In 2025, global soccer superstar Son Heung-min stunned fans by joining LA’s MLS team for a record-breaking transfer fee and a previously obscure K-pop songwriter launched Golden into Billboard immortality; the South Korean government presented President Trump with a gold crown and its highest civilian honor; and I, armed with patience, curiosity, and a deep…
On a ridge between Seoul’s two major royal palaces lies a cluster of tiled roofs and winding alleys, full of Korean traditional homes called hanok. Tourists know it as Bukchon Hanok Village, a postcard of old Korea framed against the city’s glass and steel towers. But this picturesque neighborhood hides an amazing story of determination,…
Seoul has my heart for many reasons, but especially for its incredible list of cafes. Seoul is often on the forefront of cafe culture, constantly setting the trends you’ll see circulating on Instagram and TikTok. No matter your taste, I guarantee there’s always a place for you. Walking through Seoul, you quickly realize that cafés…
The first time I heard the sound, I wasn’t sure what it was. My husband and I were strolling through the lush greenery of Seoul Forest when we heard a familiar “pop, pop, pop.” Curious, we followed the noise past the flower gardens and basketball courts—and there it was: a group of Koreans playing pickleball.…
The Budget Travel Dilemma It was the morning of my flight to Korea, and I was more anxious than usual. It was my first time flying a budget airline across the Pacific Ocean. I had always been loyal to Korean Air, or their American affiliate, Delta. But this time around, I had no idea what…
At the 47th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Paris last week, the Korean Peninsula claimed two new entries on the prestigious list of the greatest cultural and natural sites in the world. Mount Kumgang, North Korea’s mythic mountain range, and the Bangucheon petroglyphs in South Korea, an archaeological canvas of Neolithic life, add…
Some stories don’t begin with love at first sight. When I first learned that I’d been placed in Pohang for my U.S. Fulbright Korea English Teaching grant year, my heart sank. While I knew Seoul was off the table for any first-year grantee, I had hoped to be placed at least somewhere nearby. Pohang felt…
A few weeks ago, The New York Times reported that a deadly plane crash near Muan was caused by bird strikes. The birds involved were among the species that rely on the Getbol to survive. Scientists had warned for years that building airports in these areas would be dangerous. No one listened and worse, plans…
“Seoul is the best place in the world to shop for clothes!” My cousin’s claim seemed like just another example of Korean hyper-patriotism. After having studied in London and toured Europe, I was convinced that Seoul couldn’t hold a candle to fashion capitals like London, Paris, or NYC, especially in the cutting edge world of…
I live in what Koreans call the jin-jja shi-gol (진짜 시골), or the deep countryside, so whenever I get the chance to visit Seoul, I’m always seeking out new experiences. Growing up in a time when K-culture wasn’t well-known or considered cool, I’m still surprised by how many tourists visit now. It’s been fascinating to…