Discover Busan: The Perfect Blend of Traditional Korean Culture and Modern Entertainment

Are you planning your first trip to South Korea and wondering where to go? Look no further than Busan! This vibrant city offers a unique blend of modern city life and traditional Korean culture, making it the perfect destination for first-time travelers. In this article, we'll explore some of the best things to do in Busan and why you should consider adding this city to your travel bucket list.

Shop Watsons, Win a 5D4N trip to Korea!

 Annyeonghaseyo! 

Did you know there are two ways to stock up on your K-Beauty products? The first is by flying all the way to Korea and going on a shopping spree in Myeongdong, and the second way is to drop by your nearest Watsons and buying RM120 and above worth of beauty products. And while you're at it, you also stand a chance to win a 5 Days 4 Night (5D4N) trip to South Korea! 

Nakwon Station Cafe, Ikseon-dong, Seoul

Personally, I thought Ikseon-dong was a much nicer neighbourhood to stay in than Myeongdong. Here, you get the best of two worlds - blending traditional culture with modern cafe. Ikseon-dong is a hanok village build in 1920. Although it is not as big as Bukchon Hanok Village, it is still a must-visit area in Seoul for cafe-hopping as there are so many different thematic cafes, hanok cafes and restaurants.  

Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center on the Han River, Seoul

The Han River in Seoul is home to one of the more unique Starbucks in South Korea. Taking up 2 storey within the floating Seoul Wave Art Center at Hangang Park, the Starbucks here offers stunning views of the river and surrounding areas with the city skyline in the distance. 

Instagrammable Starfield Library, COEX Mall in Seoul

Shutterbugs and instagrammers, if there is one spot you must visit in Seoul, it's the Starfield Library located in Asia's largest underground mall, COEX Mall in Gangnam. You will be surprised to learn that the library is a permanent part of the mall and open to all.  

The two storey open space library is home to over 50,000 books and magazines with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Occasionally there will be centerpieces set up right smack in the middle of the library depending on the season. 

Korea (and Lee Jae Wook) welcomes You to Korea Fest 2022

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

Lee Jae Wook is coming to Malaysia on behalf of Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) as its Honourary Ambassador and will be making an appearance at Korea Fest 2022 from 4 to 6 November 2022 at LG Oval, 1 Utama Shopping Centre!

Pika-Pika Your Way to Singapore, Japan and South Korea

Pokemon fans, get ready to book your flights via Scoot to Japan and South Korea because you're in for a treat!

The Pokemon Company has launched its Pokemon Air Adventures in Singapore, commemorating the project with a partnership with Scoot Pte Ltd (Scoot) for an exclusive Pikachu Jet TR in Singapore. This will be the first time aviation and Pokemon fans will be able to see the unique Pokemon-themed flights outside of Japan.

4D3N Seoul, South Korea Itinerary for Noobs

 If you're my level of crazy or just desperate to travel and don't mind walking your feet to death around Seoul, then this is the itinerary for you. My DIY 4D3N itinerary covers mainly Myeongdong, Gangnam and Jongno-gu areas by train and foot. 

[3D2N Damyang Itinerary] Bamboo Forest, Asia's First Slow City and Cafe Spots

If you're looking for an off beaten path adventure in South Korea away from the usual touristy destinations then why not hop on a bus and head to Damyang! I only learnt about this destination recently via an online tour with Trazy, thanks to KTO Malaysia and my photographer side is just itching to visit Damyang after this pandemic. 

You Need To Try These Local Dishes in Jeju Island, Korea

When in Jeju Island, eat as the locals do. There is no better representation of a local culture than through its food - an element molded by the ingredients of its surroundings and the lifestyle of its people over history and time. 

Jeju's local cuisine is one such an example. With its unique location in the south of South Korea and surrounded by sea, Jeju has access to ample seafood. Its inland landscape and climate invites for great farming opportunities as well. So if you're planning a visit to Jeju Island post pandemic (because I am!), you can rest assured that some of the food here will simply be out of this world. 

Here's a list of 10 local dishes to try on Jeju. Make sure to bookmark it! 

Where to Stay on Jeju Island, South Korea

South Korea’s island of the gods and horses– Jeju Island – might just be the perfect getaway destination with gorgeous beaches, quirky museums, land of three natural wonders under its UNESCO belt and beautiful natural landscapes. Even if you rent a car, you won't find the time to see the entire island in a day because there are just so many things to see and do along the way. 

3 Jeju Olle Trails to Hike in Autumn [including checkpoints, elevations and tips]

If you're looking for a different way to see and explore Jeju Island that isn't hopping on and off a bus or a self-drive around the island, I've got you covered in this blog post

A little known aspect of Jeju Island is its 425km worth of walking trails otherwise known as Jeju Olle Trails. That's right. You can actually explore Korea's most southern island by foot. Circling its coastline and cutting inland, you can take your pick of 26 different walking and hiking courses all across the the island, courtesy of Jeju Olle Foundation. 

8 Quirky and Out-of-this-World Cafes in South Korea to Visit after this Pandemic

If there’s one thing South Korea has in abundance, it’s cafes. Instagrammable cafes, cafes with stunning views, with unique themes and spectacular coffee and desserts, cat cafes - you name it, Korea probably has it.

From hidden entrances in Mapo-gu to sitting around in a wedding dress over dessert in Jeju Island, here are 8 quirky and out-of-this-World cafes in South Korea to include in your itinerary.

5 Iconic Marathons in South Korea to Start Planning Your Next Runcation for

More than just the land of Kpop and Kimchi, South Korea is also home to some of the most scenic, historical and fastest marathon routes in the world. Imagine running along coastal roads and under cherry blossom trees in the springs and against a fiery backdrop of red and yellow in the autumn. 

Marathon season in Korea starts in March, taking advantage of the cooler weather and carries on throughout April and May during which you will get to see fields of flowers come alive. Race season picks up again in October when the temperatures drop once more and the trees turn colour. 

Here are my bucket list of marathons and races in South Korea. 

Stay at Innisfree' Green Tea Farms on Jeju Island via Airbnb

Any K-beauty product fan would known about Innisfree and that their most iconic product range - the Green Tea Line - gets their star product from the green tea fields of Jeju island, South Korea. Jeju Island is a stunningly beautiful tropical volcanic island and also the only place in the world that holds a  UNESCO Triple Crown. 

Imagine waking up to this view at Seogwang Tea Farm Camping

And thanks to this collaboration between Innisfree and Airbnb, two lucky guests will have the opportunity to experience a restorative, back-to-nature overnight stay on some of the island’s major green tea farms, available on Airbnb for the first time ever! 

Steps and Tips to Renting A Car in Jeju, South Korea

Public transportation like train and subways tend to be my favourite means of getting around a city especially in spots like Tokyo and Sydney especially if I am solo travelling. But if I am travelling in a group or have specific rural destination in mind, then renting a car is the way to go. 

Source: Canva

Some destinations are just made for exploration on wheels. Such as Jeju Island. While equipped with a network of buses around the island, the best way to experience every inch at your own pace is by renting a car. Not only can do you have the freedom to do whatever you want at your own pace and interest, a car is more cost effective if you're travelling in pairs or groups. So where does one start with the renting process? 

2021 Busan One Asia Festival is Back and Everyone is Invited

The annual biggest Kpop festival in Busan is back!

Set to take place from 8 - 9 May 2021, K-Pop fans are going to have an awesome time together as they will get to see many K-Pop groups, appearing in the Busan One Asia Festival (BOF). Hosted by Busan Metropolitan City, BOF brings you various excitement from the mixture of Hallyu and Korean cultural experiences.

Can't travel to Busan. no problem as this year it will be held online across two platforms: VLIVE and YouTube. Best of all....ADMISSION IS FREE! 

Here's the line up of this year's concert: 

8 Off-the-Beaten Path Adventures around South Korea

I had the grand plan to travel to South Korea in 2020 as part of my New Year's resolution to uncover a country that isn't Japan or Australia. Well, we all know how that turned out. But while I wait patiently for my turn to be vaccinated and for borders between Malaysia and South Korea to reopen, I've decided to comb the internet for places to visit in South Korea that are just off the beaten road from its main cities and the crowd. Because in a post-Covid world, physical distancing and isolation might be the new way of travelling. 

Fortunately, outside of its vibrant cities, South Korea, blessed with four seasons, unique food and culture, has much to offer. So grab your pen and paper (or just save this post) and let's get started. 

Zafigox 2019: For Women by Women

Founded by Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, ZafigoX, the highly-anticipated two-day annual event was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Hannah Yeoh in Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel.

Brought to you by AirAsia and Zafigo, the third instalment of the women-only travel event returned better and bolder with a diverse group of 26 extraordinary women (and 1 man), travel experts and service providers; as well as exciting opportunities to discover new travel experiences and destinations, participate in workshops and discussions, and learn how to travel smart and savvy.

Direct Flights to Jeju, South Korea via AirAsia X

So the other day I was reading the news on how China is boycotting South Korea due to the feud with North Korea and this had caused the number of Chinese tourists going to Jeju to nosedive by 80% compared to this time last year (Source: Aljazeera)

But fret not, South Korea and everything that is K-Pop and kimchi! Because starting 12 Dec, AirAsia will be commencing its direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Jeju island which means you no longer have to fly into Seoul first.