Wouldn't you be tempted to be a Korean high school student for a day?

Study tour keywords: Nostalgia + Rebirth + Transformation + Trend, role-switching to experience the study and entertainment life of Seoul middle school students.

Route: Seodaemun Prison History Hall - Seoul Upcycling Plaza - Hyundai Motor Space Seoul - Common Ground - Real K-POP Dance Studio

As high school students, we spend our days poring over cultural heritage, yearning to "see the past and present in an instant, and embrace the world beyond the four seas." So we follow Li Bai to listen to the heavenly sounds of Shu, longing for nature; we travel with Xu Xiake across the magnificent landscapes of our motherland, marveling at the uncanny workmanship of heaven and earth; and we mourn with Du Fu over the sorrows of ancient times, our hearts filled with curiosity and the desire to learn. We are curious about the vast world beyond the mountains, and the foreign lands beyond the waters.

Finally, this time we can join hands, board a plane, soar into the clouds, and fulfill our "dream of living abroad" — to go to Seoul, South Korea, to experience the local culture and food, to touch the historical trends, and to feel the life of high school students there. This is also a special study tour, perfectly suited for students who are buried in books. It combines learning, sightseeing, eating, and entertainment, allowing everyone to get closer to the daily life of Korean high school students while relieving fatigue.

This time, we really will become Korean high school students. Follow me, let's set off.

Tears of Democratization History: Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Seodaemun Prison History Hall, first built in 1908, was originally the New Gyeongseong Prison and later renamed Seodaemun Prison and Seodaemun Prison Hall. During the Japanese occupation, it became a notorious repressive institution where many Korean patriots were tortured and martyred. Today, it serves as a historical education site for Koreans to learn about the spirit of independence and self-reliance.

Seodaemun Prison History Hall consists of seven parts: the cell where martyr Yu Gwan-sun was executed after the March 1st Movement, the watchtower, the interrogation room, and the execution ground.

During the visit, we can learn about the great patriotic deeds of Korean抗日 martyrs after the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1919 and the inhuman abuse they suffered after being captured. Seeing those prison cells, we can't help but be moved. When we learn about all the suffering that once took place, it feels chilling. It is sad to reflect on the hardships the Korean people had to endure in history. It is not easy that the painful history has led to today's free Korea. This study tour also made us deeply realize that the efforts of the Korean people to fight for independence are worth remembering, and we should learn from their indomitable spirit.

Address: 101 Hyeonjeo-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Business hours: March–October, 09:30–18:00; November–February, 09:30–17:00; closed every Monday, January 1, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok

Admission: Adults 3,000 won, Adolescents 1,500 won, Children 1,000 won

New Concept of Green Environmental Protection: Seoul Upcycling Plaza

Established in 2017, the Seoul Upcycling Plaza is part of Seoul's "Zero Waste" green industry plan, aiming to become a resource-circulating city by 2030, with a waste recycling rate of 75% and the ability to create new value from waste locally without needing to transport it outside Seoul. Located in Seongdong-gu, this building covers an area of about 16,000 square meters, with 5 floors above ground and 2 below. It is a comprehensive facility integrating collection, sorting, decomposition of waste into reusable new materials, and sales of upcycled design products.

It provides almost everything for upcycling designers and enthusiasts: a sales area for upcycled products; an open shared workshop equipped with state-of-the-art equipment; a material library storing sorted and cleaned recycled materials; an office area and a café; and a photography studio for resident artists and brand owners.

Currently, the center is still in the early stages of industry establishment and expansion. Its ultimate goal is to make Seoul a world-renowned hub for the upcycling industry. By building a platform, the concept of upcycling permeates all aspects of society, culture, and the economy.

Here, students can not only participate in various hands-on activities but also buy their favorite small goods. Isn't this study tour, combining practice with science, very rewarding?

(Photo provided by: Seoul Upcycling Plaza (Seoul Design Foundation), Photo by Joseph Jang)

Address: 49 Jadongchamarket-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Business hours: 10:00–18:00; closed every Monday, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok

Meeting Future Cutting-Edge Technology: Hyundai Motor Space Seoul

Hyundai Motor's first brand experience center is located in Seoul's Gangnam-gu, a diverse automotive space. As we all know, more and more automobile companies are not only focusing on market sales and performance but also on the spread of brand culture and philosophy. This six-story glass-curtain-wall building may seem humble, but inside it is a different world.

Stepping into the experience center, an industrial and modern atmosphere greets you. It is full of industrial flavor because the building features structural frames and decorative arrangements made of steel pipes of various sizes, stairs clad in printed aluminum panels, bookshelves made of metal sheets, and even desk lamps made of simple steel pipes.

Hyundai Motor Brand Experience Center intends to embody Hyundai Motor Group's eco-friendly concept of "from zero to zero." "From zero to zero" starts from the eco-friendly concept of transforming molten iron into scrap metal and then recycling. Just as molten iron in a steel mill becomes steel plates, and steel plates are processed into high-tech cars, the space created with unprocessed materials expresses Hyundai Motor's spirit of courageously facing change and future challenges. So, hasn't this study tour opened your eyes?

Address: 738 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Business hours: 10:00–20:00; closed on the first Monday of every month, January 1, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok

Korea's Newest Trendy Spot: Common Ground

Near Konkuk University Station in Seoul, there is a magical place made entirely of blue "shipping containers" — Common Ground, a fashion complex. This shopping mall, assembled from 200 blue containers, is currently the world's largest container shopping center. Its blue exterior and unique design style are very eye-catching. This Korean version of "Container Park" covers 56,830 square meters and houses 73 brands and more than ten restaurants, making it a fashion shopping center combining clothing, shoes, hats, and dining.

Common Ground is not only a fashion trend indicator but also rooted in culture and art. It has a "Culture Space" for collaborative exhibitions with different organizations, and there are thoughtfully designed artistic installations all around. On weekends, there is a weekend market with mobile stalls selling handmade accessories, attracting more trendsetters. Apart from learning, our study tour also allows us to see and experience more of Seoul's culture and art, enriching our extracurricular life. Let's get moving!

Address: 17-1 Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (200 Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul)

Business hours: Daily 11:00–22:00

Feel the Korean Wave with Your Body: Real K-POP Dance Studio

I believe everyone loves K-POP culture and really wants to experience it. So here is a special treat for those who like K-POP! You must want to show your personal charm through dance like your idols! Even if you don't have any dance foundation, it's not a problem. In 90 minutes, you can go from a beginner to a "K-POP dance god"!

This dance studio, covered by famous international media such as BBC, ESPN, KBS, Arirang TV, and KTV, has become a popular tourist attraction in Seoul. Not only tourists, but also many Korean students learn to dance here! So whether you love dancing or want to try it, don't miss this dance class experience in Korea that can improve your dance skills. Real K-POP Dance, run by renowned professional Korean dancers, is definitely the best place to learn popular K-POP dance moves!

Real K-POP Dance Studio is the largest dance studio in the Hongdae area. Its instructors are experienced backup dancers who have performed with famous K-POP artists such as BigBang, J.Y.J, TVXQ, Super Junior, Shinhwa, Jang Geun-suk, Block B, Jang Woo-hyuk, and IU. I believe you will have an unforgettable dance experience. This special dance session in our study tour also allows you to make friends from all over the world who love dance and learn K-POP dance together. Moreover, the studio has professional facilities, with separate changing rooms, makeup rooms, and showers in each studio. In the rest area, you can also choose your favorite K-POP dance videos to watch. It's really a lot of fun!

Address: B1, 449-43 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Business hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 13:00–14:30

Admission: US$50/person (reservation required)

Campus life is a song — not because of its youth, not because of its beauty, not because of its blooming flowers and vigorous vitality. It is naturally so because of its brevity. When many things we haven't had time to do, or even haven't had time to think about, disappear into reality, leaving only a string of anxieties in our memories forming scars, we feel something but don't know where to recall. Who wouldn't sigh about it? I am very glad that everyone dared to do what they wanted in the best of times.

Maybe you are not good recorders, but I believe you are better than anyone at looking back on the path you came from, then strengthening your faith and rushing forward with vigor. Like Su Dongpo, who roamed the ancient kingdom, a sentimental person might laugh at me. Though this day is over — a day as a Korean high school student, a lovely day, an exciting day — perhaps many years later, you will come back and again become a Korean high school student for a day.