The Korean Guide

Planning a trip to Korea and worried about accidentally being rude? You’re not alone. Korean etiquette looks strict from the outside, but once you understand a few simple rules, it becomes much easier to relax and enjoy your trip. 1. How to Greet People in Korea In Korea, a light bow is the most common way to greet someone. You don’t need to bend deeply; just a small bow of your head or upper body with a friendly smile is enough. Handshakes are also used, especially with men or in more formal situations, but they’re usually softer than Western handshakes. Hugging or touching someone you just met can feel too intimate, so it’s safer to avoid it unless the other person clearly initiates it. A simple “Annyeonghaseyo” (안녕하세요) with a light bow will make you look very polite and respectful. 2. Honorifics and Polite Speech (존댓말 vs 반말) Korean has two main levels of speech: polite (존댓말) and casual (반말). As a foreigner, you are always safe if you stick to polite forms. Polite phrases you can use...

Planning a trip to Korea and feeling overwhelmed about where to start? These days, AI travel planners can recommend everything from restaurants to transportation and hidden gems. Based on my own experience and the latest trends, let me show you how to plan your Korea itinerary smartly without the stress. Why AI Travel Planners Are Trending Right Now Since 2025, searches like "AI travel planner Korea" and "Personalized Korea itinerary" have been skyrocketing among foreign travelers. In the past, you'd carry a heavy guidebook or spend hours reading dozens of blog posts. Now, with a single AI app, you can get a personalized route tailored to your preferences in just a few minutes. Especially in Korea, where public transportation can be complex and amazing restaurants are tucked away in narrow alleys, AI becomes a reliable companion by providing real-time directions and recommendations. I was skeptical at first, but when my friend came to Seoul with a 3-day itinerar...

You know the first thing that gets you excited about Korea? The food. But when you actually land in Seoul, figuring out where to eat can feel overwhelming. Travel guides list famous spots, but you're not sure if they're tourist traps or the real deal. This guide is different. I've lived in Seoul for over 10 years and these are the 15 restaurants where I've taken foreign friends and heard them say "This was the highlight of my trip." (Quick note: Restaurant hours, menus, and prices can change anytime. Always double-check on Google Maps or their social media before you go.) 1. Tosokchon Samgyetang Address: 5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul Korean: 서울특별시 종로구 자하문로5길 5 Perfect lunch spot after visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace. They serve samgyetang, which is ginseng chicken soup with a whole young chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng root. First-time visitors always ask "Wait, there's rice inside the chicken?" The broth is milky white and tastes h...

You know that clean office look from the drama? That idol airport fashion from the music video? You've been wondering "where do I actually buy that?" Here's the truth: if you come to Seoul without knowing which neighborhood to go to, you'll waste hours and come back empty-handed. I've lived in Seoul for over 10 years and helped countless friends navigate the shopping scene, so let me share what actually works. Seoul Shopping: Pick the Right Neighborhood First Let me be straight with you. Seoul neighborhoods sell completely different styles. Go to Hongdae looking for business suits? Waste of time. Go to Gangnam looking for hip-hop streetwear? Wrong place. So the key is deciding what style you like first, then heading to the right area. Here are the four main shopping zones I recommend: Hongdae: Idol airport fashion, streetwear, casual, vintage Gangnam and Sinsa: Drama office looks, luxury casual, minimal style Myeongdong : Basic items, tourist-friendly Dongda...

Jeju Island is South Korea's largest island and one of the most popular travel destinations for first-time visitors to the country. With dramatic volcanic landscapes, white sand beaches, fresh seafood, and unique local dishes, a well-planned three-day trip gives you enough time to see the highlights without rushing. This itinerary is designed for travelers who want a balanced mix of nature, culture, and food. What You Need Before You Start Most first-time visitors rent a car because public transport on Jeju is limited and many scenic spots are hard to reach without one. If you are not driving, consider booking day tours or using taxis for some legs of the trip. You will also need: ✅ Valid driver's license with international driving permit if renting a car. ✅ Offline maps app or rental car GPS set to English. ✅ Advance booking for Hallasan summit hike if you plan to reach the top. ✅ Comfortable walking shoes and layers, as Jeju weather can change quickly. Day 1: Eastern Jeju – ...

Jeju is not just about beaches and volcanoes – it is one of the best places in Korea to explore truly local food. In this guide, you will meet the must-try Jeju dishes and the types of places where you are most likely to find them, so you can build your own food-focused itinerary. Why Jeju Food Is Different from Mainland Korea Jeju’s cuisine developed on a volcanic island with harsh farming conditions and an economy that relied heavily on pork and seafood. That is why Jeju tables are full of pork, noodles, seaweed, and fresh fish rather than heavy rice-based dishes. You will also see ingredients like hairtail fish, gulfweed soup, and pheasant noodles that you rarely encounter in Seoul or Busan. Many classic Jeju dishes can be found around traditional markets, small local restaurants, and simple mom‑and‑pop eateries. For most visitors, the key is knowing the dish names in Korean and which areas are known for them, then checking recent reviews and maps before you go. 1. Jeju Black Pork (...

If you want to get into K‑Pop but feel lost scrolling through endless songs on Spotify , curated playlists are the easiest way to start. In this guide, you will find the must‑follow official Spotify playlists plus a few fan‑made gems that will keep your library fresh all through 2026. Why Playlists Are the Best Way to Discover K‑Pop K‑Pop is more than just a few famous groups — there are thousands of songs across pop, R&B, hip‑hop, indie, and even rock. Instead of trying to build your own queue from scratch, following the right playlists lets you: ✅ Hear the latest releases without checking charts every day. ✅ Discover new groups alongside big names like BTS, BLACKPINK, and NewJeans. ✅ Match your listening to your mood: hype, chill, study, or late‑night feels. Below are the essential K‑Pop playlists worth following in 2026, split into official Spotify playlists and user‑curated playlists. Official Spotify K‑Pop Playlists You Should Follow 1. K‑Pop Daebak / K‑Pop ON! This is Spotif...

If you’ve heard everyone talk about K‑dramas but have no idea where to start on Netflix, this guide is for you. Instead of giving you an overwhelming list of 50 titles, we’ll walk you through a small, curated set of beginner‑friendly shows and help you choose your first K‑drama based on your taste, mood, and watching style. Why K‑Dramas Are So Addictive (Even for Beginners) K‑dramas are popular worldwide because they mix strong emotions, cinematic visuals, and relatable stories in a way that’s easy to binge. Most series are one season with 12–16 episodes, so you don’t have to commit to years of watching. They also come with high‑quality subtitles and a wide range of genres: romance, slice of life, thriller, fantasy, historical, and even zombie horror. If you’re new, the key is not to start with the most hyped or complicated show. Instead, pick something with: ✅ A simple, easy‑to‑follow story ✅ Modern, everyday language ✅ A tone that matches your mood (light, emotional, suspenseful, etc...

Seoul is the ultimate destination for K-beauty enthusiasts worldwide. But once you arrive in Myeongdong or Hongdae , it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of stores, brands, and products. This guide breaks down exactly where to shop, how to maximize savings at Olive Young , and which products suit your skin type so you can shop like a local. Where to Start: Seoul's Top 3 K-Beauty Shopping Districts Myeongdong: Tourist-Friendly Beauty Hub Myeongdong is the most visited shopping area for international travelers, with dozens of roadshops like Innisfree, TONYMOLY, Nature Republic , and The Face Shop packed into a 400-meter radius around Myeongdong Station (Line 4). You'll find multiple stores of the same brand on a single street, making price comparison easy. Most staff speak English, Chinese, or Japanese. Avoid weekends and evenings between 6-9 PM when crowds peak. The best time to visit is weekday mornings or between 2-4 PM for a more relaxed experience. Hongdae: ...

If you step into a South Korean convenience store (Pyeonuijeom) in 2026, you aren’t just entering a retail space—you are entering a culinary laboratory. Gone are the days when these stores were merely for grab-and-go snacks. Today, brands like GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven have evolved into gourmet hubs where "Hacks" (Kkultips) are the currency of the cool. Whether you are a budget traveler, a busy digital nomad, or a K-culture enthusiast, mastering the art of the Korean Convenience Store Food Hack is a rite of passage. In this guide, we will dive into the most viral, delicious, and surprisingly sophisticated combinations currently taking over Seoul. Why Convenience Stores are a Foodie’s Paradise Before we get to the recipes, it is essential to understand the cultural shift. In Korea, convenience stores have become social spaces. Most locations now feature high-end seating areas, professional-grade induction heaters for ramen, and even wine-pairing corners. If you're wondering ...