Discover Korea Now

 Before I moved to Korea, I honestly believed that Korean food (K-food) was all about being “too spicy, too sweet, too mysterious.” I only knew it from YouTube: People crying while eating fire noodles (buldak ramyeon) Bright red tteokbokki boiling in huge pans Mountains of kimchi on the table So on the plane to Seoul , I was nervous and kept thinking: “What am I going to eat there every day?” A few months later, my question completely changed: “How did I gain this much weight so fast…?” This blog post is my honest (and delicious) explanation of why I gained weight in Korea — and why I don’t really regret it. 1. First Taste of Korean Food: “This Feels Like Home-Cooked Food” In my first week in Korea, a Korean friend took me to a small local restaurant. My first proper Korean dish was kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) . The soup was red. It was boiling in a hot stone pot. I saw kimchi, pork, tofu, and green onions. To be honest, it looked scary at first. I exp...

 If you’re planning a 2–3 day trip to South Korea and wondering how to make the most of Seoul on a reasonable budget, this itinerary is for you. It focuses on traditional palaces, hanok villages, cozy cafes, night markets, and trendy Gangnam spots , all connected with easy public transportation. Why Seoul Is Perfect for a 2–3 Day City Break Seoul is one of those cities where tradition and modern life sit side by side : royal palaces next to glass towers, hanok alleys right behind busy shopping streets, and calm temples just a few minutes away from neon-lit night markets. For a short trip, you can focus on: History & culture : Gyeongbokgung Palace , hanbok rental , Jogyesa Temple Old vs new neighborhoods : Ikseon-dong Hanok Village , Insadong , Myeong-dong Modern city vibes : Gangnam, COEX , Starfield Library , Garosu-gil Markets & food : street food in Myeong-dong , Namdaemun Market A rough daily budget (per person, mid-range, excluding flights): Publ...

  What Foreigners Really Think About Everyday Korean Habits When you first arrive in South Korea , you might expect high-tech cities, K-pop playlists in every café, and a sea of neon-lit signs. But what surprises most foreigners isn’t the speed of the Wi-Fi or the style of the cafés — it’s the invisible code of social behavior that shapes daily life. A viral YouTube video titled “Things That Are Normal in Korea but Strange Abroad (and Vice Versa)” captured just that. In it, people from Australia , Norway , Switzerland , Belgium , and Israel share candid stories about what felt “off” or “odd” during their time in Korea. The result isn’t a criticism, but rather a fascinating mirror reflecting how deeply culture shapes what we call “normal.” 1. A Compliment or an Insult? The “You Gained Weight” Paradox For Koreans, commenting on someone’s appearance is often a sign of affection — a way of showing attention or familiarity. Saying “You lost weight!” or “You look bigger than ...

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, a...

 When I first mapped out our 11-day family trip to South Korea, I was filled with excitement—and completely overwhelmed. I wanted to see everything: Seoul, Andong, Gyeongju, Busan, Suncheon, Jeonju, Suwon, the DMZ... You name it. I had read dozens of guides and felt sure we could squeeze in all the highlights if we just kept moving. After all, South Korea looks small on the map, right? Well, here’s the truth I wish someone had told me before I started booking trains and guesthouses: Korea is small, yes—but travel here takes time. Not because it’s hard, but because every stop deserves more attention than you think. The Fantasy vs. Reality of a Packed Itinerary Our original plan was intense. Two nights in Seoul, then a hop to Andong, down to Gyeongju, a few days in Busan, out to Suncheon and Boseong, through Gwangju and Damyang, up to Jeonju, a day trip to Suwon, and maybe the DMZ before circling back to Seoul. Looking at the schedule felt like solving a puzzle. It made sense on pap...

 When I first started planning my trip to South Korea, one question kept nagging at me: How would I survive without speaking Korean—or even English fluently? I was planning this adventure with my family, none of us bilingual, and I couldn’t help but worry. Would we be able to ask for directions? Order food? Check into a hotel without awkward stares or misunderstandings? Turns out, we weren’t alone in wondering this. Many travelers—especially from French-speaking countries like mine—face the same fear: “Can I travel in Korea without speaking Korean or English?” So let me reassure you right away: yes, you can. And you might be surprised at how much fun you’ll have doing it. 📱 Your Best Friend: Papago, Not Google Translate Before the trip, someone recommended I download Papago , a Korean-made translation app. I didn’t expect much—but wow. It’s built specifically for Korean, and honestly, it outperforms Google Translate, especially when it comes to casual phrases and signs. We used...