Kpop today is a worldwide phenomenon. While I do not follow the scene as closely as before, Kpop had always provided us with a reason to explore and find out more about their world. Which was why my first two-person overseas trip in 2015 was Seoul, South Korea!

Why Kpop?

Back then, I was really into Kpop, together with my cousins. Every single comeback was exciting, and your endorphins soar as you listen to the songs, google the romanised and English-translated lyrics, and watch the iconic dances.

The kpop that I followed are better known as 2nd-gen idols, as there are always groups of Kpop idols making waves over time. This includes Beast (now known as Highlight), Super Junior, Big Bang, Dalmatian, MBLAQ, TVXQ, 2PM, 2AM, FT Island, Girls Generation, 4Minute, 2NE1, BoA, Brown Eyed Girls, Girls’ Day, T-ara, F(x), After School and so much more!

Why Seoul?

Given that the Hallyu wave only just started out then in SG, Seoul is the best location to get a feel of how your idols live, and not be shy when buying their merch.

Of course as you grow older, your perspective change. My next visit would definitely be focused differently. I would trek the mountains, learn more about their history through museums, and find out more about their culture by visiting karaoke rooms, nightlife, shows, and iconic locations from variety shows and dramas. There have been many new hot spots like the famous library too.

Why May/June?

We went from 25 May to 1 June 2015. According to the countless online travel guides, March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn) is the best time to visit.

This was what I typed in my diary: “THE WEATHER IS ABSOLUTELY FREAKING COOL. It was cold but still the sun was shining at you, so it was not humid at all. Love, love the weather.”

Tip: You might not be used to the weather if you live in sunny Singapore, so for those with ‘weaker’ bodies, do bring your own medication always, as their medicine may not be the same. My cousin was under the weather for a few days.

Getting Around

Upon arrival, we took a limousine bus from the airport. It was quite easy and convenient to spot the buses and purchase tickets from the machine.

The most affordable way of getting around Seoul would be the subway. However, we always had to keep changing train lines to get around, so we took taxis too. My cousin told me that if you want to take a taxi, take the orange cabs because the white and black ones are luxury taxis with higher rates. These days, the presence of taxi booking apps makes travelling much easier.

For Seoul, I personally think it is best to have comfortable shoes because walking is more or less the way to get around. Moreover, not all stations have escalators and there is a fair amount of climbing the stairs.

And having a cousin who knows korean language and travelling with me, makes it much easier 😀

Itinerary

Disclaimer: Given that 5 years has passed from this trip, some of the places may have closed down, which I’ve indicated.

Day 1	Gyeongbokgung Palace Bukchon Hanok Village Samcheong-dong Itaewon Hongdae	CafeBene Dinner at Itaewon
Day 2	Myeong-dong Coex Mall Lotte Young Plaza SM Town Coex Artium <Closed down> Dongdaemun	Yang Good Restaurant (Halal lamb!!)
Day 3 (Sat)	Han River and Yeouido Park Hongdae – Hongik University Street Ehwa Uni and Sinchon	Dinner at Itaewon
Day 4 (Sun)	Korean Folk Village LOTTE Mart Cheonggyecheon Stream
Day 5	Cafe Hopping Entertainment Company Hopping [Cube, JYP, YG, SM]
Day 6	Everland
Day 7	Gangchon Rail Bike Nami Island
Day 8	Meet up with Friends Apgujeong Rodeo Sinsadong Garosugil Cheongdamdong Han River
Day 9	Samcheongdong Express Bus Terminal Gangnam	Idol Bubble Tea
Day 10	Shopping and Supermarkets	Beans&Waffle

16 Things To do

If you are looking for free & easy:

#1 Itaewon

Let’s talk about food first. Given that Koreans love their pork, the best place for Muslims to find Halal food would be Itaewon, where there are kebab shops, middle eastern food, and a halal Korean restaurant up a hill. A meal there can easily make me full, and the price was 15,000 won for a set meal.

If you walk further after that Korean restaurant, that is where the Seoul Central Mosque is located. Think it is the only mosque in Seoul, which is pretty cool, to be close to your religion in a foreign country.

#2 Cafe Hopping

It’s amazing that there are cafes left, right, everywhere!

Just kept trying out all the different type of desserts throughout the trip. For example, we bought some churros and bingsu at CafeBene when we were at Samcheong-dong. The bingsu here was very milky which I liked, but if you do not like the strong milk taste, skip the bingsu with ice cream. The serving size was definitely for 2 pax. Too bad I wasn’t on a date with a cute oppa to share it with. But my cousin will do.

You can also find other well-known bingsu shops at Hongik university street, and just chill and chat with your friends (or your cousin’s penpals).

Also bought an delicious crepe and Baskin Robbins ice cream at Hongdae! The scoop was enormous, and it had some flavours that can’t be found in SG. If you visit Myeongdong, there is also this shop that sells bread with ice cream and red bean filling, which was nice during the cool weather.

A cafe that you shouldn’t miss:

While this is not a cafe per se, there is a famous bubble tea shop that you can’t miss! The shop is plastered with autographs of Kpop idols on all four walls, so you have fun drinking bubble tea and trying to find your idol’s signature.

#3 Appreciate the marketing game

The first thing that I thought of as soon as I got off the plane – the advertising game was absolutely strong in Seoul. The advertisements were plastered right in front of our face with no subtle intentions. One that stood out for me was the Candy Crush ads on the subway, and the Daehan, Minguk, Manse ad (cause they are just so cute).

It came as a bit of a shock as all the ads are for different products, and you will never see the same ad twice! Except for a few that have the financial means to do so.

You can also choose to appreciate the real marketers aka the people. When you people watch during your cafe hopping, you generally observe that Koreans dress very well. And take selfies as and when, whenever without a care of the crowds. Crazy courage right there, which I’m still working on. Not that I’m an influencer though.

#4 Hongdae

Hongdae is where the nightlife is at, apart from the shopping and street food. Absolutely loved the atmosphere, a lot happening with buskers, street food, and dancers around. We went at around 9.30pm and it was lovely, just chilling and enjoying the atmosphere.

It is also near the Hongik University Street is near the main Hongdae Plaza area, which has cheaper items, and with more spread out crowds.

#5 Yeouido Park

This is another place to chill and enjoy the atmosphere. The park was very pretty with the autumn leaves! We headed there in the morning as we rented a bicycle to ride along the park and the rest of Han River. Understand that it is one of the most accessible parks along the Han River.

Some pit-stops to consider:

#6 Everland

This amusement park was amazing! I am a thrill-seeker, so all the rides were so exciting and fun to me, especially the wooden roller coaster! My cousin do not like rides at all, so she waited for me and booked her SNSD fan meeting instead. There are also many instagram-worthy places like the flower display, which my cousin kindly entertained me with.

We spent the whole day there, and reached home at 12.30am. It is a bit out of the city centre, but worth it, trust me!

Understand from my cousin that Lotte World is not as exciting as this, as it is more family and kid-friendly, so we skipped that and headed straight for Everland.

#7 Korean Folk Village

The Korean Folk Village is deemed as a living museum, and I agree with that! The place was an introduction to both traditional and some bits of modern Korea all in one. There were exhibitions, traditional houses, food and performances, alongside a river.

To make it more fun, there is also a small garden with modern sculptures and an amusement park. Be prepared to spend the whole day walking around the place, so much to explore, to appreciate, and to take photos of.

The village is located south of Seoul, near Suwon, which had HDB-like flats on hills. After alighting at Suwon station, to take a shuttle bus at exit 4.

#8 Gangchon Rail Bike

Found the existence of this place when I watched a Running Man episode, and the “happening” vibes it portrayed enticed me. There were lasers and Kpop songs played loudly in a very “lit” tunnel, which made me determined to visit this during my trip.

It is the most photographed and most popular rail bike for good reason. It is a one way course, that involves a rail bike and a train ride at the end amidst the beautiful scenery.

#9 Nami Island

If you visit Gangchon Rail Bike in the morning, then head straight to Nami Island as a one-day trip. Nami Island is well known as a shooting location for some K-dramas (Winter Sonata, Secret Garden, My Love from the Star etc), it also offers scenic paths to take a stroll at.

There are unexpectedly quite a few halal restaurants along the restaurant street on the island.

Shopping Haven:

#10 Myeongdong

One of the first few places we visited was Myeongdong. It is a pretty place, literally and figuratively. I liked that it was hilly and all the houses and shops were at the top it is also well-known for skincare and beauty brands.

Given that there was heavy competition, the advertising game is strong here as well. There were mascots walking around promoting a cat cafe and a dog cafe, super cute. Look out for some buskers too!

The whole area is huge, where some shops with multiple storeys have different stores on each level, and there are many smaller alleys that should be explored as much as you can. It was where I actually found a shop that sells clothes that were more suited for me (ie tops with sleeves), compared to the main street.

For those who are interested in bigger international brands, head over to Gangnam. They have country exclusive designs, which I wished I could get them all, but I am no rich girl.

#11 Dongdaemun

A wholesale and retail shopping district, best part is it opens till 4.30am! The most important word you need to use here: “Kakao Juseyo (Discount please!)”

This is a place where you must bargain, and be good in Korean for them to believe your haggling skills! Needed some time to locate the pretty clothes and stuff since the whole area is huge.

Tip: The shops closer to the escalator, are observed to be more expensive than the ones behind it even though they sell the same items. So explore well, my friend.

#12 Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping Mall

Now this is another long shopping street, but with air-con! The clothes were really cheap and I bought a lot from here. However, for the price, it means that the clothes would likely not last long due to wear & tear. So, think before you buy! It also links to some shopping malls, which has a more well-known brands.

#13 LOTTE Mart

Supermarkets are always a good place to visit no matter where you are! They sell everything from groceries, processed food, snacks, household goods, clothes, fashion accessories, electronics, toys to cosmetics at the lowest prices. After you buy them, you can pack them in a big box to ship it back home on the spot, like what my cousin did.

Some arts and heritage:

#14 Kpop Hopping

If you are a Kpop fan, I’m sure you know what to do. Find your idol’s radio schedule, performance schedule, and visit their companies for the full experience.

You will be amazed watching other fans trying to watch/find/camp for their idols at the companies, especially at JYP.

We visited CUBE cafe to get some Beast/Highlight merch. Unfortunately the group was promoting in Japan at that period of time, so I wasn’t able to get a glimpse.

While the old SM building was desolated, we had a really fun time at SMTown Coex Atrium with all sorts of merch and cute desserts. (I didn’t buy anything from there btw. Good on my money.)

What I particularly liked about Coex, which was something like Marina Bay Sands with high end shops, was their Cinema. It was on a whole other level.

#15 Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of the royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. A good place to start to know more about the history and culture. Or to take photos in hanboks in a palace. We also watched the changing of guards ceremony at 1pm.

Once you visited the palace, you can then walk over to Bukchon Hanok Village, to appreciate its history and nature.

#16 Samcheongdong

Samcheongdong is also near Hanok Village and the Palace, so you walk around to eat and shop here, while enjoying the arty futsy vibes. The street is mixed with modern scenes of galleries and cafés in the midst of traditional elements, creating a unique atmosphere. 

Even after 6 years has passed, I think this list would still remain relevant as tourist spots and I would revisit them. I would also like to check out the dance studios (I was still a student then, so I couldn’t really afford the classes to keep to my budget).

Here’s to a brighter future where we can travel freely without COVID-19 worries!

(Photo credits: Wanyy and Umi. The photos really shows your age. So young and free back then!)