Travel Guide South Korea

Just kidding..hehe. Mmm..you don't need to when you could see it all in Korean drama, right? ^^ Totally wrong!! You must visit Korea especially these gorgeous places which I will mention shortly!

If you are highly influenced and addicted to watching Korean drama, you won't miss the beautiful spots in Korea shown in the drama, will you? This is one of the reasons why so many people around the globe fell in love with Korea, apart from drooling over the gorgeous actors and actresses. You know what I mean, right? Hehehe. Back to my point here. ^^ The places are so unbelievably beautiful and people are warm (not to mention attractive). You couldn't imagine not being there appreciating the breathtaking beauty yourself! Just like me. ^^

I list out the famous Korean dramas with beautiful spots for you to marvel at later once you visit Korea. Hehehe.

1. Winter Sonata



Nami Island - I visited Nami Island early November when the weather was very harsh for my dear skin. T_T But it was all a worthwhile experience because autumn scenery was just superb. Check it out here.

Yongpyong Ski Resort - It is located in Gangwondo. However, I am not a Winter Sonata fan. Sorry to Yon-sama fans out there but soapy plot is not my cup of tea. So, I opted for Phoenix Ski Resorts as advised by my host in Jinbu. They have more adventurous slopes.Those who really love the drama, my advice; just visit the ski resort and relive the moments in the drama while you skiing down the slope. Hehehe.

Ski Resorts in Gangwondo's review is here and another blogger's review for Phoenix Ski Resort.

Daehangno - I met Chi Won near Daehangno, my couchsurfing friend before leaving Korea. She works in Seoul University Hospital around there. Take subway to Hyehwa Station, Line 4. Check out the pictures here.

2. Kim Sam Soon



Guesthouse Rakgojae (Hanok - Korean traditional house) - The house is available for rental if you want a nice stay in traditional style house. Recommended for family or group visitors because the rate is quite a bomb for a budget traveler.

Namsan tower - This place is a must. Just don't go during cloudy or rainy days and all will be perfect!

3. Iris



Gwanghamun Square - I visited here because of King Sejong not because of Lee Byung Hun (sorry Yani, I'm just not a fan of him), although Iris drama depicts the place spectacularly. Just step out of Gwanghamun Station and you could take a stroll on the huge road for King Sejong's statue, General Yi Sun Sin's statue, Haechi Madang and King Sejong's Cultural Center.

Check out my story on Gwanghamun.

4. You're Beautiful


Myeongdong, Myeongdong Cathedral where Go Mi Nam and Kang Shin Woo supposed to meet.
Tips for shopping in Myeongdong is here. Avoid public holiday at all cost if you want to shop in Myeongdong. It was jam-packed during Christmas 2009 when I visited Myeongdong. Pictures here.

5. Cinderella's Sister


Sanjeong Lake
They built a costly Hanok (traditional Korean house) for this drama in Daeseongdoga. It is located inside Sanjeonghosu Lake area in Gyeonggi-do Province.

How to go: Bus: Take a bus for Sincheolwon at Seoul Sangbong Bus Terminal and get off at Uncheon. There is a bus every 15 minutes. It takes about 1 hour 20 minutes Take a bus for Sanjeong Lake at Uncheon.


More info is here. 

6. Queen Seondok


Gyeongju - This place is a must!

How to go:
Seoul Gangnam Express Bus Terminal (Subway lines 3 or 7, Seoul Gangnam Express Bus Terminal Station, Exit 2) → Gyeongju (It takes 4 hours, first bus at 06:05, last bus at 23:55, departs every 30 to 40 minutes, fare 18,600 won - 30,400 won)

Or

Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Subway line 2, Gangbyeon Station) → Gyeongju (It takes 4 hours, first bus at 07:00, last bus at 24:00, departs every 30 to 40 minutes, fare 19,500 won - 23,200 won)
Read my journey to Gyeongju here.

7. Cain and Abel


Suamgol village of Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do

How to Go:
Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal → Cheongju Intercity / Express Bus Terminal (est. travel time 1hr 40mins) → Take Bus No. 105 at the entrance of the Cheongju Express Bus Terminal or any bus bound for Cheongju University → Get off in front of Uam Elementary School → Walk along the walls of the Uam Elementary School (app. 10 min by foot)



Eumseong Large Rock Face Sculpture Park

How to go:
Dong Seoul Bus Terminal → Saenggeuk Intercity Bus Terminal (est. travel time of 1hr 30mins), take a taxi from the Saenggeuk Intercity Bus Terminal (app. 5,000won of taxi fare)


8. Boys Over Flowers



Keimyung University, Daegu

How to go:
Seongseo campus: +82-53-580-5114, 1000 Sinsang-dong, Dalseo-gu district, Daegu city From Seoul station, take a train to Dongdaegu -> from Dongdaegu station, get on the subway; get off at Keimyung University station on line 2

Daemyeong campus: +82-53-580-5785, 2139 Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu city
From Seoul station, take a train to Daegu; from Daegu station, take bus#202, 202-1, or 808

9. The First Shop of Coffee Prince



Coffee Shop in Hongik

How to Get There: Take Subway Line 2 to Hongik University, and go out of Exit 4. Turn right into Seven Springs corner and pass the intersection. At the 3-way intersection, turn left. Walk about 100 meters on the road above the playground and walk towards the road on the right side. Walk about 500 meters until you find the coffee shop on the right

Tut, Hanim and me visited Coffee Prince coffee shop's post is here. Apparently there are two Coffee Prince coffee shop. We went to the main one instead of the actual filming location. Both coffee shops are around Hongik area.

10. Witch Yu Hui

N Seoul Tower
Directions : Take exit no. 2 or 4 at Chungmuro Station on subway line no. 3 or 4 and take the yellow Mt. Namsan circular bus no. 2; Get off at the entrance of N Seoul Tower

11. Daejanggeum - Jewel in the Palace



Chandeokgung Palace - I have visited the palace in September but try to come in autumn/spring. Entrance fee is only 3,000 won and for free English tour, please be there by 11.00 am. Avoid Mondays because a lot of historical/cultural spots are closed. Just walk out from Anguk Station for about 100 meters and you will see the magnificent palace in front of you. Read my post on Chandeokgung palace here.

Korean Folk Village - It is located in Yongin and I went there when I stayed with Chi Won (Couchsurfing).
Entrance fee is 12,000 won. I love watching the performances and the place is quite huge so you may need to allocate 3-4 hours.

How to go:
From Exit No. 6 of Gangnam Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 2) or Exit No. 7 or Yangjae Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 7), take City Express Bus No. 1560 or 5000-1 and get off at Korean Folk Village (30-40 minute ride).

12. My Girl



Jeju Island - You will feel like you are in Jeju Island if you watch this drama. Most scenes in episodes 1 and 2 were filmed in Jungmun, the largest tourist complex on the island. While scenes were filmed all over the island, some major locations were Seongsan Ilchulbong, Cheonjeyeon Falls, Cheonjiyeon Falls, and Seopjikoji.

Not been there yet but I will be ^^. Initially, I thought what's the big deal? Malaysia has a string of beautiful islands too. So, I skip Jeju Island. What a big no no! Imagine an island with a shield volcano which I COULD NOT see anywhere in Malaysia. Totally different experience! This is a MUST stop for me the next time I visit Korea. Thanks to AirAsia, the dream will come true soon.

If you watch My Girl drama (recommended!), you could see the rocks near the beaches are black right? That's why Jeju Island is different. Halla san would be intriguing for anyone to come over. Loads of Korean drama were filmed in Jeju Island. We should definitely go! Check out my post for riding a scooter on Jeju Island here and how to go to Jeju Island here.

Note: Information are based on KNTO site. Check for more filming locations here.

By Flight from Seoul / Busan

This is a list of subway stations in Seoul which I had been to before. I think it might be helpful for you to know them when you travel.

All the stations' names are equipped in English but if you get lost and uncertain how to pronounce the station's name, it might be good if you have it in Hangul.

Imagine yourself, lost in Seoul Metropolis. You hold a piece of paper with subway station's name written in Hangul. Then, show it to the passersby with a smiling face for direction. The probability of non English speaking Korean helping you or even leading you directly to the station will be higher.  ^^ Bingo!

Subway - jihachol - 지하철
Station - yok - 역
Note: The 'o' sounds in 'yok' and 'jihachol' is pronounce as 'jaw' in English.

I received an email from UKM  (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) for my application to sit for Beginner level Korean Language Proficiency Exam (TOPIK).

Click here for UKM Korean language department blog.



TOPIK exam is held twice yearly. Once in April and the other in September. The fee is RM80 and it has three levels; Beginner, Intermediate and Advance. Apparently, I will take Beginner level. ^^. It seems tough because you need to write an essay so you have to know the grammar well and memorize as much vocabulary as possible.

For Malaysians , you could register in March 2011 for April placement if you wish to take the exam.
Check the official website here.

I refer to Sogang University's Korean lesson closely for TOPIK exam's preparation.

1. I didn't activate my ATM card for international withdrawal

You could use Naver to calculate Busan Subway Fare which is pretty similar to Seoul subway fare calculation that I did before.



The differences are:

1. Busan only have 3 subway lines
2. Fare is more expensive than Seoul 
3. The journey is very time consuming between each locations. 
4. Use Hanabi or Mybi cards instead. Note: You can use T-money Seoul in Busan but you must reload it in Seoul. 

I guess because many Japanese tourists visit South Korea through Busan, hence the fare is more expensive. Maybe? Hehe..

You could take a ferry to go to Shimonoseki, Japan from Busan Port. Malaysians, make sure you apply for Japan Visa in Malaysia before you want to embark to Japan via Busan Port. You can't apply Japan Visa in South Korea.

Fare
Fare is based on each moveable section (for regular ticket)
1 section - 1,100 won (To 10km)
2 sections - 1,300 won (Over 10km)

If by card, you will get 10% discount for adult (19 years and above) and 30% discount for teenager (from 13 years old to below 19 years old).

Where to buy Hanaro Card
You could buy at any Subway ticket offices or Pusan Bank (www.pusanbank.co.kr).
The card has a deposit of 5,000 won. Some with flashy designs like Hello Kitty cost about 6,000 won. (Price may change). Source: Busan Transportation
If you want to use the card, recharge or reload the card.

I didn't buy Hanaro card when I was in Busan, in the hope of saving my budget but it was a clumsy mistake. I should have bought it. Why? Because I visited Busan 3 times in 3 months! I love the beaches in Busan. Busan's transportation is more expensive than Seoul! Aigoo..heheh.

Fare Calculation: Nopodong Station to Jagalchi Station
Click here to calculate.

If you use bus to visit Busan, you will most likely arrive at Nopodong Bus Terminal. The example shown here is based on the assumption that your lodging is around Jagalchi area.

How to peel fruits the Korean way? There's no specific method, not really. However, it became some sort of cultural shock to me if not a barrier.

Other than the facts that Korean's lifestyle is healthy and they eat truckloads of vegetables and fruits, why did I even mention this topic? Is it related at all to Korean culture and lifestyle?

Yes, it does.

Once, I was given a task by an ahjumma when I was wwoofing in Gwangcheon, Chungcheong-do province. The task was simple. I was assigned to peel apple and persimmon after lunch. Even before I started, I had failed.

Why?

A few halmoni-del (grandmothers) who helped harvesting the cabbage had lunch together with me and the family. Initially, they complimented me because I resembled the girl next door who could do all the household chores. (I'm not! ^^ but I accept the nice gestures)

But that changed after they saw how I hold my knife. (There's nothing wrong with my knife holding style. I was taught that way by my mother)

I failed instantly at that moment. Hehehe..I was greeted by- "oooo..ahhhh..that's dangerous, that's wrong!" Immediately, one of the halmoni-del grabbed the knife from me and started peeling. Phew..Peeling fruits? No longer my task now. ^^

Hehe..almost! The nearest I went was Imjingak. Min Young and I missed the last bus to DMZ, hence we couldn't visit North Korea, I mean the border. ^_^


Imjingak (임진각, pronounced Ihm-jin-gak)located on the banks of the Imjin River in the city of Paju, South Korea. The park has many statues and monuments regarding the Korean War. It was built to console those from both sides who are unable to return to their hometowns, friends and families because of the division of Korea. Source: Wikipedia


Anyone interested to go to DMZ, please check TourDMZ website.


DMZ tour booking need to be scheduled at least 1 day ahead - around 65 to 80,000 won (depends on tour agencies). The Korean Demilitarized Zone (Korean: 한반도 비무장지대) is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. Source: Wikipedia.


Panmunjom tour booking need to be scheduled at least 7 days ahead - around 70 to 85,000 won (depends on tour agencies). Panmunjom, in Gyeonggi province, is a village on the de facto border between North and South Korea. Source: Wikipedia.


Each tours could be completed for half a day.


If you are interested to see both, the tour costs about 120,000 won for one whole day.