Explore Korea Now

Escape the city noise and step into the serene embrace of Korea’s hanok villages this winter. Discover five traditional stays where culture, history, and silence meet. When winter falls in Korea, it brings more than just snowflakes — it brings quiet. A hush that covers rooftops, streets, and even the hearts of those wandering through the cold. For some, that’s the perfect time to travel — not to the bustling cities, but to somewhere older, quieter, and deeply Korean. That’s where hanok villages come in. These aren’t museums, nor are they built for show. They are living, breathing spaces — some dating back hundreds of years — where tiled roofs cradle snow and wooden floors remember the warmth of a family meal. And if you’re looking to feel Korea’s soul beyond K-pop and neon lights, you might find it in the creak of a wooden door in one of these villages. Let’s take you through five of the most atmospheric hanok destinations — not just places to visit, but places to stay, reflect, and re...

  Essential Apps to Download Before Traveling to South Korea (2025 Guide) Table of contents Why apps Matter When Traveling to South Korea Top Apps You Should Download Papago Kakao T Naveer Map Korail (KTX) Currency Exchange Apps Banking Apps : WISE and Revolut Frenquently FAQ Final Thoughts Why Apps Matter When Traveling to South Korea Traveling to South Korea is an exciting adventure filled with vibrant cities, delicious food, and stunning cultural sites. But without the right essential apps for traveling to South Korea, navigating language barriers, transportation systems, and money matters can be challenging. This guide ensures you’re well-prepared by introducing you to must-have Korea travel apps before you even land! Top Apps You Should Download Papago Papago is your ultimate translation buddy, developed by Naver. Unlike other translation apps, Papago specializes in Asian languages and offers precise Korean-English translations. Features: Real-time text, voice...

 So, your flight’s booked, your suitcase is open, and the excitement is building—you're going to South Korea! But then the practical stuff creeps in: Wait, should I exchange my money now or when I land? It’s one of those nagging travel questions that no one talks about until it’s too late and you’ve lost a chunk of your budget to bad exchange rates. Let’s not let that happen. Here’s a guide that walks you through the real options—based on 2025 realities—with the goal of saving your money and giving you peace of mind before your trip. 1. Should You Exchange Money Before Leaving Home? Let’s be honest—there’s a certain comfort in having some cash in your wallet before you step on the plane. But here’s the deal: exchanging large amounts of money at your local bank or airport counter usually means you’ll pay more and get less. Better idea? Just swap enough to get through the first few hours—maybe $50 to $100 in Korean won. That’ll cover a coffee at the airport, a subway ticket, or you...

Planning your first trip to Korea? Seoul is a vibrant and exciting city, but like any major tourist destination, it has a few things to watch out for. One of the most common issues that travelers face—especially foreigners—is being approached by religious recruiters who often disguise their intentions with friendly conversation. Let me share my personal experience with this and give you some helpful tips to stay safe while enjoying Korea. 🗺️ Where It Happened: A Busy Street in Seoul This happened in Hongdae , one of Seoul’s most popular areas for tourists and young locals. It’s known for shopping, street performances, and cool cafes. But it’s also a common spot for tourist-targeted scams . As I was walking near Hongdae Station, two people came up to me with big smiles and said in English, “Excuse me, do you have a minute? We’re doing a cultural survey.” 🕵️ What Happened Next: The Approach At first, it seemed harmless. They asked a few generic questions and then invited me to a...

 If you're planning a trip to Seoul in 2025 , you may have heard about a new public transportation update called ‘GO SEOUL.’ This rebranding of buses, subways, and bike-sharing services is designed to make transit more seamless—but does it change how tourists get around? This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Seoul’s transport system , including subway tips, bus routes, and money-saving hacks to help you travel efficiently. What’s Inside This Guide? 🚇 How Seoul’s public transportation works in 2025 🚍 Do you need a special pass for ‘GO SEOUL’? 💳 Best ways to pay for transit (T-Money & alternatives) 💡 Money-saving tips for tourists using public transportation 🚇 How Public Transport in Seoul Works (2025 Update) Seoul’s transportation system is one of the best in the world , offering a network of subways, buses, and public bikes that make getting around effortless. What is ‘GO SEOUL’? ‘GO SEOUL’ is not a new service but rather a rebranding of the existin...

 Spring in South Korea is a breathtaking season , with the country covered in pink cherry blossoms, vibrant azaleas, golden forsythias, and delicate magnolias . If you're planning a trip between March and April 2025 , this guide will help you discover the best flower viewing spots, peak bloom dates, and must-visit spring festivals. 📌 What’s Inside? ✅ Cherry Blossom Forecast (벚꽃 개화 시기 2025) – Best places & full bloom dates ✅ More Than Cherry Blossoms! – Where to see azaleas (진달래), forsythia (개나리), magnolias, and canola flowers ✅ Spring Festival Guide 2025 – The best seasonal events across Korea ✅ Travel Tips for Spring in Korea – When to go, what to pack & how to avoid crowds 🌸 2025 South Korea Cherry Blossom Forecast (벚꽃 개화 시기) Cherry blossoms in Korea will start blooming in mid-March in southern regions and reach Seoul by late March to early April . Below are the expected bloom dates for each region in 2025: Jeju Island (서귀포): March 15 Busan (부산): March 17 Daegu (...

If you're planning your first trip to South Korea, you've probably got a checklist: book flights, find a hanbok rental for Instagram-worthy palace photos, maybe even practice a little Korean. But then comes the less glamorous stuff—like figuring out how to pay for a subway ride or buy a snack without digging through unfamiliar coins. That’s where  WOWPASS  comes in. And if you're anything like me—someone who’s easily flustered when lines are long and menus are all in Korean—you’re going to love this little card more than you expect. I used WOWPASS for my entire two-week trip across Seoul, Busan, and beyond. Here's the real, human version of what it was like to travel with it—and why I'd absolutely use it again. My First 5 Minutes With WOWPASS Landing at Incheon Airport after a 13-hour flight, the last thing I wanted was to fumble with ATMs or try explaining myself in a jet-lagged daze. So when I spotted the WOWPASS booth—with friendly English-speaking staff and zero...