Korea Trip Log Staff Opening If you’re going to wake up at 5 AM on vacation, Seongsan Ilchulbong is actually worth it. I’ve made the trip probably five times now, and the sunrise here genuinely delivers in a way that most “must-see” tourist spots don’t. That said, you need to know what you’re getting into — it’s a 20-minute … Read more
Opening If you’re in Busan and you skip this area, you’re missing something actually worth your time. BIFF Square and Nampo-dong isn’t a manufactured tourist trap—it’s where locals genuinely hang out, eat, and spend weekends. The film festival history gives it real character, and the street food scene is the best I’ve found in Busan … Read more
Opening Seoul’s cafe culture is genuinely one of the best things about living here, and I say that after visiting dozens of these places over the last four years. If you’re expecting a quick coffee and a pastry like back home, you’re going to be surprised—these aren’t just cafes, they’re experiences. Some are incredible, worth … Read more
Opening Dongdaemun Design Plaza is worth seeing if you care about architecture or want one genuinely impressive photo. But I’ll be straight with you—it’s not a must-do, and plenty of people leave disappointed because they expect it to be more than what it actually is. I’ve probably been here five or six times since moving … Read more
Opening Han River Park is worth a visit if you want a proper break from Seoul’s concrete and subway chaos. It’s not some undiscovered secret—weekends are packed with families, cyclists, and couples. But I’ve gone back dozens of times over the past five years because it actually delivers on the promise of space and fresh … Read more
Opening Noryangjin Fish Market is genuinely worth visiting if you eat seafood and like seeing how a real working market operates. I’ve been here maybe 20 times now, and it’s always chaotic in the best way. That said, it’s not a sanitized tourist attraction—it’s raw, smelly, and crowded. If you’re expecting cute Instagram moments, you’ll … Read more
Is It Actually Worth a Day Trip? Hwaseong Fortress is genuinely impressive if you know what you’re getting into. After living here for five years, I’ve done this trip maybe six times — sometimes with visitors, sometimes just because I had a Saturday free. It’s not the most dramatic historical site in Korea, but it’s … Read more
Opening Jagalchi is the largest seafood market in Korea, and it lives up to the hype—but only if you know what you’re doing. I’ve been here maybe fifteen times now, and honestly, it can be either incredible or completely overwhelming depending on when you show up and what you’re willing to eat. The market smells … Read more
Opening Look, I’ve been to Changdeokgung Palace at least a dozen times in the past five years, and I still think it’s worth a visit. But I’m going to be straight with you: it’s not the mind-blowing experience the tourism boards make it sound like. If you go at the right time and know what … Read more
Opening Sokcho is worth the trip if you actually want to hike Seoraksan or explore the coastal cliffs. If you’re just here for a quick day trip to take photos and leave, you’ll be disappointed. I’ve been here maybe four times now—some trips great, others felt like a waste of a Sunday. The truth is … Read more