South Korea

April 17, 2023

9 Things You Didn’t Know About Korea and Koreans

9 Things You Didn’t Know about Korea and Koreans I’ve traveled to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) more than 10 times over the past 18 […]
June 7, 2017

What we saw at the Korean DMZ

On a cold night in January 1968, 31 North Korean spy commandos cut through the most heavily fortified border in the world. Undetected by South Korean […]
March 24, 2017
Andong Hahoe Folk Village

A Walk around Andong Hahoe Folk Village

Andong Hahoe Folk Village Andong Hahoe Folk Village is one of the best places in Korea to experience a traditional village. Although it has become popular […]
March 6, 2013

On Sailing to Japan

There is only one proper way to get to an island. I always feel like I’m cheating myself if I fly. To get to Japan, I […]
March 4, 2013
korea

7 Observations from Korea

1) The existence of kimchi-specific refrigerators You’ve heard of kimchi, but did you know Koreans have special refrigerators in their kitchens with individualized temperature control for […]
February 28, 2013
korean sauna

Jjimjilbang: The Real Korean Sauna and Bathhouse Experience

I have a habit of finding saunas and thermal waters in different places around the world. Most of all I like being warm, but also I’ve […]
February 19, 2013

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Winter: A different Perspective [Photos]

  It’s cold in Seoul in the winter. And I’m not a fan of the low temperatures. But from time to time I do appreciate seeing […]
February 11, 2013
Lunar New Year

Korean Lunar New Year in Seoul

Two months ago, I thought I might be in South Africa during February. As it turned out, I was invited to Korea to spend the Lunar […]
March 17, 2011

It’s not about the free couch

If you’re a member of couchsurfing.org, you may already know how awesome it is. For those of you who are not, I just want to stress […]
March 10, 2011

Crazy about Kimchi

For the Love of Kimchi Sure the pay was decent, and the working conditions acceptable, but I have to admit, food was a major factor in […]
March 3, 2011

Photo from the Road: Jeonju Architecture

Jeonju is a traditional city with a strong culture. It is also one of the best cities in South Korea to see preserved architecture in the […]
March 2, 2011

The Independent Spirit of Gwangju

By Stephen Bugno Far outside the suburbs of Gwangju, in southwestern Korea, is the May 18th National Cemetery. Visiting is a moving experience—sad, beautiful, inspirational. In […]
February 20, 2011

Photo from the Road: Jeju’s Lava Tubes

South Korea’s Jeju Island is known for having some of the best examples of lava tubes anywhere in the world. On nearly my last day in […]
February 18, 2011

The Hills of Jeju

By Stephen Bugno “Don’t worry about Halla-san.” Says Jonghyun, referring to the massive volcano that dominates the center of the Jeju Island off the southern coast […]
February 9, 2011

Climbing Halla-san

By Stephen Bugno As my South Korea Moon Handbook points out, Halla-San, or Halla Mountain, is the island of Jeju-do. It is South Korea’s highest peak […]
February 7, 2011

My Korean Lunar New Year

By Stephen Bugno On the morning of the Korean Lunar New Year, Eun Taek picks me up in his white Hyundai SUV. His parents are sitting […]
February 5, 2011

No Beggars, No Thieves

By Stephen Bugno Korea’s Jeju Island is known for what it has and for what it lacks. It is called Samdado, meaning “Island of Three Abundances” […]
January 22, 2011

Photos from a Korean Village

Buckchon-ri, Jeju Island, South Korea I wanted to give everyone an idea of what a small village is like on Jeju Island. This is where the […]
January 13, 2011

English Camp in Korea: What it’s like

By Stephen Bugno What I actually found when I arrived The representatives from camp never came to the Jeju airport to pick me up. In the […]
January 7, 2011

Photo from the Road: Citrus Farms of Jeju Island

The Citrus Farms of Jeju Island The tangerine was introduced to Jeju Island of Korea during the Japanese occupation and grows well, together with native Jeju […]
December 29, 2010

Why I’m going to South Korea

By Stephen Bugno January is almost here and that means winter holidays for Korean school kids. That means English teaching jobs for native English speakers! And […]