5 useful tips for anyone travelling to Korea

Are you planning to travel to Korea soon?
I remember being very anxious on my first trip to Korea but I was busy then so I hardly had time for research.
After the trip there was so many things I wish I knew, like where to get discounted tickets, or free services that I could have taken advantage of when I was there. That's why I want to share some of the services, policies and apps that I'm sure would be helpful to anyone who's about to visit Korea.

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KTO Manila announces new Wow Korea Supporters for 2017

Last March 30, 2017, KTO Manila finally announced their new Wow Korea Supporters for 2017, and I'm so happy that I was once again given the opportunity to be one of the 50 supporters.

Wow Korea Supporters are tasked to promote Korea Tourism and KTO Manila through their SNS accounts. They can share KTO Manila's post or create their own posts, blogs, and promotional videos related to Korea Tourism or KTO Manila. They are also tasked to submit monthly reports about the said posts to KTO Manila.

This year's selection process for the supporters seem to be more stringent than previous years as qualifications for the applicants have been narrowed down, and the screening committee is also bigger with the addition of partners like Travelers In Progress- TRIP, UST CTHM STS and Ateneo Korean Studies Program.

The supporters are also in for an even bigger challenge as specific themes will be given each week on what topic to promote. They'll be required to have 3 posts related to the theme each week, but they're also free to post other Korean-related topics.

So far, a total of 36 supporters have been announced already and 14 more will be announced in the coming days.

At the end of the year, the Best Wow Korea Supporter among all 50 supporters will win a tour package to Korea. I truly hope to win that package and promise to work harder this year (Fighting!). 

Being a Wow Korea Supporter is a truly rewarding experience that requires commitment, determination, and a genuine love for all things Korean. I've certainly enjoyed and have learned a lot from my first year as supporter (2015). I've been consistently promoting Korea (and have grown more in-love with the country) since.

Congratulations to all of the new supporters and I look forward to all the activities of KTO Manila Wow Korea Supporters this year!

Many thanks again to Korea Tourism Organization Manila, and it's partners, Philippine Kpop Convention, Travelers In Progress- TRIP, UST CTHM STS and Ateneo Korean Studies Program, for this wonderful opportunity :)

~~~

Planning to visit Korea? For information about Korean Tourism, you may visit the Korea Tourism Organization Official page, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

For Filipinos, follow Korea Tourism Organization Manila at Facebook, Twitter, and KakaoTalk (@ktomanila) for the latest updates on Korea tourism, events, tour packages and promos. :)

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Korea: A must-visit destination for coffee lovers

Don’t you just love to sit back and relax while drinking a cup of coffee in a nice, ambient cafe? You can read a good book or two, chat with friends, or even listen to good music while savoring that cup of Americano or Caramel Latte. If you’re like me who can’t get by a day without drinking coffee, then you may want to experience Korea’s infamous coffee culture.

Compared to tea, coffee can be considered a newcomer in the Korean market. Based on historical data, tea has been in Korea since as early as year 661, while Emperor Gojong only introduced coffee in 1896. But unlike many Asian countries where tea is the preferred drink, Koreans are generally coffee lovers. They love it so much that in a recent study (2013), it was said that Koreans consume coffee at an average of 12.2 times per week, which is more than their average consumption of their national dish, Kimchi. 

Coffee consumption has also become a status symbol among Koreans. From being a representation of western culture, which was first consumed by the wealthy and elite, to being a trend or a kind of ‘social glue’ that brings people together, Korea’s coffee culture has indeed evolved rapidly over the years, and there’s no stopping the industry’s growth just yet.

In a 2015 study, it was revealed that Seoul hotels were said to have the world’s most expensive coffee with an average price of KRW 10,000, and Starbucks is said to be the most expensive in Seoul than in any other city in the world at around 4-5 dollars at minimum. But despite the surge in coffee prices, Koreans continue to consume coffee.

Seoul hotels have the most expensive coffee in the world- Hotels.com 2015 Club Sandwich Index

Considered as the third biggest coffee drinker in Asia, Korea is home to around 49,600 cafes as of 2015, 17,000 of which can be found in Seoul. No wonder café-hopping, a term that means to patronize a number of different cafes on a single outing, is becoming a popular activity there. Cafe streets, areas that are lined with coffee shops, have also started to emerge and are becoming more popular in recent years.

I’ve had my own share of café-hopping in Seoul, and I’d have to say the experience is nothing short of amazing. There are about 2-5 cafes in every street, so at times you can literally hop on the coffee shop next door. My most favorite places to satiate my caffeine addiction are Myeongdong, Gangnam, Hongdae and Samcheongdong, and I’ve identified at least 4 types of cafes there according to ownership and style:

(1) Mainstream
(2) Themed
(3) Traditional/Hanok
(4) Celebrity-owned

~~~

Mainstream Cafes

Mainstream Cafes are popular coffee shop chains that have branches all over the world. A good example for this is Starbucks, which has record-breaking achievements in Korea. Currently, Seoul holds the record as the city with the most number of Starbucks branches in the world and Korea is also ranked as the 3rd country with the most number of licensed Starbucks stores at 952 in total as of 3rd quarter of 2016.

Other big players that you can find all over Korea are Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Seattle’s Best Coffee, and Gloria Jean’s, among others.

There are also popular homegrown cafes like Angel-in-us Coffee, Caffe Bene, and Tom N Toms.

If you’re a Hallyu fan, you’ll probably have an idea about how huge the mainstream coffee industry is in Korea. Cafes are a popular meet-up or dating place in Kdramas, and are sometimes also used as filming locations for Kpop music videos. The popularity of some coffee shops is even attributed to their exposure in entertainment shows.

Caffe Bene. Remember the famous foam kiss of Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin) and Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won) in Secret Garden episode 10? It was filmed at Caffe Bene in Seongbuk-gu.☕

Address: 120-2 Dongseo-dong 1(IL)-Ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Dal Komm Coffee. Some of the best scenes of Descendant of the Sun were filmed at Dal Komm Coffee. In fact, the drama featured 3 Dal Komm coffee branches located in Songdo, Bundang, and Yangjae. The scenes above from DOTS episode 13 (double date and fist bump scene) were shot at the Songdo branch.☕

Address: 23-5 Songdo 2(i)-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, South Korea

Themed Cafes

If you like drinking coffee with style, then themed cafes might suit your taste. These are coffee shops where everything; be it food, architecture, music, etc., revolves around a central concept, which can pretty much be anything under the sun. This is also the reason why each café offers something unique--because the owner’s creativity, individual taste and passion for coffee are infused in it.

Pet lover? Bookworm? Movie addict? I’m pretty sure there’s a themed café that will appeal to your fancy. The cafes feature a wide variety of subjects- from animals/pets, art, fashion, fruits, food, cartoon characters, foreign countries, and even movies.

I’ve seen quite a few themed cafes when I was in Korea. To name a few, I’ve seen a yarn store with a coffee shop, a café with a full banana concept, a vintage-themed café, and a café with a Lego theme. There’s even a Hello Kitty themed café complete with all the pink stuff!

Hello Kitty Café. This café is one of my favorites! 

I love how girly and cute it is and how great of a hang out place it can be.☕

Address: 364-14, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

You can check out my review of Hello Kitty Cafe HERE.

Slow Park. This small café-cum-bistro in the quaint and serene neighborhood of Samcheongdong offers a unique setting that combines elegance and warmth, as well as modernity and tradition. This place is becoming a popular venue for magazine shoots and TV interviews with celebrities.☕

Address: 15-2, Samcheon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
You can check out my review of Slow Park HERE.

Traditional/ Hanok-style Cafes

The earliest coffee shops in Korea were called dabang (다방). Nowadays, there are only a few traditional dabangs left in Seoul, but probably a good alternative to this is a Hanok (한옥) Café.

The Hanok is the traditional Korean home, which is known for its beautiful architecture. They are usually characterized by wooden pillars and floors (daecheong maru대청마루 ), clay walls and roofs, and Hanji, a traditional Korean paper which can be found pasted on flat surfaces like doors and windows for their insulating capacity and transparency.

A number of Hanoks were renovated and turned into cafes around Insa-dong and Bukchon Hanok Village. These shops are perfect for those who want a unique Korean coffee experience. They even offer traditional teas, snacks, and Korean rice cakes and desserts such as Bingsu, to complement the ambience. Some also offer alcoholic beverages such as beer and cocktails.

Luden Loquen Space (Café LN). A nice Hanok style café with an elegant traditional ambience in Bukchon that boasts of its Korean Black Raspberry Latte and Glutinous Rice Cake Waffle. ☕

Address: 5, Bukchon-ro 5na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Photo credit: visitkorea.or.kr; kimcheeguesthouse.com

Celebrity Owned Cafes

For Kpop fans and Kdrama lovers, there are also all sorts of celebrity-owned cafes, which reflect the personality of the owners, and often times feature their most prized collections.

Aside from coffee and pastries, most celebrity-owned cafes also sell idol-inspired merchandise like mugs, tumblers, shirts, and even signed posters and albums, which serve as popular souvenirs for fans.

At times, they also have a fan mailbox, where you can leave messages of support to your idol.

Celebrity-owned cafes are a popular hangout place for fangirls as they’re the perfect place to meet and become friends with other fans, as well as get a glimpse of their favorite Korean idols in person. If you’re particularly lucky, you may even catch them hanging out with some of their idol friends. Just make sure to not be too overexcited and not invade their privacy. Picture taking is sometimes not allowed so be sure to ask permission first. If your idol is in a good mood, who knows he/she might even agree to a selfie!^^

Wiki Café. This cute café in Samcheongdong is owned by Super Junior member Lee Sungmin. Being a huge Super Junior fan, I was really ecstatic to visit this café. I was even lucky to have a selfie with Sungmin’s younger brother, Lee Sungjin!☕

Address: 51 Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
You can check out my review of Wiki Cafe HERE.

Café J Holic. JYJ member, Kim Jae Joong, owns this café. The minimalist feel and modern ambience reflects Jaejoong’s sophisticated style.☕

Address: 3rd & 4th Floor, 8 Myeongdong 6gil, Chung-gu, Seoul or 54-6 Myeongdong 2-ga,
Chung-gu, Seoul

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13 Reasons Why You Should Visit South Korea (and why I DEFINITELY want to go back)

I was 12 when I told myself that there’s no such thing as love at first sight, but I was wrong, because in 2003, I fell in-love at first sight in Korea.

Prior to my visit, my only dream then was to visit Korea to satisfy my addiction for Kdrama and Kpop—buy Kpop merchandise & Korean cosmetics, watch a Kpop concert, and visit filming locations. But after seeing my dream face to face, and realizing that reality was so much better than what I dreamt of, I fell in-love and found a new dream. I want to see and discover more of Korea. I want to share my experience to other people too, especially those who’ve been curious about the country, wondering whether it’s worth the visit or not. 

If you haven’t visited Korea yet, here are 13 reasons why I think you should (and why I DEFINITELY want to go back):

1. Eco-tourism 

– If you’re like me who loves the calming effect of nature, likes to see and take pictures of breathtaking landscapes, or just to do a little walking, trekking, or hiking here and there, then Korea is the place to be. You can visit nature reserves/national parks, arboretums, botanical gardens, eco-trails and other eco-tourism sites. I’m particularly interested in visiting DMZ, the most dangerous nature reserve in the world, which remains practically untouched since 1953, and also look forward to visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site and volcanic island of Jeju.

What’s on my bucketlist (Places I want to visit)?: 

Jeju Island (Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak & Mt. Halla), Seoul Forest, Bukhansan National Park, Seoraksan National Park, Suncheon Bay, Boseong Tea Fields, Jirisan National Park, Garden of the Morning Calm

Seoraksan National Park. Photo Credit: Korea Tourism Organization

2. Hallyu a.k.a Korean Cultural Wave

- Since the 1990s, the popularity of Korean Culture & Entertainment have grown immensely, and this has been greatly attributed to Kdrama (Korean Drama), and Kpop (Korean Pop) Music. Despite the language difference, people all over the world have come to idolize Korean artists. The likes of Super Junior, Bigbang, Girls Generation, Psy, Lee Min Ho, Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo, and Jun Ji Hyun, among others, have all become household names, capturing the hearts of fans from different parts of the world. 

There’s just something unique, and intangible about Kpop and Kdrama that draws people to it. The charming visuals, unique concepts and storylines, or the breathtaking filming sites perhaps? Watch a Kdrama and you would most certainly want to watch them again and again. Listen to a Kpop song, and pretty soon, you’ll be trying to memorize lyrics you may not even know the meaning of. And of course, at the bottom of it all, you’d want to visit Korea so badly to see your favorite idols in the flesh, watch them perform live in a concert and visit all those filming locations of your favorite dramas. Isn’t the power of culture amazing? 

What’s on my bucketlist?: 

Visit the filming sites of my favorite Kdramas--Descendants of the Sun, Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo and Moonlight Drawn by Clouds; Watch a Korean Music Show live; Watch another Kpop concert!^^

Cheonjuho Lake at Pocheon Art Valley, a filming location of Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo

3. Korean Food (Hansik)-

I found Korean cuisine as one of the best I’ve tasted in the world. Before, I had the impression that most Korean dishes are spicy, but when I finally tried them, I found them really flavourful, appealing, healthy and really delicious. There's so much more to it than what meets the eye (or the palate for that matter), because even in their cuisine, Koreans apply the philosophy of balance in terms of colors and ingredients. I also love how each meal in Korea has a lot of banchan (side dishes), which makes the meal more appetizing. 

From street food to local specialties and even desserts, Korean food is really irresistible, so be prepared to get a few extra pounds and stray from your diet when you visit Korea.

What’s on my bucketlist (Food I want to try again): 

Ramyun, Gimbap, Dakgalbi, Bingsu, Bulgogi, Korean Beef Stew, Bibimbap, Jajangmyeon, Tangsuyuk, Japchae, ChiMaek, Bibimyeon, Tteokbokki, Hotteok, Kimchi, Sundubu Jiggae, Samgyeopsal, Bossam, Samgyetang, Haemul Pajeon (this list is making me hungry!)

My favorite dessert, Korean Bingsu!

Bibimbap :)

One of my favorites, Chuncheon Dakgalbi! ^^

4. Tourist Spots

- Boring is a word that doesn’t exist in Korea. There’s just so much to see and do! You can visit Korean Palaces, take a stroll in a traditional village, meditate in a temple, or have an exciting day at a theme park. 

I find Korea also very safe and tourist friendly with lots of tourism centers, downloadable travel apps, and incentives and freebies being offered specifically to foreign visitors. In Seoul, there’s even a helpline specifically set up for tourists.

What’s on my bucketlist?: 

Visit all 100 must-visit sites (HERE), some that I really want to visit are Jongmyo Shrine, Blue House, Moonlight tours at Changdeokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Petite France, Nami Island, Everland, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

My photo with the palace guard at Deoksugung Palace

One of our photos at the Trickeye Museum. It's a fun place to hang out :)

5. Weather & Climate

Korea has moderate weather conditions with four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). My favorite time to visit is Autumn. I love the cool weather during this time of the year. I remember that it all felt so magical and surreal when I first saw all that color, and natural vibrance. It was like going inside a painting with warm hues of red, orange, and yellow, everywhere. 

What’s on my bucketlist: 

I also look forward to seeing cherry blossoms during Spring, and experiencing snow, skiing and having a White Christmas for the first time, during winter in Korea!

My favorite picture of autumn taken at Gyeongbokgung Palace :)

6. Art 

- Hanbok, the colorful traditional Korean clothing, reflects the unique and expressive artistic sense of Koreans. No wonder the Korean art industry has sparked the interest and gained the admiration of many people all over the world. You can see how artistic Koreans are through their fashion, their architecture, theatrical performances, and everyday lives. 

My favorite example for this would be Korean street art. I like how they use art to transform less attractive areas in the community. Try walking around Seoul, and you’ll see attractive murals and amusing structures everywhere.

What’s on my bucketlist: 

Mullae Village; Apgujeong Graffiti Tunnel; Songwol-dong Fairytale Village in Incheon; Heyri Art Valley; Ewha Women’s University; Dongdaemun Design Plaza; I also want to watch non-verbal shows like Nanta and Fanta-Stick

LED Roses at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Photo credit: VisitSeoul.net

7. People

- Koreans are one of the friendliest people I know. They’re warm, genuinely nice, thoughtful and always respectful, especially to elders. It’s really easy to get along with them, even with the language barrier. One of my fears in visiting Korea before was that nobody would be able to understand me, especially if I'm lost and asking for directions. But I was proven wrong because I've encountered several instances where they would go out of their way to help a total stranger like me.  

What's on my bucketlist:

Meet up with my Korean friends in Seoul; meet any of my favorite Korean artists in person :)

8. Technology

- South Korea is definitely at the forefront of technological advancements as it is hailed as one of the most wired countries in the world, with the fastest broadband internet that has an average connection speed of 25.3 / 26.7megabits (mbps) per second, and fastest mobile internet speed at an average connection speed of 18.2 mbps. I definitely took advantage of this during my previous visits, as I can upload hundreds of photos in my social media accounts in a matter of minutes via Seoul’s free 5G public wi-fi. There’s also no need to worry about connection, especially in Seoul, because there’s free public wifi access everywhere.

What's on my bucketlist:

Try the free mobile phone rental for tourists

9. Cosmetics

- Don’t we all envy flawless and healthy looking Korean Skin? I’m a huge fan of Korean Cosmetics as I find them really good for skin care. Since Korean make-up is more expensive in my country, I usually shop in bulk for a few months’ supply when I’m in Korea. My favorite place to shop is in Myeongdong because they usually give a lot of freebies along with my purchase.

What’s on my bucketlist?: 

Cosmetic shopping spree at my favorite stores--The Face Shop, Etude House, Tony Moly, Innisfree, Nature Republic

Some of my favorite items from Etude House ^^

10. Festivals

- Just like my country, Korea is home to many exciting festivals, some of which really sparked my interest... Ever heard of a Chicken & Beer Festival? How about a Mud, or a Water Gun Festival? If you’d like to try them, better take note of their dates to avoid missing them out. 

What’s on my bucketlist?:

Daegu Chimaek Festival, Boryeong Mud Festival, Seoul Lantern Festival, Andong Mask Dance Festival, Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival, Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, Boseong Green Tea Festival, Sinchon Water Gun Festival, Goyang Flower Festival

Some photos I took from the Seoul Lantern Festival:

People were making DIY lanterns and writing their wishes on them.

The lanterns were then set afloat along the Cheonggyecheon stream

11. Transportation

- I find travelling in Korea really convenient as you have a wide variety of options (from trains, buses, ferries, cabs, etc.) to choose from. Their transportation system is really efficient, so driving your own car may not be advisable (plus parking can be expensive). You can go anywhere within minutes just by train, which is cheap, fast, and reliable. 

Because of my tight itinerary, I once had to visit a celebrity owned café prior to watching a concert. At first, I thought I would be late because it was rush hour but I made it just in time, all thanks to the super fast and convenient Seoul Subway :)

Also, if you’re a foreigner visiting Korea, and don’t know your way around, fret not because there are a variety of apps that you can use to navigate around.

What’s on my bucketlist? 

Ride the KTX train going to Busan (haha, and yes, it's because of the movie 'Train to Busan'); Try the Han River Cruise; Try the Seoul Bus Tours

My friends and I enjoying our train ride at the ITX (Intercity Train eXpress)- Cheongchun High Speed Train

12. Coffee Culture

- I’m a self-confessed coffee addict, and Korea has tons of really nice cafes. From themed cafes, to Hanok-style cafes, and my favorite, celebrity owned cafes, you’ll definitely be in for a treat and have a hard time deciding which to visit first. In Seoul alone, you can find some 50,000 coffee shops. Now, that’s a lot of café-hopping in my itinerary.

What’s on my bucket list?: 

Kim Jaejoong’s J-holic Café in Myeongdong; Forresta Book Café; Café Healing 616 in Gangnam; Super Junior Kyuhyun's Mom House & Cafe; Hello Kitty Cafe in Jeju; Dal.komm Coffee in Songdo, Yangjae, and Bundang (because of Descendants of the Sun)

Slow Park in Samcheongdong

Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae

13. Medical Tourism- 

Korea is becoming a popular place to get essential health treatments. Personally, I like Korea Medical Tourism’s philosophy of taking care of their patients inside and out, improving their over-all health and well-being, and even considering their cultural differences in terms of religion and nationality. With that kind of philosophy, along with world class medical procedures, and top caliber doctors, I believe visiting Korea for medical reasons is worth it. Their costs are also relatively lower, especially as compared to western countries. (For more details on medical tourism in Korea, you can check out the Visit Medical Korea website HERE)

What’s on my bucket list?: 

Templestay; Traditional Korean Medicine Detox Steam; skin care treatments that will help keep my skin looking young and healthy (I think these are very appropriate for people like me who experience constant stress)

Photo credit: http://eng.templestay.com/

I hope my list convinced you to push through with your very own #VisitKorea trip! ^^

Through all these things (and MORE!), I found love in Korea--- love from all the new friends I’ve met, love for photography and travel, love for culture, love for adventures, love in pursuing the things that matter to me, love for living and appreciating life more.

My love affair with Korea opened many doors that I never imagined would be there. I’ve met a lot of new friends not only from my country but also from other parts of the world. I gained a lot of wonderful experiences that would always be a source of inspiration and strength. And for all that, Korea will forever be dear to my heart. I may visit other countries, but it will always be my second home, a place that I would always want to go back to. :)

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This article is my entry for Global Wow Korea. I want to be part of it because it’s another opportunity for me to discover more about the beautiful country that opened so many doors for me. 

In my own little way, I want to give back by helping promote Korea and sharing my experiences to the world, so that others may also be encouraged to explore it.

If you want to know more about Global Wow Korea, you can check out the post below or visit their website HERE.

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy reading my post!

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My Happiest Memory in Seoul

There's nothing quite like the excitement of winning a trip to your most favorite place, and meeting new friends for the first time. Both of these happened to me during autumn of last year, an experience which I consider my happiest memory in Seoul^^.

It was November last year when I was fortunate enough to be one of the participants of the Visit Korea VIP Members Invitation Tour. There were 13 other winners from other countries like Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, and I was excited to meet all of them. I was part of the English team, and was the only one from the Philippines. Coming from different countries with different languages, it was amazing how we all easily got along so well, and remain really good friends till now.

me and the rest of the participants of the tour at Trickeye Museum

I love all the yellow leaves scattered around Deoksugung Palace <3

Autumn is my favorite season, and I was so ecstatic to be back and see the familiar shades of fall. We visited a lot of tourist attractions in Seoul like the Trick Eye Museum, Kondae Common Ground, Deoksugung Palace, Samcheongdong, Yeouido Park and Grevin Museum Seoul, where I ‘met’ a lot of famous people and handsome oppa. We also dropped by some famous cafes like the Hello Kitty Café in Hongdae, Dore Dore Café in Kondae, and Wiki Café, which is owned by Super Junior member, Lee Sung Min (Being a Super Junior fan, that is one item off my bucketlist!). We even met his brother, Lee Sung Jin, and we took a lot of photos with him.

Our group photo at Kondae Common Ground

Photo op with the guard at Deoksugung Palace

My selfie with Lee Sung Jin, who is so nice and adorable^^

Ironically, my second visit to Seoul is a trip of many ‘firsts’ for me. For one, it allowed me to visit Myeongdong Cathedral for the first time. I regretted not being able to visit it before especially when I learned it’s the birthplace for the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea. That’s why I was happy to finally be able to see it on this 2nd trip. I really loved its unique architecture, serene ambience and the grotto of Mother Mary at the back. I said a short prayer and lighted a candle too.

My visit to Myeongdong Cathedral

Other first time experiences for me include learning how to make candles at Holly Go Studio, as well as playing the Janggu drum at Jeongdong Theater. Being a newbie in playing a Korean musical instrument, I was surprised at how easy it was. At the end of the workshop, each of us were given certificates and our guide even teased us that now we can teach others how to play the Janggu drum at our respective countries. After that, I was able to watch a Korean traditional musical performance for the first time too. It was titled ‘Miso’ ('The Story of Secretary Bae' 배비장전), a traditional performance showcasing Korean dance and music like Pansori (traditional vocal performance with drum), and Samulnori (traditional percussion quartet). I really like the dance routines, colorful costumes, and interesting plot. We even had the chance to take pictures with the main cast after the performance.

Hanging out with Marilyn Monroe at Grevin Museum Seoul

My Janggu Drum experience at Jeongdong Theatre

Our visit to Jeongdong Theatre and photo op with the casts of Miso

This trip also allowed me to try out a lot of Korean food like Dakgalbi (Grilled Chicken) and Makguksu (Korean buckwheat noodle dish), Bingsu, Ramyeon, Hameul Pajeon, and Grilled Mackerel. I was also able to drink Makgeolli for the first time in Seoul. The food is really great, and I like that they’re also healthy.

Eating ramyun at 55 Beonji Ramen

My new favorite, Dakgalbi!!!

With good food, life-changing experiences, and captivating tourist attractions, a guest just couldn’t ask for anything more. I really appreciate the hospitality and generosity shown to us by our host, Korea Tourism Organization during this 2nd trip, and for all that I’ve experienced, I will forever be grateful to them, and the city of Seoul.

Seoul is my happy place, a city that warms my soul, and every time I think of it, I am only reminded of wonderful memories that never fail to inspire me. Of course, there’s a lot more to explore so I will definitely keep on coming back to my home away from home.

another group photo at Jeongdong Theatre...say kimchiiii!

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[REVIEW] Visit Korea VIP Invitation Tour Day 2: Delightful Brunch and more at Samcheongdong Slow Park

Yay! I’m finally back with my Visit Korea VIP Members Invitation Tour Reviews. We're now at Day 2. If you want to know other places we visited during this trip, you can check out the following related blog posts:

Visit Korea VIP Member Invitation Tour

Kondae Common Ground

Dore Dore Cafe (Common Ground)

Hello Kitty Cafe

Trick Eye Museum

Nature Kitchen

Visit Korea VIP Invitation Tour Day 2:

It was a cold and sunny autumn morning, and we’re all set to have breakfast at Samcheongdong (sam means "three"; cheong "clean or good"; and dong means "neighborhood"), a small neighborhood in Jongno-gu district. This place is near Insadong, Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), Gyeongbokgung, and Changdeokgung Palace. I’ve never been there before, but I’ve heard of its peaceful atmosphere and streets lined with museums, craft and antique shops, restaurants and cafes. I thought it should be an exciting morning because I really love discovering new places, especially cafes in Seoul, and our destination that morning seemed like a pretty good addition to my collection.

On our way there, our guide already asked us for our orders and we were given 3 choices: waffle set, French toast set, and sandwich set. I chose the waffle set, because coincidentally, I’m crazy over waffles and pancakes, and all things sweet for breakfast.

It took us around 20 minutes to get to Samcheongdong from Centermark Hotel, and I instantly loved the quaint, stylish and serene atmosphere that greeted me. The neighborhood looked kind of laid back, and the streets were lined with yellow trees. The architectural designs of most of the buildings, which are either cafes, restaurants, museums, or craft shops, are quite unique and unlike any of the usual structure of the houses in Seoul. They exhibit modernity infused with traditional Korean architecture, which over-all creates a trendy yet homey and comfortable environment. Street art is also prevalent in the area, and if only we had the luxury of time, it would have been nice to take a good stroll and explore the quiet and nostalgic Samcheongdong even more.

A panoramic view of an area in Samcheongdong

We parked beside a 5-story building with a small café-cum-bistro at the ground floor named ‘Slow Park’ (슬로우파크), which is famous for serving brunch all day, and is just across ‘Slow Garden’. The place looks very stylish, kind of like an American lodge with marble walls, unvarnished wooden floors, wooden ceiling, mixed wooden furniture, and some plants and flowerpots to accentuate some areas. There are also a lot of interesting antique pieces inside, which adds a vintage feel to the classic, homey ambience. No wonder this place is becoming a popular venue for magazine shoots and TV interviews with celebrities (You can check out their instagram account for all the magazine features). It offers a unique setting that combines elegance and warmth, as well as modernity and tradition.

The signage outside the cafe is quite small, so better keep an eye for it :)

Since our trip was in November, I think that's the reason why there were a lot of Poinsettias around

I tried to translate this: 아름다운 ㄱ대들의 쉼터 and its says 'Shelter of beautiful teenagers' :) 

Took a selfie by the veranda because I just love the colors of autumn in the background

Group photo with the Japanese Team! ^^

                           
Here’s my detailed review of Slow Park in Samcheongdong:

Food: 10 

The food here is really delicious, and they have huge servings too. I like that they make sure their food is healthy as well.

When we finally got our orders, we were so delighted to see them that we started taking pictures right away. They all look so scrumptious, and I like how well they styled the food too. The waffle set I ordered came with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and salad. The waffle was perfect with a slight crisp to it. The salad is also a mixture of sweet and sour flavours. I think this is because some of the confectionary sugar on my waffle must have mixed with the salad dressing, and it is a good combination. It was altogether a delightful breakfast for us all, a good start for an activity-filled day for us tour participants.

My waffle set^^ Looks really yummy right? 

Sandwich set with with fries (not sure what the filling of the sandwich is)

Waffle and sandwich sets

Aside from brunch sets and waffles, Slow Park also offer pasta, pizza, salad and steak, so you can pretty much eat here any time of the day, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They also offer a wide assortment of drinks from coffee, tea, ade, juices, fruit shakes, beer and soft drinks, and different kinds of baked goodies like croissants, bread buns, etc. Their menu is in English too :)

There's a whole variety of baked goodies to choose from^^

Ambience: 10 

I just love this place. I think this reminds me of ‘Café by the Ruins’ in Baguio here in the Philippines. I love how comfortable, relaxing and warm the ambience is while also being very stylish. It’s also a huge place that can accommodate around 50-80 guests. And I think it’s conducive to creative thinking too, so it’s a great place to hang out, especially for writers, artists and students.

Jas eonni went in first and smiled at me as she was about to enter :)

This is what the entrance looks like from inside. This ahjussi was about to leave when I took this photo.

This cafe has a veranda but they covered the sides with plastic to prevent rain from coming in and avoid inconvenience

The furnitures aren't matched, but hey they all still look great together. I think they add character to this place.

Panorama shot of the interior

The counter where we get our orders

wow, can you feel the Christmas vibe?

Another thing I like about this place is that it has interesting furniture and antique pieces

Wow, this fireplace is way older than my great, great, great grand parents :)

Look at everyone busily taking pictures :)

We were the first ones to arrive so we had more time to chat and eat

I was wondering if those acorn photos are only there to add to the Christmas feel...

This is the main dining hall, which is the closest to the counter and comes after the veranda

This ones at the back portion of the cafe

Interesting art pieces and signages were hung as wall decors

There are plants and flowers all over the cafe, which gives the interior color and sparkle

Value for money: 10 

I’m giving this place a 10 because you definitely get your money’s worth with Good Food + Good Ambience. Prices start at KRW 2,000 to about KRW 15,000. Their detailed price range is as follows:

• Drinks: KRW 2,000-6,000 (Php 80-Php 240)
• Waffles: KRW 7,000- 12,500 (Php280- Php500)
• Pasta: KRW 13,000-14,000 (Php 520- Php 560)
• Pizza: KRW 13,000-15,000 (Php 520- Php 600)
• Salad: KRW 10,000 (Php 400)
• Brunch sets: KRW 12,000 (Php 480)

Here's their menu for the complete price list :)

Here's their menu for the complete price list :)

Accessibility: 9

This place isn’t hard to find, but the signage outside is quite small so there’s a tendency to miss it.

If you see this building, then you're in the right place.

The entrance to Slow Park is near the road and at the right side of the building

Service: 9

Although I didn’t have a lot of interaction with the staff, I find them pretty nice and accommodating. They serve really fast too.

Will I go back to this place? : Definitely :)

PROS:

- Good food, great ambience, affordable prices

CONS:

- I really can’t find any :)

Other important details about Slow Park:

Operating Hours: 8:00am-12:00 midnight


How to get there?

via Subway

• From Anguk station (Subway Line 3, Exit 1), walk opposite the direction of Insadong until you reach the main street near Seoul Selection Bookshop. Turn right to that street and walk straight for 10-15 minutes. Across the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace and near The National Folk Museum of Korea, you'll find Samcheongdong-ro ( ro means 'street'). Walk straight ahead and at the left side of the street, you’ll find Slow Park.
• From Gyeongbokgung Subway Station (Line 3), take exit 5 and then walk along the entrance of Gyeongbokgung. Turn left into the adjacent road next to Gyeongbokgung and walk straight for about 10-15 minutes until you reach Samcheongdong-ro . Walk along that street and you'll find Slow Park.

If you're bringing your car, valet parking is available at 2,000 won for 2 hours.

Address:
Slow Park (슬로우파크)
15-2, Samcheon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
(서울시 종로구 삼청동 15-2번지 슬로우파크)
Phone number: 02-739-8797

For inquiries, you may check out the following sites:

Blog: http://blog.naver.com/slowpark8797

Instagram Account: http://instagram.com/samchungdong_slowpark

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slow-Garden/178934788832475

Google: https://g.co/kgs/R1x7if

~~~

Many thanks again to Korea Tourism Organization for making this trip, the Visit Korea VIP Member Invitation Tour, possible. You can check out the KTO official website and follow their accounts on Facebook and Twitter for the details on tour sites and packages, as well as helpful tips on travelling to Korea.

For Filipinos, follow Korea Tourism Organization Manila at Facebook, Twitter, and KakaoTalk (@ktomanila) for the latest updates on Korea tourism, events, tour packages and promos. :)

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