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Papa Recipe Serum Review: Collagen, Retinol, HA, and Niacinamide
Papa Recipe is a Korean skincare brand built around one founding principle: safe, gentle ingredients for people with skin concerns. When they released four new serums targeting different skin issues, wrinkles, texture, dryness, and uneven tone, I tested all four. Here’s what I found on dry skin in my late 30s. For the full Papa Recipe brand story and their noble rot ampoule and essence, read the complete Papa Recipe Noble Rot review. Find out more about Papa Recipe’s new serums: (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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Seoul Animation Center and Ani Town Will Leave You Smiling in Seoul
Have you heard of Ani Land? The Seoul Animation Center? Ani Town? It’s okay if you haven’t. Located across the street from the popular shopping district, Myeongdong, in Seoul, it’s a bit off the beaten path unless you’re on the hunt for animation art. In Ani Town, there lies a street dubbed Zaemiro made up of studios, restaurants, and cartoon-covered walls. It’s known as the “content-specialized street” of Ani Town, a place full of unique exhibitions and views. From Seoul Animation Center, ideal if you have kids, to Zaemiro, there’s something fun for everyone. Until December, there is also a special event going on to visit, get stamps, and get…
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Where To Stay In Busan: The Best Areas for First-Timers, Families & Beach Lovers
Busan is one of my favorite cities in Korea. If I could choose anywhere outside of Seoul to live, it would probably be here. Yes, my husband is from Busan, but even without that connection, this coastal city has something special. Beaches to the south, mountains to the north, fresh seafood everywhere, and neighborhoods that each feel completely different from one another. If you’re wondering where to stay in Busan, your hotel location matters more here than it does in Seoul. Busan isn’t built around one central downtown. It stretches along the coastline, which means staying on the wrong end of the city can easily add an hour to your…
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Jongmyo Shrine: A Beautiful Historical Site in Downtown Seoul
Built in the 14th Century, Jongmyo Shrine (종묘) is the oldest Confucian royal shrine in Korea. Located right in downtown Seoul, you may have walked by this important site and not realized what is behind the walls that protect the grounds. If you’re visiting Seoul or traveling to Korea, this is a beautiful area to take a walk in downtown Seoul where the streets can be bustling. Learn about Korean history and culture and maybe get to see a royal rite. List of Contents: Plan a trip to Jongmyo Shrine! (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking…
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4 Best Game Shops in Seoul: Where to Play Magic, D&D, and Board Games
If you’re new to Korea, it can be tough to find a place to go and hang out with other people or to just find like minded people. If you’re interested in playing games in Korea, though, I’ve got some cool places you can go in Seoul. Some are better if you have people to bring, while others will allow you to meet someone or multiple people right then and there to hang out and play games. If you are a fan of board games, card games, especially Magic: The Gathering, or just analog games in general, these are the places you are going to want to visit during your…
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Papa Recipe Noble Rot Review: Ampoule and Essence for Dry Skin
Korean skincare is ever evolving and always using natural ingredients that it would never occur to me to put onto my skin. If Noble Rot is new to you, don’t worry, it was new to me as well and it’s not as bad as it might sound… really. Papa Recipe, born from a parent’s concern for their child’s skin, has created skincare that uses raw materials from nature and noble rot is one of them. If you’ve had skin issues, then this might just be the Korean skincare company to look to for understanding and grace. We’ll get into that and more below. Looking for a new Korean skincare company…
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Infinity Flying: An Exciting Non-Verbal Korean Musical
Telling stories through song and dance has been a vital part of every culture around the world since the beginning of time, and Korea is no different. Musicals are a great way to spend an evening while you’re in Korea. If you’re looking to see a musical, Infinity Flying is a great choice. Though it is less of a musical and more of an acrobatics show, it’s still a lot of fun. This performance is also good if you’re looking for family-friendly and tourist-friendly shows to see, since it’s non-verbal. Since this comedic show relies mostly on actions to tell the story, it’s easy for kids to follow along with,…
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Korea Power Adapter Guide: What Plug Type, Voltage, and Converter You Actually Need
I’ve had visitors arrive in Korea and realize on their first night that nothing they brought will plug into the wall. It’s one of those things that feels obvious in hindsight and completely invisible when you’re packing. So let’s make sure it doesn’t happen to you. The short answer: South Korea uses Type C and Type F plugs at 220 volts. If you’re coming from the US or Canada, you’ll need an adapter (and possibly a voltage converter). If you’re coming from Europe, Australia, or most of Asia, you’re largely fine. Everything else below will help you work out exactly what your situation is. Answers to the most common questions…
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The 9 Best Areas To Stay In Seoul, Korea: From Gangnam To Hongdae
The capital city of Seoul in Korea is sprawling and you could easily spend one to two hours on the subway getting across the city. When it comes to deciding where to stay in Seoul, it’s important to focus on what it is you want to accomplish while you’re here. From the traditional sites in Bukchon Hanok Village to the artsy district of Hongdae, there is a lot to choose from and plenty to do. Here is a breakdown of the best places in Seoul to stay and what to do nearby. This guide to the best hotels in Seoul in each area of the city is sure to help…
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The Best Folk Villages In Korea: Living Hanok Villages and Hidden Gems
If you’re looking for the best folk villages in Korea, you have more options that you might realize. Some are large open-air museums filled with performances and hands-on activities, while others are quiet living villages where residents still live in centuries-old Hanok homes. Folk villages tend to be quieter and less populated areas to tour in my experience and they’re also beautiful year-round. Whether you’re a tourist in Korea or a resident, exploring a traditional village in Korea gives you a completely different perspective on the country. From UNESCO World Heritage sites to lesser-known rural gems, here are some of the best folk villages in South Korea to add to…
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Flower of the Sun: An Historical Korean Musical
Have you seen a musical in Korea? There are plenty to choose from. It’s a popular pastime in Korea to attend a musical and though they may not be in English, many of them involve dance, movements, and songs that will tell the story even if you don’t speak Korean. From musicals about history to acrobatics, there is something fun to see on stages across the country. If you’re interested in tales of Korean history, then one Korean musical you shouldn’t miss is Flower of the Sun (태양의꽃). This gorgeous Korean musical takes place during the Silla dynasty and is playing at the Gyeongju Expo Park in Gyeongju, Korea until…
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A Guide To the Gyeongju Expo Park
Are you looking for things to do in Gyeongju? Gyeongju is a really beautiful place to discover more about the history of Korea. It was the capital of the ancient Silla dynasty, so there are a lot of historical sites to see. If you’re planning a trip to Gyeongju, check out this guide to Gyeongju for a full picture of all there is to do. In this post, we’ll be focusing on the Gyeongju Expo Park (경주엑스포공원) where there are musicals about Korean history and there are exhibits in the park tower. There’s also a night walk with a story about Silla. You could spend the whole day here. Keep…
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3 Great Dessert Spots In Seoul To Try Now
It’s heating up outside. Seoul in the summer is hot, sticky, and humid. There are plenty of ways to cool off though whether you’re eating the delicious cold Korean soups, dipping into the pools and streams, or enjoying the air conditioners of the museums. If those don’t quite hit the spot though, maybe some cold ice cream or gelato will. I took an adventure out to try some of the delicious cold treats around town this week and here are three ice cream/gelato joints that offer unique flavors and a great time if you’re looking to cool off this summer in Korea. Frozen treats are the way to go if…
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Haenggung-dong Mural Village: What To See In Suwon
There are probably more mural villages around Korea than you might realize. They are just everywhere and it is so fun to find them. Mural villages in Korea often provide an artistic and creative hunt with a good walk outside simultaneously. Some you find by chance and others you’ll probably seek out. A few weeks ago we happened upon Haenggung-dong Mural Village (행궁동벽화마을) in Suwon by chance after visiting the Suwon Museum of Art. Just across the street from the art museum and the Haenggung Palace and Hwaseong Fortress Wall, it’s a great area to see something and then get a snack or food by stopping into one of the…
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Autonomous Cars In Seoul: How To Take A Ride
So you’ve heard there are autonomous cars in Seoul. Yes, there are autonomous vehicles that you can take a ride in. See what the future has in store. Literally. Seoul Mayor Oh Se Hoon said “Seoul will become one of the top five cities leading the self driving technology by 2026.” They are well on their way. There are autonomous taxis in Sangam-dong Seoul right now and they’ll be in Gangnam, around the Cheonggyecheon, and other places before you know it. Read on to figure out how to have a ride in an autonomous car in Korea. Ready to take an autonomous car ride in Seoul? Here’s how: What To…
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The New Zealand Wine Festival Is Back For 2022!
It’s about to be wine time! After a Covid-related hiatus, the New Zealand Wine Festival hosted by the Kiwi Chamber of Commerce is coming back to Seoul and Busan and you can feel the excitement in the air. Festivals and events around Seoul are kicking into high gear and people are buying the tickets at a fast pace. Don’t be left out of the fun. With a selection of high quality red and white wines from over 20 New Zealand wineries and vineyards, if you’re a true oenophile, or wine lover, you need to be there! Learn more about the New Zealand Wine Festival in Seoul and Busan 2022: When…
