Now, there are apps and online services connecting banks in amazing ways. I’ve been using SentBe for a few years now to send money home. Admittedly, after the first time, I was SHOCKED at how fast and easy it was. I used it and never…
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Breakout Seoul: A Fun Escape Room in Hongdae
Are you looking for a fun activity in Seoul to do with a group in Seoul? There are some great English-speaker friendly escape rooms to try. Escape rooms are a great team-building exercise, whether it be for work, school, family, or friends. There are varying levels of difficulty to them too, so you can find one that matches your style, whether it’s your first escape room or you’re a total pro. Looking for something fun to do in Hongdae? While you can do all kinds of things from eating to shopping in Hongdae, there is plenty in between. Breakout Seoul (브레이크아웃 이스케이프) is one such escape room in the Hongdae…
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Kahi Korean Skincare: Why Everyone Is Talking About Their Multibalm Sticks and More
You may have already seen Kahi’s multi balm sticks, in the hands of Lil Nas X, Doja Cat, and Ava Max. The brand has become one of the fastest-growing Korean skincare companies since its 2020 debut, and the attention from high-profile celebrities and beauty influencers is part of why. When I was invited to a Kahi influencer event in Korea, I got to test their full product range and learn about what they’re building. Here’s an honest review of six Kahi products from someone with dry skin who actually used them daily. Get ready to learn everything you need to know about Kahi and their products: (This post contains affiliate…
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Cheongwadae: A Complete Guide To Seoul’s Blue House
Important notice — current status: Cheongwadae (청와대), Seoul’s Blue House, is closed to the public as of August 1, 2025. Following the election of a new president, the presidential residence has been reclaimed and the public access that began in 2022 has ended. This guide covers the history of the complex, what visitors saw during the three years it was open, and what remains accessible in the surrounding area. Between May 2022 and August 2025, something remarkable happened in Seoul. For the first time in 74 years, the gates of Cheongwadae, the Blue House, Korea’s presidential compound, opened to the public. Over three years and 8.5 million visitors later, it…
