Day 15 – ✈️ From Bibimbap to Boarding Gates: Korea, You Were Seoul Good
- wanderingazuki
- Oct 14
- 8 min read
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag
And just like that, it was time to trade kimchi for cold air and lounge noodles for Heathrow grey. Our final day in Korea began before sunrise and ended in fuzzy socks on the sofa – a full-circle travel moment complete with some unexpected K-drama bonding at 35,000 feet.
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🚍 The K-Limo Life: One Last Ride in Style🧳
Our final morning in Korea started with one last breakfast – a quiet, simple meal that somehow made everything feel more real. After checking out, we dragged our suitcases to the airport bus stop (thankfully located right outside our hotel – a small joy when you're half asleep and lugging your life around).
While waiting, we chatted with a lovely couple who mentioned they were off to Vietnam next. Cue the jealousy – their trip was just beginning while ours was wrapping up.
We’d booked our K-Limousine tickets through Klook again and didn’t even need to visit the bus counter this time – just scanned the QR code from our phones, and we were good to go. Same as our first ride, the bus was clean, comfortable, and smooth. Thankfully, there was little traffic, so the journey to Incheon felt almost…too fast.
Tip✨: There’s a full bus schedule posted at most stops – snap a photo or check it the night before to plan your timing and avoid last-minute panic.
Cost Summary💰
K-Limousine to ICN for 2 people: £19.82
🎫 Baggage, Bottlenecks & the Blessed Lounge Escape💺
We glided through the business-class bag drop once we finally located the counter (why are they always at the far end of the hall?). That early victory evaporated the moment I set off to track down the tax refund counter. I’d read online that this step needed to be done before security, so I followed the signs—only to be told that this counter was only for large-item claims. Not exactly reassuring when you’ve got receipts clutched in hand and no idea if you’ll find another desk past the checkpoint.
With that unresolved, I joined Mum at security, and suddenly the clock felt like it had stopped ticking. Despite our flight being relatively early, the queues were long and painfully slow, split into confusing sections for Korean residents with facial recognition and international travellers like us. Even then, the system didn’t seem to work efficiently, and we stood there inching forward for what felt like close to an hour.
All the while, I was layered up in my jumper and long trousers, sweating under the warm terminal air that didn’t quite match the London autumn mood I’d dressed for. I was restless, uncomfortable, and just a little anxious—unable to relax knowing the tax refund still wasn’t sorted.
Once we finally got through, Mum zipped off to do some last-minute duty-free shopping, and I dashed off to hunt down the second tax refund counter inside the secure zone. Thankfully, this one worked like clockwork. Receipts scanned, passport swiped, refund processed—I opted for USD since GBP and Euros were unavailable—and it was over in less than five minutes.
Back near the lounge entrance, I waited for Mum to return. I’ll admit: the heat + stress + lost time = a rather grumpy me. I couldn't help thinking that if she felt more confident exploring solo, I could’ve headed into the lounge earlier and reset. But travel’s a team effort, and soon enough, she was back—and we went.
The Asiana Business Lounge was a welcome change of pace, though admittedly, it was pretty full when we arrived. All the best seats facing the tarmac were already taken, so we grabbed a spot in the dining area—on the bright side, it was close to the food.
The selection was varied: dumplings, some Western options, and a spread of other Asian dishes I honestly can’t fully remember now (traveller brain fog is real). I just remember enjoying it all and going back for seconds. The cold drinks and air-conditioning were a lifesaver after the hot, stressful morning.
Even though it wasn't quite the serene, sit-by-the-window lounge moment I'd pictured, just being able to sit down, eat, breathe, and cool off was exactly what I needed. It reminded me why the lounge is worth it—not just for luxury, but for the reset it offers before a long flight.
Tip✨: Even for early flights, don’t underestimate security queues at ICN—especially for international travellers. Give yourself at least an hour between check-in and your lounge plans to avoid stress.
Tip✨: The tax refund counter before security is only for large-item claims. For general shopping refunds, you’ll need to go through security first—there’s a dedicated desk inside, and the process is usually quick and straightforward. There may be an option to claim online, but I found the instructions a bit unclear, so I’d recommend doing it in person to avoid any confusion.
Cost Summary💰
VAT refund: –US $35 (cash)
Lounge access: included with business-class ticket
✈️ Cloud Hopping & K-Drama Binge 📺
The in-flight meal on the return leg was a real treat—quite different from the first flight, and I was glad for the variety. I started with a buckwheat crepe filled with chicken, followed by a kale wrap stuffed with Korean beef. One standout was the perilla seed tarak juk (a creamy rice porridge) — it was absolutely lovely, so much so that I’m determined to try making it myself someday.
For the main course, I had grilled beef ribs ssambap—steamed rice topped with tender grilled beef ribs and bean paste, all wrapped up in a variety of fresh leafy vegetables. It was a beautiful balance of flavours and textures. Dessert was delicate and comforting: a mugwort red bean paste rice cake alongside a sweet walnut cookie.
Being in business class made the whole experience feel indulgent yet relaxing, and since it was morning local time, I was more awake than on the first flight. I was surprised that many other passengers seemed to be asleep—perhaps catching up on rest after a long day—while the cabin lights were dimmed for most of the flight, only brightening for mealtimes. I probably counted as one of the few still wide awake (Mum was asleep too), quietly watching back-to-back episodes on my screen.
I was especially excited because the drama ‘Lovely Runner’ was on my watch list, and I was so pleased to see it available in the in-flight entertainment. Although there were no subtitles, I was glad I could follow the story well enough to stay hooked. It made the time fly by.
Interestingly, the flight attendants seemed to notice I was watching it. One even approached me to share her experience of meeting the main male lead on a flight—she said he was the nicest person. I was a bit gutted that there were no K-celebrities on my flight though. Not that I’d really know how to react if there were—do you approach them or give them space? What’s the etiquette for spotting a star at 30,000 feet?
Cost Summary💰
K-drama addiction: ongoing 😄
🛬 Ending on a High (Altitude and Episode) 🚕
I managed to squeeze in a bit of sleep before the second meal was served. For the starter, I chose the smoked duck paired with an orange couscous salad. The duck was tender, slightly smoky with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the citrusy couscous gave it a refreshing contrast—like a little wake-up call for my palate.
For my main, I decided on the beef stroganoff. It was generously coated in a smoked paprika and red wine sauce—comforting, full-bodied, and just indulgent enough to feel like a proper business class treat. It came with broccolini, herb-roasted tomato, carrot, and a side of creamy garlic mashed potato. The vegetables were vibrant and perfectly cooked, with the tomato adding just the right acidity to balance the richness of the dish. It was the kind of plate that grounded you mid-flight.
That said, I couldn’t help but glance back at the menu with a twinge of hesitation. There had been more Korean options—braised abalone and a Meshima mushroom porridge with pine mushroom. I’d played it safe, but part of me wished I’d gone out with one last Korean dish. Still, the meal was satisfying.
Dessert came in the form of a chocolate raspberry fudge: dense, glossy, and decadent. The sharpness of the raspberry cut through the richness just enough to stop it from being too heavy. It was the perfect little sweet send-off—like a celebratory bow on the trip.
When I wasn’t sleeping or eating, I was, of course, immersed in Lovely Runner. I managed to reach about halfway through episode 8 when the seatbelt signs came on, signalling our descent. Naturally, it was right at a good part. We touched down in Heathrow around 6:50pm, and despite the usual fatigue, baggage claim and immigration were smooth and surprisingly efficient.
Luckily, I’d pre-booked a taxi because there was no way I was lugging my suitcase through public transport after a long-haul. The driver, sensing our exhaustion, did his best to get us home as quickly as possible—and honestly, bless him for that.
Once we stepped through the door, I made a beeline for the shower, changed into my cosiest clothes… and then promptly curled up to finish the episode before bed. What can I say—closure is important.
🌕 Day’s reflection 🫶
There’s something wonderfully ironic about feeling both full and unfinished at the close of a journey. I ticked all the airport-day boxes—caught the dawn bus, survived a marathon security queue, nabbed my tax refund, ate myself silly in the lounge—but the day still felt like a string of near-misses and tiny triumphs.
I learned (again) that preparation isn’t a guarantee against chaos: the posted timetable on the bus stop helped, yet traffic could still have derailed us; the pre-security tax counter existed, yet turned out useless for my receipts; the “fast” facial-recognition lane moved like treacle. And yet every snag resolved itself in another small mercy: a friendly couple heading to Vietnam to chat to, air-side staff who processed my refund in minutes, a lounge seat close enough to the dumplings to count as a win.
On the plane, I traded culinary boldness for comfort—smoked duck and paprika-laced stroganoff rather than braised abalone—which left me satisfied but mildly wistful. Perhaps that’s the perfect metaphor for leaving Korea: content, but already longing for one more local bite. Lovely Runner kept me company to Heathrow and then, inevitably, to my sofa. If closure matters in drama, it matters in travel too; finishing that episode felt like clicking shut the trip’s final suitcase.
And so the last image of the day is me, damp-haired and jet-lagged, watching the ending of Episode 8 at midnight. Journey complete, yet already plotting the next scene.
🧳 Your Turn to Wander In🧋
Do you usually play it safe with “comfort foods” on flights, or seize the chance to try something new
How early do you budget for airport security—have you ever cut it too fine (or arrived way too early)?
What’s your personal etiquette if you spot a celebrity in transit: quick hello, stealth selfie, or respectful distance?
Which in-flight drama, film or book has made a long journey fly by for you recently?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!
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