Gosh, how do I even answer this question? It’s like asking me why I want to go home. Seriously, after 1 season of Kpop Academy during university, several Korean language classes and 3 visits to Korea, the country feels like home to me already. Suddenly I became the ambassador of Korea to my friends and family. Natural disaster in Korea? Ask Karen about it. Any Korean artist, celebrity, people come to Malaysia? Oooh gotta tell Karen. Political issues in Korea? Karen definitely knows this more than Google. And of course, the question that everybody always ask me – “so when are you going back to Korea??” and “WHY DO YOU GO TO KOREA??”
Okay..rants aside, here are some of the main reasons why I definitely want to visit Korea again and again..(All pictures are mine unless otherwise stated. Warning: it’s a long post. I wrote this post to enter the Global Wow Korea contest. I really wanna go back to Korea, but Malaysian’s currency exchange rate keep on dropping, it’s seriously too expensive for me to go to back now…Global Wow Korea, please let me go “home”! >.<)
1. Korea is oppas’ home country! (read: my oppas = TVXQ)
In case you’re wondering, my bias is Jaejoong!
Well Korea is the country where TVXQ comes from so naturally us fangirls love Korea and would just love to visit it. It is probably the place where I would have the biggest chance to see them! I’ve seen Yunho in a cafe, Yoochun in Gangnam, Jaejoong in the airport and Changmin in a shopping complex. Don’t be fooled though, it’s not easy to see them outside of their official schedule, you need tonnes of luck! (But please, no stalking! If you get to see oppas, cool, just wave from afar. Do not stalk or follow them cause that’s just creepy and invades their privacy alright). Which brings me to my next point; the easiest place to see oppas is at their concerts!
2. Korean concerts are dae-to-the-bak! (대박 means awesome)
Me outside TVXQ concert venue in Jamsil. Nobody’s queuing because in Korea, you get numbered even for standing tickets. So you don’t have to spend the night queuing unlike in some countries.
Concerts in Korea are awesome! Sure, the competition to get a ticket is really really tough, and the fangirls are really aggressive (I’ve been to many concerts, trust me, Korean fans win hands down in the “enthusiasm” department). But a concert in Korea is unlike any other; K-fans fan chants are the best, seriously. To maximise my experience, I’ll make sure I memorize the fan chants and songs before hand, cause cameras like to zoom in to me singing Korean song cause I look obviously waygook (외국인 means foreigner).
I will also get the best range of concert merchandise in Korea – usually overseas concerts will sell only selected, leftover merchandises. Various fansites will also give out fan-made items like banners and fans, you just have to look for the small queues where fansites are at the venue. Another advantage of being a waygook in Korean concerts is that you’ll stick out likae a sore thumb so maaaaaybe oppas will notice you? Haha (valid for non-east Asian looking fan, and also, you need front row tickets).
All in all, if you are a K-pop fan, you need to experience K-pop concerts in Korea at least once. But wait, there is also another channel where I can see oppas performing. It’s a whole new world that I just recently discovered – the awesome world of Korean Military!
3. Learn about Korean Military and Police in their events and festivals!
Yes, this picture of Sergeant Kim Jaejoong of JYJ looking at the camera was taken by yours truly.
Long gone were the days when fangirls would cry when oppas enlisting to army! Korean Military and Police actively hold various festivals and events nationwide, and more often than not, these events will feature K-pop artists as performer. So it’s a good place to see oppas while also learning something about Korean army.
I went to see Jaejoong (and Super Junior) performing in Jinhae Military Band and Honor Guard Festival, Changmin (and Super Junior) in an event in a local hospital, and Yunho (and Super Junior and Lee Seunggi) in Ground Forces Festival in Korean Military HQ in Gyeryong.
Yup, that’s Sergeant Jung Yunho of TVXQ, performing in Ground Forces Festival, Gyeryongsan.
The good things about going to Military festivals are beside seeing oppas, you can also visit various hiddem gems in Korea that you won’t otherwise think of visiting. For example during the Ground Forces Festival – I got to stay in the beautful Gyeryong Mountain, chatting with local ahjummas (아줌마 means aunties) in my broken Korean, greeting kindergarten kids whom never see foreigners before, and of course meeting the friendly (and good looking =P) soldiers.
3. Korean landscape and nature is areumdabda! (아름답다 means beautiful)
Would you look at that colourful autumn foliage?? Picture taken in Nami Island.
Sure, I first found out about Korea because of TVXQ and Korean dramas. But there are so much more to the country than idols and entertainers! Coming from a tropical country, I have never seen autumn colours or snow or cherry blossom before. I’m just gonna spam with pictures of Korea’s gorgeous landscape alright, cause a picture is worth a thousand words;
ahh pristine fresh snow against this traditional Korean building…isn’t it romantic..
lovely cherry blossoms by Seokchon Lake just makes you wanna stay here all day
breathtaking Jeongbang Waterfall in Jeju Island. The only waterfall in Asia that falls directly into the ocean.
4. Shopping! Shopping! Shopping!
Lotte World in Myeongdong at night
When you go to Korea, remember to bring an extra bag! Trust me on this, I always leave Korea with an extra bag cause Korea is a shopping heaven. For you people with extra ka-ching, high-end departments stores like Shinsegae and Lotte will satisfy your luxury needs. For ordinary folks like me, we’ll be spoilt with choices of trendy Korean clothes, cosmetics and accesories with reasonable price. After my first visit to Korea, I don’t buy cosmetics in Malaysia anymore and will stock on Korean cosmetics brands like Missha, Etude House etc. when I go there. They’re seriously good! Same with winter clothing and ooh! Fabrics!
Inside Dongdaemun Fabrics Market. credit to: http://www.beatriceamanda.com/
I can sew and I enjoy making my own clothes, but there are not so many choices of fabrics and embellishments in Malaysia. My jaw literally dropped when I first went to Dongdaemun’s colossal fabrics market, and it become a must-go place for me. It’s fun walking in the labyrinth of the thousands of small stalls and seeing the vendors’ impressed face cause how on earth does a waygook know this place?? haha. I can speak basic Korean so it’s pretty easy to buy things here, but if you do not, you can just punch in numbers into the calculator.
Sinchon, which is near to Yonsei University is one of my favourite pace to go to.
Another favourite place for me to shop is at the university district like Hongdae and Ewha University. Usually prices are cheaper and you’ll have lots of trendy selection of items that cater to university students.
5. Korean foods is mashitda! (맛있다 means delicious)
There is this grilled fish place in Sinchon that I always go to whenever I’m in Korea. I think the ahjummas there already know me haha. My favourite dish is their stir fried squid and this dish alone can be the sole reason why I want to go Korea. It’s that good, seriously. Be warned though, it’s super spicy that most of you weak people will cry when you eat it hahaha (insert evil laugh).
The glorious stir fried squid! Restaurant’s name is Gosame.
Bibimbap, another healthy yummy Korean food. I can’t remember this restaurant’s name. You can find good Bibimbap everywhere though.
Yang Good Barbeque in Nonhyeon – Place for yummy, halal lamb barbeque. Another must-go place for me.
Bungeo Bbang – my favourite Korean street snack! This stall’s in Myeongdong is the best cause it’s cheap and the red bean filling is full.
6. Korean history and culture is so fascinating!
Since my Kpop Academy days, I love reading about Korean history. I already know stories of many Joseon kings and other Korean histories. Which is why I love to visit Korean heritage places like the palaces and traditional villages. I also love watching sageuk (사극 means historical drama), so that’s maybe also one of the reason why haha.
Beautiful Gyeonghoeru Pavillion in Gyeongbokgung Palace during Spring
Yangdong Folk Village in Gyeongju. This is an authentic traditional village, and people still live there in the traditional houses.
Changdeokgung Palace’s Secret Garden is simply magical during winter!
We tried out Hanbok for free at Myeongdong Tourist Center
A visit to Korea would not be complete without trying out a Hanbok. I really love this colourful dress so much, I want to buy one in Namdaemun the next time I go to Korea. Then I can merrily wear it in all the palaces and villages that I visit! haha..
6. Korean people are just lovely! ❤
School kids are the friendliest and bubbliest. I think cause their curious about foreigners!
I should probably stop now since this post is getting really long. There are so many other reasons and beautiful pictures of Korea that I wish I can include in this post as well. To all my family and friends (apart from those whom always have to listen to me talking about Korea all the time whether you’re willing or not haha); I’m sure now you understand why I just love to go to Korea. You should definitely try it too!
Can I go to Korea now please….
karenkasimir 