u/AshFromKorea

Last week, I visited a tiny village called Incheon Art Platform. And It was right next to the china town in Incheon.

There wasn't a lot to see, but I really enjoyed walking around and discovering its small artistic touches. There were also several small museums, but unfortunately I arrived too late that they had already closed. Even so, the area had a completely different atmosphere from a typical Korean neighborhood. (Especially buildings was unfamiliar to me)

I looked up the place afterward, and here's what I found
- Incheon Art Platform is a cultural and arts complex located in Incheon's historic Open Port area. It supports local and international artists through residency programs and hosts a variety of exhibitions, performances, workshops, and educational programs for the public.

I especially enjoyed the small exhibitions and the peaceful atmosphere of the neighborhood. Especially, I was impressed with the art that the public could take part in. And I even came across posters inviting the public to participate in art projects. When you walk around, you can find the place that you could draw with chalks on the road. ( I think this event is not permenant, and every time it is changed) As an art lover, it felt like the kind of village I'd always dreamed of.

Also, I really like to shop (who doesn’t like it? xD) And I just got into a little shop sells colorful jewerly and pottery. I didn’t suppose to buy one, but I got to get one 🤣🤣🤣 I couldn’t stop wearing whole jewerly. It was my style!!!!

Anyway, my one-line review is
“There was a joy in discovering a low-key charm, artistic hidden gems around every corner, and an incredibly calm atmosphere in this village”

📍Incheon Art Platform
https://naver.me/xCjZFhzP

I met some incredible indie bands in Anyang!
Recently I visited to Anyang just for music. I am not familiar with Anyang because there was not many chances to visit before and no reasons. But this time I found a place where we can meet indie bands’ music in Anyang. On that day, I could meet 5 different bands and it was a lot of fun to see whole different genres there. Heavy metal, Rock, folk etc. and I’ve got to know ‘가로인들‘ whom I fell in love with! Their own songs sounds some kind of Jang-gi-ha’s style(?)(I don’t know well about music so don’t be offended!!) The vocalist real played with rythms and the lyrics was fun to hear. Those music sounded like reciting poems or like looking at someone’s diary!!!

• I just put some their song in Youtube
(And researching them, they were.. incredible superlookies. wow I just knew it) 🎶
https://youtu.be/YuLEazFaPXA?si=U8oePo-UsA_u-TgH

And at the back of the hall, you can meet other bands that has been to play there. Also, when I got around that place, I easily found the busking too. What an musical day! I didn’t get their name but I could enjoy beautiful group songs with the colorful sceneries.

This streets are full of restaurants and drinks, so I think it is a good place to have time with your friend. Furthermore, I also had tacos and took some photos with fish. If you are near to Anyang, and have some bored times try to have a musical journey over there!

📍Purple Hall
https://naver.me/xCjYGDxV

📍PhotoLab+ Library
https://naver.me/GKI4tCzM

Hi guys! Are there any digital nomads Here?

I recently found a hidden gem not in Seoul, but near Jeongja Station. As a freelancer, I sometimes like to get out of the house and work somewhere different. Recently, I discovered an open library operated by Naver, one of Korea's biggest tech companies (kind of like Google's equivalent in Korea). I didn't know they had a library that's open to everyone, and it turned out to be such a nice place to work.

The library has a great collection of books(but not that many though), especially on design and IT. I also enjoy changing my work environment from time to time, so this was a perfect spot for me. BUT It can get pretty crowded since many students come here to study🤪 (When I was there, It was quite crowded)

📍Naver Connect Lounge Library
https://naver.me/FyAsvrkG

After working and reading for a while, I decided to grab something sweet. I stopped by a popular gelato shop nearby, and the classic Italian-style gelato was amazing. If I'm craving authentic Italian gelato again, I'd definitely come back.

📍A VOLONTE
https://naver.me/Fc6MSJ2e

After that, I walked over to the café street and spent a little more time working while enjoying the atmosphere. You have to walk a bit; like 20 mins haha. Then you can meet cafe streets where are plenty of cozy cafés and lots of Instagram-worthy photo spots. I really loved the vibe there.

📍Flondon Coffee
https://naver.me/Ffs3rPTk

To finish the day, I wanted to rock and roll, so I went to Erics Pub, where local indie bands perform live. They play everything from jazz to rock, and it was the perfect way to end the day. Listening to live music with a drink completely melted my stress away.

📍Erics Pub
https://naver.me/GFsWMtMp

P.S. Tbh, Jeongja isn't really a sightseeing destination. It's a planned city designed for people to live and work, so you won't find many famous tourist attractions. You'll mostly see office workers, students, and parents taking their kids to academies. But if you're interested in experiencing everyday Korean life rather than checking off tourist spots, I think it's a great place to spend a day.

It is from Lotteria, and I just ordered it bc it is cute!!!!!! 😚😚 yessss this is what Jeju burger should be.

My family is spending our summer holiday in Jeju right now.

It is SUPER hot here, but I still think it's absolutely worth visiting! Here are some unexpected things that made my trip even more memorable.

1. Dol Hareubang 🗿
2. Jeju's iconic stone grandfather statues. You'll find Dol Hareubang almost everywhere on the island. I always stop to take a photo because each one has a slightly different face. Somehow, every time I spot one, it feels like I've found a little lucky charm.
3. Konan Beach
4. An unofficial beach. Although it's not an official swimming beach, people still enjoy the crystal-clear water here. Surrounded by Jeju's unique volcanic rocks, it's a peaceful place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

- Location : https://naver.me/xmxIUYAD

3. Hoe-deopbap (Raw Fish Rice Bowl) 🐟
   This hoe-deopbap is made with seafood caught by haenyeo (Jeju's famous female divers). The fish was incredibly fresh because it's prepared shortly after being caught. I really loved this dish! If raw fish isn't your thing, they also serve seongge guksu(sea urchin noodles), which is another delicious way to experience Jeju's seafood.

- Location : https://naver.me/FgHDJiS6

4. Galchi Jorim (Braised Beltfish)
   One of Jeju's signature dishes. It comes with plenty of seafood, including abalone and octopus, in a rich sauce. It isn't very spicy. I personally prefer galchi gui(grilled beltfish) because the staff remove all the bones for you, making it much easier to eat. But if you enjoy flavorful sauces, galchi jorim is just as delicious.

- Location : https://naver.me/FgHDexvR

5. Pingu in Jeju
   They had Jeju-exclusive versions of Pingu, including one dressed as a haenyeo and another holding Jeju's famous tangerines. Upstairs, there were even Jeju-exclusive Miffy items. If you like cute characters, this place is definitely worth visiting.

- Location : https://naver.me/xzxmCiCy

6-7. Dotori Café ☕
This café completely won me over with its unique character. I originally came for the coffee and pastries, but I ended up buying some of the adorable character merchandise too. The café has a cozy atmosphere that reminded me of a Studio Ghibli movie, and everything—from the bread to the coffee—was delicious.

- Location : https://naver.me/FP8nJ31S

8. Gogi Guksu (Pork Noodle Soup)
   As a Korean, I highly recommend this dish. The broth is made by slowly simmering pork, giving it a deep and rich flavor. It was so good that I'd definitely come back here on my next trip to Jeju.

- Location : https://naver.me/xdpFtT9G

9. The Ocean in Front of the Gogi Guksu Restaurant

10. Galchi Hoe (Raw Beltfish)

11. CU Convenience Store
    Outside the entrance, I noticed a Dol Hareubang-shaped sign welcoming customers. It's a small detail, but it instantly reminded me that I was in Jeju.

12. Fairy Tale Village
    Recently, this village is currently hosting a Studio Ghibli-themed exhibition. There's also a beautifully maintained park inside, making it a lovely place for a relaxing walk, even if you're not visiting just for the exhibition.

- Location : https://naver.me/G4WoOhXZ

13. Late-night Grocery Shopping
    There are so many Hanaro Mart stores around Jeju. One evening, we stopped by to buy fruit and beer for a late-night snack. Visiting a local supermarket is one of my favorite ways to experience everyday life while traveling.

14. Jeju Peaches

15. Yellow Watermelon & Mango
    I found yellow watermelon at Hanaro Mart and couldn't resist trying it. The inside is bright yellow, and the texture is a little softer than regular Korean watermelon. It was surprisingly sweet and unlike any watermelon I'd had before.

16. Jeju Airport Lotteria 🍔
    At Lotteria inside Jeju Airport, I ordered the Dol Hareubang Set. The burger bun was stamped with a cute Dol Hareubang face. It was such a fun little detail and a perfect way to end the trip.

17. Hydrangeas in Fairy Tale Village

18. The View from a Butter Shop

19. Peanut Kongguksu 🥜
    Udo, a small island next to Jeju, is famous for its peanuts. This peanut kongguksu (cold soybean noodles with peanut) is made using Udo's local peanuts. Koreans often eat kongguksu during the hot summer, but this version is extra rich and nutty thanks to the peanuts. It's a unique local specialty that you can only really experience in Jeju.

- Location : https://naver.me/xoH8ofIM

I've been to Switzerland before, but this time I found a place in Korea that gave me a very similar feeling!

My friend and I wanted to escape the city, relax, and enjoy the nature. Originally, we planned to spend one night in Taebaek which is a city located in Gangwon Province. And we get there by driving from Suwon, it took around 3 hours… yes, I know.. it's pretty far from Suwon! 😂 If you want to feel the other nature scenery in Korea.. It would be worthy. Also, you can also get there by train or bus!

Our itinerary looked like this:
Suwon → Taebaek → Cheoram Station to Buncheon Station (V-train) → Taebaek (overnight stay)

Anyway, about the V-train, it is is a sightseeing train that travels slowly through the beautiful mountain valleys and canyons along the Baekdudaegan mountain range. (백두대간) Along the way, it stops at Cheoram, Seungbu, Yangwon, Bidong, and Buncheon Stations.

We boarded the train at Cheoram Station, and from the moment it started moving, I couldn't stop looking out the window. Honestly... for a moment, I even caught myself thinking, "Wait... am I back in Switzerland?"

The train also makes a few stops along the way, giving passengers plenty of time to get off, take photos, and enjoy the scenery. You can find a little unique point that whenever the train entered a tunnel, the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling lit up. ⭐

It was incredibly relaxing, and I'll definitely come back with my family once again.

-V-train info
https://www.korail.com/tour/touristIntor/tourBeltIntor/baegdu

When we arrived at Buncheon Station, there was so much to see! There was a Buncheon Santa Village, a charming Christmas-themed village. It was fun that it was my first time to feel the Christmas in summer ! The village was filled with colorful decorations, Christmas displays, and even a house with a Zermatt sign—which immediately reminded me of Switzerland!

We also met some adorable alpacas. For just 1,000 won, you can buy food to feed them. Unfortunately... my mischievous side came out.😓😓 I pretended to feed one of the alpacas, but kept pulling the food away…

Well... One of the alpacas got really annoyed and suddenly spat at my friend! I still remember it looking straight at my friend's face before it happened. It honestly felt intentional….

So here's my advice: DON’T MAKE AN ALPACA MAD. BE NICER THAN I WAS …………

Besides the alpacas, we spent a great time exploring the town. There were plenty of small attractions and photo spots, making it a fun place to walk around.

We also visited a small exhibition about the region's history. Long ago, this area was home to many coal miners, and the exhibition shared stories about their daily lives and the history of the mining community. It was interesting to learn about the region while enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings.
Overall, we had an amazing time here.

And one final lesson from the trip: never underestimate an alpaca…⚠️

-Santa village

Naver : https://naver.me/FlJZAqRm

Google : https://maps.app.goo.gl/w7X1GPoUpPZRbF9S7?g_st=ipc

It rained this morning in Seoul,
and I absolutely love the mood afterward. 🩶
It’s kind of gloomy, but with just enough light to make it feel cozy.

The only downside? It’s soooo windy today. 😂😂

What is your fav weather?

My moments dump,,,💚
Namsan tower is always a classic,,,☺️

My go-to place!!
Whenever you want to enjoy live music,
this is the place to be!
You can discover lots of amazing indie bands in Suwon, Korea. 😎

P.S. You have to walk all the way up to the 4th floor… 😂 Hope it’s worth it!

I recently visited this small indie music bar in Suwon and thought some people here might enjoy it.

If you’re visiting Korea, but especially Suwon and want to experience something beyond K-pop, this place is definitely worth checking out.

Actually I’m a huge fan of Korean indie bands, and I go there once a month! 😂😂 and I always get the wings which is my favorite food over there!! Luckily, this week there was a rhythm and blues band, which is the kind of music I like the most. but also there was a rock band too!

So, anyone who wants to discover new music in Korea, anyone who wants to explore a local city through music or anyone who loves both drinks and live music would loooooove it !!! 😍

Also, It’s a music bar! They have a great selection of beers, fries, and other snacks, so you can enjoy live music with a drink. As I told you, you’ll find lots of unique indie bands here. Check the lineup on Instagram and discover everything from rock to rhythm & blues. It’s a great place to experience talented local bands that deserve more attention.
The best thing is that the bar is right next to Haenggung-dong, one of Suwon’s most charming neighborhoods. You can explore the traditional streets and visit the UNESCO World Heritage fortress before or after the show.

Who wants to experience my taste in Korean indie music?

📍Place / Alleyway Tabhouse
- Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/alleywaytaphouse/

📍Hours / Open only on Friday and Saturday (6 PM–1 AM)
- The lineup and Hours changes, so check their Instagram before you go.

📍Location / Suwon
- 4th, 751-11 Jeongjo-ro, Floor, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
- Google map : https://maps.app.goo.gl/TJxnrBK2xegHqvmj7
- Naver map : https://naver.me/xk183MQx

📍Nearby / Hwaseong Fortress(designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site), Hwaseong Haenggung, Hwahongmun Gate, Suwon Hwaseong Museum, Haenggung-dong Mural Village, Hangridan Gil, Suwon Museum of Art