SEOUL
COFFEE / PASTRIES
Cafe Layered—cute British inspired cafe with scones, cakes & mismatched plates
Fritz Coffee (specifically the Mapo location)—big fan of the Old Dog blend for my Iced Americanos
SHOPS
Amomento—unisex clothing that’s beautifully calming & effortlessly cool
Chicor—i hate going into Olive Young and fighting for my life
Leuni—accidentally discovered them in Hannam-dong! cute basics
Empty—editorial and fun! reminds me of H.Lorenzo; i always have fun looking at the collections here
MSCHF—Korean sporty chic
DRINKS
Bar Cham—favorite bar in the world (and i don’t love alcohol)
Pomme—just go and thank me later
Courte Cafe—nice dj’s and cocktails
SIGHTS
MMCA—would devote at least 3 hours here
Jonggak Station—there’s a solar powered garden
EATS
Freshwater Eel—fancy meal to impress anyone
Re:marks Cafe—Gangnam moms gossip over wine and brunch here
Jangsarang—s/o to Dae for this homey meal rec <3
SKIN CLINIC
Cheongdam Eseumin Clinic—i refuse to go anywhere else
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to South Korea, but I’ve been with friends, family, and by myself very often. I’m aware that being ethnically Korean and having the ability to speak and read the language gives me an upper hand. Regardless of that, here’s some more reasons why I have a special place in my heart for Korea:
Korea is so practical and efficient yet warm and thoughtful
Things are cheaper + cuter + chicer here
So many opportunities to people watch (subway, walking, bus, cafe’s) & have a short crush
I’m reminded that people outside of LA can actually be so warm and friendly
Everyone minds their own business (unless you’re in a cult, targeting foreigners on the street)
Despite Korea’s rapid economic growth, Korea has places and people that haven’t been touched by the rampant modernization—marketplaces, countryside, etc.—and it feels reassuring that they exist how they are
Considering others is ingrained in nearly everything here
I have more but i don’t feel like making you read an extremely long list
Korean culture revolves around 빨리 빨리 “bbali-bbali” culture which essentially translates to HURRY HURRY! We will dramatically complain to customer service until our problems are solved no matter how ginormous or miniscule the issue. Even before the concept of mobile devices or delivery apps, Koreans expected delivery food to be in their hands within 30 minutes. Not to brag, but I’ve actually gotten my family’s international airplane tickets refunded after complaining to United Airlines across every communication effort (phone calls, emails, their Twitter account.)
That being said, nearly everything in Korea revolves around the customer’s experience to be the best it can be. Why do you think most restaurants have buzzers to call the restaurant staff for extra bori cha or to reheat their soup until it’s boiling hot again? DON’T be afraid to tell someone if you’re uncomfortable HOWEVER don’t use that as an excuse to be an ignorant brat to Korean culture. There’s a fine balance in this matter.
Koreans are very aesthetic driven in terms of store interiors, beauty procedures, and their fashion choices. So imagine that with throughout the city. (In the countryside, aesthetics aren’t as important.) A lot of friends would tell me they didn’t feel pretty enough, skinny enough, _________ enough but don’t let this kind of mindset get to you. In my opinion, most people are too busy thinking about their own appearances, so they won’t be overly analyzing you. But like at the same time don’t go outside in gym clothes, put on some real pants.
(Whenever I mention that I’m going to Korea, a lot of non-Koreans and Koreans like to tell me about the downfalls of Korean society…..idk isn’t that’s like telling a pregnant woman that you hate kids? I think more people need to just go to the country and see for themselves.)
