As I wander through Seoul’s busy streets, I’m always struck by the amazing street food culture here. It’s like stepping into a world where every corner and alleyway offers something delicious to try. I’ve always believed that if you want to really understand local food culture, street food is the way to go, and Korea is no exception. It’s a fantastic experience that I recommend to everyone visiting. Korean street food is not just tasty; it’s incredibly diverse. From spicy rice cakes known as tteokbokki to sweet-filled pancakes called hotteok, there’s something for every palate. However, over t ..read more

As we step into 2024, Seoul’s fashion landscape presents a captivating blend of new trends and enduring styles. Walking through the city, from the sleek streets of Gangnam to the vibrant corners of Hongdae, it’s clear that Korean fashion this year is both evolving and holding onto its unique character. A significant change in 2024 is the rise of sustainable fashion. More than just a trend, it’s a conscious choice. Designers and big brands are turning to eco-friendly materials and ethical production. This shift isn’t just in the stores; it’s visible on the streets, with fashion-forward individu ..read more

In recent years, Korea has become known for many things. Almost everyone has heard about Korea in some regard – perhaps because of Kdramas, K-pop or the delicious food. However, another aspect of Korea that has become wildly popular over the past few years is Korean beauty. Specifically the beauty and skincare products that come from the country. Growing on the back of the Hallyu Wave, Korean cosmetics have become incredibly popular recently. No matter my country, I can visit a mall and expect to find Korean cosmetic chains such as Innisfree, Nature Republic or Olive Young. The influence of Ko ..read more

If you plan to visit Korea, a few activities make it onto nearly every travel itinerary. One of these activities is to visit Myeongdong, while another is to take in the sights at Namsan Tower. However, a more traditional activity is to explore the grounds of one of Korea’s many palaces. Most travellers will visit one of the five Grand Palaces in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung are all located around the capital, each with its own highlights. For example, Changdeokgung features a stunning secret garden, whereas Changgyeonggung has a botanical ..read more

With the proliferation of smartphones and many options to stay connected internationally, a common travel preparation step for many has become downloading the essential travel apps of a country. After all, no one wants to land in a new country and suddenly find out they can’t perform basic tasks such as navigating the subway system or hailing a taxi! While many countries share common apps – for example, Uber will work in pretty much any English-speaking country and many more, while Grab is your friend in Southeast Asia – Korea has its own ecosystem of apps. Slightly annoyingly, many of these a ..read more

One of my favourite things to do in any new country I visit is to pop into the local convenience store or supermarket and pick up every delicious-looking new snack I can find. While I tend to opt for salty snacks, there’s no denying that there is a time and a place for candy too! If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, or if you’ve lived there for a while and are looking for some new tastes to experience, these are some of the best Korean candies you will want to be on the lookout for. While they aren’t all for everybody, there’s sure to be something you will enjoy on this list. The good ..read more

With Korea’s rising popularity off the back of the Hallyu Wave, more and more prospective students are considering moving to the peninsula to pursue higher education. However, it seems that despite so many people wanting to move to South Korea, there are still relatively few honest opinions on university life in the country.   I published an article titled Studying in South Korea a few years back. In the article, I was quite critical of many aspects of university life because I was experiencing the difficulties first-hand at the time. While I still agree with many of the thoughts I shared ..read more

When planning a trip to South Korea, especially Seoul, it’s almost impossible not to hear about Gwanghwamun. While the word itself refers to the largest gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace (which you can see in the image above), the name has now become synonymous with the area surrounding the most famous palace in Korea. If you’ve… ​​ Read More »Gwanghwamun – A Guide on What to Do in Seoul’s Cultural Center ..read more

When visiting a country for the first time, it’s common to experience culture shock. No matter how well travelled we are, every country is a bit different and sometimes vastly so. Depending on where you are visiting from, Korea might have many cultural similarities. However, for many (me included!), visiting Korea for the first time… ​​ Read More »10 Korean Culture Facts That Surprise Tourists ..read more

Learning Korean isn’t the easiest thing in the world. I’ve been a beginner looking to learn Korean, and even today, I still study and struggle with furthering my skills. When I first set out to study Korean, I was lost! There are just so many websites and resources from which you can learn. Perhaps the… ​​ Read More »Top 10 Korean Classes You Can Take Online ..read more