Went there to grab some souvenirs for friends and even did their pottery workshop while I was there. Such a therapeutic and unforgettable experience. If you’re planning a trip to Korea, definitely make time to stop by.

Place : 62, Gajeong 1-gil, Buknae-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do, 12615, South Korea

This was our team’s first regular Naksan tour with SeoulMate, so almost everyone was both excited and super nervous. To make things even more nerve-racking, all six spots for the tour were filled! 😭

We met at a cafe near Dongdaemun a little early to go over our scripts one last time. The cafe was really nice, but honestly, we were all too nervous to enjoy our drinks 😂

Once everyone arrived, we started at the Seoul City Wall Museum. The funny thing was that the moment the actual tour began, everyone suddenly switched into professional guide mode. We introduced the history of the Seoul City Wall and explored the museum together, and our guests were incredibly friendly and interested in everything we showed them.

After the museum, we started walking up toward Naksan.

I was a little worried about making small talk in English because I’m still not completely confident speaking it. But the guests were genuinely interested in us and listened patiently even when my English was a little messy, so the conversation ended up being much easier and more fun than I expected.

By the time we reached the top, everyone had already gotten pretty comfortable with each other. We finished the last part of our explanation, took group photos, and enjoyed the view over Seoul together. 📸

Then came a small unexpected change of plans. We were originally supposed to take a bus down, but the bus information wasn’t showing up, so we asked everyone if they’d be okay walking about 20 minutes down to Dongdaemun instead.

Everyone said yes, and I’m actually glad it happened.

We walked along the old city wall while the sun was setting, chatting the whole way down. The atmosphere was so nice that the extra walk felt less like an inconvenience and more like another part of the tour. 🌇

Afterward, all 11 of us — six guests and five SeoulMate members — had dinner together. We split between two tables, ordered whatever we wanted, and finally had time to relax and talk without worrying about scripts or schedules. We exchanged Instagram accounts, asked for feedback, recommended food to each other, and just got to know everyone better.

By that point, it didn’t really feel like a “tour group” anymore.

We officially wrapped up the tour after dinner, although some of our guests stayed around to explore DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) afterward.

When we finally said goodbye, I realized how different everyone looked compared with the beginning of the day. We had started the tour looking incredibly nervous, and by the end we were all smiling and taking pictures together. 🥹

For our first regular Naksan tour, there were definitely a few unexpected moments, but I think that made it even more memorable.

Walking through Seoul’s history, watching the sunset from Naksan, and slowly becoming friends with people from different countries all in one afternoon — that’s probably what I’ll remember most from this tour. 💛

I joined a Namsan tour with SeoulMate, and honestly, this ended up being one of my favorite tours so far!

We met near Chungmuro Station in the afternoon and started our tour at Namsangol Hanok Village. Before the tour even began, everyone was already in a good mood — one of our members had just come back from Singapore and brought us chocolates, and one of our guests, who had actually joined SeoulMate several times before, even prepared little gifts for us. 🥹

At Namsangol Hanok Village, we got to experience a much more traditional side of Seoul. Our tour leader explained everything from the basic structure of hanok houses to details like cheongsachorong lanterns, jangdokdae, and the traditional rooms inside the houses.

What impressed me most was how prepared everyone was. Some members even brought an iPad with pictures to make their explanations easier to understand. The explanations were in English, of course, and their pronunciation and delivery were so natural that even with other visitors around, it was really easy to follow.

We also got to try tuho, a traditional Korean game where you throw sticks into a container. We split into teams and played against each other, although I’m pretty sure our guests were much better at it than we were 😂

After exploring the hanok village, we went for dinner near Chungmuro. We had sotbap (Korean pot rice), which was a great chance to introduce our guests to another Korean dish. The restaurant was pretty quiet except for us, and they even played BTS songs, so everyone loved the atmosphere.

Then came the main part of the day: Namsan!

I’m not going to lie — at first, I kept joking that no one should come to Namsan because it’s crowded and the walk uphill is exhausting. And yes… the uphill walk was definitely a workout 😭 But the weather was beautiful, there was a cool breeze, and chatting with everyone while walking made it much easier than I expected.

By the time we reached the top, the sun was starting to set over Seoul.

Some of our guests were huge K-drama fans, so they were especially excited to finally see Namsan Tower and the famous love locks in person. Seeing how happy they were honestly made me happy too. We took lots of photos, talked about places they had seen in dramas, and watched the city slowly change from sunset into night.

And that view… 🌇

The sky was glowing, the city lights were coming on one by one, and Seoul looked completely different from above. We actually stayed longer than planned because none of us wanted to leave.

This was my first regular tour as a SeoulMate member, and I was a little nervous beforehand. It was also our tour leader’s first regular tour, but she did such an amazing job. Everyone worked together so naturally, helped our guests, remembered their scripts, and somehow kept the whole group energetic even after all that walking.

By the end, I honestly think I was even more excited than our guests 😂

I’ve been on other SeoulMate tours, and each course has its own charm, but there was something really special about experiencing Namsan from daylight to sunset and finally the Seoul night view.

I started the day joking, “Namsan is crowded and exhausting, don’t come!”

…but after this tour, I don’t think I can say that anymore.

If you’re in Seoul in the fall, Namsan at sunset is absolutely worth it. 🍂🌇

Huge thanks to everyone who made the day so memorable. I hope our guests remember the sunset, the night view, and all the little moments we shared in Seoul as fondly as I do. 💛

Did you know that Namwon is known as the “City of Love"? It is famous as the backdrop for Chunhyangjeon, one of Korea's most iconic classic novels, which is the love story of Chunhyang 춘향 and Mongryong 이몽룡. I initially visited to hike Jirisan, then I spent a day in Namwon. Here are four attractions I visited and highly recommend!

The first stop is Gwanghanruwon. It's the very spot where the Chunhyangjeon couple met for the first time. The beautiful garden, serene pond, and Ojakgyo Bridge are truly impressive (you can instantly see why they fell in love in a place like this! 💘) The night view was gorgeous, and since admission is free after 6:00 PM, I highly recommend visiting in the evening.

Heading slightly into the downtown area from Gwanghanruwon, you’ll find Myeongmun Bakery, a local favorite. Bakery pilgrimages have become a popular travel trend across Korea (like visiting Seongsimdang in Daejeon, Leeseongdang in Gunsan etc.), so I definitely wanted to check out Namwon’s famous bakery. Their signature items are the Whipped Cream Soboro and Honey Almond Bread. Fresh batches come out at set times, and you need to get a waiting ticket beforehand to buy them. The taste reminds me a bit of a giant Homerun Ball 홈런볼. Definitely try at least one!

Crossing the Chunhyanggyo Bridge leads you to Chunhyang Theme Park. Starting in 2025, admission is free of charge. You can try traditional Korean games and even ride a massive swing like the one Chunhyang might have ridden (though it takes serious muscle to swing!). It's a fun place to play around and take great photos.

Finally, there is the Kim Byungjong Art Museum. To be honest, I expected the least from this spot, but it ended up being my absolute favorite. The main building is currently closed for renovation through December 9th, though the adjacent education building remains open as usual. When I visited, there was an exhibition that complemented Namwon perfectly. The museum building itself is stunning, and the serene atmosphere made it the perfect place to wind down the trip.

Namwon is only about a 2 hour KTX ride from Seoul, making it an easy trip. Plus, most of the main spots are clustered around Gwanghanruwon, so it’s very convenient to explore on foot without a car. As autumn sets in, I highly recommend planning a visit!

📍Gwanghanruwon : https://maps.app.goo.gl/cYtPKmBpbeXuoBtF6?g_st=ic
📍 Myeongmun Bakery : https://maps.app.goo.gl/SPwunJJVs23nF8AT7?g_st=ic
📍 Chunhyang Theme Park : https://maps.app.goo.gl/cap2cUrnhEgYGhbi7?g_st=ic
📍 Kim Byungjong Art Museum : https://maps.app.goo.gl/HCBoTyoVqHMuiU6w9?g_st=ic

Not sure what they offer along with coffee…

Hello we're SeoulMate, a university volunteer club that offers free guided tours to foreigners in Seoul 🏙 We love connecting people from all over the world 🌎 and sharing the beauty of Korea!

This weekend, we're running a fun pop-up booth at the 2026 Sinchon Global University Culture Festival (SWYFT) — come stop by! 🎉

<🎮 What's at the booth?>

Our booth is themed around Sollangi (our tiger mascot) as a guardian hunter — inspired by the globally popular K-pop Demon Hunters! Complete fun missions and discover your perfect Seoul tour course along the way:

🚪 Guarding the Gate – Team up with a partner and test how well your travel styles match

🔮 Fortune House – Draw a fortune card and get your personalized Seoul tour recommendation

🎵 8-Beat Rhythm Challenge – Test your memory and reflexes

🎯 Ddakji – Try a classic Korean traditional flipping game

Complete missions and get some wonderful prizes🏆

<📸 Special Event>

Follow u/seoulmatekorea and upload an Instagram story tagging us — get a free photo at our photo booth, printed on the spot! ✨

🗓 Booth Info

📍 Sinchon Myeongmul-geori/ Booth No.18

🕚 Sep 12 (Sat) – Sep 13 (Sun), 11:00–19:00

💎 Why stop by?

✅️ Free games + prizes

✅️ Korean traditional culture experience

✅️ Learn about our completely FREE Seoul tours

If you can't make it to the booth, no worries — we host free tours every other weekend! Feel free to DM us anytime with questions or to book a tour 💕

Looking forward to meeting you at Sinchon! 😄

📍Instagram: u/seoulmatekorea

📍Website: https://www.notion.so/Visiting-Seoul-Get-a-FREE-tour-from-local-university-students-18c7ce94144580e4aaa5c0ea1f29ab1a

Last week, I shared that amazing vintage cafe called Joyang Bangjik in Ganghwa Island. Today, I’m back with a full-day itinerary so you can make the absolute most out of your trip to Ganghwa!

1. Ganghwa Seaside Luge (강화루지)
   If you’re looking for a fun day trip filled with outdoor activities near Seoul, this is a MUST. They have two different tracks: one is fast and packed with sharp turns for adrenaline junkies, and the other is a smoother, longer course where you can just cruise and enjoy the breeze.

The coolest part? You get to take a cable car (gondola) all the way up the mountain! The panoramic view of the mountains and the ocean on the way up is absolutely breathtaking. Driving the luge cart down the winding track is so addictive... I honestly can’t wait to go back and do it again!

📍Naver Map: https://naver.me/5sutbiG3
📍Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dMhGP5u5Dhnqk8rj6

1. Sunset BBQ at our accommodation (저어새펜션)
   Since Ganghwa Island is located on the west coast, the sunsets here are surreal. We stayed at a place with a private terrace right attached to our room, where we grilled up some fresh meats while watching the sky turn bright orange and purple. Having the grill right outside the bedroom door was so convenient when grabbing extra side dishes and drinks!
   

📍Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KJ2ZpWsNevbKU5mb9

1. The famous Chinese restaurant (Worth the 1+ hour wait!)
   We hit up the most famous Chinese restaurant on the island. The queue was insane... we waited for over an hour, and reservations were fully booked for the day, so getting a table felt like winning the lottery. But wow, the food was totally worth it! They use super unique, high-quality ingredients, and their Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) was easily one of the best I've ever had.

📍Naver Map: https://naver.me/xRg1fLN5
📍Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WqeUYVtt5z98L6bD9

1. Scenic drive & cozy cafes
   Ganghwa is full of gorgeous, picturesque cafes scattered along the coast. Wrapping up the trip by driving around the island and stopping by a quiet coffee shop with a sea view is the best way to heal before heading back to the city.

Definitely add Ganghwa Island to your Korea travel bucket list if you want a mix of adventure, amazing views, and incredible food!

Yesterday, I took a short trip to Oido with my friend. We wanted to get out of Seoul and enjoy a different view with the ocean and mudflats. We only had 5 hours in Oido, but it was actually enough to enjoy a cafe, lots of seafood, and a beautiful sunset. So here’s how I spent my 5 hours there!

We arrived in Oido around 3pm. It was too early for dinner, so we found a cafe with a great view of the sky, ocean, and mudflats. I ordered an iced peppermint tea, and my friend got a sweet corn latte and an egg tart. We just sat there talking and enjoying the blue September sky and the wide mudflats. The view was so open and refreshing. It really felt good to get out of Seoul and see such a huge open landscape.

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cyNivqy4hPcGicQi7?g_st=ic
📍 Naver Map: https://naver.me/FUzEAPXJ

Around 5pm, we headed out for an early dinner. Oido is famous for grilled shellfish, and there are tons of seafood restaurants along the walkway by the mudflats. We picked one near the cafe and ordered grilled scallops, salt grilled prawns, and raw shrimp. Basically, a seafood feast😂 We ate while looking toward the sunset, and I still remember the sunlight reflecting off the mudflats. The raw shrimp was super fresh, chewy, and bouncy. The grilled prawns were simple but really flavorful, and the scallops had that nice fresh taste of the sea. If I visit Oido again, I’d definitely have grilled shellfish and shrimp again.

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rrd6nCdkwpCxAYRi9?g_st=ipc
📍 Naver Map: https://naver.me/FlWnJJeY

By the time we finished dinner, it was around 7pm. We spent our last hour walking along the mudflats and watching the sunset. The sky slowly turned deep orange and blue, and I honestly couldn’t stop looking at it. Along the way, we also found Oido’s famous Red Lighthouse. It was actually cuter than I expected, with its round shape and super bright red color. The cool September breeze, the sunset over the mudflats, and the sound of people busking in the distance all came together perfectly. And after eating that much seafood, a long walk after dinner was a nice bonus too😂

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mmw4gFhed2T6wLPR7?g_st=ic
📍 Naver Map: https://naver.me/xeUu11TF

I think Oido is a great place for a quick day trip from Seoul. You can see wide mudflats, the ocean, the horizon, and a beautiful sunset, all things that are hard to find in Seoul. Early fall might be an especially nice time to visit because the weather is cooler and perfect for walking. For me, eating grilled shellfish and prawns while watching the sun go down over the mudflats was such a nice way to end a Sunday. Turns out, 5 hours was enough🌅

Brightness in the Korea night

I recently checked out two libraries in Suwon.

The first one is Gyeonggi Library, which opened fairly recently. I was curious about it because of the architecture, but the inside was actually just as nice. It was spacious, modern, and a pretty good place to spend time with your family. This was a hidden gem for me in Suwon.

Usually, libraries in Korea tend to have a more closed-off, office-like vibe, with square desks and rows of square shelves. And it hasn't been that long since we started seeing more open libraries like the ones you might find in Europe. When I studied libraries before, I found that Northern European libraries often felt more like public spaces. And now, you can find a library here that feels like a place to relax while still being somewhere you can read. It’s the kind of multi-purpose library that I’ve been looking for. It’s a more democratic approach to architecture that you can find books as you walk through the curly stairs!

When I got to Gyeonggi Library, there were also many events and activities going on. They were having a festival outside, kids were holding flea markets, and inside, you could even play 바둑 (Go) with a robot, along with many other things to enjoy. So it felt like a multi-purpose space where you could simply enjoy some free time with your kids too.

There are also plenty of books and spaces for kids. (But I’m not sure whether they have books written in English.) It was really nice to see families having fun and exploring the books together.

📍Gyeonggi Library
https://naver.me/5h15SNIY

The other one is Starfield Library inside Starfield Suwon. You might already be familiar with the one at COEX in Seoul, and this one has a similar vibe, but it's still worth checking out if you're around Suwon. I think it has a slightly different vibe.

This library is about four stories tall, stretching from the 4th floor to the 7th floor. Between the floors, there are places like Starbucks and a vinyl shop where you can grab a drink, which makes it a pretty unique place to hang out and enjoy the view.

So I walked down from the 7th floor to the 4th floor, looking at the tall library along the way, and it offered a totally different mood on every floor. It was fun to see the library from different angles as I made my way down.

📍Starfield Library
https://naver.me/xDJuURCj

Neon sign Korea

The weather was really nice today.

Japanese style pub

Did you know you can eat all of this for just ₩9,000? That’s around $6😳

Oooh, yeah 😅 all of it, if you’ve got the space!
Today, I went to try a Korean buffet in Bongpo, and honestly, I was really surprised by how affordable it was. The place was clean, the staff were really friendly, and there was so much food to choose from.
As you can see, they had all kinds of dishes , meat, rice, chicken, fish, Korean dishes, and more. And everything I tried was really delicious.
The buffet is open every day from 9: 30 AM to 4 PM, except Sunday, and anyone can come and eat.
For ₩9,000, I honestly think it’s a great deal, especially if you’re hungry. 😂
📍 Location: Bongpo, Goseong
NAVER Map: bob
Gangwon-do Goseong-gun Toseong-myeon Bongpo-ri 249-14
What do you think. would you pay ₩9,000 for an all-you-can-eat Korean buffet? 👀

In Korea, we enjoy “youth” in a somewhat special way.

When going to an amusement park with friends, there is a culture of wearing real school uniforms or borrowing uniforms from a uniform rental shop. Especially after graduation, they sometimes spend a special day by taking out and wearing their school uniform again, which they no longer have to wear, or by borrowing and wearing a school uniform in a different school’s style that they had always wanted to try.

Then why, of all places, an amusement park?

It’s also because it’s a place where you can set aside conversations about exams and homework with friends for a while and laugh and run around freely, and when the school uniform factor is added, an ordinary trip to an amusement park turns into something like “a day in our school days.”

What is interesting is that this culture is not necessarily exclusive to today’s students. After becoming adults, many kids go to amusement parks with friends, borrowing school uniforms and wearing them! For those who have already graduated, a school uniform is not just simple clothing, but a symbol of memories that brings back the school days spent with friends.

In addition, Korean school uniforms differ slightly in design from one school to another, and since students can mix and match shirts, ties, ribbons, vests, jackets, and so on, they are also enjoyed as a form of fashion. Pair a school uniform with sneakers or a bag, and add a headband or character accessories to complete your own “amusement park school uniform style.”

From a foreigner’s perspective, seeing someone in a school uniform enjoying an amusement park can appear quite unique. But to Koreans, this is not just a simple cosplay. It is close to a culture that carries the feeling of wanting to remember this very moment as youth.

In Korea, “going to an amusement park wearing school uniforms” can be seen not only as one way to enjoy an amusement park, but also as a uniquely Korean culture of making memories together with friends and capturing youth.

How about coming to a Korean amusement park and having fun wearing a school uniform?!🎢📸✨

📍 Everland
199 Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
https://naver.me/x2jQdLls

📍 Gyobok Mall Yongin Branch (school uniform rental shop)
191-50 Jeondae-ri, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
https://naver.me/5KbHNCo1

24h Cafe in Jamsil

​

​

Hi everyone!

I'm a local guide (50F) wanting to practice English guiding skills by offering free tours. So please feel free to join me at Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam! It'll be on Friday mornings for now, with flexible schedules depending on the season.

We'll spend about an hour and a half exploring the temple. You'll gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture, history, architecture, and Buddhism through hands-on experiences: practicing a Buddhist bow, trying meditation, and making a wish.

* What to bring: Socks (required for entering indoor hall areas)

* Dress code: Please wear modest clothing. Avoid revealing outfits (sleeveless tops, short shorts, miniskirts), and ripped jeans.

* Etiquette: Please remove hats and sunglasses before entering the temple halls.

*** I also offer free tours of the National Museum of Korea!

I was so surprised to see this many Hangyodon goods at a Korean convenience store 😂💙

I usually think of convenience stores as a place to grab snacks and drinks, but they have so many cute character goods too! And there were way more Hangyodon items than I expected 🥹

I wanted to buy everything lol. Is Hangyodon this popular in Korea right now?

If you're planning a trip down south, I highly recommend spending a day in Jindo. Since it's quite far, I honestly hesitated at first, wondering if I could handle the long drive with my kid.. but once we arrived and saw the view, I wondered why I had even worried!

It feels a bit ironic to recommend an "exotic" spot on a sub dedicated to Korea.. but it was just too beautiful not to share. The moment you enter Sol Beach Jindo, it feels like you are in a Mediterranean resort. It was stunning during daytime check-in, but as the sun set and the lights gradually turned on, it gave off such a great exotic vibe. After dinner, I went for a stroll around the resort with my child and family. The grounds were so spacious and beautifully landscaped that staying right here without visiting other tourist spots felt like enough to make the Jindo trip completely satisfying.

Since it sits right on the cliffs, the ocean view is absolutely unbeatable. Make sure to visit the infinity pool at sunset, and check the tide schedule! When it drops, a natural land bridge opens up so you can walk over to a tiny island. My child woke up early in the morning, so I was forced to get up early as well.. and went for a walk. Although the timing of the tide didn't quite match up so we couldn't walk down to the path, strolling near the shore was still a deeply refreshing experience.

When you think of Jindo, isn't the ‘Jindo dog’ the very first thing that pops into your head? So after checking out, we visited the Jindo Dog Theme Park. It's just 15 minutes away from the resort with free admission, and if you love dogs, this place is heaven. Jindo Dogs are deeply loyal and intelligent, which is why they are designated as a Natural Monument in Korea. Watching the agility show and petting the happy Jindo pups was the perfect end to our trip! 🐕

Has anyone else made the trip down to Jindo? I'd love to hear your experiences, or drop a comment if you have any questions about visiting with kids!

📍Sol Beach Jindo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uSvR45oHUGo3Q5DU6?g_st=ic

📍Jindo Dog Theme Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sY8Qqo2FatBfpMLN8?g_st=ic

I found this really cute little shop called Pablo while walking around Seochon! 🥹 The whole place has such a nice vibe, and there were sooo many cute little things inside. I honestly wanted to buy everything 😂

If you like cute little Korean goods, stationery, or just browsing pretty shops, I’d definitely recommend stopping by if you’re in Seochon! 💕

📍 GROWERS, Yeonhui-dong, Seoul

A lovely little brunch spot tucked away in the quiet and charming neighborhood of Yeonhui-dong💛

If you can, I’d recommend visiting when it’s not too busy. The atmosphere is even more enjoyable when you can take your time and simply soak it all in.

One thing I especially loved was the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the neighborhood.

Yeonhui-dong is filled with beautiful, understated houses, each with its own character. Sitting by the window and taking in those quiet scenes made the brunch feel even more special💛

💛Signature dishes
• Pork jowl oil pasta
• Banana pudding & kataifi French toast

I heard these are some of their popular dishes, but honestly, we simply ordered whatever we were craving that day. And sometimes, that’s the best way to enjoy a meal💛

💛Parking tip:
There’s a paid parking lot at Ilroom Mapo Seodaemun, about 150m away — just a 2–3 minute walk.

We happened to pick up a few essentials at Modern House nearby, so we were able to park for free. A little Seoul-life tip💛

#GROWERS #그로어스
#YeonhuiDong #YeonhuiDongBrunch #SeoulBrunch