Essential Korea travel tips for a smooth trip. Master the subway, learn how to use Naver Map and Kakao Taxi, and understand the “Pali-Pali” culture.
Seoul is clean, modern, and beautiful. However, you will quickly notice a strange mystery. There are no trash cans. Specifically, you can walk for 20 minutes in Gangnam holding an empty iced coffee cup without finding a single bin. It is baffling. In most countries, trash cans are on every corner. In contrast, in Korea, … Read more
If you think hiking in Korea is just a casual walk in the park, you are making a dangerous mistake. In reality, hiking is a national sport here. Specifically, it involves professional gear, steep granite rocks, and a lot of Makgeolli (Rice Wine). Many tourists underestimate the mountains. Because they look small compared to the … Read more
In most countries, Red means “Stop” and Green means “Go.” However, in this Korean Taxi Guide, I will explain why the logic here is flipped upside down. You are standing on a street in Seoul. A taxi approaches. The light is RED. Naturally, you think “It’s busy” and let it pass. Then, a taxi with … Read more
In Ohio, winter means dry air blowing from vents and cold feet. You wear socks to bed. In Korea, winter means your floor turns into a giant heating pad. It is called Ondol. It is the greatest heating invention in human history. Hot water pipes run underneath the floor, making the entire room toasty warm. … Read more
When I moved to Seoul from Ohio at 22, I thought I was ready. I had watched K-Dramas. I liked Kimchi. I had a dream. Reality hit me like a grandmother’s elbow on the subway. I got kicked out of a spa for wearing a bikini. I got fined for throwing away a banana peel. … 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 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 Ohio, throwing away trash was easy. You opened the bin, you threw it in, you walked away. In Korea, throwing away trash is a science exam. You need specific bags. You need to separate labels. You need to know if a chicken bone is considered “food” or “weapon.” If you mess this up, two … Read more
If you are currently buying single-use subway tickets with cash every time you ride, stop. Just stop. You are wasting time, you are losing money, and frankly, you are annoying the 50 Koreans standing behind you in line. In Korea, cash is (mostly) dead. The real king is a small piece of plastic called T-Money. … Read more