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How To Celebrate New Year’s Eve In Seoul
Like many places around the world, on New Year’s Eve there are parties galore across the country from Seoul to Busan and everywhere in between. But I think it should be noted that traditionally, January 1st is celebrated with a sunrise hurrah not a midnight kiss. These days there is a lot to do from night to morning though. There’s no single “right” way to celebrate New Year’s Even in Seoul. You can stand in a crowd downtown for a countdown, watch fireworks over the Han River skyline, or do what many Koreans actually do and skip the midnight countdown altogether to catch the first sunrise of the year instead.…
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What To Wear In Winter In Korea: Uniqlo Heattech
Winter in Korea can be really frigid and apparently this year is going to be colder than most. Are you ready? Usually people ask when they can see snow in Korea, but it’s really important to ask if they can even be outside in the winter. Some winters are really mild and quite nice, but others are frigid frigid frigid and you really need to prepare or you’ll just be running from interior space to interior space to stay warm. There are a few things that I make sure we have every year and one thing I make sure everyone in my family has is Uniqlo Heattech. To be honest,…
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Send Money To & From Korea: Best Apps, Fees & Limits
The cheapest way to send money from Korea to the US is usually a licensed remittance app like SentBe or WireBarley rather than a bank wire, because the apps charge a small flat fee instead of stacked sending, intermediary, and receiving fees. To send money to Korea from the US, Wise and WireBarley both deliver straight to Korean bank accounts, often within minutes. If you’re a foreign resident of Korea, expect a $5,000 cap per transfer on remittance apps. I was working on a trends report recently and one of the sections was on apps for people sending money to/from Korea. I have lived in Korea for almost 20 years…
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Travel Back In Time In Naganeupseong Folk Village In Suncheon
Having visited the Naganeubseong Folk Village (순천 낙안읍성), or Nagan Folk Village, twice in the past year, it’s high time I write about this charming and very unique folk village in Korea. Considered the best preserved Korean fortress town in the country, this is absolutely something you need to see in Jeollanam-do. Not only is it the best preserved, but it’s still active! There are 100 households with a bit over 200 residents that live in the traditional thatched roof homes in the village. It’s pretty amazing really. The town has been growing in popularity over the past few years but is still very much a hidden gem in Korea…
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Boseong Green Tea Fields: How To Get There & What To See
Did you know the green tea terraces of Boseong are green year round? I just found out and I think that is awesome because while it can be a rather popular place to visit in the spring and the summer, maybe more people should go in the autumn and winter instead. The Boseong green tea fields, as they’re often called, will still be quite gorgeous… which I can say from experience as I’ve just been there, whenver you want to visit Jeollanam-do. Looking for a beautiful escape this winter in Korea? Or maybe you are looking for things to do in Jeollanamdo. Whether you’re a tea lover, nature lover, or…
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Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Seoul: What To See, Do, and Know Before You Visit
The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자), often referred to as DDP by locals, is one of those buildings that stops people mid-stride. It is a definitive architectural must-see in the capital city of Korea. The sweeping aluminum curves, the lawns that rise up and fold over the roofline, the way the whole structure seems to have grown from the ground rather than built on it. Seoul was even named the World Design Capital in 2010, and DDP is a significant reason why. The iconic building is actually the world’s largest atypical architecture. Often the home of artistic exhibitions, like TeamLab, but also home to Seoul’s fashion week, there is always something…
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Cheonggyecheon Stream: What To See Along The Walk, The Best Spots and Seoul Lantern Festival
The Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천) is on almost every list of things to see in Seoul, and for good reason. The river starts near Gwanghwamun Square and runs 10.92 kilometers through the heart of the city before eventually meeting the Han River. It’s the site of the Seoul Lantern Festival each winter, hosts art installations and events throughout the year, and serves as one of the best pedestrian walks in the city at any time of day. I’ve lived in Seoul since 2006 and had a goal for years to walk the entire length of the stream. I finally did it. Whether you’re planning to walk the whole thing or just…
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12 Things You Should Know About Pepero Day
Oh Pepero Day (빼빼로 데이), the Korean holiday that you might love or love to hate. I guess it depends on whether you like the Korean snack, Pepero, though. If chocolate covered cylindrical cookies are your jam, then this is a holiday for you! Do you know how many romantic holidays there are in Korea? More than 12. Learn about the other romantic holidays in Korea here. Come November, snack shelves in Korean convenience stores, grocery stores, and every other store, feature a substantial number of this popular Korean snack item. Want to know more about this romantic holiday in Korea? You’ve come to the right place. Here are 12…
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Ramyeon: What It Is & The 13 Best Korean Instant Noodles to Try
Ramyeon (라면) is Korea’s iconic instant noodle, spicy, savory, and cooked in under five minutes. Made from wheat noodles and a concentrated flavor packet, it typically comes in a bold red broth built on gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) or gochujang (fermented chili paste). It is not the same as Japanese ramen, which is a fresh, slow-cooked restaurant dish with a milder broth. Korean ramyeon is pantry food, comfort food, and, if you know what you’re doing, genuinely delicious food. Korea produces some of the best instant noodles in the world. The brands are different, the heat levels vary wildly, and once you know which ones to reach for, it’s hard…
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Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do: A Guide To This Hidden Gem In Korea
Geochang, Korea is an unassuming area with a lot to share. If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Korea with natural views, a ton of history, and fun things to see, this don’t miss Geochang in Gyeongsangnam-do. Haven’t heard of the area before? Wondering what is there to do in Geochang? If you like mountains and views, then it should be on your radar. Take a trip in South Korea and see what you can see. Plan your trip now. There are plenty of things to do in Geochang and more: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase…
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29 Places To See Pink Muhly In Korea In The Fall
While most people probably think of deep reds, yellows, and browns in the autumn, pink is sure becoming a standard autumn color in Korea these days. Pink muhly fields are all the rage each fall in Korea ever since Hueree, a nature park on Jeju Island, planted it in 2014. I’m sure they had no idea what they were doing and what they would unleash, but now there are fields and fields of the beautiful pink wispy grasses that make visitors look like they’re floating on pink clouds in the sky. If you love finding flowers in Korea as much as I do, then read on because this one is…
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57 Things That Might Surprise You When In Korea
I’ve been living in Korea for almost 20 years and I still walk down the street and find things surprising. I don’t think there’s a right way or a wrong way to do things, there are just a lot of different ways to do something so with that in mind, here are 57 things that might surprise you when you come to Korea. From fans that might kill you to bidets everywhere… there’s a whole lot of cool, interesting, and different things you might not have realized. Here is what to expect when you come to Korea. My biggest tip if you’re planning to move to Korea, or just visiting…
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Squid Game: Every Korean Game From Seasons 1 and 2 Explained
Something about Squid Game struck a nerve worldwide. It became the No.1 show on Netflix globally, was picked up for a second season, and spawned a real-life competition series in “Squid Game: The Challenge.” If you haven’t watched it yet, get on it. One of the most interesting things about watching Squid Game is that the games are real. They are Korean children’s games, some still played in schoolyards today. This guide covers every game from both seasons, what each one is, how to play it, and the Korean context behind it. (By no means do I suggest playing these games to the death. But the perfectly acceptable, childlike-wonder versions…
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Seoulbox: Your Favorite Korean Snacks In One Place
(Note: Seoulbox has discontinued service.) Do you want to up your snack game? Or just want to try some different snacks? Korea has some pretty interesting snack options and Seoulbox has everything covered for all of your snacking needs. There are some fun and even cute Korean subscription box options out there but this one takes the cake when it comes to fun, quirky, and delicious edible options from Seoul. Seoulbox sent us three boxes to check out for this review. Want to know what’s in this awesome Korean snack subscription box? Let’s go. Let’s dive in to see what is in the best Korean snack box: (This post contains…
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The Adventure Challenge: Review
For Christmas this past year we were gifted with The Adventure Challenge: Family Edition from my mom. It looked like an awesome fun thing to do with family but we put it off a bit and then dug it out when we were headed home this summer. I thought it was a great time to get it out and get the WHOLE family involved. The Adventure Challenge was a fantastic way to spend time with the family and a unique way to connect and have fun too. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone or want this for yourself, this is perfect. Get ready for the fun. Are…
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Aprilskin: Artemisia Rice Essence Toner & Squalane Hydra Gel Cream Review
What a hot and humid summer it has been! Since Covid began, I’ve been wearing a lot less make-up, but instead opting for just a nice clean skincare routine to keep that skin bright and supple. This summer, my favorite two products came from APRILSKIN, which was perhaps a surprise, but a very happy one. They were extremely hydrating and just so nice this summer. Looking for a new K-beauty treat? Make it this one. Your skin will thank you when you add APRILSKIN’s Artemisia Toner and Artemisia Gel Cream to your skincare routine. What to appreciate about APRILSKIN’s Artemisia products: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
