I really enjoyed my 2024 summer in Korea. My goal this year is to return to K-Land for shorter but more frequent trips. Unlike in past years, when I spent 20 days to a month in my favorite country, this strategy allows me to experience Korea during its different seasons (and take breaks in between).

It was also an opportunity to visit updated places. Something I've realized through years of traveling to Korea is that it’s always changing. One time, Everland was filled with tulips; on my next trip, it was already adorned with orange and red plants and decorations for autumn and Halloween.

Aside from seasonal changes, restaurants and cafes also come and go. Just as concepts and trends quickly evolve in the Land of the Morning Calm, Korean dramas are, of course, ever-changing as well. When I visited during spring, it was the era of Queen of Tears and the start of Lovely Runner, and by the time I returned in summer, Love Next Door was just starting on Netflix.

Last autumn 2022 in Korea, I went to Suwon for a day-trip. This city is only about an hour from Seoul, and where you can find some of the famous Kdrama shooting locations including Woo Young Woo's Kimbap / Gimbap restaurant. I traveled to Suwon by bus.

From the bus stop, I just followed my Google Maps to Kajaguruma, the name of the restaurant in real life. The facade is still the same as the one we saw at the Kdrama, but you will also see the resto's menu in front. Everything's in Korean, but I tried not to get intimidated by it since I traveled far to Suwon for this.

Woo to the Young to the Woo!

The Kdrama True Beauty starring Moon Ga-young, Cha Eun-woo, Hwang In-youp, and Park Yoo-na gained traction again the past weeks when it was finally shown on Netflix. I remember looking forward to new episodes when it was first released in Viu.

The Kdrama was actually based on a webtoon series by Yaongyi. It also has an English printed version too (available here, use ANAGON upon check out for discounts!). I think part of True Beauty's charm is its high school plot. It has the typical main girl character insecure and bullied because of her looks, and then discovered makeup thus transforming her look and even life. BUT with or without this mask, two beautiful men still fell for her. So many loop holes from the story, but it was a fun watch. To me, a big Cha Eunwoo fan, I definitely got second lead syndrome with Hwang Inyoup's equally endearing character. So are you Team Suho or Team Seojun? 

Aside from this storyline, there were also other issues raised in the drama, from family pressures to friendships, and dark themes like suicide. I also remember loving True Beauty's OST, and some of the songs are still on my playlist now. 

And with that, sharing one of the True Beauty Kdrama filming locations you can visit when you travel to Seoul! It is the comic book shop where a lot of the most memorable scenes of Suho and Jugyeong were filmed.

I am imagining Love So Fine or I′m in the Mood for Dancing playing as background music while walking around the store!

October 19-25, 2022

Supposed to be my last week in Korea, but won 3 online contests that I decided to extend my stay for another 9 days! (More blogs to come, hehehe)

In this chill part of the trip, I planned to finally figure out the laundry (since I don't have clean clothes na), see nearby Kdrama locations, and just settle and relax (how I wish, lol) in time for the second part of this adventure. 

 October 17-19, 2022

After the hectic days of the trip--solo traveling for the first part, and then being with friends for the great BTS Week in Busan--it felt nice when we finally hopped on a quiet bus to go to a provincial part in Korea called POHANG.

Pohang became widely known for Korea travellers ever since the Kdrama Hometown Cha Cha Cha was aired around a year ago. The little town of GONGJIN with its well-loved community was actually set in this major seaport and world's largest steel production city.