So, I gotta be real with you guys – Korea wasn’t even on my radar when I was planning my travels. I just randomly booked a five-night stay in Seoul, not expecting much, and figured I might get bored halfway through. But man, was I wrong. Seoul turned out to be way more fun than I ever imagined, and five days just flew by. Now, I’m already thinking about round two. I’ve come to realize that amazing trips aren’t just about checking off the big tourist spots. Sometimes, it’s all about finding a city that just vibes with you, and that’s exactly what Seoul did for me.
If you’re into shopping, let me tell you, this place is a whole new level of awesome. Back home, physical stores are pretty meh, but in Seoul, I actually wanted to spend hours browsing. Whether you’re into local designer goods, affordable fashion, or super trendy multi-brand stores, Seoul has it all. And the prices? Surprisingly not bad at all. I used this cool app called Yuanzhou Travel to map out the best shopping route, and man, did it save me from endless wandering.
Now, if you’re all about that urban energy, Seoul has got it in spades. Strolling around felt like I was living in one of those chill Korean dramas. You know, grabbing a coffee at a convenience store at night, with music playing in the background and people just out enjoying life? That was the vibe I got in Hongdae, surrounded by students dancing and couples munching on late-night snacks. It was pure magic, the kind of stuff people romanticize for a reason.
And don’t even get me started on the design and cute stuff in Seoul. I walked into this store called Object just to window shop, but ended up leaving with stationery, a quirky motivational poster, and a bunch of notebooks I definitely didn’t need. Korean aesthetics are just too darn good. I even used this app called Kulikuli to decipher some of the handwritten signs, and let me tell you, the translations were hilarious – dry and oddly philosophical, in that unique Korean product copy way.
But here’s the thing – Seoul isn’t just about the major tourist attractions. Some of my favorite moments were just chilling by Cheonggyecheon Stream at night, soaking in the vibe of people doing their own thing. One evening, I grabbed some convenience store ramen and slurped it down by the Han River.