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?  

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.
47. ANSWER | Should you be scared of travelling to South Korea?.
48. KORAIL | South Korea unveils EMU-370, its next-generation 370 kph high-speed train.

So, we spent two weeks in South Korea.

• Seoul, part 1: a night and two days.
• Gyeongju: an afternoon and a full day.
• Busan: an afternoon and a full day.
• Jeju Island: an afternoon and two full days.
• Seoul, part 2: a night, two full days and departure day which was actually also almost a full day. 

Seoul in a nutshell

Seoul is a metropolis. There are plenty of sights to see, sites to visit and activities o do. There’s shopping, there are jjimjilbangs, there’s going out, there is a diversity of food options. 10 out of 51 million South Koreans live in greater Seoul. So yes, it’s the place to be.

Our second stint was more of a success. Having Sehyeon steering us to some lovely restaurants and places helped. Also in the secind stint we were better at estimating what a place or activity will offer.

Gyeongjyu in a nutshell

“Gyeongju is an open air museum city”, because there are archeological sites and findings everywhere. It’s picturesque by day and by night. 

Historic Gyeongju is walkable and very charming. Next to the sights and sites, we had some great food and drinks and the shopping streets are cozy. A place to visit.

I strongly recommend adding Gyeongju to your trip

Busan in a nutshell

As a city as such, Busan is not that attractive. High rise buildings, a lot of grey, steep stairs. But it has the sea and verything that  brings such as seaside beach fun, the Sky Capsules, a fish market. 

Jeju Island in a nutshell

‘Korea’s Hawaii‘. Jeju is very popular with Koreans as it’s their inly real vacation destination, and it’s not that far from home. Seoul Gimpo to Jeju City is only an hour’s flight. So perfect for a weekend getaway. 

2024 compared to 2014

If I compare my two Korea trips, the main differences are: more internet based and bigger crowds.

Travelling is more popular than ten years go and it’s palpable. There are crowds. The country is also more aware of outside tourists. 

But crowds have become somewhat universal so it’s what it is.

So?

Two weeks in Korea were enough to get a good idea of what the country has to offer. I thoroughly enjoyed being there.