Alice 
When I booked a Temple Stay in the mountains of Korea, I imagined a “Zen Retreat.” I pictured myself drinking tea, reading a book by a stream, and maybe doing some light yoga. It sounded like a spiritual vacation. I was wrong. Temple Stay is not a vacation. It is Boot Camp for the Soul. … Read more
In the West, if you want to meet someone, you use Tinder or Hinge. You swipe left or right on your phone while lying in bed. In Korea, they brought the app into the bar. It is called “Hunting Pocha” (Hunting Bar). Don’t worry, no animals are harmed. The “prey” is a date. These bars … Read more
In the US, going to the doctor is a luxury event. You book it weeks in advance, wait for hours, and then pay $200 just to say “Hello.” In Korea, going to the doctor is like going to a convenience store. It is fast, efficient, and shockingly cheap. But there is a catch. Korean doctors … Read more
In NYC, a haircut costs $100 and takes 3 weeks to book. In Seoul, a haircut costs $20 (or less), includes a head massage, and makes you look like a K-Drama star. Korean hair technology is years ahead of the rest of the world. They have perms for everything—roots, bangs, and even the sides of … Read more
In Ohio, when work ends at 6 PM, you go home. You watch Netflix. You relax. In Seoul, when work ends, the real work begins. It is called Hoesik (Company Dinner). To a foreigner, it looks like a party. Free BBQ! Free alcohol! Do not be fooled. Hoesik is a battlefield disguised as a dinner. … Read more
In Ohio, when it snows, we drink Hot Chocolate. We wrap our hands around the warm mug and sit by the fire. In Korea, when it snows, they drink Iced Americano. You will see it everywhere. People wearing giant puffer jackets (Long Padding) that look like sleeping bags, shivering in the biting wind, but clutching … Read more
In America, my skincare routine was simple: Wash face with a harsh scrub, dry with a towel, done. In Korea, skincare is not a routine. It is engineering. You’ve heard the myths. “Koreans use 10 products every night!” “You need snail slime on your face!” So, you walk into Olive Young (the Korean Sephora/CVS hybrid), … Read more
In America, Google Maps is God. It tells you where to go, how to walk there, and even how crowded the bus is. In Korea, Google Maps is a liar. Because of unique security laws (and local competition), Google Maps in South Korea is severely limited. It won’t give you walking directions. It won’t show … Read more
In America or Europe, going to the beach means one thing: Getting a tan. You wear the smallest bikini or swim trunks you own, lie on a towel, and bake until you look like a golden toast. So, when I went to Haeundae Beach (Busan) for the first time, I was ready for my Baywatch … Read more
In America, dating is a blurry line. You hang out, you grab dinner, maybe you kiss, and eventually, you just know you are together. In Korea, dating is a legal contract. You can hold hands. You can eat expensive steak together. You can text 24/7. But if no one said the magic words “Will you … Read more