Autumn 2024. Ten years after my first trip to Seoul in 2014, I am returning to the Republic of Korea, better known as South Korea. Not solo this time, but with Oriol, who has never been to Korea. On the itinerary: flying with Qatar Airways to Incheon via Doha, the capital Seoul, the historic city of Gyeongju, Busan, Jeju Island and a second stint in Seoul, where we are joined by Sehyeon. We’re spending two weeks in South Korea. The ROK is such a popular destination now. Will we experience overtourism?  

Before we started the trip and before the Korea adventures began to be published, I asked the question “Should you be scared of travelling to South Korea?”. Not because it’s unsafe, but because Instagrammers and bloggers tend to warn you for many pitfalls you can encounter. 

The short answer is no, you should not be scared of travelling to and in South Korea. But you should be prepared.

We travelled in autumn 2024 so things may have changed compared to now, December 2025, or later when you’re reading this, but you should definitely research a few things before travelling to and in South Korea.

Money cards

Tmoney, WOWPASS, Climate Card. There are different money cards available to use in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Some you can top with cash, others via their app. 

We used WOWPASS and you can top it up via the app and your Visa or Mastercard, but – in 2024 – not the Tmonrey public transport side. That had to be topped cash and cash only in convenience stores such as CU, GS25 and 7Eleven.

This means you need to bring cash. Get some won (the Korean currency) in your country and / or exchange in Korea, but bring cash. Oriol didn’t and had to rely on my stash of cash.

I brought 500 euros worth of won (670,000 won) for fourteen days. It was enough, because we used our regular credit cards whenever we could and also very often the WOWPASS. But we did need cash.

Navigation

For navigation on foot, download KakaoMap and Naver. You can use Roman alphabet on them and directions will be in English. On Naver, spaces between words in names re sometimes left out. Lotte Mart would become LotteMart. I’lm guessing because it’s that way in Korean.

Hello?

English proficiency is hit and miss, so download Papago to translate. You can type or speak to the app. You can also take a picture and translate or live interpret with your camera.

Tout est Kakao

Kakao is a major South Korean technology conglomerate best known for its extensive ecosystem of apps and services that have become integral to daily life in South Korea. Originally established with its popular messaging app, KakaoTalk, the company has expanded into a vast array of sectors, including social media, finance, transportation, entertainment, and e-commerce, shaping itself as one of the country’s tech giants alongside Naver.

Key apps and services under the Kakao umbrella:

• KakaoTalk: Launched in 2010, KakaoTalk is South Korea’s most widely used messaging app, offering free text, voice, and video calls, group chats, and a range of features like emojis, games, and themes. It’s embedded into daily life in South Korea, similar to how WhatsApp and WeChat are used in other regions.
• KakaoPay: This mobile payment service allows users to make online and offline payments, transfer money, and even invest in financial products directly through the app. It’s often integrated with KakaoTalk for seamless payment among users and is widely used across retail stores in South Korea.
• KakaoBank: Launched as an internet-only bank, KakaoBank offers digital banking services like loans, savings accounts, and debit cards, all managed through a mobile app. It quickly became popular for its easy accessibility, user-friendly interface, and lower banking fees.
• KakaoT: KakaoT (formerly known as KakaoTaxi) is a popular ride-hailing and transportation app. It covers taxis, designated driver services, and even bike rentals and parking. KakaoT has been instrumental in streamlining transportation options in major South Korean cities.
• KakaoMap: KakaoMap offers navigation, map services, and local recommendations. It includes detailed information on businesses, landmarks, and restaurants and has features similar to Google Maps but optimized for South Korean roads and locations.
• KakaoStory: This social media platform is akin to Instagram and Facebook, allowing users to share photos, videos, and short updates with friends. It was initially more popular, especially among an older demographic, but has faced increasing competition from other social media platforms
• Melon: Melon is South Korea’s largest music streaming service, owned by Kakao. It offers a vast music library and playlists tailored to South Korean tastes. Melon has remained a go-to source for streaming K-pop and other Korean music, with features like chart rankings and artist recommendations.
• KakaoGames: This division publishes a variety of mobile and PC games. KakaoGames has partnered with major game developers and released popular titles, often linked with KakaoTalk to allow for easy friend-based gaming interactions and sharing scores.
• Kakao Webtoon (formerly Daum Webtoon): With the popularity of webtoons (digital comics) in South Korea, Kakao’s webtoon platform, integrated into KakaoPage, has gained a large following. It hosts various webtoons, including popular series that are often adapted into dramas and films.
• KakaoPage: This digital content platform offers webtoons, web novels, and other paid digital content. KakaoPage has become a profitable arm of Kakao by monetizing popular web-based literature and comics, often with micropayment options.
• KakaoM: Operating in the entertainment industry, KakaoM handles talent management, music production, and film production. The company manages popular Korean artists and is involved in producing content across platforms, including streaming and traditional media.
• KakaoFriends: Known for its cute characters like Ryan the lion and Apeach, KakaoFriends is a line of merchandise and character branding, with everything from plush toys to stationery. The KakaoFriends store sells products based on these beloved characters, and they’re a part of many Kakao services as stickers and emojis.
• Kakao Commerce: This arm manages e-commerce services and online shopping within the Kakao ecosystem. It offers a platform for users to buy and sell items, often integrated within other Kakao services, and links to KakaoPay for seamless transactions.
• Kakao Enterprise: Focused on AI, cloud services, and enterprise solutions, Kakao Enterprise provides B2B services such as AI-based customer service bots, cloud infrastructure, and corporate software. It highlights Kakao’s expansion into AI technology and business services.
• KakaoTV: KakaoTV is Kakao’s video streaming service, providing both user-generated and professional content, including dramas, variety shows, and live streaming. Integrated with KakaoTalk, it allows users to share and discuss content seamlessly.

Kakao’s range of services has deeply integrated itself into everyday life in South Korea. With its dominance in messaging, banking, transportation, and entertainment, Kakao has been a driving force in South Korea’s digital economy and lifestyle, with its ‘Kakao ecosystem’ almost unavoidable for those living in the country. In recent years, Kakao’s dominance has also attracted scrutiny, with regulators investigating the company’s reach and potential monopolistic influence over multiple sectors. Nonetheless, Kakao remains a leader in South Korean technology and a significant player in shaping the country’s digital landscape.

Planning

Some attractions and sites need to be booked in advance. You want to climb Hallasan, Jeju’s dominant mountain? Book! You want to tour Dondeokjeon Hall at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul? Be on time to put your name in the waiting list. The Sky Capsules and the Beach Train in Busan? Book in advance!

In a nutshell

So, in short:

1. Bring cash.
2. Get a money card.
3. Download some apps.
4. Plan ahead.

And you’ll be fine. 

South Korea 2024

1. QUESTION | Should you be scared of travelling to South Korea?.
2. REVIEW | Qatar Airways – economy – Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – Brussels to Doha.
3. QATAR | Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha.
4. REVIEW | Qatar Airways – economy – Airbus A350 – Doha to Seoul / Incheon.
5. SOUTH KOREA | Landing at Incheon, retrieving the Wowpass and taking the AREX to Seoul Station.
6. REVIEW | Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul near City Hall.
7. SEOUL | Deoksugung Palace by day.
8. SEOUL | Admiral Yi Sun-sin – King Sejong the Great – Gyeongbokgung Palace – National Folk Museum SEOUL | Admiral Yi Sun-sin – King Sejong the Great – Gyeongbokgung Palace – National Folk Museum.
9. SEOUL | Bukchon Hanok Village – Insadong Culture Street – Jogyesa Temple – Gwangjang Market – Cheonggyecheon Stream.
10. SEOUL 2024 | Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
11. SHOPPING IN SEOUL | Myeongdong – Lotte Young Plaza – Avenuel – Lotte Department Store.
12. SEOUL | Namsan Mountain Park and N Seoul Tower.
13. SOUTH KOREA | Seoul Station.
14. REVIEW | Korail KTX Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan.
15. GYEONGJU | Daereungwong – Cheonmachong – Cheomseongdae Observatory – Banwolseong Fortress – Anapji Pond – Woljeonggyo Bridge – Gyo-dong.
16. REVIEW | Hotel Palace in Gyeongju.
17. GYEONGJU | Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto.
18. GYEONGJU | Woljeonggyo Bridge – Gyeongju National Museum – Eupseong Fortress – Shopping.
19. REVIEW | Korail KTX Gyeongju to Busan 1st class.
20. BUSAN | Gamcheon Culture Village.
21. BUSAN | Jagalchi Fish Market.
22. REVIEW | Commodore Hotel Busan.
23. KOREA | Haedong Yonggung Temple in Busan.
24. BUSAN | Haedong Blue Line Park, Sky Capsules, Beach Train and Haeundae Green Railway.
25. BUSAN | Shinsegae Centum City Department Store, Gwangalli Beach, Busan Tower.
26. QUEER KOREA | Beomil-ro, Busan’s gay street.
27. SOUTH KOREA | Jin Air from Busan to Jeju.
28. SOUTH KOREA | Jeju City during Tamna Culture Festival.
29. REVIEW | Astar Hotel in Jeju City.
30. JEJU ISLAND | Hamdeok Beach – Seongsan Ilchilbong volcano – Ilchulland with lava tube – Wonang Waterfalls – Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls.
31. JEJU ISLAND | Sojeonbang & Jeonbang Waterfalls – Eongtto Waterfalls – Gaetkkak Jusangjeollidae Cliffs – Cheonjeyeon Waterfall & Seonim Bridge.
32. JEJU ISLAND | Museum of Sex and Health in Seogwipo.
33. JEJU ISLAND | Eongal Coastal Trail and Iho Tewoo Horse Lighthouses.
34. SOUTH KOREA | Jeju Island.
35. HOW TO | Hotel saunas in South Korea.
36. SOUTH KOREA | Flying Jin Air from Jeju City to Seoul Gimpo.
37. SEOUL | Changdeokgung – Secret Garden – Changgyeonggung.
38. SEOUL | Seodaemun Hongje Waterfall – Yeouido Hangang Park – Ttukseom Hangang Park – 2024 Seoul Hangang River Light Drone Light Show – Hwayang-dong.
39. SEOUL | Gangnam – Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs – Starfield COEX Mall & Library – Banpo Hangang Park – Some Sevit.
40. GAY ITAEWON | Homo Hill = Usadan-ro 12-gil (우사단로12길) in Seoul, South Korea.
41. GAY SEOUL | Jongno 3-ga ft. Bar MoU.
42. SEOUL | Skipping Myeongdong to shop at Starfield COEX Mall in Gangnam.
43. SEOUL | Spa 5 aka Lotte Boseuk Sauna Jjimjilbang in Gangnam.
44. SOUTH KOREA | Five days in Seoul.
45. QATAR AIRWAYS | Seoul Incheon – Doha – Brussels.
46. SOUTH KOREA 2024 | Impressions and observations.