#traveldiaries

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we discuss the onset of the intense summer heat, 'Sambok,' which arrives following a brief rainy season. We explore the meanings of 'Chobok,' 'Jungbok,' and 'Malbok,' and delve into Korea's summer culinary culture for restoring vitality in the sweltering heat. We then focus on the summer scenery, seasonal vegetables, and refr...

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we are heading back to school to mark the end of the spring semester and the start of summer vacation! We will look back at school memories—from report cards and hagwons (cram schools) to emailing professors about grades, and the nostalgic snack shops right outside the school gates. Next, we will dive into the hit Netflix series Vigilante (True Education) to ex...

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we take on the Korean War through Park Chan-wook’s JSA – a film that proves sometimes the most dangerous thing at the border isn’t a weapon, but friendship. We’ll talk about 6.25, separated families, televised reunions, and why Korea’s unfinished war still lives in memory, media, and everyday life. Then we head north of Seoul for a DMZ day trip through Imjingak...

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we kick off a World Cup-themed journey through Korean soccer culture, from the Red Devils, street cheering, “대한민국!” chants, and chimaek to the unforgettable legacy of the 2002 World Cup. Then we look at the film Dream, before revisiting Reply 1997 and Cynthia’s memories of cheering for Korea in Tokyo’s Shin-Okubo Koreatown. Finally, we head to Sangam-dong f...

Pueyong, the newest member of The Kulture Inc., brings a fresh perspective on Korean culture. With bright energy and infectious enthusiasm, she explores World Cup cheers and the Rising Sun Flag controversy, all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Murky Waters, River Gangsters, Merchant Dreams, and a Sunset Ride on Seoul's Han River This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we explore the river that made Seoul possible—the Han River. From Joseon-era ferries, merchants, and river gangsters to Disney+'s historical drama 탁류 (The Murky Stream), we examine a side of Korean history rarely portrayed on screen. Then we return to present-day Se...

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, Korea’s June 3 local elections shift our focus to campaign trucks, city halls, local councils, and the power of the voter on the street. We look at Kingmaker, a sharp political drama about the strategist behind the candidate, and Honest Candidate, Ra Mi-ran’s comedy about a politician who suddenly cannot lie. Then we head to Daejeon, the symbolic heart of Chung...

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, Samsung’s labor talks put Korea’s office culture–wages, unions, shareholders, and all–in the spotlight. We look at On the Verge of Insanity and The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, two sharp stories about surviving corporate life. Then we head to Dongtan and Gwanggyo, where tech campuses, lake parks, cafés, and after-work dinners shape the “company town” lifestyle.

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, Seoul lights up for Buddha’s Birthday with lotus lanterns, temple visits, and a long weekend made for wandering through Jongno. We explore Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring and Move to Heaven – two screen stories about karma, grief, compassion, and letting go. Then we walk from Jogyesa to Insadong and Cheonggyecheon for temple food, coffee, and lantern...

This week, Family Month in Korea gets a little complicated. We talk carnations, unconventional movie families, and the people who become family without sharing DNA. Then we walk it off in Euljiro with ramen, retro cafés, nogari, and 20,000 steps of Seoul chaos.

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we head to Busan — where family introductions, sea views, and strong opinions about livability all happen in the same weekend. Expect gangster cinema, ‘90s nostalgia, Busan satoori, and enough good food to make Seoul feel briefly negotiable. Because in Busan, even a family trip can come with dialect lessons and excellent coffee.

Euljiro: where rust, neon, and office-worker heartbreak became a vibe. This week, we’re talking Typhoon Family, IMF-era survival, and very serious noodles. Because in Hipjiro, the beer is cold and optimism usually comes with nogari.

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we head into the fluorescent emotional battlefield of Misaeng and the office-worker heart of Gwanghwamun and Jongno. Expect awkward interns, legendary bosses, very fast lunches, and the kind of Ah-Ah (Iced-Americano) that says, “I’m coping professionally.”

Hannam-dong is where Seoul puts on its best coat, serves you excellent bread, and quietly reminds you that class politics are also part of the scenery. So today: chaebol vibes, youth drama, world-class art, and enough good food to make your itinerary feel emotionally supported.

Spring in Seoul is gorgeous, dramatic, and just a little emotionally manipulative. So today, we’re pairing cherry blossoms with Black Day, 또 오해영, one of K-cinema’s messiest breakups, and a pink-road walk at Walkerhill-gil + Achasan. Basically: flowers, feelings, fighting, and food, the full April experience.

Spring in Seoul: not a picnic, a night out with blossoms, lake lights, and rom-com feelings. We’re using One Spring Night (봄밤) as our blueprint for spring blossoms romance. Then we follow the petals: Seokchon Lake eats and Walkerhill-gil’s pink road under Achasan.

Seoul in late March: cherry blossoms outside, subscription romance inside. Today we’re talking Boyfriend on Demand, a rom-com where the meet-cute starts as a software trial. Then we take it to Yangjaecheon: café street, spring walks, and a date course that feels like episode credits.

Today, we’re heading to Yeouido, where finance, politics, shopping, and cherry blossoms somehow all live on the same island. It’s polished by day, breezy by night, and just dramatic enough to feel like a K-drama set. So naturally, we’re pairing it with Undercover Miss Hong.

White Day in Seoul: candy on the outside, “what if” on the inside. This week we unpack Once We Were Us—the film that made Korea text their first love. Then we take it to Seochon: sunlight, alley walks, and a date that won’t break the bank.

A boy king, a brutal plot twist, and one quiet county that still remembers. Today we follow Danjong’s last chapter—from the screen to Yeongwol’s rivers and pines. Bring your tissues… and your walking shoes.

Dapsimni: where Seoul’s history isn’t behind glass—it’s stacked for sale. Think Antiques Roadshow, but you’re the one doing the treasure-hunting. And yes, Gen Z has entered the warehouse.

Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries—this week we’re marking Seollal with the energy of 2026’s Year of the Horse. We’ll share a simple Seoul holiday plan and the key traditions to know. And we’ll close the day the gentlest way: a warm bowl of tteokguk, a slow walk, and tea + hangwa in a cozy hanok dessert café.

Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries! Today we’re doing Valentine’s Day the Korean way: chocolates, “14th-day” romance culture, and a date course you can actually follow. We’ll decode the dating-show effect – from I Am Solo realism to Single’s Inferno “Paradise” fantasy. Then it’s real-life ideas: 도꾸 donut decorating, craft workshops, and a sweet finale – maybe even a Seongsimdang day trip.

Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries. We're back at Olympic Park for Part 2, where concert arenas, flower fields, and ancient Baekje walls meet in one place. We’ll follow the park’s Olympic legacy –from the World Peace Gate to today’s live-event energy– then spotlight Baekje history through the film Hwangsanbeol. And we’ll end the day the local way: the Alone Tree, a gentle stroll, and the best n...

Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries – this week we’re heading to Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, where Seoul’s 1988 dreams still linger in wide lawns and bold public art. We’ll time-travel through the mood of Reply 1988 and channel the underdog Olympic spirit of Take Off as Korea looks ahead to Milano Cortina. Then we’ll slow down inside the park – SOMA Museum and the Sculpture Park, plus the Baekje-era...