Wandering Korea: A K-Adventure Series
- wanderingazuki
- Jun 25
- 6 min read
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
"And then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anaïs Nin
Earlier that year, I had wandered through parts of Southeast Asia—an adventure that lit a spark in me to keep exploring. Something about that trip awakened a part of me that was hungry for more: more discovery, more challenge, more joy in the unfamiliar. The question lingered—where next?
Japan has always been the dream. For years, I told myself, “This will be the year I finally go.” And yet, year after year, the timing never quite aligned. This time, I was ready to be in the region—even if Japan wasn’t the exact destination.
And so, Korea called me.
What began as a “maybe” slowly turned into a full-blown itinerary. A trip that would take me from the dazzling chaos of Seoul to the scenic serenity of Jeju, and the coastal charm of Busan—all in one whirlwind adventure. What I didn’t expect was just how much this journey would challenge me, inspire me, and feel a little bit like coming home.
This is the story of that K-adventure. Let's wander together!
🎌 Korea or Japan? My Travel Tug-of-War 🪢
After my Lake Como trip in May and with a cruise already booked for September, I still had some annual leave to use. Around summer, I started thinking seriously about where to go next. I didn’t want to fill the calendar with a bunch of short getaways—I was craving a longer adventure. That’s when the idea of returning to Asia came to mind.
Japan was the first place I looked into—it’s been on my travel list forever. But as I dug into the planning, I realised the costs were stacking up. Flights, accommodation, even daily expenses were quite high. That’s when I started considering South Korea.
Originally, I had an ambitious idea: why not do both? Two weeks, two countries—Japan and South Korea. But deep down, I knew I wouldn’t be able to give either place the time or appreciation they deserved. I didn’t want to rush from sight to sight just to say I’d been there. I wanted to actually experience each place.
So I started comparing costs—flights, hotels, exchange rates—and South Korea came out just a little more affordable.
Note to future self📝: plan earlier next time—the earlier you book, the better the deals!
I’d also heard that October is the best time to visit Korea, while November is ideal for Japan, thanks to the milder weather and fewer crowds. Once I’d decided on Korea, I began narrowing down specific dates. I wanted to time it with the Palace Night Tour in Seoul, which only runs for two weeks in October. On top of that, my favourite K-pop group’s debut anniversary falls on the 5th of October. I had a dilemma: should I be in Seoul during the celebration, just in case something special happened? Or stay home to fully enjoy the live stream (because realistically, I wasn’t expecting to score tickets)?
I kept going back and forth, wondering what would bring me the most joy.
Still, what really drew me in wasn’t just the price. There was something else about Korea that kept calling out to me...
📺 K-Dramas, K-Pop, and a New Curiosity🎤
During lockdown—like many others—I found myself diving headfirst into the world of K-Dramas on Netflix. I was completely hooked by the layered storylines, rich character development, and how different they felt compared to English dramas. I binge-watched the entire series in record time—which honestly felt like an achievement, considering each episode can be over an hour long, and most dramas have 16 episodes (minimum!).
K-Dramas even became a source of friendship. I made great friends through our shared love of dramaland—we even have a WhatsApp group that basically acts like our own little K-Drama book club. I even bonded with a colleague over our love of dramas, which was such a fun and unexpected surprise. It really made me realise just how meaningful this little passion had become in my life.
I’m not usually drawn to the super-hyped, mainstream ones either—I like to dig a little deeper, almost like how I research obscure hotels before booking a trip.
Side note📝: If you ever need drama recommendations, drop me a message - I have a long list. Be warned, I tend to prefer the darker, more serious dramas over fluffy romance ones!
One of my all-time favourite K-Dramas is Sky Castle, and its female lead quickly climbed the ranks to become my favourite Korean actress. While following her work, I stumbled upon Extraordinary You and had a fun little discovery when I realised she acted alongside another member of the same K-pop group.
🧠 Little challenge: Can you guess who my favourite actress is—and my favourite K-pop group?
That tiny discovery spiralled into my full-blown K-pop fangirl era. Suddenly, I was deep-diving into music videos, live performances, and variety shows. I couldn’t help but admire how idols are so incredibly multi-talented—they sing, rap, dance, and some of them even pull off acting gigs (surprisingly well, too!). Honestly, the talent is off the charts—and addictive to watch.
Another side note📝: If you’re into K-pop too, message me—I love chatting about it!
That’s when I made a dramatic, K-Drama-worthy declaration: I will learn Korean and watch dramas without subtitles! I signed up for language classes, and while going back to being a student felt intimidating—hello, homework and awkward icebreakers—it ended up being such a highlight during a tough time in life. I made amazing friends in the class, and slowly, studying Korean became something joyful instead of just another challenge. Our shared dream? To one day hang out together in Korea!
So, even though South Korea wasn’t originally on my travel bucket list, I realised I had been slowly building a connection with the culture for years. It sort of snuck into my life—one K-Drama, one song, one late-night binge at a time. By the time this trip came around, it just felt right.
✈️ My First Solo Trip…Almost 👩🏻
This was supposed to be a solo trip. I’d declared 2024 my “Travel Year” and was determined to finally do something I’d always dreamed of—travelling on my own. Don’t get me wrong, I love exploring with friends and family—it’s always a good time—but I was craving the kind of freedom that only solo travel offers. No compromising on hotel choices (✨ yes to a plush hotel with a view!), no endless debates over where to go or what to eat, and absolutely no guilt over wanting to fly business class—just once. But I couldn’t exactly ask others to hop on the luxury train with me. It’s always easier to lower my own budget than to ask someone else to raise theirs… so solo travel felt like the perfect solution.
I was genuinely excited. But when I broke the news to my family, let’s just say the vibe was… not exactly celebratory.
Their concern was understandable—safety being the biggest worry. My original destination was Japan, and with its glowing reputation as one of the safest places for solo female travellers, it seemed like a solid first step. When I shifted focus to South Korea, a friend who’d visited multiple times, along with my Korean teacher, both reassured me that they’d always felt completely safe there.
Side note📝: After I’d already booked the flights and hotels, another friend casually mentioned that Korea isn’t actually known for being particularly safe—cue panic—mentioning things like hidden cameras in public spaces. But when I checked back in with my other friends, they said they never had any issues and I should be fine as I would be sticking to more touristy areas.
Spoiler alert🔮: Everything was fine for me! But please keep reading the blog for the full adventure. Trust me, I’ve got stories.
Normally, I’m the obedient one—the classic “good girl” who follows the rules, avoids conflict, and doesn’t stir the pot. But this time? I couldn’t back down. This was my dream. I needed to do this for myself.
When I stood my ground, my parents were stunned. And then, just like in a twist in a k-drama, my mum declared she was coming with me
And just like that… my solo trip turned into another mother-daughter trip.
🌸 So Here's to the Start...
This is the beginning of my K-Adventures Across Korea—a journey that took me from the bustling streets of Seoul to the peaceful coasts of Jeju and the charm of Busan. A story of stepping out, growing up, and wandering through the unfamiliar to find something meaningful.
Let’s begin.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In 🧋
Have you ever gone on a solo trip? If so, where did you go—and what did it teach you?
If you’ve always wanted to travel solo, what’s been holding you back?
Has a trip ever started off one way but turned into something completely different? How did that change the experience for you?
Have you ever had to stand your ground to follow a dream—even when those closest to you didn’t quite understand it?
What’s one travel goal or bucket list item you’ve been meaning to tick off?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!
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