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My South Korea Trip: K-Tourism Meets ARMY Dreams

In June, I had the most unforgettable 7-day trip to South Korea — a perfect blend of sightseeing, street food, skincare, and living my best ARMY life. From the moment I landed,

Seoul welcomed me with vibrant energy and that comforting buzz of K-pop everywhere. I stayed in Myeongdong, which honestly felt like the ideal base — very tourist-friendly and honestly close to most of the landmarks. It was super easy to reach from Incheon Airport thanks to the Airport Limousine Bus — no stress, just comfy seats and city views.

Day one was all about exploring the famous Myeongdong Shopping Street. I started at the Myeongdong Tourist Information Center (super helpful!), then jumped right into shopping at Shinsegae Duty Free, Lotte Department Store, and underground shopping center. I even tried out a color analysis session at The Bom, which was such a fun and surprisingly eye-opening experience. Apparently, I’m a “Ture Winter.” After that, I let my inner child loose at LINE Friends Square and bought way too many BT21 goodies. The HBAF almond store was a snack lover’s dream; I bought so much to take home. I couldn’t resist browsing accessories at Redeye and Bling box and spent a lot of time grabbing a skincare haul at Olive Young. I also got a cute caricature drawn at Acorn Caricature, which is now my favorite souvenir. The day ended with me happily munching my way through street food

— tteokbokki, hotteok, mandu, and a huge cheesy corn dog I still dream about.

Day two was my full-on BTS fan day in Gangnam. I started with an emotional visit to HYBE Insight, then walked along K-Star Road to spot the BTS Gangnam doll. Seeing the old BigHit

Entertainment building (their humble beginnings!) hit me right in the feels. I had coffee at Café Hyuga and later had lunch at Yoojung Sikdang, the restaurant the boys used to frequent during their trainee days. The food was hearty and delicious, and I could see why they loved it. I wrapped up the day with a K-BBQ dinner and bought jewelry at HANNA543, and yes — it lived up to the hype.

On day three, I took a KTX train to Gangneung to see the iconic BTS Spring Day bus stop. Standing there by the ocean, with the sea breeze and all the emotional weight of that song… it was honestly a surreal yet calming moment. Later, I made my way back to Seoul and wandered through Dongdaemun Market, browsing quirky fashion, late-night eats, and neon-lit night vibes.

Day four was all about self-care and cultural immersion. I started with a much-needed skin treatment at Individuel Geneve in Gangnam, and my skin loved me for it. Then I visited the peaceful Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple before heading into COEX Mall. I checked out the Gangnam Style sculpture, wandered through the stunning Starfield Library, and spent some quality time at the aquarium. To top it off, I ended the night with jaw-dropping views from Lotte World Tower — Seoul from above is a sight to remember.

By day five, it was time to explore more of traditional Korea. I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace; it made me feel like I was in a historical K-drama. I also walked through the National Folk Museum, learning about Korea’s rich culture. The whole experience was mesmerizing and humbling. Afterwards, I found myself at the most tranquil café — Cheongsudang, a hanok café surrounded by bamboo. I sipped a matcha latte in silence, took in the calm, and just felt so at peace.

Day six started with a trip to Namsan Tower, where I took the cable car up and enjoyed panoramic views of the city. But the real magic happened in the evening — J-Hope’s concert in Goyang! I can’t even put it into words. The energy, the music, the crowd — it was everything an ARMY could hope for and more.

On my final day, day seven, I went to the BTS FESTA exhibition, which was packed with memories, photos, and moments that made me fall in love with BTS all over again. Then, as if one concert wasn’t enough, I got to attend J-Hope’s show again. What a way to end the trip — with music, emotion, and pure joy.

Looking back, this trip was the perfect mix of being a tourist and a total fangirl. Korea is beautiful, efficient, and full of heart — just like BTS. I came for the adventure, stayed for the kimchi jjigae, and left with a suitcase full of skincare, memories, and almond snacks. Would I go back? In a heartbeat.

Sandhya

Korean Student (1B)

KLC, Bangalore

The current blog is written by our student at KLC and components and pictures are published here with the author consent.