Discover Korea Now

 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,...

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 ...

 If you’re googling “ Korea winter travel 2025 ” or “ things to do in Seoul in December ,” this guide is for you. Winter might not be the first season that comes to mind when you think of Korea – most people dream of cherry blossoms in April or fiery foliage in October. But if you’re planning a trip between December 2025 and February 2026 , winter is actually one of the best times to visit: fewer crowds, magical night festivals , and street food that only appears when the temperature drops. Below is a 2025–2026 winter travel guide to Korea , written with first-time visitors in mind. 1. Why visit Korea in winter (Dec 2025 – Feb 2026)? Fewer crowds, better value Peak tourism in Korea usually happens in spring and autumn. In winter, you’ll still see visitors, but you won’t be fighting through walls of people everywhere you go. That often means: Easier restaurant reservations Shorter queues at major attractions Better chances of finding good hotel deals December 24–Janua...

 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...