Why Korea?
Korea, rich history
You’ll see Korea’s vast and fascinating history everywhere: ancient walls dotted across city and countryside, statues — old and new — in parks, islands and mountains, and temples, tombs and monuments peacefully coexisting with skyscrapers and wilderness alike. It’s got cultural villages where each picture-perfect little building remains someone’s home — and perhaps your home too for the night. Seoul itself has not one but five royal palaces, all unique in their own way, with dramatic gates and vibrant colors adorning every wall and roof. For those of us who want to go even further back, a trip out to Gyeongju gives a glimpse of the capital of the Silla Kingdom, which ruled much of the Korean Peninsula between 57 BC and 935 AD.
CAFÉS
My favorite cafés in Seoul
Nakwon Station Cafe
Cozy and comfortable, with a unique aesthetic that combines a retro hanok house with train-themed installations. Shoes off giving a very traditional Asian style.
Address:
33-5 Supyo-ro, 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
What I like about it
A variety of drinks and sweet treats, including a white double cheesecake, New York cheesecake, hojicha latte, raspberry latte, and peach ade.
Greem Café
The artistic, monochrome design was inspired by TV show, W by Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyo-joo, in which the characters clash between the real world and a fantasy world inside a webtoon.
Address:
Yeonnam-ro 86, Mapo-gu, Seoul
What I like about it
The design of Cafe Yeonnam-dong 239-20 creates a 2D optical illusion, which makes customers feel as though they’ve crossed dimensions into a comic book illustration.
Lang Study Cafe
Very dark academia vibes with a priority for student's environment to study. Cafe is 24 hours and lets students purchase drinks and pastries and even has lockers for supply storages.
Address:
18-5 Changcheon-dong Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
What I like about it
One of my favorite places I went to go study. The vibes were so peaceful with separate rooms for people who want absolute silence.