「7-Day Seoul & Busan Trip」Three Years Later, Reuniting with the Korean Wave – Everything I See Is Romance

After three years, the borders finally reopened. Although direct flights haven't resumed yet, Xiao Yao couldn't contain her excitement. She rounded up a friend from Australia and set foot in Korea as soon as possible – a 7-day, 6-night journey through Seoul and Busan, let's get hyped! In Seoul, we visited exhibitions and chased the Korean Wave; in Busan, we checked out filming locations for K-dramas. Everything I saw was pure romance! The 7-day, 6-night itinerary was packed with surprises and joy: 3 days in Seoul, 4 days in Busan.

Day 1 & 2: Xi'an ✈️ Xiamen ✈️ Seoul – Check in hotel – Seafood kimchi stew – HIKR Ground – Myeong-dong BBQ – Myeong-dong night market

Day 3: Bukchon Hanok Village – Chanel fragrance pop-up – SM Kwangya – Seongsu-dong stone pot bibimbap – Amorepacific Seongsu store – Ader error – Take KTX, arrive in Busan at 10 PM

Day 4: Choryang 168 Stairs – Choryang 1941 Cafe – Busan Station Marisstella Coffee – Jeongsimjae (filming location for 'The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family') – Gwangalli seafood hot pot

Day 5: Jukseong Dream Church in Gijang – Waveon Coffee – Busan Lotte World (afternoon session) – Gwangalli seafood noodles – Gwangalli Beach drone show – Gwangalli dessert shop

Day 6: Busan X the Sky – Haeundae Spanish restaurant – Gamcheon Culture Village (night view) – Nampo-dong seolleongtang (ox bone soup)

Day 7: Haeundae Beach – Grandmother's beef soup rice – Gamcheon Culture Village – Jagalchi Market grilled eel specialty restaurant

Day 8: Seoul Onion Cafe Anguk – Incheon ✈️ Qingdao

Day 9: Qingdao ✈️ Xi'an

Ding ding ding! A wave of beautiful photos and text is coming – let the happy journey begin~

【Seoul】The collision of Korean Wave and tradition, fashion and classicism

1. Korean Wave + Fashion: Exhibitions, fan culture, and trendy stores galore

📍HIKR Ground

After landing in Seoul and settling luggage, Xiao Yao rushed straight to HIKR Ground in Myeong-dong. This 5-story K-POP space has different themes on each floor, with super magical lighting and a high-tech vibe! For girl group fans, it feels like being on an immersive MV set. Dance lovers can even bust a move with the light effects – super cool! • Floor guide: 2F – K-POP MV studio sets; 3F – Korean drama and film exhibition, art gallery; 4F – Korean scenery exhibition, light and shadow show; 5F – Lounge area with a coffee bar. • And quiet word: it's completely free! Girls who love taking photos, go snap away! Opening hours are 10:00-19:00, closed on Mondays.

The 2nd floor K-POP MV studio sets are totally worth photographing. Standing there and striking any pose instantly makes you look like the heroine from an MV. There are many different scenes to experience, and the lights, colors, and songs can be freely changed – super cool.

The 3rd floor features Korean drama and film exhibitions along with art galleries. Popular K-dramas can be found here, such as the ones Xiao Yao had been obsessed with: 'Squid Game,' 'All of Us Are Dead,' and 'Kingdom.'

The 4th floor is a Korean scenery and light show. Through dazzling or beautiful imagery, you can quickly learn about Korea's scenic spots and its past and present.

The staircase area and glass curtain wall are also thoughtfully designed, with colorful hanok models, hanbok displays, and paper lanterns flickering and rising and falling – super atmospheric. It truly is a collision of classic and modern!

After finishing HiKR GROUND, Xiao Yao leisurely wandered to Myeong-dong. After three years, the layout of Myeong-dong had completely changed! But what remained unchanged was still a ton of great shops and delicious food!

📍SM Kwangya Flagship Store

On the second day of the trip, the 'Korean Wave fashion' content started at the SM Kwangya flagship store in Seongsu-dong. The technology vibe is strong! Gotta say, it's classic SM – the store isn't very big, but large screens were constantly playing MVs. Exhibits included autographs, light sticks, and more. There were also 'four-cut' photo booths with frames for various idol groups – an absolute paradise for fangirls! As soon as I stepped out of the subway station, I heard SM songs playing. I have to say, entertainment genes really permeate every aspect of life in Korea.

📍Ader error (fashion brand)

Since I was already in the Seongsu-dong area, I had to visit Ader error, a Korean fashion brand that has become quite popular in the last couple of years. When I arrived, there were quite a few people, so I had to wait. I took a number ticket. Though the wait was about 40 minutes, it was totally worth it – the store combines exhibition and retail in a space capsule theme, full of tech vibes. There was a wide selection of clothing, with their iconic Klein blue that really brightens the skin. The fitting room was also designed like a space capsule, complete with a bed and pillow!

2. Skincare + Beauty: Immersive visit to Amorepacific Seongsu Store

While waiting for my number at Ader error, Xiao Yao dropped by the Amorepacific beauty experience store (Seongsu). The whole store's decor was incredibly healing, full of artistic and atmospheric vibes. I seriously recommend it to all skincare-loving, photo-taking girls.

The building is U-shaped, with the U-shaped courtyard filled with plants and a pond. Looking out through the glass windows, it's really beautiful. When summer comes and the greenery is lush, I'm sure it will be stunning! I never thought an old factory renovation could be so eye-catching.

The store carries all of Amorepacific's brands: Sulwhasoo, IOPE, Laneige, Hanyul, Innisfree, Etude House, etc. Basically, it covers both skincare and makeup, and all products are free to try. Upon entering, you need to log in and register. Foreigners are given discount coupons, which can be used to claim 5 sample sets, plus some discount vouchers for the 2nd-floor cafe.

Right at the entrance is a cozy makeup removal area. If you arrive wearing makeup, you can try the cleansing products, then remove your makeup to better experience the skincare and makeup products.

The second floor is the Osulloc tea cafe (from Jeju green tea farms). You can order anything without fear of disappointment. I have to say, after these two days of exploring, coffee in Korea is really, really good. The third floor is a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the view!

3. Classic + Tradition: Bukchon Hanok Village and Chanel Fragrance Pop-up

📍Bukchon Hanok Village

Although Seoul is a hub of trends, no trip to Korea is complete without visiting a hanok village – it's the best place to glimpse Korea's 'past.' On the morning of the second day, Xiao Yao explored Bukchon Hanok Village. This area preserves traditional Korean houses from the Joseon Dynasty, once home to noble families (yangban). Because it's located north of Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno, it's called 'Bukchon' (North Village). To avoid crowds, Xiao Yao arrived at Anguk Station by 8 AM. As soon as I exited the subway, the sun shone bright – blue sky, white clouds, green trees – it was a scene straight out of a manga. I strolled along leisurely, and after a five-minute walk, I reached the Hanok Village.

Bukchon has eight scenic spots. The first and second are relatively farther away, so you can choose based on your needs. At the entrance, the sight of classic hanoks complementing green plants and white flowers already lifted my spirits.

No wonder it's Korea's top tourist destination – the main street was absolutely packed with people. There were tons of tourists wearing hanbok, strolling through the ancient streets. The atmosphere was perfect!

On the main street, there's also a small hanok fragrance shop called Granhand, a local Korean brand worth visiting. You can even get free engraving of letters or hearts.

Once I turned off the main street, the crowds gradually thinned. I highly recommend exploring the alleys – they offer a different kind of quiet and unique beauty.

Winding deep into the alley, I stumbled upon a private hanok. The scenery was stunning, with flowers already blooming in the courtyard. A single red flower peeking over the wall was incredibly romantic.

After wandering for a few hours, I found several great photo spots near the exit.

📍CHANEL Fragrance Pop-up

After leaving Bukchon Hanok Village, I passed by the CHANEL fragrance pop-up, which was running until March 25. It required an appointment and an invitation to enter. Since I had to catch the train to Busan that evening, I didn't have time to book. But I have to say, CHANEL's combination of fashion and hanok was truly unique.

For dinner that day, Xiao Yao had the most popular stone pot bibimbap in Seongsu-dong, known as 'the Republic of Korea's' stone pot bibimbap. Since my friend was only flying in from Australia the next day to join me, this place was perfect for a solo meal. Food and coffee will be summarized in Part 3. Xiao Yao bought the 18:50 KTX high-speed train ticket to Busan. Here I come, beautiful coastal city – Busan!

【Busan】The sea and K-dramas – synonymous with romance

The four-day Busan trip was all about 'romance': the sea, alleys, colorful villages – overflowing with a unique atmosphere... In Busan, it felt like stepping into a K-drama world! I retraced the Choryang 168 Stairs, traveling between the last century and the present, feeling modern people's reluctance to be mediocre and their yearning for freedom; I visited Jeongsimjae, stepping into the turbulent family world of 'The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family'; and I strolled along the Jukseong Dream Church on the coastal cliffs, instantly maxing out the romance and atmosphere from the drama 'Dream'!

1. Visiting K-drama filming locations

Xiao Yao's first stop in Busan was the Choryang 168 Stairs.

📍Choryang 168 Stairs – 'Decision to Leave'

This is a filming location for the movie 'Decision to Leave.' The stairs were originally built to make it easier for residents living on the hillside, and a monorail was also constructed alongside.

On the walls of the stairs and handrails, there are cute cartoon paintings, and numbers indicate how many steps remain to the top.

Halfway up, there are small sculptures and adorable decorations. Looking back, I saw an early cherry blossom in full bloom against the colorful houses – incredibly beautiful.

At the top, there's an observation deck overlooking Busan Port and the colorful houses of the residents.

📍Jeongsimjae – 'The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family'

The second K-drama filming location was Jeongsimjae, the residence of Chairman Jin Yang-cheol from the hit 2023 drama 'The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family.' It was originally the official residence of the Busan mayor and is now used for public events in Busan. The grand blue gate, lush courtyard, and red-brick, blue-tiled main house all reflect the noble status of the drama's owner.

Xiao Yao arrived right when it opened at 9:00 AM. There were no tourists, only staff tending to the plants. It was wonderful to have this quiet place all to myself! The trees on both sides of the road were carefully pruned into unique shapes, and there were trees planted by former Busan mayors.

Two cherry blossom trees in the courtyard were also in bloom, their pink petals complementing the greenery and corridors – it looked like a painting.

⚠️ Note: 'Jeongsimjae' is only open on weekdays. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Winter hours: 9:00-17:00; summer hours: 9:00-18:00. Don't miss it!

📍Jukseong Dream Church in Gijang – 'Dream'

The third filming location was Jukseong Dream Church, built specifically for the K-drama 'Dream.' Located in a small seaside village, it's super dreamy and perfect for watching the sea, sunrise, and sunset – extremely romantic! It's a bit far, so I recommend taking a taxi there.

When it comes to creating atmosphere, Koreans never lose. Jukseong Dream Church fulfilled all my fantasies of romance.

2. Get new ways to enjoy Busan

📍Busan X the Sky (Sky Observatory)

Today, my friend arrived from Australia. Our first stop together was Busan X the Sky, the tallest building in Busan. Highly recommended and worth visiting – Xiao Yao and my friend spent a whole morning there! Ticket price: adults 27,000 KRW, children 24,000 KRW. Opening hours: 10:00-21:00.

Taking the elevator to the 100th floor took less than a minute. The elevator played videos of Busan's beautiful scenery. Floors 98-100 offer panoramic views of Haeundae, Gwangalli Bridge, and the cityscape around Haeundae. The 100th floor also hosts regular art exhibitions.

On the 100th floor, there's a short 'Shocking Bridge' glass walkway, perfect for couples and friends to take photos.

The 99th floor has a high-altitude restaurant and the world's highest Starbucks. The indoor windows are covered with cute stickers, making for great photo backdrops.

I specially adjusted the camera's colors and took a 'fake sunset viewing' atmospheric photo for my friend! I highly recommend visiting in the early evening to enjoy the stunning sea view and catch a gorgeous sunset – full of atmosphere.

There's also a small outdoor terrace with the 'X the Sky' logo installation, great for enjoying the breeze and taking photos.

The 98th floor has a souvenir shop with lots of cute and quirky little gifts, perfect as souvenirs!

Next, it was off to Busan Lotte World for some big-kid fun.

📍Busan Lotte World

A little secret: Busan Lotte World offers an afternoon session (entry after 4 PM). Ticket price: adults 33,000 KRW, students 31,000 KRW.

Busan Lotte World has 6 themed areas and over 10 rides, including a giant water coaster, a giant pendulum, a carousel, and more. There's also a school uniform rental service. The best part – almost no queuing. From my experience, the longest wait was only 5 minutes.

At dusk, we watched the sunset from inside the park. The pink-orange glow of the setting sun was so romantic!

After more than three hours, I reluctantly said goodbye to the park. The little mascots at the entrance were already silhouetted against the night. After Lotte World, my friend and I headed to Gwangalli Beach to watch the drone show.

📍Gwangalli Beach Drone Show

The Gwangalli Beach drone show runs twice on Saturday nights during summer time: at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, each lasting 10 minutes. If you happen to be in Busan on a Saturday, definitely include it.

As night fell, my friend and I strolled along Gwangalli Beach, feeling the sea breeze, watching the lights of Gwangalli Bridge and fireworks, and enjoying the drone show – it couldn't have been more romantic. The show we watched that night had a theme of Greek and Roman mythology – hehe, Poseidon made an appearance!

3. Encountering Busan's classic romance

📍Haeundae Beach

Haeundae Beach is a long-time Busan hotspot. Watching the sea is inherently romantic – there's not only the sand but also seagulls. Both tourists and locals, including many handsome men and beautiful women, were taking photos there. I even snapped a picture of a family of four playing on the beach – so heartwarming.

Next up was the most fairy-tale-like stop of the entire Korea trip: Gamcheon Culture Village. Xiao Yao and my friend visited it twice – once at night and once during the day. I strongly recommend not missing the night view of Gamcheon!

📍Gamcheon Culture Village

Gamcheon Culture Village is a real residential area, but the colorful houses are arranged in a stepped, terraced pattern – vibrant and dreamy, like a scene from a fairy tale. The most famous spot is the statue of the Little Prince and the fox.

The Little Prince and fox statue had too many tourists. Luckily, my friend and I had already done a night tour the previous evening and managed to get a photo together – haha!

After sunset, Gamcheon Culture Village truly becomes dreamy – it feels like falling into the Little Prince's fairy-tale dream.

With the sightseeing part done, next up is a steaming hot food guide.

【Food & Coffee Compilation】

1. Seoul: BBQ, seafood hot pot, stone pot bibimbap, Onion Cafe

Counting up, Xiao Yao spent two full days in Seoul, trying traditional Korean food and the iconic Onion Cafe.

🔸🔹Traditional Korean Food🔹🔸:

▪️ Korean BBQ: A national staple – you can walk into any restaurant in Seoul and not be disappointed.

▪️ Grilled beef large intestine: Highly recommended BBQ item. Despite the fat, it has a delightfully chewy texture.

▪️ Keurig crab with rice (at Daejip?), grilled eel, soybean paste tofu soup: The number one Korean restaurant in Seoul – I had to try it. After tasting, it truly lived up to its reputation.

▪️ Seongsu-dong Solsot stone pot bibimbap (솔솥성수점): I wholeheartedly recommend this. It's called 'the Republic of Korea's' stone pot bibimbap, and it absolutely didn't disappoint – incredibly, incredibly delicious. I deliberately avoided peak hours and arrived at 4:30 PM, but by the time I sat down, a line had already formed.

▪️ Seafood kimchi stew: Seafood and vegetables in a rich, spicy Korean sauce with various side dishes – so fresh and flavorful.

▪️ Myeong-dong night market: Myeong-dong has completely transformed. The night market offers a huge variety of food, from desserts and drinks to various BBQ options. It's clean and hygienic. I strongly recommend spending one evening there eating your way through – I've summarized it above; you can jump directly from the table of contents.

🔸🔹Coffee & Desserts🔹🔸:

Xiao Yao chose ▪️ Onion Cafe Anguk. This is definitely the most popular hanok cafe in all of Seoul. It's located inside a traditional hanok right next to Gyeongbokgung Palace, featuring a charming little courtyard. You can choose to sit at a table or take off your shoes and sit in the main hall, basking in the warm sun, with coffee and desserts – quietly enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea!

I arrived at 8:20 AM, and there was already a long line, with both locals and tourists streaming in. I ended up waiting 50 minutes to order pastries and coffee. Their bread is freshly baked. The signature 'snowy mountain bread' was absolutely delicious!

2. Busan: Beef soup rice, seolleongtang, grilled eel, various coffees

When in Busan, you must try the local specialties: beef soup rice, pork soup rice, and seolleongtang – that goes without saying, they're the classics.

But what Xiao Yao highly recommends are three cafes with different styles that I visited in Busan.

📍Choryang 1941 Japanese-style Courtyard Cafe:

It's a bit far, located halfway up the mountain. After walking the Choryang 168 Stairs, you need to climb a short hill to get there – but it's totally worth it. It's a cafe inside a Japanese-style courtyard, with a very Japanese atmosphere. It opens at 11 AM. Try to arrive early, and definitely choose a window seat for great photos. The customers are mostly locals and Japanese tourists.

I ordered cherry blossom milk and a brownie. The brownie was a bit hard, but the cherry blossom milk was surprisingly delicious.

📍Busan Station Marisstella American Retro Coffee

Marisstella's decor is just stunning – a strong American retro vibe that makes you feel like you're in the US for Christmas. I had to order an American coffee to match the ambiance.

📍Gijang Waveon Seaside Rock Coffee

Known as 'Busan's most beautiful café,' this internet-famous spot has its reasons! It's very far, almost like going into the mountains, but totally worth it. I recommend taking a taxi. When I arrived, the place was already packed, and all the best view spots were taken. I wandered around three times before finding a seat by the sea. The café has four floors: the first floor is for ordering and outdoor lounge chairs; the second and third floors are indoor seating; and the fourth floor has an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea. The view is absolutely stunning! Each floor has a different style, and photos come out great.

I ordered their signature chestnut cake and an Americano. It really felt like having coffee facing the sea – so romantic!

Next to it, there's a camping site.

Heading towards the parking lot is a restaurant run by the same café, where you can eat while enjoying the sea view and a beautiful sunset.

And so, Xiao Yao and my friend, one from the Northern Hemisphere and one from the Southern Hemisphere, reunited in Korea and spent a super fulfilling and romantic 7-day trip!

【Guide】: Visa, Entry & Exit Flights, Currency Exchange, Transportation, PCR Test

1. Visa: Korean visas come in single-entry, 5-year, and 10-year types. Since Xi'an has a Korean consulate, Xiao Yao submitted the application herself. It was processed in less than 5 business days – a 5-year multiple entry visa, very fast! When I submitted, the officer asked if I had my master's degree certificate and diploma, saying I could get a 10-year multiple entry visa. Unfortunately, I didn't have them with me – a slight regret.

2. Entry & Exit Flights: Since Xiao Yao rushed to Korea as soon as the borders opened, Xi'an's international flights hadn't resumed yet. So I had to transit via Xiamen on the way there and via Qingdao on the way back. Outbound: Xi'an 🚄 Chengdu ✈️ Xiamen ✈️ Seoul; Return: Seoul ✈️ Qingdao ✈️ Xi'an. A total of four flights, which essentially drew a closed loop on the map. But luckily, I stayed overnight during each layover, so overall it wasn't too tiring.

3. Currency Exchange: Xiao Yao exchanged some Korean won in China before departure. In Korea, I used a combination of cash and Visa. After 7 days, I still had quite a bit of won left when I returned home – perfect for next time.

4. Transportation: Public transportation in Korea is quite developed. In both Seoul and Busan, subways, buses, and taxis can cover almost everywhere you want to go. Taxis accept Visa; subways and buses use T-money cards. T-money cards are sold at the airport, and you can top up at convenience stores – quite convenient. For traveling between Busan and Seoul, take the KTX. There are express and slower trains with different travel times and prices. Since I was traveling to and from Busan/Seoul in the evenings, I chose the express train. On the KTX back to Seoul from Busan, a train attendant came to talk to me and my friend. He looked exactly like Actor Gong Yoo – it felt like a flashback to 'Train to Busan'.

5. PCR Test: Currently, returning to China from Korea still requires a 48-hour PCR test. Make sure to time it carefully. In Seoul, you need to book an appointment for a PCR test. Worried that returning to Seoul would be too crowded and cause delays, I chose to do it in Busan. I filled out the forms and inputted my info on site. Korea's PCR test uses both throat and nasal swabs. Results come in 4 hours, and you must print a paper report. The flight attendants checked it carefully at boarding. The cost is generally around 65,000 KRW.