Every blog post about Asia and Asia-related things!
The pandemic did a number on South Korea’s businesses during the first year, with thousands of shops closing, reducing heavy foot traffic in popular Seoul night markets, like Myeongdong and Dongdaemun. Sure people had ways to shop on their phones, with online shopping becoming the most heavily-utilized service in Korea during this period, but that didn’t generally … Read more
In South Korea, night time is when people come out to play— it’s the other half of the country’s notorious “work hard, play hard” philosophy. Bright, colorful lights illuminate the streets, especially on the weekends, as people saunter in their best outfits to dance the night away. Seoul at night transforms into a bright, glittery … Read more
Hiking in Seoul has long been a Korean pastime, but the word ‘pastime’ is a bit of an understatement. Koreans love hiking, and if they invite you to join them, they seriously mean that you will be trekking with them through the woods, so don’t say we didn’t warn you. The best hikes in Seoul are usually … Read more
Five tastes generally describe Korean food: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy. But did you know Koreans have another sense of taste? This intriguing sense is called siwonhan-mat (시원한 맛), which is the refreshing sensation that courses through the nerves of the tongue, stomach, and even the intestines when eating. In other words, this is the sense of … Read more
Also known as the largest theme park in South Korea, Everland is like a mini-city of its own, just two hours from Seoul. Everything at Everland Theme Park looks like it came straight out of a fairytale, with an interesting mix of fantasy and science fiction, tall rides and slides, and never-ending entertainment. It makes … Read more
A heavy focus on manufacturing has transformed Korea’s economy into a global industrial giant ever since they opened up to global trade in the 1980s. It’s also been growing continuously ever since, and recently the world has taken notice. Across the globe, industrial souvenirs from Korea are hard to miss since most of our electronics, automobiles, … Read more
These days drinking is frowned upon by health experts all over the world. But in South Korea, oftentimes refusing to drink is frowned upon. Drinking after a long workday— Koreans typically work 10-12 hours a day— is part of the daily grind here. If you’re working here and you’re not up for it, that could … Read more
The constant hustle and bustle of Seoul can get hectic, to the point that people yearn for a break. Somewhere on the northeast coast of Jeju lies a thriving summertime destination for the growing number of locals who take action on their wish for peace and tranquility. Before my first trip to Udo Island, I … Read more