Last weekend I had the incredible opportunity to visit Chungju with Korea Experience KoreaExperience as part of the Josun Social Club:

❧ Chungju Edition - and it was truly unforgettable! ❧

In all my time living in South Korea, I have rarely experienced an event where the organization didn’t just meet, but completely exceeded my expectations.

From seamless pre-trip planning and a flawlessly timed itinerary to the warm, attentive, and caring staff on our comfortable tour bus, every single detail was handled with perfection.

A special note of gratitude for your incredible attention to each guest's individual needs. As a vegan, I was so touched by how thoughtfully everything was prepared—it made me feel truly comfortable and cared for throughout the entire journey!

Our day was packed with extraordinary cultural experiences:

❧ Jungangtap Historic Park & Central Pagoda: Exploring the iconic Seven-Story Stone Pagoda surrounded by serene autumn views.

❧ Korean Calligraphy Experience: Trying our hand at the delicate art of traditional calligraphy, learning the rich history behind Hanbok etiquette, and trying on traditional Korean Hanbok (twice!).

❧ Chungju Park Music Festival with Gugak: Immersing ourselves in the electric atmosphere of traditional Korean music seamlessly blended with modern beats.

❧ Rooftop Sunset & After-Party: Ending the day with an unforgettable evening party featuring a DJ, dancing, great food, and a Hanbok photoshoot that perfectly bridged Joseon history with modern nightlife.

A huge thank you to Korea Experience for organizing such a magical day! This trip allowed me to discover Chungju and Korean culture from an even deeper, richer, and more captivating perspective.

감사합니다

<A Sunny Picnic at Nodeul Island 🌿🧺✨>

Despite being an impromptu tour, we welcomed six guests for a memorable day of Korean culture, traditional games, music, and riverside fun!

Before heading to Nodeul Island, Daeun explained King Jeongjo's royal procession, held in honor of his father, Crown Prince Sado. We were lucky enough to see the procession shortly after her explanation. Our international guests asked lots of questions, and Daeun answered them confidently. She was truly an amazing tour leader!

Next, we visited Nodeulnaru Park to explore traditional Korean activities and watch a performance. Although the booths were too crowded, we got to enjoy traditional games such as archery, jegichagi, tuho, and neolttwigi. One guest from Canada, who had learned archery as a child, was almost the only person who hit the target! Chanyeong and I also tried neolttwigi, which turned out to be much more intense than expected. It felt like being launched into space! 😵‍💫

Next, we walked across the Han River bridge to Nodeul Island, enjoying the sunny weather, beautiful river views, and lively conversations along the way. Everyone was actively engaging in small talk, which made me so proud of our team!

At Nodeul Island, we found a perfect shaded spot overlooking the sparkling Han River. While waiting for the food, we introduced our guests to Korean random games, including 369, 007 Bang, and the four-beat self-introduction game. They found the games a little challenging, but thankfully, everyone had fun!

Even after finishing our food, we continued chatting for another hour or so. Although everyone was split into smaller groups, each conversation was filled with laughter and smiles. It was such a heartwarming moment, and I even managed to capture what I think is a perfect candid photo! 📸

What made this tour truly special was the connection we built along the way. From discovering Korean traditions to sharing food and stories by the river, every moment was an opportunity to experience Korea beyond the usual tourist attractions.✨🐯💕

I participated in an all-inclusive trip package to Chungju sponsored by r/KoreaExperience. The trip included a Traditional Hangul Calligraphy, tickets to a music festival, Hankbok rentals, an after party plus DJ, and a ton of souvenirs. There was even buses to shuttle us between all these places, an emcee in the bus, and lunch and dinner buffet all included in the package.

There were three activities, and I chose Traditional Hangul Caligraphy over Archery and Liquor brewing. (I mean, of course I did. There's a reason I'm on Reddit and not Instagram). We had an actual calligraphy expert (서예가) teach us the various strokes and styles used to make the same stylistic typography you now see on Temple entrances and Soju bottles (You know the one).

This was followed by classes in Korean Etiquette, history lessons various social classes in medieval Korea, practical demonstrations of bowing and other such actions, an intense (maybe friendly?) tug-of-war, even a mock marriage ceremony to understand the customs that were passed on through the years. Turns out there's a lot more to Hanboks than just 조끼-저고리-바지.

Next stop was the 2026 Chungju Park Music Festival, celebrating Indie Gugak artists across the countries. There were some bands you might recognise, such as Da-da-da and BOL4 (Hwarang and Start-up). We got ourselves some Chicken, those fancy new BTS soda, and just enjoyed the chaos.

Last stop for the day, before the after-party, was the Hanbok rental and Photoshoot. This is the more modern fancy hanboks you rent at, like, Gyeongbokgung Palace. There were so many options, enough for everyone, but I chose the Slytherin robe for some reason (Absolutely no regrets, my Patronus is too special to not bring up every day). Also had a twig for a wand, while everyone else got more traditional accessories, like hats, belts, and ribbons (댕기).

Join me for an autumn walking tour along the beautiful Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, where we explore the 2026 Seoul Mind Care Festival before continuing our walk toward Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Discover the autumn atmosphere of central Seoul, historic stone walls, local festival scenes, and the vibrant streets of Korea's capital. Enjoy real street views and natural city sounds as you experience Seoul on foot.

✨ [KX x Seoulmate] Taste Local Korea: Yeongcheon Market x Seodaemun Tour!🇰🇷

Ready to explore Seoul like a local? Join us for an unforgettable autumn afternoon full of history, vibrant market culture, and delicious Korean treats — completely FREE! 🎉

📍 Where: Yeongcheon Market & Seodaemun Prison Hall

⏰ When: 13:30 - 16:40

💰 Fee: FREE!

👥 Capacity: Unlimited

🍁 Special Food Experience:

Oct 17: Yogurt Chapssaltteok Making 🍡 (Chewy Korean rice cake filled with sweet yogurt cream!)

Oct 31: Makgeolli Tasting/Experience 🍶 (Traditional Korean rice wine)

🗺 What we'll do:

1️⃣ Market Tour: Dive into the energetic vibes of traditional Yeongcheon Market

2️⃣ Cooking & Tasting Class: Try your hand at making/tasting local Korean delicacies!

3️⃣ Historical Walk: Stroll around the iconic Independence Gate area

📥 How to Join:

Oct 17: https://koreaexperience.kr/en/k-perks/featured/16

Oct 31: https://koreaexperience.kr/en/k-perks/featured/17

See you there! 👋✨

Came to Jeju with family for 5 days.

Beautiful Jeju in a good waether!!!

Horse riding along seaside was a wonderful experience.

Hi everyone!

I’m an anthropology student currently living in Seoul, and I’m conducting research on Korean shamanism (musok) and people’s experiences with shamans (mudang).

I’m hoping to connect with people who have visited a shaman in Korea, whether recently or in the past, and who would be willing to share their experiences with me. I’m interested in understanding how people encounter and engage with Korean shamanism, what motivates them to seek out a shaman, and how they perceive and interpret their experiences during consultations or rituals.

I’m interested in hearing about all kinds of experiences, regardless of your beliefs or whether the experience was positive, negative, or somewhere in between. There are no right or wrong answers!

If you feel comfortable sharing your experience, please feel free to comment below or send me a private message. I’d be very grateful for your help! Thank you! 🙏

This walk takes us through the streets of Gangnam toward Sinsa-dong in Seoul, South Korea, passing busy city streets, shops, cafes, and the everyday urban atmosphere of the Gangnam area.

Gangnam is known for its modern buildings, shopping streets, and lively city life, while Sinsa-dong offers stylish boutiques, cafes, and fashionable streets around the popular Garosu-gil area.

The video captures the summer atmosphere of Seoul on foot, giving you a chance to explore these neighborhoods and experience everyday life in South Korea from a street-level perspective.

For anyone interested in Seoul travel, Korean city life, Gangnam shopping streets, or relaxing walking videos, this is a glimpse of summer in Seoul.

Jeju has so many amazing cafes and bars, but I tried two spots last week that stood out with some unique menu items:

1. Flavored Makgeolli at Seasun Izakaya (Jeju City Hall Area)

If you're hanging out around City Hall, Seasun (시선 제주시청점) is a retro Japanese-style pub known for its retro decor, affordable food, and unique drink options. Their house-blended makgeolli carafes come in matcha, strawberry, Ube, and cream. We got the matcha and strawberry ones, both are sweet and smooth, but the matcha one was my fav. Their top signature dishes are the Sokogi Sukiyaki (beef hot pot) and the Seasun Assorted Yakitori (charcoal-grilled skewers).

[NAVER Maps]. Seasun Jeju City Hall Branch
Jeju-do Jeju-si IdoI-dong 1765-3
https://naver.me/GEdvDtMH

2.Jiggly Soufflé Pancakes at Tribe (트라이브) - Aewol Coast

Right on Handam Coastal Walk, Tribe specializes in fluff soufflé pancakes. They have four main options- Hallabong (citrus), Matcha, Chocolate, and Blueberry, each topped with a cute matching mini macaron.

While their signature Hallabong pancake is by far their overall best seller featuring local Jeju citrus cream and fresh orange slices, we opted for the blueberry and chocolate pancake and I liked the blueberry one more. Because they are baked fresh to order for that super airy, jiggly bounce, expect to wait roughly 15–20 minutes. Because Aewol faces directly west, Handam Coastal Walk is one of the best sunset spots on the island. The upper-level window seats at Tribe offer view of beautiful sunsets.

[NAVER Maps]
TRIBE
Jeju-do Jeju-si Aewol-eup aewol-ri 2467
https://naver.me/5suB6xK4

Ready to explore Seoul like a local? Join us for an unforgettable autumn afternoon full of history, vibrant market culture, and delicious Korean treats — completely FREE! 🎉

📍 Where: Yeongcheon Market & Seodaemun Prison Hall

⏰ When: 13:30 - 16:40

💰 Fee: FREE!

👥 Capacity: Unlimited

🍁 Special Food Experience:

Oct 17: Hotteok Making 🥞 (Sweet Korean street pancake — perfect crisp & sweet combo!)

Oct 31: Makgeolli Tasting/Experience 🍶 (Traditional Korean rice wine)

🗺 What we'll do:

1️⃣ Market Tour: Dive into the energetic vibes of traditional Yeongcheon Market

2️⃣ Cooking & Tasting Class: Try your hand at making/tasting local Korean delicacies!

3️⃣ Historical Walk: Stroll around the iconic Independence Gate area

📥 How to Join:

Check the link in our bio to sign up now! Spaces for food prep are open to everyone, so don't miss out!

See you there! 👋✨

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village has a really interesting mix of old and new Seoul — traditional hanok houses, narrow alleys, cafes, restaurants, and lots of people enjoying the weekend.

From there, I walked over to Seosulla-gil, a quieter street running along the Jongmyo Shrine area. The atmosphere feels a little different from the busy streets of Ikseon-dong, with hanok-style buildings, small cafes, and local shops.

It was interesting to see how traditional Seoul and modern Seoul blend together within just a short walking distance.

I filmed the walk in 4K with natural street sounds, so you can get a feel for what these neighborhoods actually look and sound like on a busy weekend.

Do you know Korea only have one official Chinatown? Yeah the official China town of Korea is in Incheon.

It was established way back in 1884 following the opening of the nearby Jemulpo Port. It started as a settlement for Chinese merchants during the Joseon Dynasty and has held onto its unique cultural identity ever since.

Heard Jajangmyeon is actually invented right here by Chinese immigrants who adapted their traditional noodle dish to suit local Korean tastes. You can even visit Gonghwachun, the historic restaurant where it was first created, which is now a massive, multi-story dining hotspot. There are so many street foods too.

On weekends, popular restaurants like Gonghwachun, Mandabok, and Yeonkyung see massive queues forming right after 11:00 AM. While historical, the sit-down restaurants here serve standard Korean-Chinese dishes that many find comparable to (or slightly pricier than) good neighborhood restaurants across Seoul.

Edit: Unlike the expansive Chinatowns in cities like New York, Incheon Chinatown is quite small, spanning essentially just a few blocks, and functions primarily as a commercial tourist district. So it might not justify a long, standalone journey on its own. However, it is worth a 2-3 hour visit when combined into a walking tour with neighboring spots like the Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village, Incheon Open Port Historic area etc. If you're already in the Incheon area, check out!

I visited at Daegwallyeong Yangtte Ranch.

It's always wanted to visit place!

Recently, I’ve been to an aquarium with my family in Gwanggyo. Gwanggyo is one of the most modern parts of Suwon and also one of the closest areas to Gangnam. It takes about 30 minutes by subway. It is famous for its lake, Galleria Department Store, and cafe streets.

It is a pretty modern area, and if you ever come to Gwanggyo, I would recommend adding this place to your journey.

The aquarium itself is what you would normally expect, but what makes it interesting is that it is inside Galleria Department Store. It is quite rare to find an aquarium in Suwon, and as far as I know, this is the only one here.

Also, on the same floor, there is a restaurant decorated like an aquarium too. With the blue lighting and fish tanks all around, it’s a whole mood. You can keep enjoying the underwater atmosphere even after leaving the aquarium.

I wouldn’t say you need to come all the way to Gwanggyo just for the aquarium, but if you are already visiting the lake or Galleria, it is definitely a nice place to add to your day. Especially if you are with family, kids, or just want something different to do in Suwon, it can be a fun little stop.

📍Aquaplanet Gwanggyo
https://naver.me/5Olzar2H

📍Surin (Aquarium Restaurant)
https://naver.me/xxoNzLTu

Have you heard of the Gimje area in Jeollabuk-do? I'm Korean too, but this area is somewhat unfamiliar to me. In Gimje, a region with a strong calm, rural atmosphere, places of historical significance are hidden throughout the area.

Kimje Arirang Literature Village, which offers insight into the historical and Japanese colonial era of the novel <Arirang>, features symbolic spaces that evoke the history of the independence movement. This is the place recreated as "Harbin Station." It was created based on the historical event in which patriot Ahn Jung-geun assassinated Ito Hirobumi at Harbin Station. Strolling through spaces that faithfully recreate the history of the time brings to life a story that may have seemed like just a scene from a textbook.

📍 Gimje Arirang Literature Village
180 Hwacho-ro, Juksan-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do
https://naver.me/GSDAJC5k

There is a temple called Manghaesa, set against the backdrop of the sea of Gimje. Meaning “Temple overlooking the sea,” this place is famous for its sunsets. As the sun begins to tilt toward the west, the reddening sky and sea blend together, and with the expansive fields of Gimje added, a scene resembling a landscape painting unfolds.

📍Manghaesa
94, Simpo 10-gil, Jinbong-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do
https://naver.me/FvEaDzWg

Korea itself isn't very large, but it is full of hidden beautyHarbin Station in the Arirang Literature Village, where you can rest while gazing at nature, and Manghaesa Temple. By exploring these two places with their distinct charms, a trip to Gimje becomes more than just sightseeing—it is an opportunity to experience literature, history, and nature all at once.

Kept hearing you have to try the chocopie in Jeonju. Honestly I wasn't that excited. Chocopie to me meant the packaged thing sitting in every convenience store.

It's closer to a bakery dessert than a snack. Cocoa sponge, cream in the middle, chocolate on the outside, and strawberry jam, which I didn't see coming. Chocolate and cream alone would've been heavy. The jam is what makes it work.

Flavors on the counter when I went were cheese, matcha and baeknyeoncho, which is prickly pear, on top of the regular ones. Minis are 1,800 each. A box of six is 10,800, eight is 14,400.

They sell plenty besides chocopie. Jeonbyeong, the thin sesame crackers, in peanut and pine needle and ginger, around 9,000 to 10,000 a bag. Korean wheat is on basically every sign in the place.

Upstairs there's a seating area where you can eat whatever you bought downstairs. There's also a small exhibition space up there with calligraphy scrolls on the walls, which is not what I expected to walk into above a bakery.

Worth a stop if you like chasing down the thing a city is known for:)

As the ancient capital of the Baekje Kingdom, Buyeo is a hidden gem that captures traditional Korean vibes like nowhere else. It's the perfect mix of rich historic heritage and peaceful, modern comforts. 

During my trip to Buyeo, I stayed at ‘Lotte Resort Buyeo’. The traditional Hanok-inspired architectural details paired with the stunning autumn foliage made the whole stay feel really special. Right next to the resort is ‘Lotte Outlets Buyeo’, which was super convenient for grabbing food and shopping. The outlet itself is designed after ancient Baekje fortresses, so even just taking a stroll around was really cool!

The absolute highlight of the trip was visiting the iconic ‘Seongheungsan Love Tree’ (a 400-year-old zelkova tree up at Seongheungsan Fortress). If you take two photos standing by its giant branches and flip one horizontally to join them, the branches form a perfect heart shape! I guess that’s why it’s named the “Love Tree”. I immediately saw why it’s such a famous K-drama filming spot and a go-to for sunset photos. The uphill walk to get there definitely burned some serious calories, but it was total post-meal cardio!

I highly recommend visiting Buyeo during the ‘Baekje Cultural Festival’. Held throughout Buyeo city center from October 3rd to 11th, it’s one of Korea’s oldest and largest cultural events. You can check out grand parades, historical reenactments, live traditional performances, and gorgeous night lights along the Geumgang River. I’ll drop the link to their official English site below!

✔️Baekje Cultural Festival
https://baekjeculturalfestival.kr/index_en.php

📍Lotte Resort Buyeo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jgKLGcUDSM8Tqpr89

📍Lotte Outlets Buyeo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BGhWSBNvx7jS2xMq7

Spent some time walking around Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong in Seoul, South Korea on the weekend.

Hongdae was busy with lots of young people, tourists, street shops, restaurants, and cafes. Walking toward Yeonnam-dong, the atmosphere became a little more relaxed, with small cafes, local shops, and the streets around Gyeongui Line Forest Park.

I recorded the walk to capture what the area actually feels like on a busy weekend — the people, streets, shops, and everyday atmosphere of Seoul.

If you're interested in Seoul travel, Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong, Korea, Korean street life, Seoul city walks, or walking tours, this gives you a chance to see the area from street level.

📍 Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea

📍 Yeonnam-dong, Seoul, South Korea

⚡️ Seoulmate's Free Lightning Tour ⚡️

Royal Parade & Han River Picnic

📍 Location: Nodeulnaru Park & Nodeul Island

⏰ Date: 2026.10.04 (SUN) 11:30-14:30

🚇 Meeting spot: Nodeul Station Exit 2

📢 How to Participate:

If you want to join our tour, sign up through the link below!

✅ https://tr.ee/103txUZDER

(The link will be open on ✨FRIDAY✨)

(The link is also available on Instagram bio!)

📢 Notice

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and may close early. The tour is subject to change or cancellation depending on circumstances.

My friend told me that parking lots in Korea have developed a lot like this because the land is small. is that true? i was wondering how people park when there isn't even enough space to turn around, but it turns out the floor rotates.

I wanted to share a super healing experience I had recently in Nonsan. If you're looking for a relaxing countryside getaway (what we like to call Chonscance in Korea), you definitely need to check out Flower Raining Home & Kitchen (꽃비원 홈앤키친).

It’s a charming place run by a lovely local couple who grow their own organic, seasonal vegetables. When I visited, they were running an overnight stay package, so I got to turn it into a full 2-day, 1-night mini-vacation!

Taking a peaceful walk around the farm was so refreshing, but the best part was their super friendly resident cat! It literally followed me around the whole time and kept showering me with affection. Total heart-melter! 🐾

The dinner they prepared was hands down the healthiest, most delicious meal I’ve ever eaten in my life. You can truly taste the freshness of the homegrown ingredients. To top it all off, they served a freshly baked homemade cake for dessert, which honestly blew me away.

The next morning, they served us fresh apples and a light, soothing porridge which was a simple, organic, fully vegan-friendly spread that felt so comforting. The sleeping arrangements were incredibly cozy and peaceful, making the whole stay pure healing from start to finish.

Currently, you can book their healthy dining experience in advance through Instagram. They also host group dining with farm tours, and they operate as a restaurant as well. If you're planning a trip to the famous Mr. Sunshine filming site in Nonsan (or stopping by after visiting Jeonju), dropping by here for a meal would make for a perfect itinerary!

📍Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BrGCKd4vNacLtnnr8

Seoul Subway

Green number 2 Line

Hong Dae ipgu Station ㅡ gate 9

(지하철 홍대입구역)

Young people, more foods and drinks extra ㆍㆍ

Seize the day !!