FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE TO THE LAND OF MORNING CALM, SOUTH KOREA! By Alyannah Sophia B. Pangandaman

FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE TO THE LAND OF MORNING CALM, SOUTH KOREA!

By Alyannah Sophia B. Pangandaman

(Flag of Korea)
South Korea is not only famous because of the talented Korean Boy Groups and Girl Groups. They’re also known because of the breath-taking scenery every seasons, the peaceful cities in provinces, the delicious delicacies and street foods, and the amazing tourist spots that encourage us to visit the country. So if you like to visit the country and don’t have an idea on how and where to go there, just read the following and enjoy travelling!

The Right Time:

South Korea has four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. And the perfect seasons to visit South Korea are during Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November). If you love watching the Cherry Blossoms bloom and if you like pinks and white then you would prefer on going during the Spring season. And if you want to see the leaves falling from the trees or like colors red, orange, and yellow then Fall season is perfect for you!

(A picture of pretty Cherry Blossoms and The Namsan/Seoul Tower as the background during the Spring season.)

(A picture of a Folk Village in Seorak Nati during the Fall/Autumn season.)

Tourists Spots:

South Korea has many fascinating tourist attractions. With an interesting blend of traditional and modern attractions, South Korea become a great tourist destination. Korea is rich in culture, history, technology, and food. Seoul is the principal tourist destination for visitors. The other popular tourist destinations outside of Seoul include Seorak-san national park, the historic city of Gyeongju and semi-tropical Jeju Island.

Here are 2 common tourist attractions that you may visit:

1.    Jeju Island

Jejudo or Jeju Island, also known as the “Island of the Gods,” is a popular tourist attractions for Koreans and many international visitors. Korean or even Foreign newlyweds’ top destination for honeymoons is mostly here. The island’s mixture of volcanic rock, frequent rains, and temperate climate, make it very similar to the Hawaiian Islands in the U.S. The island offers visitors a wide range of activities: hiking on Halla-san (South Korea’s highest peak), catching sunrises and sunsets over the ocean, viewing majestic waterfalls and lava tubes, riding horses, or just lying around on the sandy beaches. There are also a lot of museums that can be found in the area like the Folklore and Natural History Museum, Jeju Independence Museum, Jeju Education Museum, Jeju Teddy Bear Museum and a lot more. You can also give in to your interest with nature by going at various parks and caves that can be found in the place.

(A picture of Dol Haruebang, a considered to be gods offering both protection and fertility and were placed outside of gates for protection against demons travelling between realities.)

2.Seoul

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea and is also the country's political and economic center. This beautiful city consists of a wonderful modern and ancient architecture which make this city a worth a visit. Seoul has many historical and cultural landmarks. The Seoul metropolitan area contains four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeok Palace, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Seoul is also home to endless street food vendors and vast nightlife districts, an extraordinarily high-pressure educational system and serene Buddhist temples, a dynamic trend-setting youth culture and often crushing conformism, extraordinary architecture. Major modern landmarks in Seoul include the Korea Finance Building, N Seoul Tower, the World Trade Center and the seven-skyscraper residence Tower Palace.

(A picture of N Tower, is a communication and observation tower located on Namsan Mountain in central Seoul, South Korea. At 236m, it marks the highest point in Seoul.)

HOW TO GET THERE:

For Filipinos out there, the first step to do to be able to visit South Korea is to get a VISA. With your documents in order then you will be okay. After flying from Philippines, your first destination will be the Incheon Airport. To go to the City from Incheon is:

BY AREX:

The best and most economical way to get to the city from Incheon is by the Incheon Airport Railroad Express (AREX) All-stop train. It costs 4,250 KRW and will get you to Seoul station in approximately 53 minutes. There’s also an Express train but it isn’t worth it in my opinion. It costs 14,800 KRW and will get you to Seoul station just 10 minutes faster. From Seoul station, you can take the subway or a taxi to your hotel. Please be advised that the last AREX All-stop train leaves Incheon at 11:42 PM KST.

(Map of Incheon Airport to Seoul subway.)

BY BUS:

Buses are more expensive (9,000 KRW) and take longer than the subway (around 80 minutes), so I suggest taking it only if you’re arriving at Incheon after 11:42 PM. Late night airport buses to Seoul Station run from 12:15-4:40AM, while buses to Gangnam Express Bus Terminal operate from 11:50PM-4:10AM. Detailed inquiries on bus routes and bus stops can be made at the Airport Information Desk on the 1st floor.

BY TAXI:

Taxi is the most convenient way but it’s also the most expensive. A taxi will get you into the city in about an hour and cost you around 35,000-50,000 KRW.

(Terminals of Busses from Incheon to Seoul.)

WHERE TO STAY:

After arriving from Incheon, you will need somewhere to stay and here’s a recommended place where you can stay comfortably and stress-free.

1.   iHouse

iHouse is a 13-room guesthouse conveniently located in the quiet neighborhood of Hoehyeondong. It’s a 3-minute walk to Namsan Cable Car (which takes you up to N Seoul Tower), and just 10 minutes away from the hyper shopping district that is Myeongdong. At just USD 33 a night through AirBnB, it’s a great value as well.

(An outside shot of iHouse in Seoul)

(Inside of iHouse.)

CULTURAL BACKGROUND:

Here are some cultural backgrounds about South Korea:

Etiquette

Koreans are very status conscious, and their speech behavior reflects the hierarchical relationship between social actors. Except among former classmates and other very close friends, adults do not use first names to address each other. Position titles such as "professor," "manager," "director," and "president" are used in combination with the honorific suffix nim to address a social superior.

Food

Food in Daily Life. The rapid changes in lifestyles that have accompanied economic development since the 1960s have changed the traditional pattern of eating rice at each meal. Some urbanites may eat toast, eggs, and milk for breakfast, using a fork and knife. Nonetheless, for many people a bowl of steamed white rice, a soybean-paste vegetable soup, and a dish of kimch'I may still constitute the basic everyday meal, to which steamed or seasoned vegetables, fish, meats, and other foods may be added as side dishes ( panch'an ). Many people eat at a low table while sitting on the ondol floor, using a spoon and chopsticks.

Secular Celebrations

The two most important national holidays are New Year's Day and Ch'usok (which falls on the eighth full moon by the lunar calendar). Koreans observe both solar and lunar New Year's holidays of which many people wear hanbok (traditional dress), offer sebae (New Year's greetings with a "big bow") to their parents, eat ttok-kuk (rice-cake soup), play traditional games, and observe ancestor rites. On Ch'usok, the harvest festival celebrations include eating special foods such as songp'yon (half-moon-shaped rice cakes) and making family visits to ancestral graves to tidy the tomb area and offer fruits and other foods, including steamed rice cooked with newly harvested grain.

DO’s and DON’T’s :

Lastly, you should know what are the do’s and don’t’s of the place.

·        Don’t make a dash for the empty seat

It’s best to be told where to sit when visiting South Korea, as there is often a strict protocol to be followed. The eldest are seated first and the most senior person begins the eating process at dinner. The seat of honour is the seat looking at the front door, and if you are seated there, it is polite to protest initially before taking your place.

·        Don’t leave half your meal

Table manners in South Korea dictate that you shouldn’t leave anything on your plate. You can let people know that you’ve eaten enough by keeping your chopsticks on the chopstick rest or on the table.

·        Don’t point with your chopsticks

It’ll cause frowns and/or raised eyebrows. Don’t leave your chopsticks sticking up in the rice bowl either, as this is reminiscent of funeral ritual.

·        Don’t hold a glass with one hand

It’s the height of bad manners not to pick up a drink with both hands. Moreover, it’s considered polite to pour each other drinks. If you refuse to pour a drink for someone, it will be seen as offensive. If you want a refill, then finish your drink. If you don’t, leave some of your drink in the glass.

·        Don’t forget to take a bow

Introductions in South Korea still start with a traditional bow and a firm handshake. The person who initiates the bow says, "Man-na-suh pan-gop-sumnida," which means, “Pleased to meet you.”

·        Do be after-dinner prepared

When leaving a gathering, thank your hosts graciously and bow to each individual as a sign of respect. Expect to be walked out, as saying goodbye to guests inside is seen as insulting. After dinner, the host may invite his guests to go drinking. Drinking competitions are common and it’s expected that invitations will be accepted.

·        Do go barefoot

Always remove your shoes when entering a Korean home. There are also some restaurants where you are supposed to enter with bare feet or with just socks.

·        Do mind your hands

It is polite to pass or accept anything, especially money, with your right hand while your left hand supports your forearm or wrist. It is usually polite to have money or items ready before transactions are made. To beckon someone, extend your arm palm down, and move your fingers in a scratching motion. It is rude to point with your index finger.