Life In Korea (한국의 삶)
What to know about life in Korea from the places to shop to being pregnant in Korea. Here is everything you need to know to live in Korea. (쇼핑하는 곳부터 임신하는 곳까지 한국 생활에 대해 알아야 할 것. 여기 당신이 한국에서 살기 위해 알아야 할 모든 것이 있다.)
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Liberation Day In Korea: The History, The Meaning, and What To Expect
If you’re in Korea in August, you might notice national flags fluttering from apartment balconies, ceremonies on TV, and a distinct sense of national pride in the air. August 15th marks Gwangbokjeol (광복절), or National Liberation Day, a holiday (or red day as we call it locally) that commemorates Korea’s liberation from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule in 1945. For Koreans, it’s a day for celebration, remembrance, and reflection. As a visitor, understanding its significance can deepen your experience of the country and it’s always good to know when and how to be at your utmost respectful. From special exhibitions to parades, make sure you know what to expect…
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Living in Jeju Island: 5 Perks Only Locals Know About
While Seoul is where the vast majority of people seem to take up residence in South Korea, there are a number of reasons to live somewhere else… anywhere else, in the country. Take Jeju Island for example. Given the moniker the “Hawaii of Korea”, this island has palm trees, beaches galore, and a number of perks that only residents of the island can enjoy. (Actually there are a few things you mainlanders can enjoy too, so pay attention.) More foreigners and Koreans alike are choosing Jeju Island for its natural beauty, slower lifestyle, and surprising local benefits. We moved to Jeju, Korea six months ago and here are five reasons…
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Navigating Korea’s Public Bathrooms: Etiquette, Oddities, and Cultural Quirks
Forget the glittering skyline of Seoul, the cute cafes, and the K-beauty glamour for a moment—let’s talk about a more down-to-earth topic that’s just as much a part of your journey through Korea: public bathrooms. It might not be on your itinerary per se, but trust me, it’s an adventure in itself and just about everyone goes home with something to say about it. Korea’s bathroom culture can be a curious mix of old traditions and cutting-edge technology, and understanding the do’s and don’ts could save you a fair bit of confusion. Whether you’re finding the alley bathroom in Hongdae or the upscale option in Lotte Department Store, there are…
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Why May Is Called Family Month In Korea
Did you know May in South Korea is affectionately known as “Family Month”? The month of numerous family-centered holidays, May is the month to honor transitions in life and to celebrate numerous businesses including hotels, restaurants, and so on over discounts and family-friendly promotions. The most celebrated of the holidays in May in Korea are Children’s Day, Parent’s Day, and Teacher’s Day, but there are actually more family-centered holidays during the month of May. Get ready to read all about them and celebrate, celebrate, and celebrate some more. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no…
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Guide to Throwing Away Trash in Korea: In Public and At Home
Whether you’re visiting Korea as a tourist or have moved to your first Korean apartment, you’ve probably run into the issue of how and where to throw away your trash. There are very few bins on the Seoul sidewalks, so from your first day in the country, you’ll soon find yourself carrying trash around for most of the day Whether you’ve moved into a Korean apartment, a university dorm, or you’re simply staying in an Airbnb in Korea, you’ll find that throwing out the trash isn’t quite as simple as putting your waste into a trash bag and throwing it into a large garbage bin. From buying the correct trash…
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Black Day in Korea: A Celebration of Singlehood
Scheduled exactly one month after White Day and two months after Valentine’s Day, is an unofficial Korean holiday called Black Day (블랙데이). This distinctive celebration is dedicated to individuals navigating the realm of singlehood, particularly those who found themselves bereft of gifts or affection on the preceding romantic holidays. That’s how the story goes. Mostly what you need to know is that eating jjajangmyeong (짜장면) is super popular on this day and if you’re single in Korea and weren’t pleased by the onslaught of romantic holidays that the past two months brought, now is your time to shine. Want to learn more about Black Day in Korea? Here’s what you…
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Korean Holidays: Days Off and Unofficial Days To Remember
South Korea has a mix of traditional and modern holidays, with various celebrations that take place across the country. From national holidays, or red days, where workers get the day off like the Korean New Year, to the unofficial but fun holidays like Pepero Day, get ready to celebrate with Korea. Make sure you know about these South Korean holidays so you can plan your trip or if you’re a resident, year, accordingly. Some holidays see just about everything shut down at least for a few hours, while some holidays in Korea are still work days. Make sure you know which is which and what to do when. Get ready…
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Which immigration office in Seoul should I go to?
Yes, you read that right. Which one? There are THREE immigration offices in Seoul, Korea and while that might seem great, it has and can cause a lot of confusion when you go to book an appointment to get things done. Need to renew your visa in Korea? Reserve a visit to your immigration office in Seoul? First, make sure you know where to go. You do NOT have a choice about which immigration office to go to. It all depends on your local address. Once you now where you’re going, continue reading to find out what information you need to report to the Korean immigration office in Korea when…
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What is Hangul Day?
When you start living in Korea, one of the first things you do is look up all of the national holidays so you know when you have off from work, right? Or, was that just me? Either way, you figured out the holidays in Korea at some point and a holiday in October every year you probably noted was Hangul Day. A celebration that goes beyond marking a historical event, it is a celebration of language, the commitment to preserving a cultural identity through language, and it can be a pretty fun day off. Over the years, Hangul Day has evolved from a symbol of resistance to a vibrant celebration…
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What To Know About Living In A Korean Apartment: Tips, Tricks, and More
Are you moving to a Korean apartment and feeling a bit overwhelmed at the prospect? Wonder what is’ like to live in a Korean apartment? I’ve lived in Korea for more than 15 years in everything from an apartment and an officetel to a villa. Don’t know the difference yet? No worries. I’ve got you covered. Keep reading to get some essential tips to apartment living in South Korea from how to hang things on cement walls to what to know about wet bathrooms, here’s what you need to know. Are you moving to Korea? There’s a lot to know about the place, but there’s a lot to know about…
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Grocery Stores In Korea: Supermarkets, Convenience Stores and Online Options
If you’ve just moved to Korea and are wondering where to pick up your groceries, you’ve come to the right place. Moving country comes with various questions, but the first one on most peoples’ minds once they land and have a house is where to get food. Fortunately, there are plenty of options when it comes to Korean supermarkets. Whether you’re looking for your favorite, or maybe soon-to-be favorite, Korean snacks, or the cooking staples your kitchen needs, find out more about the grocery stores in Korea. From fresh produce, meat, or seafood, or the foods to simply satisfy your cravings, this guide will have you covered. There are a…
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Ordering Food and Groceries Online With Shuttle In Korea
If you tried to order food online in Korea, chances are you’ve come across Shuttle (셔틀) especially if you were searching in English. The company that caters to foreigners looking for foreign food continues to add more services for their growing customer base across South Korea. Want to order food online in Korea? Get groceries delivered to your door when going to the grocery store in Korea is overwhelming? There are options and even if you don’t have a local bank account or bank card, you can still use Shuttle which makes them the go-to option for tourists in Korea too. Staying in a hotel but want to order in?…
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A Helpful Guide for Foreign Couples Starting A Family In Korea
This article is a compilation of information that our local Jax Monchick put together during her stay here in South Korea. If you’re looking to start a family in Korea, there is a lot of information you should be aware of and a lot of things are different if you and your partner are both foreigners versus when you’re married with a Korean citizen. Things can change over time, but this is a great basis of information if you are starting a family here in Korea. Are you pregnant in Korea? Trying to get pregnant? Wondering about that pregnancy badge or maternity leave? It’s all here. This information was a collaborative…
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Where to See Christmas Lights in Seoul
Almost every country in the world celebrates Christmas in some way, shape or form. Regardless, holiday lighting displays seems to reign supreme in every place that features this winter holiday. While no one does it quite like the USA, Canada or Europe, the Christmas lights in Seoul, South Korea are quite breathtaking in their own right. Remember to dress warmly, I like to layer with Uniqlo heattech whenever possible, and head out to see what Christmas is like in Korea. Find out more about the top 11 places to see Christmas lights in Seoul along with a healthy number of honorable mentions. From Lotte retail giant and several shopping malls,…
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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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Tap Water In Korea: Is It Safe to Drink… and Why Most Koreans Don’t
Fill up a glass of water from the tap in Korea and start drinking it in front of your Korean host and watch their reaction. Despite the tap water in Seoul going through more rigorous quality testing than most developed cities in the world, the vast majority of Koreans won’t drink it. They’ll reach for bottled water, a filtered pitcher, or boiled water before they’ll drink straight from the tap. So, what’s going on? The short answer: yes, tap water in Korea is safe to drink. The longer answer involves old pipes, a government overhaul, a cultural preference that data hasn’t shifted yet, and some genuinely interesting statistics about what’s…
