Seoul, SOUTH.KOREA
I was lucky to come to South Korea for a week, and even though it was for work, I had enough free time for tourism and to get immersed in the cultural vibe.
I love to travel in Asia, where I always open a new vision of traditions, religions and lifestyle ; it’s exotic.
Many years ago, I came to dance in Seoul during the autumn, this time, in the month of June, the climate was unusual for me, warm and wet, as we say, pretty tropical.
I want to share mainly my impressions about South Korea, but I will also add the best places to visit in Seoul if one day you decide to visit too and a tone of photos among them from my 35mm film camera.
ENJOY THE READ !
I am a traditional coffee lover, and there are many super cute coffee shops everywhere in town, and the coffee is really tasty. Unexpectedly, due to the hot weather, I forced myself not to go for my favorite flat white coffee and started drinking all kinds of weird bubble teas, cold teas, and iced coffees. Having lost my appetite mainly with this warmth, I tried all the strangest snacks I could ever find. They seem to love European bakeries, and it was fun to discover their own versions of pastries, sometimes more or less successful but yummy.
Actually, what I love about traveling are all the sensory experiences, not only visual, but also culinary and human. For us French, food is all about exchange. When we want to meet with family, friends, and close people, we meet for coffee, an aperitif, lunch, and dinner. We find all sorts of excuses to meet around food because food is about sharing pleasure, and pleasure is what unites people. Definitely, if you want to discover or love someone well, explore their culinary habits, and share moments of pleasure together.
I finally met an old friend there; he is Korean but has traveled a lot and, as he said, he is not like all Koreans: less traditional and more open-minded. It was a long time we didn't see each other, though it felt like yesterday. Hawan is a cook and opened his own restaurant in Seoul, which became successful since he is the only one using products from his family farm. We had one of the best Korean barbecues in town (a Michelin-starred place called "Gold Pig or Geumdwaeji Sikdang" I recommend it! You need to book months earlier though...).
Now, more than ever, food is the essence of everything in Korea.
All kitchens are on the wave, and everyone is literally crazy about food, which I noticed.
You will not have trouble finding where to eat, and you will be well fed.
Seoul is a city that never sleeps. You can find almost anything as a 24-hour option, from restaurants to bathhouses, karaoke rooms (known as "noraebang" karaoke being a cornerstone of South Korean culture), pet stores, print shops, and even vintage clothing stores. Indeed, I felt that Koreans were more active in the evening than in the morning and daytime (probably because they work).
Seoul is a very livable city and one of the safest places in the world.
You can walk during the night in the middle of the city, but the atmosphere is like a quiet countryside town.
Strangely, the city, the capital since the Joseon Dynasty in 1394, seems to be a country by itself, since more than 50% of South Korea's population lives there. The country is made of 70% mountains; surrounding Seoul, you can enjoy the beauty of these forests, but this literally means that the 51 million people squeeze into a tiny space. Consequently, everyone lives in apartments, and the city is filled with skyscrapers.
Koreans have their own, often unrealistic, beauty standards that lead people to undergo radical physical transformations.
I was so shocked to see so many doll-like faces. Their skin appears so white, glossy, and perfect. Outer beauty is just as important as inner beauty. Of course, you must stop at the Olive Young stores, a major health and beauty drugstore chain that dominates Sephora there. It's common to visit a dermatology clinic there.
South Korea actually has the world's highest number of plastic surgeries performed per capita, surpassing Western countries.
Double eyelid cosmetic surgery is often given as a graduation gift to high school students.
In Korea, one in three Korean women below the age of 29 has had an operation.
I also noticed that many girls wear short skirts in Korea, but they never expose their shoulders or cleavage because it's a real taboo.
So, where should you visit?
HISTORICAL PLACES
Gyeongbokgung Palace: THE main vast palace complex which is a magnificent embodiment of Korea's Joseon Dynasty history and culture.
Changdeokgung Palace: this palace is a treasured cultural heritage site that epitomizes the beauty of traditional Korean architecture and gardens, harmoniously blending with nature.
Bukchon Hanok Village: a living testament to Korea's rich history, showcasing the traditional hanok houses. It used to be a residential area for the yangban class. Nowadays, it is one of Seoul's most authentically Korean neighborhoods and a hub of cultural immersion, with workshops, galleries, libraries, and small shops.
Deoksugung Palace: a palace that witnessed devastation during the Japanese invasion, but later served as a pivotal imperial palace in the Korean Empire. It blends traditional Korean and Western architectural styles, particularly Renaissance influences.
Cheonggyecheon Stream: a tranquil haven amidst urban hustle, offering a refreshing escape with its flowing waters and picturesque surroundings.
Jogyesa Temple and Bongeunsa Temple.
SHOPPING
Lotte Duty Free: the main mall in Seoul, growing into the global number one in the travel retail Industry, offers premium products and world class duty free retailer.
The Starfield Library: a mesmerising architectural futuristic design, where books are in the center stage, with floor to ceiling bookshelves. It is the place for design lovers and vorace book readers.
Myeongdong Quarter: renowned as the shopping heaven, it is a paradise for those seeking international brands, trendy local boutiques and an array of self-care and beauty shops. Beyond shopping, it offers a diverse culinary journey and a vibrant nightlife with its bustling nightclubs.
I wrote here what I considered the main and most interesting attractions in Seoul. Of course, if you have more time and desires, there is more to see, including museums, food markets, historical sites, gates, temples, and forests.
Coming to South Korea can be a culture shock, and no matter how unusual and eccentric its culture may be, there are still a few things that I find pretty strange.
Among them, Koreans are one year older than the rest of the world because, in Korean culture, when babies are born, they are considered to be one year old already, taking into account the time spent in the womb.
Another example is that, as a form of greeting, you don't hug; you only bow. It's a part of their etiquette that will save you from awkward moments.
The language barrier was a real problem; the presence of English speakers is noticeably low.
Furthermore, I was not surprised to learn that Korea's suicide rate is among the highest in the world.
Something a little extreme exists: competitiveness and toxicity surround study, work, and social pressures in general. Children have a 12-hour school day and return home not only for dinner but also for homework. For employees, the work limit per week is a 52-hour schedule, which is incredibly high.
I also noticed that almost half of all Koreans are named Lee, Park, or Kim.
Here are a few examples that I perceived, but I imagine the list is long.
I loved visiting as a tourist, but I guess it might not be easy to integrate into the society and feel at home there, since it remains a closed-minded society.
Regardless of external influences, they have really maintained a strong sense of identity.
I watch all the incredible pictures I took and realize how amazing it is to travel. We live on one planet, though there are millions of different worlds, and falling into the unknown of one of them opens your eyes to a completely new facet of life.
When you explore outside, you can acknowledge many inner truths.
It's as if the light is revealing a corner that was still in darkness in you, and suddenly the whole picture looks different.
So be open to the unknown!
I hope you enjoyed this small trip to Asia with me.
A.V.E.C A.M.O.U.R <3
