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Learn About Korean Ceramics At The Clayarch Gimhae Museum
As my in-laws reside in Gimhae, Korea, I’m constantly on the lookout for interesting places to go when we visit them over the holiday periods. On this last trip we found the very interesting Clayarch Gimhae Museum (클레이아크 김해미술관) and the museums that surround it. Gimhae is a city with a long tradition in crafts like Gaya pottery and Buncheong ware that was produced during the Joseon Dynasty and so the region today has created a thriving creative industry for visitors to learn more, see more, and create more. There are some really interesting things to do in Gimhae if you happen to be in the area. If you’re planning…
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Epic Views of Seongsan Ilchulbong From Tadao Ando Architecture
Always on the lookout for artistic gems and natural beauty and any place that elegantly combines them both, I was excited to visit the Phoenix Jeju Yumin Art Nouveau Museum (휘닉스제주 유민미술관) and Glass House (글라스하우스) designed by Tadao Ando on Jeju Island. Nestled in Seopjikoji with breathtaking views of Seongsan Ilchulbong, this gallery is a testament to the fusion of architecture, arts, and nature. But, there’s also an epic swing set… let me show you. Where to get the most epic views of Seongsan Ilchulbong and embrace art and nature: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after…
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5 Reasons You Have To Experience An Ice Fishing Festival In Korea
Ice fishing was one of those things I’d heard about or read about in books growing up, saw in the movie “Grumpy Old Men” and thought, woah, that’s a funny thing to do in the winter. Isn’t it freezing? I had relegated fishing to a summer activity in my head, but it is indeed a winter experience as well and in Korea there are some great ice fishing festivals for everyone to partake in the fun. Looking for an ice fishing festival in Korea? There are three great ones to choose from. Get ready to attend a Korean ice fishing festival: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
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The Best Ski Resorts In South Korea: How To Hit The Slopes
When the winter season arrives in South Korea, the country’s mountaintops transform into snowy wonderlands, making it the perfect time for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts to hit the slopes. South Korea boasts an impressive array of ski resorts, some you probably spotted during the 2018 Winter Olympics held here as well. Considering the country is covered in mountains, it shouldn’t be surprising how many skiing resorts you can find here. Planning a winter in Korea vacation? There’s plenty to do and skiing or snowboarding is up there among the highlights of the season. Get ready to visit some of the best ski resorts in South Korea this winter in Korea.…
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The Cutest Baskin Robbins In Korea: Care Bear Themed
If you grew up in the 80s and 90s like me, then I’m sure you grew up with the colorful kind Care Bears and their rainbow-producing bellies. A wonderful thing about living in Korea is how there is always something to see, do, and enjoy. When I learned about the Care Bear themed Baskin Robbins in Bundang, I could NOT pass up a trip down memory lane and the opportunity to introduce my daughter to the kindness of the colorful Care Bears. From rainbows and plushy dolls to unique menu items and cartoons, this is where you should get your next bowl of ice cream. Relive your favorite colorful Care…
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Media Art In Unexpected Places In Seoul: Hongje Stream
I used to pass through Hongje on a bus every day as I’d traverse from Eunpyeong-gu to a school in Seodaemun-gu. The area doesn’t seem like it’s changed much, but if you went through every day like I did, you’d notice small changes around the Yujin Arcade, the Inwang Market, and the Naebu Expressway area. After teaching one day I traipsed up the mountainside to find the Ant Mural Village, and in the past couple of years there were more changes when the tunnels beneath the intersection were finally opened up and even renovated with light art. Hongje Stream is a beautiful place to walk or ride a bike in…
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Gapyeong’s Unique Hidden Gem: The Yellow Bridge Museum
There are a lot of popular things to do in Gapyeong, Korea, but there are also some really cool and rather hidden gems to see as well. The Yellow Bridge Museum (노랑다리미술관) in Gapyeong, Korea is a hidden gem that offers a unique and artistic experience. As you approach the museum, you can’t miss the vibrant yellow bridge that beckons from a distance, setting the tone for what lies ahead. Well, to be honest, you can’t begin to guess what you’ll see inside this unique museum in South Korea. Want to take an adventure to Gapyeong? Add the Yellow Bridge Museum to your itinerary: (This post contains affiliate links, which…
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Butter Shop: One Of The Cutest Stores In Myeongdong
Walk down the streets of Seoul and you’ll find all kinds of lifestyle stores and stationary shops and one of the cutest ones to find is absolutely Butter Shop (버터샵). The store’s iconic feature, a grandiose cat doll stationed at the entrance, serves as an endearing mascot, beckoning visitors to a world of cutesy wonder. Now, most of the Butter Shops aren’t so done up though still offer the cutest of souvenirs and lifestyle goods, but if you want one that’s got photo-zones and all of the goods, definitely visit the Butter Shop in Myeongdong. You, and the kids you might be toting along, will love it! (This post contains…
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A Guide To Winter In Korea: Snow and Ice and Everything Nice
Though the winter in Korea can be cold, maybe even frigid at times, there can also be some beautiful wintery white landscapes, light festivals, and iced over canyons and waterfalls that create beautiful experiences. Make sure you know what to pack for winter, and you’ll be able to stay warm while enjoying this magical season. From street food to warm your insides and heat packs to warm your outsides, zip up, get out, and there is plenty to enjoy about winter in Korea. Winter is one of the top travel seasons in Korea. What to expect: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a…
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The National Aviation Museum of Korea With Kids: Fun With Flight
If you’re like me, always on the lookout for exciting yet educational outings for your little ones in Seoul, look no further. Today, we’re taking a thrilling journey through aviation history at the National Aviation Museum of Korea (국립항공박물관), fittingly located near Gimpo International Airport. Buckle up, because this adventure is going to be a soaring good time for both you and your kids. This is one of the newest national museums in Korea just opened in 2020. We love visiting the national museums of Korea. They do a fantastic job with installations and exhibitions and on top of that, they’re free because everyone should have access to educational opportunities.…
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Where To Buy A TMoney Card For Korea
When planning your visit to South Korea, one indispensable item to acquire is a T-Money card. This versatile transportation card is your key to convenient travel on public transportation networks throughout South Korea, including subways, buses and even taxis. After purchasing and loading credit onto your T-Money card, you can begin to hop from transport option to transport option. You can even use Korean T-money cards for shopping at some traditional Korean markets, in convenience stores, and more. But first, you need to get one. If you’re already in Korea, there area few places you can buy a T-money card, even custom T-money cards. If you’re abroad, you’ve got some…
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Navigating Seoul with Ease: Your Ultimate Guide to the Seoul Subway System
Are you planning a visit to the bustling city of Seoul, South Korea? One of the most convenient and efficient ways to get around this vibrant metropolis is by using the Seoul Subway system. At first glance, the Seoul subway map can be pretty overwhelming but don’t let that sway you. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Seoul Subway, from its history to using the T-money card for seamless travel. From tips on how to get around Seoul, or information on the Korea subway system, we’ve got you covered. When it comes to getting around Seoul, the subway is definitely the best option, so get…
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Cooking Classes In Seoul: From Kimchi to Bulgogi
Whether you want to learn how to make kimchi or if you want to learn how to make bibimbap, there’s a cooking class in Seoul for you. Cooking classes are a fantastic way to learn more about a culture and with a local guide, you can ask some of those questions about Korean dining etiquette and dining in Korea that you’ve wondered about. I’ve taken a number of Korean cooking classes over the years because, well food, but also, the opportunity to learn how to make some of my favorite Korean food is awesome. I’ve learned how to make a lot of dishes from my Korean mother-in-law, but if you’ve…
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How Yakgwa Is Making A Comeback in Korea
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the ever-evolving landscape of Korean trends, you might have noticed a sweet(ish) sensation making a comeback: yakgwa (약과). This traditional Korean dessert that you can often find in Korean tea houses and other traditional locales has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity among South Korea’s younger generations, specifically the “halmaennials,” a nostalgic generation that blends the essence of millennials and Gen Z with the tastes of their grandmothers. If you’ve been living in Korea for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen yakgwa from time to time, but now it’s having a major moment and you can find them more and more and…
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The Halmennial Trend In Korea And What It Means
Even if you haven’t yet heard of the Halmennial (할매니얼) trend in Korea, you might have noticed the bits and bobs that make up the trend. From traditional snacks becoming so cool, they’re chic rather than traditional, to “ajumma pants” taking center stage in girls’ trips, the Halmennial trend is all around. Halmennial, the combination of “halmeoni” (할머니), the word for grandmother in Korean, and “millennial” is the next stage of the “newtro” trend in Korea. Ready to get retro? Ready to go even further and embrace the grandmother inside of you? You might already be on trend then. Get ready to get retro in Korea: (This post contains affiliate…
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Korean Dad Jokes: Or Jokes Your Bilingual Kids Will Love
For a little background, in my house, we’re constantly speaking English and Korean. My husband speaks only Korean with our daughter and I speak only English with her so every conversation between the three of us is bilingual. Now, kids can be… funny. I love that laugh when my daughter thinks she gets a joke but really doesn’t, but sees us laughing so she laughs. Fake it ’til you make it right? I really like that laugh when she thinks she’s told us the funniest thing ever and thus I’ve learned a lot of what I would call “Korean dad jokes”, called “아재개그” (ajaegaegeu) in Korean, but from my 8…
