Korea, Beyond What You Know
Most guides to booking KTX tickets that are floating around right now are already out of date, and it’s not their fault — the timing is just bad. On September 1, 2026, Korail and SR Corporation (the company that ran SRT) officially merged into one operator. If you search for “KTX vs SRT” today, you’ll … Read more
When I went to Korea this summer, I expected using my American credit card to be pretty straightforward. And for the most part, it was. I used my U.S.-issued Visa card at restaurants, stores, and other places without much trouble. My daughter also used Apple Pay for some of her purchases. It was convenient, especially … Read more
If your introduction to Korean food has mostly been spicy instant noodles, Korean barbecue, or fried chicken, there’s another dish worth knowing about: a bowl of thick noodles under a dark, savory black bean sauce. For a lot of Koreans, jjajangmyeon isn’t just something you order because it’s good. It’s the food that shows up … Read more
The “Hongdae guy” meme has brought a very specific side of Seoul nightlife into the spotlight. Back when I was a student, Hongdae was packed with young people and students who each seemed to have their own thing going — different styles, different scenes, all crowded into the same streets. Live rock cafés and small … Read more
If you spend time in any of Korea’s major cities, one thing is hard to miss: motorcycles. In Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, delivery scooters move through busy streets all day, slipping between cars and navigating narrow side roads. Korea’s fast-growing delivery culture has made motorcycles an even more familiar part of everyday traffic. Then the … Read more
Winter in Korea can be brutally cold—but it can also be surprisingly warm. When I think about Korean winters, I remember standing beside a small street food cart with a cup of hot eomuk broth warming my hands while waiting for a freshly made hotteok. I remember hearing vendors call out “Chapssaltteok!” through the neighborhood … Read more
It is also a season when outdoor activities become more enjoyable. Korea has many golf courses, hiking trails, and scenic destinations, while farms and markets begin to fill with the results of the year’s harvest. For me, Autumn in Korea is not just about looking at colorful leaves. Some of my favorite memories are connected … Read more
I visited Korea again this summer, and as expected, it was hot and humid. But that is also what makes summer in Korea so lively. Beaches were busy, water activities were everywhere, and there seemed to be something happening outdoors almost every weekend. This summer, I spent some time in Jeju Island, where I did … Read more
When I think about spring in Korea, I remember the feeling of moving from winter into a season when people finally start spending more time outdoors. The air is still cool, but the streets begin to feel different. Flowers start appearing, people sit outside again, and weekends become a good excuse to go somewhere. Some … Read more
Planning your first trip to Korea? Here are the things I recommend preparing before you leave, based on what I’ve learned from my own trips to Korea. You don’t need to plan every minute of your trip or pack everything you might possibly need. Focus on the things that are difficult to arrange after you … Read more