At 18, I Went On My First Seoulo Trip To The Land Of Kimchi!

By elaine.kiew on 04 Sep 2018

It was a solo trip but there wasn't a moment that I felt alone.

Growing up Singaporean, I've heard a lot about how strict and controlling some of my friends' parents could be. Remember curfews? Thankfully for me, it was never a thing. I would say my parents are probably the chillest people ever too; and I'm thankful for that.

Though things have always been cool, my parents' reaction were priceless when I said I'm going on a #SEOULO trip to Seoul, South Korea but they supported me anyway because.... what can they possibly do? I've already booked my flight and things are final.

Why I decided to take the trip

I was 18, a year 2 student from Republic Polytechnic who just finished her internship and my bosses rewarded me with the most unimaginable farewell gift ever- a bonus! #wow

Perhaps just a little bit about me~ I've been working part-time since I was 14 to support myself and relief some of my family's financial woes. While my friends travel to see the world, there's me- working my a** off in Singapore. Don't be mistaken, I'm not complaining. It's just one of the main reasons why I felt that I had to take the trip, reward myself and live a little!

As if it were all meant to be, my best friend (who was a cabin crew for Scoot) told me about this special staff discount flight that was ongoing: All-in return tickets to Seoul, South Korea @ $147 NETT!

FYI, Scoot's staff are allowed to add their family/friends onto that list and I was on hers. Of course I had to take it. And so I did.

Before I knew it, I was already waiting for my plane to Seoul, South Korea; the city I'd be for the next 9 days.

P/s: My trip lasted from late September to early October.

Remember when I said though it was a #SEOULO trip, I didn't feel alone at all? It's because I have a bunch of ~~clingy~~ friends who wouldn't stop texting me to check in on me. And I'm so thankful for that.

Also, this trip also unexpectedly reconnected me with friends I've lost contact with over time and helped me build new friendships.

With only about a thousand dollars to spend in Seoul for 9 days, I decided to go budget.

Day 0: My first night in Seoul

Arriving at Seoul around 11pm, the trains have almost stopped running and there was no point wasting money taking a taxi to a hotel so I went to stay at the airport's bath house which costs me around SGD24 a night with free shower, food, pajamas and a sleeping corner.

It came with a price though: I had to strip naked and shower with no doors #cultureshock

Thankfully I've watched enough Korean dramas and heard a lot from friends who's experienced this so it's not all that bad for me. But still, I was shocked and had to act like it's normal and blend in with them. Being rather conservative (of my own physical body), I wouldn't even change when my mum or sis is in the room but here I am, baring my body for all these Korean ahjummas and ladies. It was funny, but very memorable.

Day 1: Moving into my 6-females-a-room dormitory @ Dongdaemun

Have you seen the stairs in Seoul? It can probably fight with Japan's, if not worst. I remember when I had to lug my luggage up and down flights of stairs and they almost killed me.

Here, I met up with my Singaporean friend who was on uni exchange in Taiwan and was coincidentally going on a trip to Seoul so we decided to bunk in together- at least for the first 3 days of my trip. After being alone for a night in a foreign land with people (at least those whom I've encountered) who didn't know English, it was a great relief to see my friend. She was also older than me, so it felt like I met my big sis :P

Our roomies were awfully quiet and anti-social, though. They had their 'blinds' drawn 99% of the time and my friend and I were whispering half the time.

But anyway, we headed to Guro-gu town to visit Korea Soka Gakkai International and attended the Lotus Sutra Exhibition: A Message of Peace and Harmonious Coexistence- an exhibition that has toured 16 countries!

We were pleasantly greeted by the grand statue of Gandhi so of course we had to take a photo!

After the exhibition, we chanced upon this interesting flea market. We even had the chance to watch a drum performance!

Also saw this ahjussi selling cotton candy and popcorn with his bike!

Day 2 & 3

We just went to touristy areas like Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market, Bukchon Hanok etc.

Here's my mandatory hanbok shot!

P/s: I love it!

Living Alone With A Korean Family

After my da jie left, I also checked out of our hostel and headed straight to my first ever Airbnb @ the Gyeongbokgong area.

This time I chose to stay with a Korean family as I wanted to interact with some Koreans and it was honestly the best decision ever. Compared to the other locals I met, my airbnb owner Jay (female) was so fluent in her English and she also made breakfast for me every morning.

Best part? She climbed a mountain with me!

15 minutes from our accommodation lies Inwangsan, a mountain that literally translates to "Mountain of the Generous King".

Also, Jay made me take these photos so try not to laugh.

This is the message she sent me when I checked out. So sweet!

Reconnecting With Old Friends

Until I remembered that another friend of mine was in Seoul to do her exchange @ Ewha University! I casually asked if she'd be free to meet-up and she agreed immediately, bringing me to the beautiful Namsan Tower *heart eyes*

Here's a photo of me at the peak! Please pardon my smile. It was 14 degrees that night with strong wind.

Thank you, friend! :)

We also went to eat bingsu after that. Apparently, it's called subing in Korea. It makes me wonder why us Singaporeans keep calling it bingsu.. Check out our huge ass melon ~~bingsu~~ subing!

Just like that, I earned myself a tour guide for the day! Thank you for making me feel at home!

Meeting Up With A Friend From A Travelling App

I've never met up with anyone from an app but I did it in Seoul. I recall posting about the dates where I'd be in Seoul and didn't get any response until the day I moved into my airbnb. Yes, it was just such a coincidence~ But the thing is that she'd only be in Seoul the next day so it means that I'd be alone for today, which I didn't mind...

Meet Jane, my (new) friend from Hong Kong who came to Seoul for her university interview!

Thankfully, she knew how to speak Korean so it definitely made our trip in Seoul a lot better. It was easier to get food, ask for directions and allowed us todo some bargaining!

For one of our first meals together, we went to a local store along Namdaemun Market for kimchi tofu stew and damnnnn, it was so good!

We also went on to conquer Hongdae- a shopping street that's at least 50 times (lol) bigger and better than Singapore's Bugis.

Here's us with this super cute neon-light bulb drink that everyone was queuing for!

For my remaining trip we visited various historical sites and more shopping districts.

To the magnificient Gyeongbokgung!

Not sure about you but I love the intricate design here! Almost as beautiful as the Forbidden City in China.

This pond is also one of the most beautiful parts to the palace. Glad we caught it at sunset. So pretty!

We Almost Went To A Dogs & Cat Cafe!

This is definitely the most fabulous dog I've ever met. In case you're wondering, it's an Afghan Hound. Probably super rare in Singapore.

Meowww!

Besides Shopping, We Did Our Hair Too!

I've always wanted to perm my hair but never did it thanks to the exorbitant prices Singapore salons charge so when Jane told me she's gonna do it in Seoul, I was influenced.

So after a few hours in the salon, this happened.

My hair was definitely curlier than Jane's but I didn't mind.

So..... Would I Travel Alone Again?

Yes, yes and yes!

I made it back in one piece, didn't I? Though I was technically never alone, it felt great to have stepped out of my comfort zone into a city that I barely knew. I'm thankful to have reconnected with my old pals, made new friends and created wonderful memories.