Once a resting shelter and vacation destination for kings, the grounds of Hwaseong Haenggung in Suwon, South Korea are now a site where locals and tourists can learn about Korean royal history and culture. Despite recent renovations, every inch of the palace has a story to tell. So much so, in fact, that when I …
One of my favorite things about Seoul is that it is chock full of hidden gems, unsuspecting and obscure, that offer those that are lucky enough to discover them a real treat. Restaurants, cafes, galleries and bars are easy to find in Korea’s capital city, but it’s the ones tucked into back alleys and inconspicuous …
Spend enough time in Korea and you will get asked the inevitable question: What’s your blood type? When I was first asked about my blood type, I wasn’t able to answer. In fact, I’ve observed most of my North American and European friends are uncertain of their blood type. Is it important to know? Sure. But …
When I first moved to Korea, I spent every minute of my free time getting lost in the neighborhoods of Seoul. Wandering the unknown became a hobby and through it, I was able to learn a lot about my new home and discover many a hidden gem, whether it be a cafe, an interesting sculpture …
It’s never a bad idea to start out a new year with a few extra good karma points… you never know when you’ll need them. So, instead of spending New Year’s Eve drinking too much in a crowded bar and waking up to feelings of pain and regret, I decided to ring it in at …
New Year’s Eve in Korea is action packed. Hotels host swanky soirées, restaurants lure in hungry diners with holiday specials, and the masses gather in the streets, unmoved by subzero temperatures, eager to share a final shot of soju with one another before the clock strikes midnight. But, contrary to what many think, there is …
The creak of old wooden floors. The sliding of beautifully crafted doors. The upward curves of tiled roofs and the enchanting calm of courtyards. Hanok, or traditional Korean houses, are delightful dwellings where those who enter them can’t help but be hypnotized by their charm. Constructed in accordance with nature and geographical location, hanoks were …
If you’re like me, when it comes time for shopping for the holidays, birthdays or other events, you stress over what to buy, what to give and if it’ll actually be used and enjoyed by the receiver. That’s why I’ve put together this fool-proof gift list of eight of my favorite Korean-inspired goodies from around …
Joey Rositano is not your ordinary expat. Hailing from Nashville, the Tennessee native has called Jeju-do, an island off the southern coast of South Korea, home for the past nine years. But it’s not just the island’s tropical charms and beautiful beaches that keep him there. Rather, his interests in shamanism, a religion that has …
It’s no secret that Koreans are some of the hardest workers in the world. From a young age, one spends his or her school days buried in books, memorizing endless pages of material while hopping from math academy to English lessons to study hall. There’s very little time for play, or childhood, for that matter. …