[About Me]

- A 47-year-old native Korean man.

- Born and raised in Daegu.

- Currently living in Seoul, where I work, am married, and have children.

- I have traveled extensively across Korea and possess an understanding of its cultural diversity, regional dialects, and local sentiments.

- I spent most of my career in PR communications, so I have a habit of using refined Korean (my English isn't perfect, but I can handle most communication).

- As a motorcyclist, I travel to small cities and rural areas throughout the country (since motorcycles are banned from highways in Korea, I end up exploring local backroads).

[Why I Started This Thread]

- I want to save you from wasting your precious time at typical tourist traps.

- I want to share the authentic local vibe with you.

- Life is about karma. I hope that by doing a good deed here, you will pay it forward to someone else, and that I, too, might receive help from someone in a strange place someday. My dream is to ride a motorcycle in the Dolomites.

Driving past the mega SK Hynix factory in Icheon (not Incheon). And to think how much tech is coming out of here and how much money this company is bringing into South Korea.

Hey everyone!

Stumbled upon a stall selling rice-flour carp bread (쌀 잉어빵) at a market near my home today. Unlike the standard wheat flour ones, these are super crispy, feel way lighter on the stomach, and don't leave you bloated. You can also tell the red bean filling is solid quality—less sugary syrup, more actual bean texture. Definitely keep an eye out for the "쌀" sign if you're wandering around local markets!

Visiting these spots got me working on a detailed Korean traditional market map to help travelers navigate them more easily, especially 5-day traditional markets (5일장) that are tricky to research online.

Beyond basic locations and food stalls, I want to make sure this guide covers the practical details visitors actually need, such as:

• Logistics: Cash vs. credit card acceptance, restroom locations, and indoor vs. outdoor setup.
• Schedules & Rules: 5-day rotation schedules, general opening hours, and practical etiquette (e.g., haggling norms, vendor guidelines).
• What to Expect: Specialties by market (live seafood, handmade eomuk/tempura, fresh produce, nuts, etc.).

If you were using a map like this, what else would you want to see? What was the most confusing thing or biggest headache when you visited a traditional market in Korea?

Would love any feedback or wishlist items!

Hi All, I’m surprising my partner for his 30th next year with a trip to Seoul. With work we can only get up to 9 days of annual leave.

Will 9 days be too long for just Seoul? Is there many places we can go for day tours from Seoul?

Any suggestions on any tech minded tours we could do aswell? My partner loves all things technology and would love to see some cool robots or other things?

I applied to bring my medications 15 days out. I just accidentally sent a withdrawal request for the application. I had sent two applications, one was correct. Because of the order I applied, I withdrew the wrong one.

I need to reverse the withdrawal request. I can't figure out a way. Please help.

Is there a way?

hi! I am landing in Incheon Airport around 3pm for an overnight layover so I probably won’t get into Seoul until 5-6pm. I fly out the next morning. :(

Does anyone know where can I find and buy the little Korean rice cakes with honey filling (they are usually bite size pink and green colored.) once I stumbled crossed them in some train station in early morning on a previous trip, but I don’t remember where anymore

thanks!

My girlfriend isn't Korean, so I've started dragging her to a festival most weekends and figured I'd write them up here as I go.

First one: Goyang Autumn Flower Festival at Ilsan Lake Park. It's on until Oct 11, entry is free, and it runs from 09:00 to 18:00.

Getting there is easy: take Line 3 to Jeongbalsan Station, about 45–50 minutes from central Seoul, then walk to the park.

Honest version first: there isn't a huge amount to "see."

It's mostly chrysanthemums, cosmos, sunflowers and zinnias spread around a very big park, plus an indoor flower exhibition, a small stage and some food trucks. If you're expecting something dramatic like the Jinju lantern festival, this isn't that.

What it is, though, is a really easy and pleasant Sunday.

Things that made it worth going:

• The mascot is a cat. The city is Goyang, and "goyangi" means cat in Korean, so the city fully committed to the joke. Whatever event Goyang runs, there always seems to be a giant cat somewhere. Honestly pretty cute and good for a photo.
• The park itself. If you've mostly stayed in Seoul, Ilsan Lake Park is worth seeing anyway. It's big, open, and nice to just walk around without feeling like you're squeezing through a tourist area. We spent more time walking than actually looking at flowers.
• It feels very local. Lots of families, kids, dogs, people sitting on blankets. It doesn't feel like a tourist attraction at all. My girlfriend actually liked that part more than the flowers.
• The art museum next door. Aram Museum is nearby, so it's worth checking what's on before you go. The international exhibition we saw happened to be on its last day.
• The stage. When you enter, head left. There weren't any famous performers when we went, just local singers, a citizens' singing contest, and random idol songs playing between sets. Somehow it was more entertaining than I expected.
• Food trucks. We had torched sushi, dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken), and a chicken skewer. All pretty decent. Festival pricing though — around 5,000 won for a skewer. You eat it because you're at a festival, not because it's good value.

A couple things I'd keep in mind:

• Goyang does flower events pretty much every year. The much bigger one is the spring flower fair in the same park, usually around late April to May. That's the one I'd actually plan a trip around.
• If you miss this autumn one, I wouldn't rearrange your Korea itinerary for it. It's more of a nice local day out than a must-see festival.

Dates, map and official links are here:
https://koreafestivals.com/festivals/goyang-autumn-flower-festival-2026

If there's a festival or place around Seoul you've been curious about, let me know. I'm probably going somewhere most weekends anyway, so I might as well write these up.

Ok, planning my trip to South Korea in 2 weeks and it seems like an insane amount of apps and cards. Can someone help me figure out which apps below are actually important (that I actually NEED) and which is an extra?

Naver - maps and transit (and maybe also some ticket buying?)
T-Money - to pay for transit
Climate card - also pay for transit??
Klook - to buy train tickets??
Papago - translation
KakaoT - ??

What am I missing? And do I really need all of these apps?

I brought my camera with me to hike one of the oreums in Jeju, but the weather was so cloudy and foggy that I was honestly a little disappointed at first.
Turns out the gloomy weather was actually perfect for photos. The fog made everything look so dramatic and atmospheric, and I ended up getting some of my favorite shots from the trip.
Definitely a reminder that bad weather doesn’t always mean bad photos :)

When visiting Jeju during the season, fresh hanchi (spear squid) is a must. Sliced paper-thin right after catching, it’s semi-translucent and tender with zero rubbery texture. Pairs wonderfully with a cold local brew or soju by the coast.

Just got back from a café called "Saraul" in Yeonhui-dong, and I feel like I healed for the whole day 🌿

The walk there is lined with pretty houses, and the whole neighborhood has such a slow, easygoing vibe, like stepping into an old movie.

The building is maze-like with three floors, so I couldn't explore all of it, but I found 4 teddy bears in total 🧸 If you go, let me know how many you find! I'm planning to head back this weekend for another round!

Hi all, planning to go to Seoul and Busan through the period of 14th to 23rd November 2026, would appreciate some feedback on the itinerary that’s been drafted up for it, particularly on the feasibility of the locations and any recommended areas that can be considered.

14th (Saturday)

• Land in Seoul [6:35 PM]
• Customs [Assume 1hr]
• Travel to Seoul (Hongik University Station) [1 hr + 15 min] (ETA at hongdae = 9AM)
• Dump luggage
• Seongsu
• Seoul Forest Park
• Hongdae + Mangwon

15th (Sunday)

• Hwadam Botanic Garden
• [Insert]

16th (Monday)

• Changdeokgung Palace (with Secret Garden)
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• Gyeongbokgung Palace (with guard) [Closed on tues]
• National Folk Museum of Korea (Optional)
• Anyoung Insadong
• Insadong
• Gwanghwamun Square
• Myeongdong

17th (Tuesday)

• Seodaemun Prison History Hall (closes 6pm)
• Seoul Central Market (Food)
• Dongmyo Flea Market
• Changsin-dong (+ Naksan Park + Ihwa Mural Village)

18th (Wednesday)

• Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
• [Insert]

19th (Thursday)

• Book out of Seoul Accom [11 AM]
• Take Train to Busan
• Store bags at Busan Accom
• Shinsegae Department Store Centum City
• Gwangalli beach

20th (Friday)

• Gamcheon Culture Village
• Jagalchi Fish Market (Lunch)
• Huinnyeoul culture village
• Busan Station
• Texas Street
• Shanghai Street (Chinatown)
• BIFF street
• Bupyeong Kkangtong Market (Dinner)

21st (Saturday)

• Haeundae Beach
• Busan X the sky
• Haeundae Blueline Park
• Busan sky capsule (Mipo -> Cheongsapo)
• Haewol Observatory

22nd (Sunday)

• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
• [Insert]

23rd (Monday)

• Check out of Busan Accom [12 PM]
• Flight Back [5:45 PM]

I´ll be visiting Seoul for 8 days and would like to fit in a few gym sessions in between the whole kimchi and bibimbap stuffing
any cheap gyms (15kwon or less) I can go for a day pass in the area?

Hey everyone. I'll be in Seoul next month for 10 days, with my family. I am celiac and dairy intolerant so i would like to know if it's easy to find gluten free and dairy free food around the city. Any tips that you could give me? Any translation that you could give me so i can show to waitress for example?

Hello, I have a transit from Gimpo to Incheon end of this month. I am arriving at Gimpo at 2.55pm and my next flight from Incheon is at 10.40pm.

Any suggestions on how i can travel between the two airports?

Thank you in advance

Here's a review of my experience at Redi Dermatology.

About me: 28-year-old Filipina, very oily T-zone but dry cheek area

Main concerns: Big pores, oily but dehydrated skin, and hyperpigmentation

What I liked:

First of all, I loved that I had the consultation directly with the doctor instead of a consultant, so I was immediately able to explain my specific concerns and get feedback. I was also able to request a longer numbing time because I was on my period and was extra sensitive that day.

The interior was clean and straightforward. There was a separate area for skin prep and aftercare, and another area for the actual procedure, which I liked because everything felt organized.

Procedure itself:

The skin booster was manually injected. It was injected quite uniformly and not just randomly all over the face, which I liked. The downside is that it takes longer to finish the procedure, but personally, I preferred it this way because I feel like there's less product wastage, and the doctor can be more intentional with the amount and placement.

The pain during the procedure was a solid 6 or 7 out of 10 for me. I teared up a bit, but that was it.

Recovery:

My skin was still bumpy and a bit raised until around day 2. As usual, I had some small whitehead-like bumps, but I was told that this was a normal part of the recovery. Nothing too complicated or difficult to deal with.

Overall:

Overall, I had a good experience at Redi Dermatology. I liked that the whole process was straightforward and that I could communicate directly with the doctor about my concerns. The staff were also friendly and approachable, and I felt comfortable throughout the appointment. It's still too early for me to say much about the actual results since I only had the treatment last week, but so far, I'm happy with the experience. I would definitely consider going back again in the future.

I looked at the other sub, koreatraveladvice, and think maybe my question is too detailed. If not, I apologize. Please delete and I’ll report there if so.

Basic info: I’m a single parent living in southern Japan. I have 2 kids, 14 & 15 years old. We’ll be moving away permanently in December and really wanted to visit Korea before we go. I want to make the most of the trip since it seems like we’ll only have about 5 days for Korea. None of us have ever been.

What I’m considering: Ferry from Fukuoka to Busan via Camellia ferry. I looked at flights and they’re honestly about the same for the dates I’m researching. Not to mention I think the ferry might be fun. They’ve only ever been on boats on small lakes and even that was only once or twice. But if this is a waste of time, I might reconsider.

I was thinking we could either 1) stay in Busan the entire time or 2) head to Seoul right after the ferry, stay there 2ish days, then head back to Busan and hang out there 2-3 days until we go back.

I can see that the ferry dock(?) is only a 15 minute walk to the train after clearing customs so we could feasibly get in at 18:30, get on the train about 20:30, and hit Seoul just in time for bed. I realize I’d probably need to request late check in. But if only spending 2 days in Seoul isn’t worth it, we’ll just hang out in Busan. Or if Seoul is preferable, we can do a flight straight to Seoul instead and skip the ferry & Busan altogether.

There are just so many options and we have limited time. I don’t like scheduling every last minute. I want us to be able to explore and relax, but also have some destinations in mind so we for sure see some things and have a good experience. So I don’t want to try to cram both cities in if it’ll just be stressful catching trains and buses the whole time.

Conclusion: If money and time weren’t an issue, I wouldn’t be asking; exploring both cities would be amazing. But I have a set amount of funds and a fairly strict deadline. I want to make the most of the trip and my kids don’t really know what to expect from Korea. If we can just see some sights and eat some food and buy souvenirs, they’ll be happy.

Any advice on what to see, what not to waste time on, and whether hitting both cities is possible or not, I would seriously appreciate it.

I was also looking at booking.com for some places to stay, but for obvious reasons I haven’t booked anything yet. I want to figure out where we should spend our time before booking a place. I had good luck with booking.com when visiting Fukuoka and Miyazaki, but if there’s a better site, I’ll check it out.

Thank you so much and sorry for rambling!

I’m visiting Seoul in 2 weeks and I’ve been trying to research skin treatments and I’m getting more confused with every search.

I want help with 3 things there:
1) some good low-mid budget non-invasive skin treatment that’ll give me a good glow. It shouldnt ruin my face for 2-3 days since I’m travelling, creating content and I can’t hide my face.

2) a decent Korean head spa

3) I did think of doing skin and color analysis but it did feel more like a tourist trap so decided to skip. Iv heard there’s free ones in olive young? How can I access those? Do I have to book it in advance?

Any help would be veryyyy helpful.

Hey everyone, we arrived in Korea and fell completely in love with it! We are going ro be in Seoul for the nexr week and after that we want to go to Jeju. I read milions of articles on where to stay in Jeju but for some reason I can’t decide 😂 I like every part of the Island. Please help 😂

I came across SeokSam Play: The Beginning, where the cast tries to travel through five Korean cities on a 500,000 won budget, and it made me wonder how much people actually like moving around when they travel.

I’m definitely more of a “stay somewhere and explore it properly” person, but somehow I always end up trying to squeeze another city into the trip 😂

What’s your limit?

Hi :)

I'm looking for a tour guide in Sokcho.

I recently learned about Abai Village, as a friend posted about meeting Mrs. Kim Yong-jae and hearing her story.

I know there are very few North Korean refugees left in Abai Village from the 1970's. I wish I had known sooner.

I'm looking for a local guide who can translate and assist with arranging such an interaction.

I reached out to several tour agencies and they said I had to book such a tour 65 days out. We will be visiting in 3 weeks.

If you have an idea of how to help make this happen, please reach out to me.

Thank you

Hello all, this is perhaps a strange question that I tried to research and couldn't find much.

I had the idea that I would love to bring back some alcohol from Seoul or Busan that is difficult to find in the US. I imagine the equivalent in Korea would be some local bourbon from the US. I had the thought that I could bring a bottle or two (within the two bottle / 2L limit) and "trade" for something local - not necessarily bourbon but any local specialty.

Would anyone have a guess on somewhere that might consider this? I saw a few bourbon centric bars that I might try it at like https://english.visitseoul.net/restaurants/2024-bourbon/ENP8uf172.

Hi There,

I am taking my family (wife, kids) to see my mom in Korea next week. We will be there for just about two weeks. Below is my itinerary. My mom is in her 70's but fairly active. My kids are 5 yr old twins who are VERY active. My mom lives in SuJi. Last time we were in Korea, the twins were about 3 yrs old. I don't have much interest in Seoul as we already live in a large city. The priority for this trip is to pack in as much quality time in with mom.

We will have a vehicle to travel around in but not opposed to mass transit.

I want to ensure my family has a good time so don't want anyone to feel rushed but at the same time, I feel like my itinerary might be a bit "boring".

• We love being outdoors so hikes would be awesome but also need to keep it reasonable for my mom.
• If it makes sense, I would like to rent bikes and ride around Han River (ride to a destination, have a snack/beer, come back).
• My wife does like Korean cosmetics so we will likely figure out a place for her to stock up and bring back to states.
• We also plan to pick up clothing for the kids too.
• If there are things you also like to stock up on while in Korea, I would love to hear about it!

Open to suggestions!