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South Korea is a travel destination that was on my bucket list for quite some time. I have always been interested in learning more about this unique culture and exploring the bustling city of Seoul. When Under30Experiences recently launched their South Korea itinerary, I knew that this was my chance to have the adventure of a lifetime with an incredible group of travelers.
My group travel experience in South Korea with Under30Experiences was fantastic, creating lots of great memories for our group and even included a few wonderful surprises. Below, I will walk you through my group’s journey through the “Land of the Morning Calm “and my thoughts on everything South Korea has to offer!
Welcome To Korea and First 24 Hours in Seoul
After arriving from (very) long flights from home, our group was naturally tired but excited to get introduced to everybody and get their first impressions of South Korea. The schedule for the first day was kept light and low-key to accommodate our exhaustion and make for an easy but memorable first night. After checking into our hotel in Seoul and settling in, we made our way down to the conference room for our Welcome Meeting.
It was here that we got to meet each other for the first time and were introduced to our trip leaders for the duration of the trip, Lily and Daniel. Our trip leaders told us about themselves and their background and went over a high-level overview of the itinerary, cultural nuances, and what to expect on our 9-day journey. They did a great job at explaining important information, like how to use the subway and what to look forward to in a typical meal, as well as providing helpful tips for how to make the most of our trip.
Later in the evening, we took a short walk together through a bustling district in Seoul to a small restaurant where we would have our Welcome Dinner of Korean fried chicken and beer, or “chimek” as the Koreans call it, made from the first syllables of the English word chicken and the Korean word for beer, mekju.
The meal was delicious, and I loved that we started our first meal with the taste of a familiar dish many of us have had back home, but with a Korean twist. You’ll notice a bowl of white cubes in the middle of one of our shared platters - these are a type of pickle called daikon. Pickles are a big deal in Korean eating culture - every meal, no matter what it is, is accompanied by a side of pickles!
After a great shared meal and getting to know each other a bit more, a few in my group went out for dessert together to talk some more and continue to socialize. It was great being in the company of like-minded travelers as eager as I was to make friends and explore this amazing city.
Need help packing for your South Korea trip? Check out our Essential Packing List for South Korea.
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Exploring Seoul
Our first full day began with an early 6:00 am start to reach the demilitarized zone, the area between the borders of North and South Korea that acts as a buffer between the two countries, which have always had a rocky relationship. As we arrived at the visitor's area, we had a chance to get caffeinated at one of the several coffee shops at the visitor center.
The visit to the DMZ is a moving experience and a real eye-opening insight into the reality of the ongoing conflict between the North and the South, as well as its history. I learned a lot about the history of the conflict, and seeing the nation of North Korea from the observatory was surreal, to say the least. A DMZ visit is a must when visiting South Korea and is well worth the early start. Because of how secure the area is, no photography of the border region or the country is allowed, a rule that is strictly enforced by the Korean military and UN peacekeepers.
After the DMZ, we had an included group lunch of traditional Korean fare. There was a large assortment of dishes served family style with plenty of food to go around. By this point, I had started to grow particularly fond of family-style meals. Since most of us were not well-versed in Korean cuisine, family-style meals provided yet another opportunity for us to all experience something new together, and also took the pressure off of us for what to order!
The afternoon saw us visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the ornate complex which served as the seat of the Joseon Dynasty dating back to the 14th Century. It had been raining all day in Seoul, which made the mountain backdrop behind the main palace look that much cooler. Our group explored the palace together at a leisurely pace, taking several group photos along the way, before checking out the on-site Korean Folk Heritage Museum, before the rain started to pick up again.
Our first full day together turned out to be a great success. We learned a lot about Korean history, enjoyed a lot of delicious food, and spent quality time getting to know everyone in our group. After just one day, we were already starting to make friends and have a great time exploring this fascinating country!
Evening time was free time tonight, and dinner was on our own. Our group did a great job of making everyone feel included - nobody was left out as we split into smaller groups to do our own thing and explore on our own! A few other travelers and I decided to check out the nearby Myeongdong Market - a sprawling night market selling all kinds of delicious street food.
I enjoyed a wide assortment of incredible street food, all of which was tasty, clean, and cheap. Particular standouts include the chicken kebabs on a stick and fried gyoza (which were so crispy!) We then found our way to an upstairs lounge to enjoy a few drinks as we closed out the night.
Art Museum and Gwangjang Market
The following day, we had plans to hike the Seoul Wall Trail. However, the rainy weather did not let up. Our guide left it up to the group to vote, saying that if we wanted to skip the hike due to the inclement weather, he would take us to an indoor alternative activity instead. For those who still wanted to do the hike regardless, he would have our other tour guide lead them to the trailhead.
Naturally, our entire group decided to skip the rainy hike, instead opting to explore a massive underground shopping market at the Express Bus Terminal. I really like how the trip’s itinerary was flexible to accommodate things like weather changes and shifting preferences. Our guides giving us the autonomy and options for what to do, including the option to stick to the original plan, was nice and made us feel like we were in control of our adventure and weren’t “stuck” on a predetermined path.
Before making our way to the Express Bus Terminal shopping market, we embarked on a tour of the Seokpajeong Art Museum and the surrounding villa. It was cool seeing all of the modern art exhibitions inside the museum, and our guides took their time to explain to us the cultural significance of the various pieces on display. The real star of the show was the villa just outside the museum. It is immaculately presented and maintained, and walking through the gardens and pagodas was a very peaceful experience. The vibe of the whole area was calm, and I enjoyed seeing this side of the bustling metropolis that is Seoul.
We stopped for lunch at Gwangjang Market, a rather well-known tourist hotspot for Korean street food. This market was a little different than the Myeongdong Market some of us went to the night before - the market was condensed under a large canopy-like structure and in addition to all kinds of food, also sold clothes and various souvenirs. Inside the market were also a few proper sit-down restaurants, where we all had an included lunch.
This lunch was truly delicious, just like the other family-style meals we’ve enjoyed together so far, and this one had a theme to it. All of the small dishes were “comfort” foods that Koreans are particularly fond of, including kimbap (Korean veggie sushi, in a way), bibimbap (rice bowl with egg yolk and vegetables), and my absolute favorite, tteokbokki (as our guide Daniel describes it, “Korean gnocchi”). These savory, subtly spicy rice cakes were such a hit for me that I’ve continued to buy and make them at home after my trip! (Tip: Trader Joe’s sells a tasty rendition of this treat in the frozen section.)
After lunch, we finally made our way by subway to the Express Bus Terminal shopping market, which was a massive flea market that seemed to go on forever. I’m not much of a shopper, but it was still cool to walk through the place and see all of the unique trinkets for sale.
At this point, it was early afternoon, and we had free time for the rest of the day for our last night in Seoul. I went with a group of three others to the neighborhood of Gangnam (made famous by the song - you know the one), where we walked through the ritzy shopping district and down K-Star road. We spent hours shopping and hanging out at cool cafes and having lively conversations about all sorts of things. This is the type of hanging out that happens on Under30Experiences trips that I absolutely love. What better way to feel accepted and a part of this awesome travel community than by going with the flow with a group of like-minded explorers?
Exploring Jeonju and Staying in a Hanok
As we said goodbye to Seoul (for now), we got on a bus for an easy 3-hour drive over to the city of Jeonju, the second city we will be staying at on our journey. Of the three cities on our itinerary, this was the one that I hadn’t heard of before and knew nothing about. Perhaps it was this lack of expectations that ended up catching me off-guard in the best of ways - Jeonju is absolutely beautiful and a fantastic place for tourists to witness and get immersed in its regional culture.
First things first, as we arrived in Jeonju, it was lunchtime, so it was time to eat another incredible spread of local cuisine, served family-style. On the menu today were some regional variations of classic Korean fare: soba noodles (buckwheat noodles) served cold and in a delicious broth, a hot bowl of udon noodles with local fixings, and bibimbap. The savory flavors of these dishes were once again deep and flavorful. Our guide, Daniel, did a great job explaining what made these dishes in particular unique to the region and how they differ from similar dishes you might find elsewhere in the country.
After lunch, our guides lead us on an orientation walk of the Jeonju Hanok Village. This historic district was lined with the traditional Hanok architecture, a type of housing that dates all the way back to the beginnings of civilization on the Korean peninsula. This of course made for the perfect backdrop for many photos, which our group gratefully indulged in.
We checked into our accommodation for the night, which was a traditional Hanok-style lodge where we would be sleeping on pads on the heated floor. Sounds uncomfortable? It was actually surprisingly comfy! The old-school heating system underneath the floors put my roommate and me in a deep slumber as we dozed off into the night. In any case, the second night in Jeonju, we switched over to a (rather posh) hotel across town, so in case you don’t have an amazing night of sleep in the Hanok, rest assured you will seek refuge in the following night’s luxurious accommodation.
Before turning into the night, we had the entire afternoon and evening to explore this fascinating new city. This was really where the surprises of this curious new place began to unravel. My roommate and I walked not too far away from our Hanok to the nearby shopping district: a modern, developed neighborhood flourishing with truly unique boutiques and all types of international cuisine, strongly juxtaposing the traditional village directly next to it. Again, I’m not a big shopper, but even I found the shopping experiences here to be truly unique enough to kill a few hours in. Forget the big-name brands you’re accustomed to back in the States; the streets here were lined door-to-door with independent fashion retailers (often with the designer themselves in-store assisting customers) and branded, licensed gear from classic Americana brands long forgotten, like Kodak and Pan-Am.
We also stumbled upon a meticulously-decorated coffee shop that I swear would fit right in London or Paris - in the middle of Jeonju! My roommate and I marveled at the collection of artwork and antiques in the space while enjoying a classic assortment of pastries and coffee beverages. It was really cool to see a smaller city in the middle of South Korea openly embrace Parisian cafe concepts right across the street from iconic Hanok houses. It’s these kinds of experiences that make for the best memories and welcome surprises when exploring these areas on a deeper level.
Traditional Papermaking and Hanbok Rentals
The next morning, we awoke to a bento box (to-go breakfast) for each of us that our guides Lily and Daniel kindly grabbed for the group, which was nice to wake up to. After breakfast, we walked together to a modern complex of various museums and cultural centers. The architecture of the buildings in this green plaza looked futuristic, and inside the community center, we got to take part in a traditional paper-making class.
The papermaking class began with an explanation of the history of traditional papermaking in Korea, including the full process of where the paper comes from, starting from the wood-bearing fauna that’s harvested. We then eagerly watched a demonstration of the paper being made from the wood pulp by hand, and then it was our turn to try!
The process of making the paper was a fun and unique experience, once again highlighting the nuances of the regional culture in the Jeonju area. As we each strained our sheets of paper and placed them on the heating table to dry, we walked across the plaza to an exhibition hall featuring various modern art and cultural heritage pieces.
We returned to the papermaking workshop, where we each retrieved our homemade paper and got to draw on it with an assortment of art supplies. I enjoyed this activity a lot, and it was really cool seeing my newly-made friends’ artistic sides. I like how Under30Experiences tends to “think outside the box” to curate unique experiences like these that are great for bonding with your fellow group members and developing deeper relationships with your new friends.
For lunch, we had an included lunch of bibimbap at a restaurant that is considered to be the inventor of the famous dish. Once again, we had another great family-style meal, this time with a little side of history. The meal was great, and by this point, I was starting to expect and welcome the many fermented side dishes that accompany every meal. After lunch, we explored town for a bit before selecting and changing into our hanboks (traditional Korean dress). This is a popular tourist experience in Jeonju, so you’ll see many people on the streets sporting the traditional garb. It was cool to experience yet another traditional side of Korean heritage, and our group took many great pictures!
That evening was our last night in Jeonju, so several of us headed up to the hotel rooftop to watch the sunset and enjoy each other's company. We spent our last night in this great city talking and laughing with each other and feeling grateful that we get to share this experience together. It really is the thing that keeps me coming back to these trips - the shared sense of camaraderie and memories that we make as a group along the way. In this sense, every single trip that’s run in a particular location is truly unique.
Intro to Busan and My Favorite Meal of the Trip
We left Jeonju in the morning to embark on a 4-hour bus journey to Busan, Korea’s second largest city which rests on its southern coast. We arrived to see a beautiful skyline of skyscrapers - not unlike the ones we saw in Seoul - pressed up right along an array of pristine sandy beaches and a number of large bridges crossing the ocean bay. Our bus pulled into a restaurant parking lot, where we ordered a spread of Korean dishes that we have been enjoying throughout the trip so far in this quaint roadside restaurant.
Our group then made our way to the Haedong Dragon Temple by the Sea, an ornate Buddhist temple unique for its use of colors and its overlooking of the Sea of Japan. This temple is a massive tourist draw, so it was quite crowded, but I had a great time exploring the temple and admiring the attention to detail that went into its careful design. As with most tourist hotspots anywhere in the world, right outside the temple was a long procession of street food stalls and souvenir shops, where I bought myself an iced latte for a second wind and a Korean corn dog, which wasn’t too bad.
Read More: Your Ultimate Guide to Busan, South Korea: Beaches, Culture, Nightlife, & more!
Gamcheon Culture Village Sustainable Tourism
After the Dragon Temple, we went to the Gamcheon village, also known as Gamcheon Culture Village - a previously underserved section of the city nestled into the foothills that has since been revitalized as an artist district. Its pedestrian alleyways careen around closely-packed shops which are adorned with a variety of murals and street art. Looking at the village from afar, you can see a collection of bright colors fill the horizon. This reminds me of the barrios found in several Latin American cities that employ a similar concept.
It’s cool to see the city address the needs of its underserved population by creating the infrastructure to draw in tourist dollars, and I appreciate Under30Experiences including this stop on the tour - not only for the unique cultural experience, but also because all of the money we spent in this area helps support the people of this area as they continue to prosper. It’s a great example of sustainable travel and giving back to the communities you visit, which is something I am becoming more conscious of as I travel more.
Evening Activities in Busan
We refreshed at the hotel and then took a short walk as a group to an unforgettable dinner of BBQ lamb skewers. I never quite understood why lamb has never been popular as a choice of meat in the States, but its gamey flavor is perfect for barbequing. While we waited for the food to arrive, we ordered some soju and beer, and our guide Daniel taught us common Korean drinking games. It’s awesome to be able to learn such intricate parts of the culture on a trip like this. Although solo travel has its own perks, these are the types of things you probably won’t encounter traveling on your own.
Our raw meat arrived on small metal skewers, which we then placed on a neat contraption on our tables that slowly turned the meat over a burning fire for us so we wouldn’t have to babysit the cooking process while we conversed over drinks and side dishes of kimchi and rice. Once cooked, we fixed our meat portions with our desired helpings of spicy pepper and curry powder, and the taste was absolutely divine. Later on, our guides ordered some prawns to add to the mix, and I love a good prawn. This was hands-down the best meal of the entire trip for me, even though the competition was pretty stiff, as Korean cuisine was so unique and delicious to me.
After dinner, a few of us splintered off and found a karaoke room to close out the night. Karaoke in Korea is done in private rooms where your group can pick all the songs - a much more private experience than karaoke back in the U.S. I highly recommend doing this at least once while you are in Korea!
Taekwondo and Final Day Exploring Busan
I was glad I got a protein-heavy meal the night before, as the next morning started with a taekwondo class at a local dojang (Korean word for dojo). Taekwondo is the martial art native to Korea and has some similarities to karate, a martial art I practiced for nine years as a child. It was a nice little workout and also really informative to learn the foundations of the martial art. Our instructors were very kind and helpful in assisting us with the techniques and even taught us some terminology in Korean. The highlight of the class was at the end, where the instructors put on a board-breaking demonstration that included some pretty insane stunts. I won’t spoil the exact details of what the black-belt masters did in front of us - you’ll have to come to Korea and witness it for yourself.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Travel Safety in South Korea
With most of the day remaining, we now had free time to explore this coastal paradise for ourselves. After several days of Korean food (which was incredible, mind you) I decided to switch up for lunch and get some Chinese bao buns at the food hall by the beach, which was an incredible idea. I highly recommend when you travel to try some other cuisines, even ones that you can get at home, to compare the difference in flavors and quality. I will tell you that Chinese food in Busan is certainly leagues above what I can find in my Midwestern neighborhood!
I decided it was time to pamper myself by visiting a spa called SpaLand in Busan. Korean spa culture is alive and well, and the country is somewhat famous for its style of spa. Now, an important disclaimer: this was my first-ever visit to any type of spa, so I have no basis for comparison. But, SpaLand was an absolute transcendent experience. For around $27 USD, you can spend hours relaxing in various thermal baths and saunas, get a myriad of skin treatments, or hang out in the common areas and enjoy some snacks, from ramen to ice cream. It was a dreamlike experience for me and has inspired me to visit more spas in the future. I opted for a scrub treatment that revitalized my skin in a way I didn’t know was possible. Highly recommend SpaLand to any traveler visiting Busan (and you can also find them in Seoul, too).
The group reconvened after dinner on our own (I opted for Korean BBQ - again) for a nighttime boat ride on the bay complete with fireworks. We took many group photos against the backdrop of the picturesque bridge and lit-up skyline. It was the perfect way to spend our second-to-last night together as a group.
Return to Seoul and Farewell Dinner
We checked out of our hotel in Busan and took the KTX high-speed train back to Seoul. After a quick journey back to the capital, we were back in familiar territory and free to explore the city on our own accord. I like this free time being built into the itinerary on the back end, as by this point, we were comfortable navigating the city’s metro on our own and had already hit most of the main sites. I opted to visit the Korean War Memorial Museum with one of my friends from the group, which was a moving experience.
Finally, the moment we have all been dreading was approaching - the farewell dinner and our final goodbye. I myself would not be saying goodbye to the incredible country of South Korea yet, as I opted to delay my departure date for some solo exploring, but this still meant I would have to say goodbye to my new friends. We sat down for one final group meal in Myeongdong and reflected on our journey together. Many of us remarked how the trip went by so fast, and I agree; I easily could have spent another six months in South Korea and would have loved to spend more time with my group of newly-made friends. We closed our dinner with the classic Under30Experiences rose-bud-thorn activity in which we talk about our highlights, lowlights, and new things to apply to our lives back home.
And an additional surprise for our group: my birthday was coming up in a few days, as was the birthday of another traveler in our group, so the group kindly pitched in and got us a birthday cake to share with everyone. This was a really nice touch, and I am so appreciative of the group for thinking of us. The cake also happened to be my favorite flavor, which I hadn’t shared with anyone what it was (shoutout to Rachael for coordinating!) Chalk that up to really getting to know each other and our personalities.
Closing Thoughts on My 9 Day Trip to Korea
South Korea is an incredible country, and I had a blast with my group during the Under30Experiences trip. They say that comparison is the thief of joy, so while I am not ready to make any sweeping statements about the “best” country or “best” trip, let me at least say that the Under30Experiences South Korea trip should absolutely be on your list for consideration. On top of the country being a world-class destination, the way the itinerary is built to enhance your experience with the larger group in mind is nothing short of impressive. From the very start, you get countless opportunities to develop close bonds with your soon-to-be-friends, and the trip ends up becoming one of the most rejuvenating journeys. I’d like to give a shoutout to our excellent and knowledgeable guides, Daniel and Lily, and the larger Under30Experiences team for curating such an amazing trip.
I will be back in South Korea again sooner rather than later - the spas and BBQ joints are calling me.
