Seoul Slowly: An 8-Day Journey of Work, Wander & Winter

A decade ago, you had to file for a week or two if you were traveling to any destination. You worked 8 AM–5 PM, had weekends off for a quick trip or hike to the mountains, planned for a major local or international trip in anticipation of a promo fare, and targeted holidays adjacent to weekends—that was the cycle.

Until the pandemic happened in 2020. Everyone was working from home. Desktops were replaced by laptops, and soon you could even work using your iPads. The pandemic really changed the way we work. Although people are now going back to the office, many still have the privilege to work remotely or at least on a hybrid setup.

Checking emails while aboard ITX. They have Wi-Fi onboard!

These were the primary reasons we were able to travel abroad for two weeks or more while we were working. In Korea, for instance, we went there during our favorite season of the year—winter. In the morning, since it was super cold and the roads were freezing, we allotted a lot of time for working. We would go out for lunch, then proceed with our planned itinerary. 

This blog post is going to be long! I will split this into two parts: the first covering our Seoul trip and the next one will be all about Busan.

This wasn't a typical vacation where we could spend the entire day sightseeing. We still had work to do. Most mornings were spent inside our accommodation, and our Seoul adventures usually started after work. Somehow, that made the trip feel slower—and perhaps more personal.

So, let's get started!

South Korean Visa

For Filipino travelers, the first thing that you need to do is to secure a South Korean tourist visa. I thought it was going to be complicated, but thanks to my credit cards, I did not have to submit some of the bank documents that are usually required. I enumerated the list of requirements in blog post, and you can watch the step-by-step guide in the video below.

Policies change from time to time, so it's better to always check the Korean Visa Application Center's website for the most recent information.  

First Time in South Korea

We arrived at Incheon International Airport past midnight. Yes, it was a red-eye flight, and yet the airport was still very busy. Upon disembarking, we followed the crowd until we reached a train station. The immigration and arrival hall is in the other building!

The immigration process was smooth until our baggage claim. The challenge came when we were figuring out the airport transfer to the city. We bought our transfer through Klook since it was the most reasonable option. A taxi could cost us Php 2,000+. The voucher said "midnight bus," but we did not expect that the next bus after midnight would be at 3:30 AM. We had to wait for two hours in a cold airport! Haha!

You can also book your Airport Transfer here.

Hotel in Seoul

We chose to stay in the heart of Seoul's tourism area—Myeongdong! Cause why not? It's our first time in Korea!

Before reaching our hotel, the Airport Limousine Bus did not drop us directly at our hotel but at Seoul Station. From there, we took an Uber to our hotel. We paid around Php 200+, but well, expect to pay this much when taking a taxi in South Korea.

Our accommodation was a guest house without a reception. Everything was communicated through WhatsApp. They just put up a sign bearing my name at the entrance door with the code. Our hotel was 1012 House Namsan and I booked it through Agoda. I paid Php 21,000 for 9 nights for 2 pax, excluding breakfast.

Amenities included free laundry (with soap), a shared kitchen (you have to wash after, of course), a room with a private toilet, and a TV. The downside to this guesthouse is that it's located at the foot of Namsan (a hill), so expect a climb to get there unless you take a taxi. Also, there is no elevator. The common kitchen is on the 4th floor.

Nevertheless, it was a good deal considering its cost and proximity to Myeongdong Night Market. You can watch our arrival and Room Tour in this vlog.

Before we proceed, let me just put this out there. Our Seoul, South Korea trip happened from January to February 2026. We explored Seoul during winter for 8 days. This was a combination of work and travel for two couples. We also had some day trips to Nami Island and Suwon.

Day 1 — First Day in Seoul

Galbitang, Eunpyeong Hanok Village, Street Food and Olive Young

The First Bite in Seoul

The temperature was in the single digits when we went out, so we were craving something hot! Luckily, just a few steps from our accommodation was a place where we were truly welcomed—with authentic Korean food. New Seoul Galbitang offers tourists a taste of South Korean food. It was meant to be that we were there because it was officially the start of our love affair with Korean food.

Food is not cheap in Seoul, but every bite is made with love and quality ingredients. I ordered Galbitang with rice, and Lana ordered Spicy Galbitang with rice. Food in this restaurant would cost you 15K Won to 22K Won each.

When you eat in restaurants like this in South Korea, it is common for your order to come with a rich spread of kimchi. We were surprised when the auntie put three different kinds of kimchi on our table. Lana and I looked at each other and said, "We did not order this, right?" Haha!

I do not eat kimchi here in the Philippines, but for the sake of the experience, I had to try the kimchi in South Korea. The first bite was crunchy in texture, and the taste was not too sour. I liked it. I had to get a second bite to confirm. This time, I felt happiness in my tummy. I loved it! It felt like it was meant to be because this restaurant started our love affair with Korean food, specifically kimchi, began.

Eunpyeong Hanok Village

Less than an hour from Seoul via train and bus is a Hanok Village that is frequented by tourists. Here, you'll see well-preserved Hanok houses that are still being used by, I guess, some of the wealthier people in Seoul.

Big gated houses, almost identical in theme, lined up along the streets of Eunpyeong. These houses are elegant and grand, which made me wonder if there are people living in them

We did not see any locals roaming around, maybe because it was freezing cold, or maybe these houses are just there for tourism purposes? The people we saw were tourists like us. You would find online, though, that there are people living in these houses.

There is not much to see except these elegant houses. It's a great spot for pictorials or prenuptial photoshoots.

Back on the main street is a building full of cafes that also serves as a perfect vantage point for tourists who want the village as their backdrop. Each floor has a different cafe with different themes. To be able to stay, you have to order, of course. But if you are on a budget, the staff on each floor will not stop you from checking things out and having a quick snap of the aerial view of the village.

Good thing about the transportation in South Korea: you can anticipate the bus schedule by using Naver Maps. It's their version of Google Maps. You have to download this if you will travel to South Korea soon because Google Maps will not function like it does in other countries. From what I heard, Google Maps is not that functional because of military confidential information.

Since we were already there, we tried the cafe on the top floor. We ordered coffee and hot chocolate that cost us a fortune. Haha! The view was really nice. We ordered because we wanted to stay and pretend that we were Joseon-era prince and princesses.

Back in Myeongdong

Anyway, the bus stop is just on the other side of the cafe where we stayed. Luckily, there was a bus that went directly to the Myeongdong area. I liked it when there was no or only one transfer when we traveled. The travel time took less than an hour, and it was the first time we saw snowfall, but only for a few minutes.

We walked tirelessly around Myeongdong to check out what we could see there and what we could eat for dinner. The streets were packed with tourists from all over the world, from all ages, and everyone seemed to be enjoying their hotteok or fishcake.

But our first agenda in Myeongdong was skincare. Yes, Olive Young. I bought my set of toner and face cream for 22K Won. I am not sure if that's cheap or expensive. What I can say now is that I am still using it.

Back to the streets of Myeongdong, we tried some of the street food we were craving. All of it is already available in the Philippines because of the Korean culture explosion globally, mainly because of K-pop and K-dramas. But of course, we still had to try it in Korea! Haha.

I liked it all. Again, it's the quality of the ingredients. My favorite was the pancake with egg, not because it's the most affordable and was very filling, but because I love pancakes and eggs. Hehe. All the food that we tried was filling and served in large quantities, so two people could share one order, except for the pancake with egg.

Although it's good and delicious, I found it very expensive. One order of street food in Myeongdong can already give you a full meal in a sit-down restaurant. Later on, when we explored other markets, we decided to never set foot in Myeongdong again to buy street food. Haha! In Filipino slang, Myeongdong street food is "Budol."

Here's the video of our first day in Seoul.

We ended the night in a convenience store to stock up our mini fridge for the next eight days. We bought breakfast as well since our accommodation does not include food.

Day 2 — Second Day in Seoul

Naksan Park, Ihwa-dong Mural Village and Gwangjang Market

We started late on our Day 2. Actually, the first half of the day was dedicated to work. Too bad, though, Seoul is one hour ahead of Manila, so we had to start later compared to when we were in Japan, which is one hour behind Manila. Our day was shorter because of the time difference.

We worked inside our room using the eSim data we bought on Klook. We could use the hotel Wi-Fi, yes, but to make sure our browsing was safe, we opted to use the data using our eSIM.

Our agenda for this day was to visit the old walls of Seoul, a mural village, and a market serving authentic Korean food.

Naksan Park

From our hotel, we walked down to the main road to take a bus straight to our destination. Naksan Park and Ihwa-dong Mural Village are located in one area. Although it's a climb before you reach these areas, you will experience the local vibe here since the community is still alive and there are locals living there.

Naksan Park provides its visitors with a glimpse of what Seoul used to be—a walled city when the Joseon Dynasty was still alive. I am not sure if these walls are all original, but there are certainly sections that have been restored. You will also read from the markers that different styles of stonework were used depending on the period when sections of the wall were built or repaired.

One notable thing about Naksan Park is its elevation. It is an alternative way to see Seoul's cityscape from above. There are also some cafes in the area where you can just chill and kill time. We were there around 4 PM, and nobody was there, probably because it was winter and people preferred some other activity. In fact, there were no tourists in the area when we visited! That's a good thing, though. :)

Ihwa-dong Mural Village

Descending from Naksan Park is a living community with lots of murals that attracted a niche of tourists from all over. The idea of a local community dotted with nice murals seems attractive to tourists wanting to experience both art and a local community vibe. For the locals, it's also a win, I guess, because it will open new businesses for the community to thrive. 

It seems, though, that some of the artwork we saw on social media was no longer available. We kept on searching, but we couldn't find what we were looking for. We checked some online forums and learned that some locals had to paint over the murals, maybe because tourists were flocking to their community. I am not sure. Maybe there were some tourists who misbehaved while in the local community, thus the locals needed to take action. If the latter was the case, then I guess the community wasn't ready for the influx of tourists, all kinds of tourists.

Let this be a reminder for us tourists to make sure we act with sensitivity toward the community and culture of the locals. We need to respect the place in order for us to enjoy its serenity.

Gwangjang Market

Back on the main road, we took two buses going to Gwangjang Market, one of the most celebrated markets in Seoul for its food and local vibe.

We sampled as much food as we could here in Gwangjang Market. As I have said above, food here is much more affordable compared to Myeongdong Night Market. Most of the food that we sampled either had a long line or we just found appetizing. I will not leave much information here so that you'll have room for surprises when you visit this market. One thing I can tell you: with all the hyped remarks you will find online about this market, Gwangjang Market will offer you a local taste of Seoul. 

After we explored the market, the temperature dropped as the night deepened. Lucky for us, there is a Starbucks in Gwangjang Market that has a heater. I should mention that this Starbucks is one of a kind. I think they repurposed the building and did an amazing job converting it into a cafe. I ordered a cup of hot Americano while Lana enjoyed her stamp collection at Starbucks.

And just when we were about to book an Uber back to our accommodation, Lana asked if we could do one more round of exploring the market. When we turned into the other alley of food, we found the most famous kalguksu in Seoul—Gohyang Kalguksu, aka the Netflix lady. 

It is the best that we've tried that day and, yes, one of the best in Seoul. The soup was simple with lots of seaweed; again, it's the ingredients that matter! We just ordered one bowl because we were full, but I'm telling you, I could do two bowls of it! The free kimchi was also so good! You can even ask for a refill if you want. You must try this!

Overall, this is the best way to end the night in Seoul.

It was freezing already, so we booked an Uber and called it a night.

Day 3 — Third Day in Seoul

Myeongdong Cathedral, Cheonggyecheon, Seoul City Hall, Korean Fried Chicken and Lotte Mart

We had to work again for the whole day. This is becoming a part of us: work in the morning, then travel in the afternoon, or, in this case, late afternoon. Some may ask, why travel for a shorter time, then spend the whole day exploring? We've done that before, but it's so tiring physically, and I felt that I couldn't even soak in the sunlight of the place. I now value slow travel but for a longer duration.

Myeongdong Cathedral

We went out at 4 PM, and it's the perfect time that gives a glorious color in the afternoon. Walking down to Myeongdong Cathedral, we passed through the shops that were waiting for tourists who would buy their sometimes overpriced goods.

Myeongdong Cathedral is just a 10-minute walk from our accommodation, and we could not not visit this during our stay in Seoul.

The Cathedral is the first Korean Catholic Church and is beautifully standing on top of a hill at the end of Myeongdong's long strip of food stalls. 

Cheonggyecheon

We continued to walk towards Cheonggyecheon, a stream in the heart of Seoul that is also a public space for both locals and tourists. The total stretch of the stream is 11 kilometers.

When you walk along the stream, you will see some life in the water. There are fish and birds getting some food. It's a testament that the stream is clean and alive!

There are also some historical bridges that pass through the stream. Remember, Seoul has been there for centuries, and it thrived during the dynasty era. It's not very uncommon to see century-old structures that remind us of the history of Seoul.

Seoul City Hall, Korean Fried Chicken

Continuing our afternoon walk towards the old Seoul City Hall, we passed through some of the civic and government buildings in Seoul. Our objective was to walk towards Namdaemun Market to check out one of the remaining city gates of Seoul that used to be connected to its walls. We also aimed to withdraw cash so that we could eat dinner! Haha.

One thing I can say: when we passed through these civic buildings and infrastructure, South Korea is really a developed country, and Seoul is a fantastic city. You can really see that when you walk through its paved and clean streets with the almost perfect transportation and pedestrian system.

We've reached Namdaemun, but we decided not to eat dinner there anymore because, according to Google Maps, some stalls in the market close early during weekdays. We were able to get money, though, at KB Bank near Namdaemun.

Good thing, though, we spotted a Korean Fried Chicken restaurant near City Hall Subway Station. It's time to taste that famous Korean Fried Chicken with ice-cold beer!

We've ordered a mix of original and spicy fried chicken for 25K Won plus one ice-cold beer for 5K Won. Because I love fried chicken in general, the plate was a true happiness for me. Just like in other sit-down restaurants, there were appetizers such as fermented radish and another snack that I cannot name. Overall, we loved it! To be honest, Olive Bbq Chicken Cafe was the best Korean chicken we've tried when we were in South Korea.

To check out our activity this day, you may want to watch the video below.

Lotte Mart

Right after our dinner, we explored Lotte Mart in Seoul Station. From Olive BBQ Chicken Cafe, we just took the subway. Supermarkets or grocery stores are always part of our travel itinerary because they're not only a source of affordable food items, they're also a cultural immersion just like the market. Imagine checking out what locals buy for their household needs. It's like you are entering into their pantry or doing a refrigerator haul as well. 

Seoul Station with my Taiwan sweater Haha!

Most tourists are doing grocery exploration too! As I have said, it's a source of affordable food, especially during closing, when food packs are discounted. 😉 Lotte Mart also has a dedicated section for everything that tourists should buy as presents back home or food that we should all try.

Check out this video featuring our Lotte Mart exploration and haul.

Day 4 — Fourth Day in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insa-dong, Starfield Library, Korean BBQ and Our First Snow in South Korea

Today, Lana and I filed for a whole day of leave so that we could explore some of the famous attractions in Seoul. We started at around 8 AM, and we planned to explore as many spots as we could. We could have started much earlier, but it was freezing cold! Haha.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-visit in South Korea! Some people take it a step further and rent hanbok, traditional Korean clothes, and do a photoshoot inside the palace while roaming around the surrounding areas. It’s cute and nice if it’s your thing, but for us, pass. 😃

From our place, we took a bus straight to the palace. But before you go to the palace, make sure to time your palace entry before the start of the changing of the guards so that you can witness it. Before you enter, make time to visit the two large statues in front of the palace. These are two important figures in the history of the Korean Peninsula (yes, when North and South Korea were still united).

The first statue is Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the admiral who fought the Japanese in the 16th century. He is especially remembered for the Battle of Myeongnyang, where he led just 13 Joseon warships against a much larger Japanese fleet.

Next to it is the statue of King Sejong. He is, I think, the most famous king of Korea because there is a lot of literature about him in texts and in Korean dramas. If you love Korean period dramas, there are high chances that you’ve seen his character.

King Sejong is notable and celebrated because he helped improve Korea in all aspects—engineering, science, medicine, music, arts, etc. His most notable legacy is Hangul, the Korean writing system developed under his reign.

We entered the palace just in time for the changing of the guards. I will not tell you the time because the time may change depending on the season of your visit. All I will say is, you have to experience it. It’s like living in a Korean period drama. Sure, they made it like a show for more tourism attraction, but that is okay as long as it’s a real cultural highlight of Korea.

When you rent a hanbok, your entrance fee will be waived. But if you choose not to, the entrance fee is 3K Won for one adult. Not expensive, huh, for a grand attraction like this.

It’s a grand palace, and all the tourists were in the palace! Haha! There are photographers taking pictures of couples or groups wearing hanbok, a lot of tour guides catering to mostly Asians, and DIYers like us just taking photos of ourselves and sometimes listening to what the tour guides are saying, haha!

With its very affordable entrance fee, Gyeongbokgung Palace is well-kept. You cannot see any signs of dilapidation or deterioration. They are really taking care of the palace as it should be.

I will just add: before you enter the palace, make sure to do your #1 or #2 thingy in your hotel or restaurant because the toilets are really far once inside the palace. 🚽

Bukchon Hanok Village

20 minutes from Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the famous hanok villages in Seoul. People flock here for photo ops in the traditional houses in Korea. You must be mindful, though, because the area is a living community, and there are people living in those houses.

Tourists are reminded to act politely and keep their voices to a minimum.

There are shops here where you can buy souvenirs or drink coffee, but usually, tourists just pass by and proceed to their next destination.

Insa-dong

Insa-dong is a trendy area where shops and restaurants are lined up, offering different kinds of goods and experiences. While we were exploring Insa-dong, we were looking for a place to eat lunch.

We ate at Bangtae Makguksu which offers affordable meals for a sit-down restaurant. There was a little language barrier, but we were able to order dumpling noodles for me and beef noodles with rice for Lana. It’s really affordable. My order was just 12K Won, while Lana’s was just 11K Won.

After lunch, we continued walking and checking out some of the trendy shops. I can say that food and cosmetics goods here are much cheaper than in Myeongdong. We were able to buy some skincare goods at Off Beauty, and it’s really much cheaper than Olive Young. We were able to buy face masks for just 500 Won or Php 20 each.

Starfield Library

We did a quick Daiso run after our Insa-dong exploration before we headed on a 45-minute bus ride to Starfield Library in Gangnam, Seoul. This library inside the mall has been a major stop for tourists who want that K-drama shot everybody is doing. We had to do it, of course, haha!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jherson Jaya (@lonelytravelogue)

Starfield Library is a functioning library, and there are locals who are using it. So, as a tourist, it’s better to respect their space if you see someone reading a book or newspaper because it is still a library.

Korean Barbeque 

COEX Mall is strategically connected to the major hubs around Seoul, so it was easy for us to come back to the Myeongdong area. It was 17 station stops, though, for around 37 minutes of travel time, but without any transfer. That’s a relief, actually! I would rather sit for a longer time on a train or bus than have 2–3 transportation transfers.

We were craving Korean barbecue, and it’s now time to have it where it actually originated, lol. There are a lot of Korean barbecue restaurants in the Philippines. Here, we call it samgyup, short for Samgyeopsal (which means pork belly in Korea). Korean barbecue is not new to us. In fact, it has become a part of our culture already. We do samgyup to celebrate or whenever we go out with friends or someone is treating us for his or her birthday. There are a lot of good samgyup places in the Philippines, so we were eager to check if Korean barbecue in Korea would be on a different level.

Most of the samgyup restaurants in the Philippines offer unlimited options, and we were looking for an unlimited option that would not make my wallet cry after eating. We found Hong Bar in Myeongdong because of Go with Mel Vlog. Their buffet option for dinner is 20,900 Won each (January 2026).

So, how was it? It was amazing! Everything was on point! The meat was high quality, and the side dishes were for real! What I liked about the meat was that there was thick pork belly and thin slices similar to a sukiyaki cut. I loved that there were a lot of options for the meat and the side dishes. Their kimchi was super delicious—well, I never tasted bad kimchi in all of South Korea anyway. The tteokbokki with fish cake was superb as well.

The night was really perfect, with the spread of good Korean dishes on our table, good music, a not-too-busy restaurant, nice staff, good temperature inside, and, best of all, we had the best view of Myeongdong. Yes, the restaurant was on the 3rd floor, if I’m not mistaken, and we were seated next to the glass window.

Perfect Snow Fall in Seoul

It was a perfect time after a long day of walking and exploring Seoul. It was made even more perfect when the snow began falling, and it made our view so magical, almost like a dream! It was like the perfect setting for a movie set in Seoul. The smile could not be erased from my face until the snowfall stopped.

We were about to go back to our accommodation when the snow began falling again, and this time, we were on the streets of Myeongdong. Everyone was so happy, especially the Filipinos. Even the Western people who are used to snow were very happy. Later, I found out that it was the first snow of the year in Seoul in that volume. Not all people were happy, though. The vendors selling souvenirs on the streets were packing up and covering their goods. Well, I guess they understand why we were happy, right?

We went to the main street of Myeongdong Night Market, and everyone was taking pictures, not minding if they would catch colds the next day! Everything was covered with white, powdery snow. It was so dreamy. Even though it’s not my first time seeing this amount of snow, the child in me was so happy and thankful that my wife and I could enjoy moments like this together.

Everything has to end. We had to go back to our accommodation to have some rest because the next day, for sure, would be more tiring.

For the whole Starfield Library, Korean Barbecue, and snow experience, you may watch the video below.

Day 5 — Fifth Day in Seoul

Eobi Ice Valley, Italian Village, Petite France, Nami Island and Garden of the Morning Calm

It's finally weekend!

We will have our whole weekend just exploring Seoul. No work to think about.

Day 5 wasn't really in Seoul, but it's considered an attraction in Seoul because it's usually a day trip when you are staying in Seoul. If you are a geography buff like me, the places that we've visited are in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do Provinces in South Korea.

We bought this tour in Klook for comfortability. I like to do DIY tours, but when the places are far, it's much more economical and you would save yourself from tireless transfers. It's better to join a guided tour. There are a ton of Nami Island Tours with different add-ons that you may choose from according to your preference. The highlight would be Nami Island, and you will be staying there the longest.

Eobi Ice Valley

The thing, though, when joining a tour, you have to wake up early and be at the pick-up point that you choose, ready to explore and prepared to be tired. Lol! For us, the pick-up was in Myeongdong and just 10 minutes away from our accommodation. We were the first to arrive while darkness was still covering Seoul!

The travel time from Myeongdong to the first stop, which is Eobi Ice Valley, was around 40 minutes. I should also mention that there are 2 other pick-up points before we finally travelled to Eobi Ice Valley.

It was like a school field trip, haha! We were the students, politely and attentively listening to the guide's instructions. Because it snowed heavily the night before, and I think until morning, she sold us a shoe spike so that you won't slide into the snow. I do not know what it's called. But basically, it's a grip that you will put in your shoes. We did not buy because when we were in Nagano, Japan, and there was knee-level snow, we didn't need anything to make us safe. Anyway, some bought theirs. Lol.

Eobi Ice Valley, as Korean tourism described, is famous for its huge, naturally formed ice wall, created when the valley's waterfall and flowing water freeze during winter.

We only had a few minutes here, and our guide Amy was kind enough to take pictures of us.

Alpacas

Minutes away from the ice valley is a cafe (and a zoo?) where alpacas were roaming around. It was not part of the published itinerary, thus we were surprised to see these cute alpacas. It is my first time seeing them this close, and I never thought they were very gentle. They are similar to sheep but much bigger and cuter.

This was a good surprise, to be honest.

Italian Village

In this tour, it's half guided and half self-exploration. Your guide will give you instructions before they let you go and explore on your own, give you a bit of history while you are in the bus, entertain your questions and requests for pictures, then wait for you at the designated pick-up after your self-exploration.

I like this kind of tour because it gives you autonomy to explore at your own pace.

Italian Village is an amusement park with an Italian theme. It features the 19th-century Italian village, and it features some of the famous Italian characters and icons.

At the time of our visit, or maybe it's permanent, a large statue of Pinocchio would greet you at the entrance, and there were a bunch of graffiti and exhibits dedicated to him. There was also a puppet show about him!

Da Vinci also has a large exhibit. It shows his works, from paintings to engineering. I didn't know that Da Vinci also had a lot of inventions, or I wasn't that focused on Italian history in high school? He made tools, sculptures, and he was also a military strategist!

Petite France

Beside the Italian Village is Petite France. And just like the former, it's an amusement park featuring a 19th-century French village. Its main character is the Little Prince. There are a lot of sculptures and graffiti featuring the Little Prince. There was also a studio where you can dress like the Little Prince and have a picture!

For Little Prince fans out there, you will definitely like Petite France.

There was also a doll museum, free of entrance, if you have the guts to enter. We found it creepy, and we felt like many souls were looking at us. Try it and let us know what you think, lol!

Petite France is more picturesque compared to the Italian Village. The cold temperature, the French village vibe, the flowers, the murals, the buildings, and the bench give you a glimpse of what you can experience in France. I guess this is the intention, and they really did a good job there.

Nami Island

Our next stop was 30 minutes away, and it was the highlight of the tour.

But before we boarded the boat to the island, we had to experience South Korea first with its cuisine again. We had dakgalbi for lunch, and it was really something unique. It's a combination of noodles, cheese, Korean sauce, and cabbage. It's new to me, and I think I like it. It's something that you need to consume while it's really hot.

The meal was expensive at Php 2,500 for two pax! But you cannot put a price on an authentic experience, right? So I justify, lol!

Right after lunch, we boarded the boat going to one of the most famous islands in South Korea—Nami Island. It's famous because of its manicured gardens, activities, the experience of going there, and because it's the shooting spot of one of the most celebrated Korean series—Winter Sonata, which I have not watched to this day, by the way.

I thought that Nami Island was an island in the middle of the sea. While researching for this, I found out that Nami Island is located in the middle of a river!

Amy, our guide, mentioned that Nami Island wasn't originally an island. It used to be connected to the mainland and would only become surrounded by water during floods. When the Cheongpyeong Dam was constructed in 1944, the water level of the Bukhan River rose, permanently surrounding the land and turning it into the island we know today as Nami Island.

Now, the name "Nami" is equally interesting. General Nami was a celebrated military commander during the Joseon Era. However, he was later falsely accused of treason and sentenced to death. Years later, the accusations against him were proven to be false, and his honor was eventually restored.

Nami Island is believed to be the burial place of General Nami, which is where the island got its name. It's a sad story but a great way to be remembered. His name lives on in one of the most famous islands in South Korea.

Just like in the other attractions, our guide gave a briefing and let us be. From time to time, whenever you see her, she would talk to you and tell you something about the place and would offer to take your picture. She's nice.

We were on our own, and our first agenda was to look for the Winter Sonata first-kiss scene, only to see some vandalism on it. Yay, guys, don't do that.

After that, we just strolled, admiring the beautifully lined-up trees in the middle of the island. We saw souvenir shops, food stalls, a photobooth where we had our pictures, and snow sledding. People of all ages will have fun in Nami Island. There are activities for all.

Garden of the Morning Calm

I wasn't expecting anything at our last stop of the tour. In my mind, they just added this to make the tour attractive. All I knew was that it's just a garden that is best to visit at night.

When we arrived and saw the garden, I felt like not going anymore. I was like, "What's this?" Haha.

But since we were there already, we maximized the opportunity and started to roam around the garden. It was getting dark, and we enjoyed the plants turned into artwork. There were a lot of themed areas that people were enjoying. There was a tunnel of vines full of lights, which we also have here in the Philippines.

When the darkness completely invaded the sky and the moon was the only source of light, I looked at my surroundings and saw a fairytale in front of me. There were a lot of colors, a sea of lights in the plant sculptures.

I ate my words and found the place a great ending to our tour. It was so perfect that we ended up roaming until the end of the enormous garden.

This tour is for the whole family. It's wholesome, child-friendly, elderly-friendly, and I think both millennials and Gen Z will enjoy all the places that we've visited. I am so glad we bought this tour in Klook.

You may watch the entire experience below.

Day 6 — Sixth Day in Seoul

Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, Yeouido Hangang Park and Hongdae Street

It's a Sunday, and we're back to exploring Seoul on our own. We started our cold morning with a breakfast we bought from Lotte Mart and a free coffee in our accommodation. It's going to be a full day, but we're opening some room for surprises.

I was surprised enough because the memory card of my DJI Pocket 3 camera was corrupted, and there was no way for me to retrieve my videos. But this would not stop us from sharing with you what we've experienced on Day 6.

Changgyeonggung Palace

Once home to queens and royal concubines during the Joseon Dynasty. A palace filled with stories of hierarchy, power, and resilience. The palace was almost empty when we arrived. There were a handful of tourists, but not enough to say that this is a famous attraction. Maybe it was early in the morning? No, we arrived at around 11:30 AM.

Anyway, we had the palace for ourselves, and that was totally fine. The palace, like Gyeongbokgung, is very well kept. There was no changing of the guards, but we enjoyed the serenity of it, from the king's halls to the greenhouse at the far end. The most notable character of this palace is that this has been the residence of the queen and concubines. When you watch Korean period dramas, a king having a lot of concubines was not a big deal because the king was expected to bear many children so that the kingdom would be stable. Having a lot of heirs, next in line to the throne, who should be sons, would prevent conflict and power struggles among the royal family and the nobility. But who would have thought that the queen and concubines would live next to each other? Times have allowed that, and it happened in Korea.

Changdeokgung Palace

My favorite palace in Seoul. A UNESCO-listed royal residence that blends architecture with nature, featuring the beautiful Secret Garden that we were not able to see. I feel that, of all three palaces that we visited so far, this has the most character and soul. Perhaps the royal family really lived here and ruled the kingdom from here. It has developed a life of its own.

The royal court, the alleys, the buildings was thread to be fully functional and efficient offices, unlike others where grandeur was more evident. This palace is connected to nature. You will notice that because it lacks the symmetry that other palaces have. Instead, they flowed with nature, which makes this palace feel alive and full of soul. Evidence of that was the creation of the Secret Garden, used by the royal family for leisure and relaxation. Nowadays, it is no longer secret to the general public, but you have to pay a separate entrance fee to experience it. We did not do it because I think one would need a half day dedicated to it to fully experience nature.

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village

A charming neighborhood where 100-year-old hanok houses are transformed into trendy cafés and boutiques while preserving traditional Korean design. Like other hanok villages and trendy communities, Ikseon-dong offers you a vibe and tourist experience like no other.

Lana decided to buy a beanie because there were a lot when we visited. I am sure, depending on the season, boutiques will offer clothing that would suit your needs and style.

Another must-do in Ikseon-dong, if you are a foodie like us, is to try the famous salt bread (Jayeondo Sogeumppang). Usually, it has long queues, but our timing was great. There was nobody there! People started to queue when we were eating our slice of soft, hot, and salty bread.

Yeouido Hangang Park

Our next stop was on the other side of Seoul—a peaceful riverside escape where locals picnic, bike, and enjoy Seoul's skyline by the Han River. It took us around 40 minutes to reach Yeouido Park, but luckily, there was a subway directly connecting it from Ikseon-dong. We wanted to see the Han River and explore the park. It was my first time to see a river forming crystals of ice. Yes, it was too cold, and it made it even worse because we were in a river. Haha!

We realized that we hadn't had our lunch yet, and it was 3:30 PM. We wanted to try the famous noodle shops along the river, but the cost of it was almost the same as a plate of fried chicken. We decided to have the latter while looking at the Han River over our late lunch. But I must say, Olive Chicken BBQ Cafe is much better. We stayed until the afternoon, hoping that we would catch the sunset. When I realized that the sun would set on the other side, we made a move to check the bus schedule going to our last destination of the day.

Hongdae Street

It's so alive when we arrived! People were just walking, feeling the vibe of the place, while some were watching buskers serenading the night. There was a lot of food too!

There were shops selling clothes and scarves, and we felt that we needed to purchase a new bubble jacket here.

The vibe was very youthful and alive. We saw a group of young girls in a karaoke building flirting with the young guys on the streets, sharing notes and giggling. Haha! I suddenly remembered my high school days, not in the same way, but the crazy stuff we did before.

Anyway, I think we're done with this kind of vibe already. We're too auntie and uncle for this. 😅

Day 7 — Seventh Day in Seoul

Namdaemun Market, Suwon Rodeo Street, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Hwaseong Haenggung and Starfield Library Suwon

It was Monday again, and we had to work in the morning until before lunchtime. Not complaining, though.

Our plans for this day were to eat in Namdaemun Market and explore Suwon, a town outside of Seoul.

Local Encounter in Namdaemun Market

Before I continue our story for this day, allow me to tell you about an encounter in Namdaemun Market. It did not happen that day but rather on our last day in Seoul. I'm telling it now for continuity and because it happened at the same stall where we ate this day.

Namdaemun Market

Here you go:

Namdaemun Market, right in the heart of Seoul, is a place you simply can’t miss. We wandered into an alley lined with food stalls selling almost the same dishes. We didn’t overthink it—we just sat down, trusted the process, and hoped for something good.

We got more than good.

We ordered two sets that came with kalguksu, bibimbap, and what felt like an endless parade of side dishes. A joyful spread of fermented local flavors—every single one to my liking. Actually, that’s an understatement. I loved everything.

I rarely eat kimchi in the Philippines because it’s often too sour, too strong, or too spicy for me. But in Korea? Oh boy. It was on a different level. Crisp, slightly sweet, perfectly balanced—every bite bursting with flavor. It wasn’t just food. It was culture unfolding in my mouth.

Our entire spread of authentic Korean dishes cost around 20K Won (a little over ₱800). But honestly? Forget the price. The experience was priceless.

The side dishes felt almost unlimited. Every time I emptied my plate of kimchi or finished a bowl of seaweed, an umma would quietly refill it. No hesitation. Just warmth. And of course, you could always ask for more.

When the feast ended, I stood up to pay—still in that post-meal bliss, fully aware it was our last day in the city. Who knows when we’ll be back?

As I was taking a photo of the stall, one of the ummas waved at me. Not a casual wave. A deliberate, genuine one. When my eyes shifted from her to the exit, tears started rolling down my cheeks.

I didn’t expect to cry over a meal. But it wasn’t just about the food. It was about the sincerity. The quiet care. The way they refilled our plates without being asked. The warmth behind that wave and smile.

I told my wife, while trying (and failing) to stop crying, that this felt like the most authentic immersion we could ever experience. They didn’t just serve us food—they shared a piece of their heart.

And somehow, that made saying goodbye to Seoul even harder.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I posted this on my social media, and one Korean commenter told me that what I experienced was what they call 'Jung,' which is often translated into English as affection, attachment, or a deep sense of emotional connection.

Transferring to Suwon

We took the local train from Seoul Station to Suwon. I believe there is a high-speed train, but the timing wasn't on our side, so we opted for the much slower local trains.

It's actually good because we had the chance to observe and, if lucky, meet and talk to some locals.

Travel time from Seoul to Suwon is between 40 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on the train you catch. Since we boarded the local trains, there were a lot of stops. People kept getting off and getting on. There were times that I had to stand up because most passengers, when we were in the outskirts, were elderly, whom I think knew each other.

Onboard local Train from Seoul to Suwon

As people got off and got on, I would always have the chance to sit. Then we would stop at the next station, and an elderly person would get in, so I had to stand and offer my seat.

It happened, I think, four times. Haha. The lady sitting beside Lana gave me a smile after the fourth one and talked to the elderly person to whom I gave up my seat. They talked in Korean, of course. Then both of them gave me a smile of gratitude.

I guess they talked about me keeping on standing to give up my seat? I wanted to speak to them, but they couldn't speak English, and it was awkward to talk via Google Translate on a moving train.

When we were about to get off the train, the lady to whom I had last given my seat gave Lana and me a peanut candy as a sign of her gratitude.

Suwon Rodeo Street

You will go directly to Suwon Rodeo Street when you exit through Gate 11 of Suwon Station. Rodeo is full of street food and trendy shops. There are also restaurants offering different kinds of Korean food.

It's just a short walk from the station, actually. This is a good spot for food tripping since it offers the same street food as those in Seoul but at a cheaper price.

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Suwon was developed as a walled city during the Joseon Era. King Jeongjo built Hwaseong Fortress in the late 18th century after moving his father's tomb to the area, creating a major defensive fortress around it. Similar to Seoul, it has a lot of gates that are now standing as a testament to how rich the culture and history of South Korea are.

We were able to visit one gate called Janganmun Gate. And it was in this very location that I realized that the memory card of my camera was corrupted. Huhu.

Anyway, I did not allow that to occupy me. I used my phone instead, then we proceeded to our next destination.

Hwaseong Haenggung

This palace was built by the monarchy to serve as their residence whenever they were visiting Suwon for vacation. The king who built this only stayed in this palace 13 times.

When I visited the Korean museum, I saw a video presentation showing the king doing a procession in Suwon, where people were ecstatic and joyful whenever the king was visiting Suwon.

If you were able to watch Jewel in the Palace, a Korean period drama from the mid-2000s, you will see a cardboard statue of the main character here because this is where the main setting was derived.

We were not able to enter the palace because it was about to close, but the gate of the palace was enough to appreciate its grandeur.

Starfield Library Suwon

We took the bus from Hwaseong Haenggung to Starfield Suwon. Yes, they also have a library here similar to COEX, but this has a different character.

Compared to COEX in Gangnam, Suwon Starfield Library is much calmer, and there were not a lot of tourists here. Locals here were reading, while some were having good conversations with their friends in the cafe.

We stayed here for a bit to rest and just savor the moment in Suwon.

Day 8 — Eighth Day in Seoul

National Museum of Korea, N Seoul Tower and Itaewon

It's our last full day in Seoul, but we have to work in the morning before we can explore again.

Come afternoon, Lana decided to just stay in our accommodation and rest. We agreed to meet in the Myeongdong area before sunset, just in time for N Seoul Tower.

National Museum of Korea 

Me, on the other hand, went on exploring the National Museum of Korea, which is connected to Myeongdong via the Blue Line, meaning to say, no transfer. Oh, thank God! Lol.

It was a massive structure from the outside. It is divided into two buildings—the museum of permanent exhibits and the other for special exhibits.

I wanted to see the permanent exhibition, and I was so happy to learn that it's free of charge!

It's indeed a massive structure, considering it's just the other half of the whole museum complex, and it covers the history of Korea until the 19th century.

The exhibition that I liked a lot is the video presentation about the monarchy doing a parade to meet ordinary people and the exhibition dedicated to King Sejong.

I am just into kings and queens, all about the monarchy. If I lived during the Joseon Dynasty, I guess I'm part of the nobility, if not the monarchy. Lol. I'm dreaming.

After hours of roaming around and learning Korean history, I decided to have some snacks at Twosome Cafe before heading back to Myeongdong.

N Seoul Tower

Since our accommodation was at the foot of Namsan, we had the option to either hike or take the cable car. We decided to take neither of those options and instead walk down to Myeongdong towards the bus station that would lead us up to N Seoul Tower.

Not many vloggers I watched were doing this route, so I wanted to try and check out some other places while we were on the bus.

It's a curvy path going up, but nevertheless, it's an affordable and easy way to go up to N Seoul Tower.

We were just in time for the sunset when people were starting to go up to experience the same.

The magic, though, happened during the blue hour, when the sun had already set and yet the sky was stunning in blue.

We stayed until the night to witness the stars come down from the sky to the streets of Seoul. The city was lit! The walls of Seoul were also lit, giving us another spectacular view from N Seoul Tower.

You don't need to go to the top of the tower to see the 360-degree view of the city.

Itaewon

Lana wanted to try Myeongdong Kyoja in Itaewon—a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant that serves only a few dishes, four to be exact.

You know it's good when a restaurant is run by a family and serves only a few dishes. It's not in the Michelin Guide for nothing, and it did not disappoint.

The chopped noodles were delicious, and the dumplings were amazing.

We ended the night exploring Itaewon streets, where pubs and shops are abundant. It's a place to hang out, especially for young people right after work.

You may know Itaewon because of the Korean series Itaewon Class, featuring Park Seo-joon, or the New Year stampede incident years ago. We wanted to visit to check out the area because of this hit series.

We called it a night and decided to go back to our accommodation.

This was not our last night in Seoul, but it was our last night exploring the city. After days of working in the mornings and wandering through Seoul in the afternoons, eating our way through markets, getting lost in its streets, experiencing our first snowfall, and meeting people who unexpectedly left a mark on us, it was finally time to move on. The next day, we would leave Seoul and head to Busan. But Seoul had already given us more than we expected—and somehow, I knew we would be back.