The travel to Korea is both delightful as well as challenging. Heavy rain disrupted my plans as it was my first time experiencing typhoons. Fortunately, our flight and KTX ran smoothly, and we arrived in Seoul. The sweltering summer weather resumed after the storm passed. My family and I couldn't handle the sudden temperature drop and became ill individually. We found a neighboring clinic and visited four times until the doctor recognized us. The Korean government dealt with the typhoon situation admirably. My phone kept receiving the public safety warning, reminding residents to be cautious. I embrace the idea of leaving regrets behind after trips for future exploration.
Nonetheless, I was able to immerse myself in Korean culture. We arrived at Busan first, and it is a lovely city. I caught a peek at the beach before the typhoon hit. During the typhoon, I could hear the wind pounding the hotel room door and saw the sea waves engulf the beach, which was frightening. I went to the night market for local cuisine and rode the adorable Blue Line Park Sky Capsule the next day. Due to the weather, we were unable to explore Hinnyeoul Culture Village. We also bought two new umbrellas, all wrecked by the strong wind.
We mainly utilized cabs and the MRT on this trip. However, most cab drivers are elderly and are primarily unfriendly and unhelpful due to the language barrier. Luckilly, the MRT is quite convenient when using TMoney. Despite we couldn't fully appreciate Korean food because we were all unwell. My two favourite dishes are the "Pork Rib and Potato Soup" and "Pork Soup with Rice." In Seoul, I visited currently trendy areas beloved by young Koreans, such as HanNam Dong, Sinsa Dong, Seongsu-dong, and YeonNam Dong. But I also visited popular tourist attractions such as MyeongDong, Hongdae, and Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Throughout my journey, Korea is generally good at aesthetics and creating Instagram-worthy atmospheres. As I concentrated on the fashion accessories brand, I noticed that most local brands did exceptionally well in marketing; they are all visually appealing not only on their products but also on the store display and props. There have been numerous practical efforts that will appeal to various demographics, such as ambient marketing featuring gigantic bags in stores. Korean cosmetic brands are renowned globally, so I visited Olive Young, Korea's most significant health and beauty chain. However, while I did intensive market research, I had to give up some brands because they were not centralized in one spot. I had a pre-planned list of places to explore, and I was eager to visit all of them, if only I hadn't fallen ill.
I attended two exhibitions during my trip: one at the MMCA and one at Espace Louise Vuitton. I viewed a brief history of Korean art and artworks by LV collaborated artist Cindy Sherman. I also attended a workshop where I created my own leather bracelet using saddle stitch and edge painting techniques. Hanbok is, without a doubt, one of the most memorable experiences. Despite the 35-degree temperatures, numerous tourists wore Hanbok and visited the palace for free. Ikseon-dong created a lasting impression of the traditional Hanok Village on me. Koreans converted them into cafes and boutiques while retaining the original Hanok construction. Walking along Hangang Park at night was pleasant, as I saw many locals do. We intended to visit Namsan Tower, but the cable car required an 80-minute wait, so we bailed.
In addition, I went to DongDae Mun to see how their apparel wholesale market operates. The buildings are only open from 8 pm until 5 am. Understanding how they order stock, hire logistics partners, and reflect current trends is beneficial. I initially intended to go to Mangwon Traditional Market or Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market. Unfortunately, we all became sick and had to stay at the hotel for the last two days.
We are pleased with our accommodation, particularly the one in MyeongDong. The location is convenient, and the services are excellent. Most public facilities in Korea are well-organized, and the tax refund at the airport is relatively easy to complete. However, their KTX Seoul Station lacks a sheltered linkway, so we were all soaked when it rained. I may be too accustomed to Singapore's extensive facilities.
My journey would have been incomplete without the support of my family. Their care allowed me to fully immerse myself in the Korean food, culture, and fashion scenes without any worries. This trip also allowed me to plan an itinerary for the first time. However, I've learned that I may want to avoid traveling to hot summer destinations in the future. In short, this experience sparked my interest in the industry and helped me refine my career path. It expanded my horizons and equipped me with valuable knowledge for future endeavors.
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