Discover Korea Now

 When people think about Korea, the first images that often come to mind are K-dramas , K-pop , stylish cafés, and beautifully edited city scenes on social media. Everything looks fast, trendy, and full of energy. It is easy to imagine a life filled with aesthetic streets, exciting culture, and meaningful encounters. And to be fair, Korea really does have many of those things. But living in a country is very different from visiting it or watching it through a screen. Before making a serious decision to move to Korea, it is worth taking a step back and asking a simple but important question: Does this lifestyle actually fit who I am and how I want to live? Because Korea can be an amazing place for some people, and a surprisingly difficult place for others. A Lifestyle That Offers Many Different Rhythms One of the interesting things about daily life in Korea is how many different lifestyles can coexist in a relatively small space. If you enjoy spending time indoors, Korea has a ...

 If you are planning your first trip to Asia , chances are you are stuck between two countries: Korea and Japan . Both are safe, modern, easy to navigate, and famous for food. On paper, they look similar. In reality, they offer very different travel experiences . This article compares Korea and Japan from a traveler’s point of view, focusing on people, food, cost, transportation, and overall atmosphere , to help you decide which destination fits you best and which one you are less likely to regret. 1. People and Atmosphere: Your First Impression Matters Japan feels calm and controlled from the moment you arrive. Everything works as expected. Streets are orderly, rules are clear, and customer service follows a precise system. For first-time visitors to Asia, Japan feels safe and predictable . Even if you do not speak Japanese, the structure of daily life quietly guides you. Korea, on the other hand, feels more direct and energetic. People speak quickly, move fast, and interacti...

 When people think of Namdaemun Market in Seoul , they usually imagine souvenir shops, clothing stalls, and busy streets filled with tourists. Many travelers visit once, take a few photos, grab a snack, and move on. But the real soul of Namdaemun Market does not live on the main roads. It hides quietly in the narrow alleys. The kind of places you never enter unless you already know they exist. This post is about one of those places: a hidden food alley in Namdaemun Market where locals still line up every day, and tourists almost never notice. Not on the Map, Not in Guidebooks This food alley does not appear clearly on Google Maps. You will not find large signs saying “famous restaurant” or “must-visit spot.” Instead, what you see is something much more telling: a quiet line of locals forming around lunchtime . Office workers, market vendors, delivery drivers. People who eat here not for content, but for consistency. The entrance feels almost accidental. The alley is narrow,...

 Planning a first trip to Seoul? This practical 2–3 day guide groups 15 top attractions by area and time of day— palaces , hanok villages , markets , the Han River , nightlife, and nature—so you spend less time commuting and more time enjoying the city. Seoul is one of those cities where you can accidentally “over-plan” and end up riding the subway more than sightseeing. The simplest way to avoid that is to stop thinking in a checklist of places and start thinking in routes . When you group neighborhoods and match them with the right time of day (daytime culture, sunset views, night markets, etc.), Seoul becomes easy, fast, and surprisingly relaxing. Below is a first-timer-friendly guide to 15 best things to do in and around Seoul , organized to help you build an itinerary that feels full—without feeling exhausting. The 3 “Moods” That Make Seoul Click Most Seoul highlights fit into three categories. A good itinerary mixes two moods per day (not all three), so you don’t burn out...

Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year): Why Kids Love It—and Why Adults Feel Mixed Seollal (설날) is Korea’s Lunar New Year, and for many Koreans it feels like the real start of the year—even more than January 1st. Families gather, share traditional food, bow to elders, and exchange New Year wishes. At the same time, Seollal can feel totally different depending on your age : For kids, it’s often the happiest holiday of the year—full of treats, games, and New Year money . For adults, it can bring warmth and pressure—travel, expenses, and the famous “life update” questions from relatives. This guide explains the most important Seollal traditions (including tteokguk , sebae , and sebaetdon ) and why the holiday creates such a strong emotional contrast between children and grown-ups. If you’re visiting Korea during Lunar New Year, you’ll also find practical travel tips at the end. What Is Seollal? (Korea’s Lunar New Year in One Minute) Seollal is Korea’s major Lunar New Year holiday ...

 Living abroad can be exciting—and also surprisingly lonely at times. Maybe you’re learning Korean, maybe you love Korean food, films, or music, or maybe you simply noticed that you often click with Korean people’s vibe. Whatever the reason, one question comes up again and again: “How do I actually make Korean friends where I live?” The good news: you don’t need a magical pickup line or perfect Korean. What you need is (1) the right places, (2) a low-pressure way to approach, and (3) a small system for turning a “nice chat” into an actual friendship. Below is a practical, real-life guide—written for foreigners living abroad—on where to meet Korean friends and how to connect naturally (without sounding awkward or “goal-oriented”). 1) Why Koreans Often Stand Out Abroad (and Why It Helps You Connect) People often describe Koreans abroad with a few recurring impressions. You don’t have to agree with all of them—everyone is different—but these “first impressions” can make it easier ...

  A Deep Look at Everyday Life, Subtle Bias, and Why Many Choose to Stay Understanding what it feels like to be a foreigner in South Korea requires listening to the people who actually live that experience. In a recent series of interviews, individuals from Portugal , Australia , the United States , India , and West Africa shared honest stories about their daily lives, challenges, and the unexpected things they’ve come to appreciate. Their backgrounds were as diverse as their reasons for coming—some arrived as English teachers , others as engineers or soldiers , and a few came as international students escaping conflict at home. Some had been in the country only seven months, while others had lived here for years. This diversity of perspectives is essential. A foreigner who speaks fluent Korean will naturally navigate social interactions differently from someone who just arrived. A person whose appearance resembles Koreans may blend more easily, while someone who stands out ...

 Picture this: you land in Seoul in December, step out of Incheon Airport in your favorite wool coat, take one breath of icy air… and immediately realize you have underestimated Korean winter by about three layers. If that sounds like a possible future you, this post is your warning and your rescue plan. In the next few minutes, you’ll get a clear idea of what winter in Korea actually feels like, how it has changed over the last couple of years, and exactly how to dress so you can enjoy all the cafés, Christmas lights , and night markets without shivering through the experience. What Korean Winter Really Feels Like On paper, Korean winter doesn’t sound that extreme. From December to February, many cities, including Seoul, sit around freezing: daytime temperatures often hover near 0°C (32°F), sometimes a little above, sometimes a little below. At night, it’s normal for the temperature to dip into the negatives, and on harsher days it can go down to -5°C to -10°C. The numbe...