To K-Pop Dreams and Kimchi Feasts: Shreya’s South Korea Tour with Thrillophilia
It all started with a dream…
For years, my best friends and I, all huge K-pop fans, had talked about the ultimate trip to South Korea– the land of our favourite K-pop idols and dramas. We would sit for hours, binge-watch our favourite shows, and scream our lungs out whenever our favourite groups released a new music. So, when the opportunity finally came, we couldn’t believe it. The trip was happening, and we were about to live our dream.
After finalising our preferred South Korea package from Thrillophilia and booking our flight tickets, we were all set for our dream trip. This is how it went…
Through the Gates of History
Our first stop was the iconic– Gyeongbokgung Palace, a gorgeous palace that instantly reminded us of our favourite K-drama series, ‘Descendants of Sun’.
We opted for a guided tour as we wanted to learn everything we could about this magnificent structure. During our tour, we got to learn plenty of interesting facts like it was built in 1395 and was the main royal palace of Joseon dynasty.
Wandering through the ancient courtyards and observing the intricate work on the walls made us feel like we had stepped back in time. We explored the palace grounds and marvelled at the elegant pavilions and serene ponds, taking photos at every turn.
“Can you believe this place is over 600 years old?” Anika asked, staring up at the towering gates.
“It’s incredible,” I replied, admiring the vibrant colours and the traditional designs.
The highlight of our visit was witnessing the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The guards dressed in traditional attire, moving with precision and grace, it all felt like a scene out of history.
Fashion, Flavors, and Fun!
The real fun began in Myeongdong! A place that I would like to call a paradise for all the K-pop lovers.
Of course, no trip to South Korea would be complete without a little (or a lot) of shopping, so we made sure to visit Myeongdong. It was a vibrant market filled with endless stores selling K-beauty products, trendy clothes, and K-pop merchandise. We couldn’t resist and started shopping for albums, neon lights, printed t-shirts and all things K-pop.
“Oh my God, look at this BTS poster!” Priya squealed.
“I love it, get it!” I said, laughing as I grabbed my own set of K-pop themed socks.
Myeongdong is also home to amazing street food, and we made sure to try everything from Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) to Hotteok (sweet pancakes) and everything in between. The food was absolutely delicious!
Hiking Up to Namsan Tower
One of the most memorable parts of our trip was hiking up to Namsan Tower. We started early, armed with snacks, water, and plenty of enthusiasm.
“This view is already worth it,” said Anika, pausing to catch her breath.
As we reached the top, the panoramic view of Seoul was breathtaking. The city stretched endlessly, a beautiful mix of modern skyscrapers and historical landmarks.
“Imagine witnessing all this beauty at sunset,” Priya said, leaning on the railing and admiring the views below.
At the base of the tower, we came across the famous love locks. Thousands of colourful locks hung on the railings, each carrying messages and dreams from past travellers. After a minute, Shruti suggested, “Let’s leave one here for our group!”
And we did. We chose a beautiful red-colour lock, closed our eyes, whispered our wishes, secured it on the railing and tossed the key. With wide smiles, we shared a group hug, knowing this was a moment we’d treasure forever.
A Day Trip to the DMZ
We also took a day to visit the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) between North and South Korea. For those of you who don’t know, this is one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world that separates South and North Korea.
It was definitely a different vibe from the rest of the trip, but it was eye-opening and important to see. We stood in the Joint Security Area, where the two countries meet, and it was surreal to be in such a historically charged location.
“Wow, this is intense. I never thought we’d be standing here,” Anika said.
“I know, it’s a lot to take in,” I said quietly, looking at the soldiers guarding the border.
Our guide informed us about the history behind these borders, after listening to which we truly realised the importance of this place.
Bustling Streets of Busan
“You remember the movie, Train to Busan?” I asked my two best friends as we stepped into the beautiful city of Busan.
“Yeah, the zombie one!” Priya replied.
“Yes. What if we see an actual zombie there?” I joked around.
Although there were no zombies, we were truly left speechless by its vibrant beauty. We spent time relaxing on the beach, exploring the colourful streets of Gamcheon Culture Village, and diving into more street food . Contrary to Seoul, the atmosphere here was more laid-back.
We also visited the famous Jagalchi Fish Market, where we tried fresh sashimi and went crazy over the variety of seafood on display. It was a cool experience, and we absolutely could not get over the seafood.
Wrapping Up the Dream Trip
"This was the best trip ever," Priya said as we sat on the plane, all of us still wearing our matching K-pop shirts.
“Yes, I can’t wait to come back,” Anika added.
“I think we need to start planning our next K-pop adventure,” I said, already dreaming about where we’d go next.
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