Travel Expectations vs. Reality – South Korea

South Korea has been catapulted into the eye of the world. It is easy to sway into thinking of South Korea as just a generator of K-drama, K-pop- and K-cosmetics but we all know there is a whole world behind those socially loved platforms. South Korea’s culture is different to American culture and that is what drives us to crave it and consume it.

In any given day if we ask a South Korean enthusiast why they would like to visit South Korea? The list would include; to meet their K-pop artists, to consume k-products, and to enjoy Korean food but the reality is that their expectations are not what they will pan out to be. I have been living in South Korea for a little over three years and these are the expectations versus the reality of South Korea.

Food

There had been an increase in tourism in South Korea since the rise of K-pop, primarily due to the K-pop group, BTS. 한식 or Korean food consumption has also been on the rise worldwide. Korean food’s delectable dishes are enticing, if you search under hashtags such as #koreanfood, #ramyeon, and #Kfood in most social media platforms you will find pictures, videos, tutorials, and recipes to try at home or local dining restaurants. For example, ramyeon has become a common staple for eating while watching k-dramas, the famous quote “라면 먹을레” or “do you want to eat ramen?” became a sexual innuendo from an innocent k-drama, where actors barely kissed.

Ramyeon is often consumed by the younger generation because it is cheap. Not to say Korean food is expensive but when you are on a budget you can always resort to instant ramyeon from any of the many convenience stores such as CU, E-mart, 7-Eleven, and GS25. It is difficult to find straight up ramyeon restaurants unless they are Japanese restaurants. The truth is that samgyeopsal or Korean BBQ is much more consumed by locals. Samgyeopsal, allows for social gatherings after work and to unwind while sipping on some soju. Do not hesitate to try their more traditional dishes such as kimchi-jjigae, dak-galbi, and (my personal favorite) jjimdak.

K-pop

Chances of you running into your K-pop bias are slim to none. Not to say it couldn’t happen but most K-pop artist are located in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The population in Seoul in 2021 was of about 9 million and to be honest, that is like finding a needle in a hay stack. If you come to South Korea do not come with the sole purpose of meeting one of your idols because you will leave disappointed. South Korea has much more to offer than its looks and talents.

There are places where you can go visit within Seoul that can partly satisfy your K-pop thirst. To name a few we have places such as K-pop Square, BTS Line Friends Flagship Store, SM Entertainment Culture Complex, JYP Building, and KBS building. Don’t be shy and try to find Hallyu tours that will take you to commonly visited placed by your K-pop idols, you will find that you will be pleased with being in places they have been to and most of them are perfect for social media shares. Do not forget to dive into their museums and folk villages to learn about the history of the country that contains much of their culture.  

K-Cosmetics

 Two words; Amazingly Affordable. Korean cosmetics are everything you could expect from a cosmetic except if you are a looking for something to fit a darker shade, you will be disappointed. Korean cosmetic products are cheap and they are made for different skin types and are usually made to be lightweight on your skin, however, they are not miracle workers. Cosmetic surgeries are considered normal in South Korea and at their cheap prices most people are able to afford a double-eyelid surgery, a tummy tuck, and some facial reconstruction. South Korea does not just supply good lotions that make you look flawless but it provides that additional renovation of your face to achieve what most k-cosmetic ads sell.

The reality of it is, that you can easily come to South Korea and feel that your skin is not on par to that of South Koreans but you can walk into the many places that offer spa treatments, skin treatments, and cosmetic surgery and return to your country with a “refreshed look”. Do not expect to find things in your medium to dark shade and if you have hair that is not straight, expect for locals to give you a double look when they see you walk past them in the streets. Do not feel threaten, most Koreans have not seen your different looks other than on tv and most of the time they will just stare in awe.

Last Word

               When the pandemic becomes a thing of the past, grab your passport, get your luggage ready, and come on over to South Korea. While you wait for your trip to take shape, go on social media and explore everything that South Korea has to offer. Until then read about their culture, their foods, and history and you will find that South Korea has hidden gems everywhere. Do not just stay in Seoul, if your budget allows it travel to Busan, Daegu, Jeju Island, Ulsan, Jeonju, or Gyeongju. I promise you won’t be disappointed.