10 Reasons Why Visit South Korea 2025/2026

Why visit South Korea? Although its neighbors seem more appealing for a holiday, I'd like to explain why South Korea is worth a visit - it's a high-cost-performance country with the world-famous K culture and an excellent blend of tradition and modernity. Yet still not heart-stirring enough to prompt action? Hope my detailed account below will inspire you to add a trip to Korea to your bucket list.

Creative Minds Behind the Netflix & K-Drama

Before my first trip to South Korea, K-dramas and films were my main window to learn about this country. Parents and siblings are hooked on love stories, zombie movies favored by classmates, and the lunchtime mystery drama discussion between colleagues. And to be honest, I pretty enjoy staying up late with these fancy stories, and wondering what a trip will be like there.

However, a journey is not always an adventure for me. So I put this Hollywood-esque destination on hold until the laughter and tears of the ordinary Korean routine show from Reply 1988, and I feel my willingness to see how South Korea really is, not only the K-drama filming locations for a stunning shot, but also the people there make history and tell stories.

Filming Location of Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Friendly & Funny Citizens

Luckily, I finally visited South Korea this summer, from the bustling Seoul to the "Hawaii" island of Jeju, and also met some friendly and funny locals there.

From a visitor's perspective, people there are nice and welcoming. I enjoy their smiles and good service from the airport to the hotels, and table sharing with the BBQ dining technique teaching is also common to see.

You may also see some comments online saying that Koreans are shy about speaking English, but I met someone, like the girl sharing her table with me, who is looking for a language exchange partner. She wondered why I visit South Korea, and luckily, I also found the answer from her side: apart from the working culture here, it is indeed a nice and enjoyable country - may not be the best place to live, but always excellent for traveling.

Korean Wave (Hallyu) Impact

Though having no way (also don't want) to experience the working culture here, I do have quite a few Korean Wave (Hallyu) adventures during my trip to Korea this time.

For some basics, I enjoyed a meal at the real-life "Danbam" restaurant (now known as Seoul Bam) in Itaewon Class, as well as visiting the Yangjae Citizen's Forest Station, which serves as the setting of the Squid Game.

However, I skipped the K-pop dance class (forgive my poor balance), but tried the K-beauty makeup lesson instead - and also asked the teacher for some makeup advice according to my skin features.

After the makeup lesson and taking my own "Hallyu star" photos, I decided to lie down and release my face and shoulders from the Korean spa - another kind of K-beauty experience that cares for your skin with the 8-step routine.

Nightlife Before Your Sound Sleep

While my skin is yelling for sleep, I still drop by a pocha (Korean street dining, similar to those izakaya bars in Japan) around Itaewon due to its tasty smell - from the authentic Korean comfort dishes to the classic fried chicken with cool beer.

I ordered a bottle of makgeolli (Korean rice wine), which is sweet enough to cover its light bitterness, paired with naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) as my midnight snacks. The somaek cocktail with beer and soju is also recommended, but don't drink too much if there are still nightclubs or karaoke bars on your schedule. Though most of them will open till dawn, it is still a challenge to call a taxi around 5 am.

Note: Take your passport or licence for the ID check before starting your nightlife in South Korea.

Makgeolli, Korean Rice Wine

Safe, Clean, and Ordered

It is nice to shake the body with the excellent nightclub atmosphere, but I prefer a night stroll with breezes after a few cups of cocktails. Luckily, South Korea is safe enough to meet my little desire.

Of course, drunkenness is common to see among those popular nightlife hubs, but it isn't unmanaged. Most streets and parks here are still clean and lit up for walking at night, and the wide-covered WiFi with some of the fastest internet speeds here can make you well-connected with family and friends.

Robberies or chatting up is bearly to see though, overcharging might happen during your taxi (especially when you get drunk), make your night team with at least one stay awake to check the meter.

Delicious Food and Easy to Accept

Food in Korea is good and easy to get used to - tough features by the classic fermentation menu of kimchi, you can simply escape the rice or spicy menu, and some of them are also good for a cold bite.

For example, I am pretty enjoy the balanced cooked kimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and bibimbap (Korean mixed rice bowl) with ingredients of your choice. Both are easy to find and vegetarian-friendly. And the cool buckwheat noodles of naengmyeon are always the best treat during a summer visit.

Korean BBQ is also recommended for dinner, from wagyu beef fully soaked in sauce to sweet black pork from Jeju Island - no spices needed to enhance the flavor.

High Cost-Performance Ratio

A trip to South Korea is relatively cheaper than to other advanced nations, especially if you are planning a journey to see the cherry blossom or autumn leaves - I'm looking at you, Japan!

I chose Japan as my final spring destination this year. Everything is good, but the high popularity there makes my late April arrival decision for some late cherry blossoms in northern Japan.

Though a later known story heard from my Korea-pick colleague (even a tale that only circulates among the locals), the similar climate and landscapes between these two neighboring countries also bring the stunning seasonal colors in South Korea, balancing the natural beauty and ancient buildings, and even paired with festival atmospheres that rival Japan.

So, if you are also looking for some cherry blossom romance or the stunning colors of fall foliage, take South Korea as your more affordable option.

Conflict Aesthetics of Modern & Ancient

Another reason why I visit South Korea is the Instagram photo you may also see - the distant N Seoul Tower surrounded by the ancient walls and roofs from the Bukchon Hanok Village. And what surprises me is, about this kind of modern and ancient harmony, there is still plenty to see in Korea.

Imagine a newly renovated rooftop cafe that offers a view of traditional hanoks and special latte in kimchi flavor - not bad, to be honest. The quick transfer from the fashion Korea coat to the layered hanbok dress when visiting the Gangnam District and Gyeongbokgung Palace. Stop at Gwanghwamun for its LED light media shows, and take a temple stay after your Sky Capsule cable car ride along the coastline.

Not to mention Gyeongju, the open museum of Korea, making a perfect combination with the coastal Busan, only with a 1.5-hour ride.

The Classic Shot of Bukchon Hanok Village & Distant N Seoul Tower

Cold War Frontier of the DMZ

Though it is disappointing to mention that, the DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone) may be the true point that makes South Korea special, which shows the biggest contrast from the vibrant lifestyle to the heavy history within a 1-hour drive from Seoul.

Ironically, DMZ can be one of the most militarised places in the world. It seems like another kind of Berlin Wall between North and South Korea. For wild animals, it is a natural sanctuary, but for people, it is more like a scar of the war, yet the abscess beneath never heals.

However, it is indeed one of the few windows to take a glimpse of the mysterious North Korea. So I joined the group tour there to see the last Cold War frontier through the barbed wire fences.

A Fast Trip Around

A trip around South Korea is not a task. I once watched a video on YouTube where a Korean graduate takes a 3-week self-driving tour to travel around her homeland, and this time, I captured most of the highlights of my week-long journey around South Korea.

Thanks to the effective and well-signposted bullet train network here (called KTX), I visited the most popular cities, such as the classic route from Seoul to Busan, which can be finished within 2.5 hours. Taking the subway to travel around Seoul is also a popular choice, with an early run from 5:30 am.

As for other places like Suwon and Nami Island, most of them can be visited on a day trip from Seoul, as for Gyeongju and Jinhae, they are easily accessible from Busan - no shortage of shelter buses you can take advantage of, but a private car drive will be more convenient.

(PS. The KakaoMap app is more helpful for your train journey in South Korea. Or contact us and let Odynovo handle your carefree journey, from the private diver to travel consultants for your ideal itinerary.)