Discover the soul of Seoul
We were caught unaware of the inescapable K-pop culture, of its massive influence on the entire world.
Daily TribuneWe were caught unaware of the inescapable K-pop culture, of its massive influence on the entire world.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS/ PENMERAHPENBIRU/ CC BY-SA 3.0 | Bukchon Hanok Village.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS/ korea.net/korean culture and information service/ CC BY-sa 2.0 | KIMCHI ingredients.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS/ PAUL_CANNING/ CC BY 2.0 | a WOMAN in hanbok.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS/ teemeah/ CC BY-sa 4.0 | KOREAN cosmetics.
On our various visits to Seoul, South Korea, we marveled at their revered temples and historical museums, awed at their regal palaces and majestic gardens.
We simply relished the gastronomical feasts of distinctive culinary spreads. Unforgettable shopping sprees at their flea markets for rare finds, paired with night bazaars for exclusive deals were utterly unforgettable.
Oh yes, we even meandered through serene and tranquil islands and peeped into the Korean Demilitarized Zone, full of vision of imaginary images. We were caught unaware of the inescapable K-pop culture, of its massive influence on the entire world.
Having checked all of the must-dos, must-sees, must-tastes and must-listens — and the list goes on and on — we decided to delve further into the heart of what it means to be a Korean.
Architectural wonder: Bukchon Hanok Village
Dating back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), this district is a cultural and architectural center which provides glimpses into the historical past of the nation. The particular narrow street has been the set of several Korean television series and has since become a favorite of most hallyu culture enthusiasts.
As part of the Seoul Museum of History, living quarters were opened for viewing, where one can even inspect up close how Korean homes used to be. However, remember the Bukchon Hanok Village is still inhabited by residents, so continue to exercise respect.
Taste specialties: Kimchi-making class
Due to our love for kimchi, we learned how to make the specialty, a spicy fermented napa cabbage dish. Donning aprons and gloves, our hands were a mess as we massaged the ingredients in between the vegetable leaves to ensure all nooks were slathered with chili flakes and brine.
Our creations were then vacuum sealed to age. We likewise created and sampled tteokbokki, a spicy rice cake which uses kimchi as its key ingredient. It felt like we took home a bit of Korea.
Cultural immersion: Hanbok
As frequent travelers, we always admired each destinations' native dresses, and the hanbok is among the prettiest. Aware of our reluctance to don public for-rent costumes, our concerned friends offered garment-fitting sessions. The Korean traditional dress, consists of a fitted jacket and a wide skirt for women and trousers for men and are worn for special milestones.
Little did we come to realize that this activity initially meant for fun has turned into a relic, evidenced by our old framed photos, has become the trademark picture for all our past holidays. But as a solo traveler, do not despair — there are places that offer hanbok rentals, together with accessories. Don't worry — these are sanitized after every use. Hygiene is their top priority.
Evening relaxation: Jjimjilbang
Without a doubt, you have heard of the iconic Japanese onsens, the Thai massages that does wonders and the ever-dependable healing Philippine hilot. The Korean Bath Houses, called jjimjilbang, are the favorite refuge of locals for rest and relaxation. These are the go-to spots specially after a long day at work, while reaping its various health benefits.
In the same venue, traditional saunas called hanjeungmak are likewise present, wherein one lies on hemp mats as stone or clay kilns heat up the body. These experiences are often capped off by a cup of sikhye, a traditional fermented white rice drink.
Glass skin: Korean beauty
Look around, have you ever met a Korean with bad skin complexion? They are famous worldwide for their so-called glass skin, which is used to describe their clean, flawless, smooth, supple and glowing appearance.
We succumbed to the various Korean beauty destinations, and due to the insistence of our female travel buddies, we, the gentlemen, tried facial washes, creams, toners, lotions — and that's as far as we went. The ladies even swatched endless amounts of makeup to ensure their purchases were ideal for their own skin tone. Our verdict? Try it, even for once in your life.
These are our five magical postcards. What's yours?