Today’s article is about my recent trip to South Korea, a journey I shared with a friend I hadn’t seen in over 10 years. And honestly… I’m so grateful I trusted my instinct and said yes to this adventure, because she truly is a soul friend.
If I’m completely transparent with you, we did some research… but we mostly freestyle’d the trip. And I’m so glad we did. There was something really freeing about allowing things to unfold naturally.
We spent 10 days between Seoul and Jeju Island, and here’s a breakdown of the experience.
18 October 2025 — COLOMBO TO SEOUL
I flew from Colombo since I was already in Sri Lanka. I traveled with Thai Airways, paid around $375 for a one-way economy ticket with a stop in Bangkok.
The flight was smooth, service was great… I mostly slept.
I landed around 4 PM. As a French citizen, I didn’t need a K-ETA at the time, as there was a temporary exemption until December 31, 2025. (I believe they extended it but to check again)
We really approached this trip in a “go with the flow” mindset.
Accommodation — Seoul
- L7 Myeongdon Very well located, close to the metro, super convenient.
Dining & Drinks — Seoul
-The Frog Seoul (lovely martinis)
-Dahlia Dining (vegan restaurants)
-Charles H bar at FS Seoul (upscale, great drinks and atmosphere)
-Bukchon lounge (beautiful tea experience)
-Vegan Kitchen (delicious food)
-Mr Ahn's Craft Makegeolli (amazing energy, great local drinks & food)
-Hanjungsun (delicious mochi)
Baekmidang Samcheong Store (delicious drinks & Korean-style desserts)
Gwangjang Market (not really my vibe, live octopus prep, etc...but there was a lovely lady making incredible homemade noodles)
-Myeongdong Kyoja (dumplings & noodles)
-Myeongdong Market (nice to experience once)
Nightlife — Seoul
We went out in Itaewon and had so much fun.
You basically bar-hop and follow the energy. We felt extremely safe throughout the night. I honestly don’t remember the names of the places, but sometimes that’s the best way to experience it… just go and feel.
Excursions — Seoul
-Walk around Bukchon Hanok Village
-DMZ (The Korean Demilitarized Zone, we literally decided to go after clubbing till morning, just took a cab and went :)
Beauty & Fashion — Seoul
I mean… South Korea is known for being incredibly advanced when it comes to beauty technology, so of course… we had to experience it.
We did a 15-step Korean hair treatment + haircut at Juno Myeongdong 2 and honestly, it was a lovely experience.
When it comes to beauty shopping, I have to be honest, I don’t really have recommendations. I personally felt quite overwhelmed. There is so much choice, so many products, so many promises, and for me, it just didn’t feel aligned to consume that way.
We also tried laser treatments at Lamiche Dermatology. I don’t regret experiencing it once, it was interesting to see how advanced everything is, but it confirmed that this approach isn’t really for me. It felt a bit too intense, too overwhelming. Details here
At Lamiche, we did a full face scan, and we also tried a free one at Mixsoon's Flagship Store in Myeongdong. That one, I actually really enjoyed, it was insightful and a softer way to understand your skin without feeling pushed into anything.
For clothing shopping, I picked up a few pieces from local stores, but I unfortunately don’t have specific names to share.
What I would recommend instead is something simpler, just walk around, stay present, and enter the stores that genuinely inspire you.
Sometimes, that’s where you find the pieces that stay with you the longest.
Useful Tips
We went in October, and both Seoul and Jeju Island had really pleasant weather — not too hot, not too cold.
Comfortable shoes are essential… you end up walking a lot.
We used the subway quite a bit. We did take the wrong direction the first time (of course 😅), but once you understand how it works, it’s actually very easy and efficient. Traffic can get quite intense, so the subway is often the best option, although we did use Uber quite a lot as well for convenience.
There is also a tax-free system, so if you’re planning to shop, it can definitely be beneficial.
Overall, we felt extremely safe throughout the trip. Korean hospitality is truly exceptional, and it’s a journey I would absolutely recommend experiencing at least once.
The culture is fascinating, layered, and deeply inspiring…and there’s definitely something to take away from it.
More than a destination, this trip was a reminder.
Because what we’re really collecting through travel… is not places, but moments of awareness.
