✧ Series Note – South Korea Trip 2024 ✧
Feels like coming home. Like flipping through a familiar chapter, this time with braver eyes and a bolder heart. 🇰🇷✨
📅 November 01-06, 2024

“You never really travel alone. The world is full of stories waiting to meet yours.”

🛂 Visa Approved: A Dream in Motion

The excitement was real when I received the result: my South Korean tourist visa was approved. It felt like an answered prayer. Without delay, I booked a round-trip ticket with Jeju Air the very next day. I secured accommodations, purchased airport train tickets (my preferred mode of travel from the airport to Seoul’s heart), and arranged communication through a local SIM card.

With growing excitement, I started crafting my travel itineraries.

🚉Jeju Air Surprise: My Free Train to Busan

While booking my flight, I came across Jeju Air’s promotion—a free KTX flexible train ticket valid for two days. All I had to do was indicate where I planned to go in South Korea. To my surprise, I was selected as one of the lucky recipients! Jeju Air reached out via email to gather my information for ticket reservation.

Without the promotion, the round-trip KTX ticket would’ve cost me over Php 5,500. I received my ticket details just two days before departure. However, since it was such short notice, most KTX trains were already fully booked.

So I opted for the slower ITX-Maum train from Seoul to Busan. It would take approximately four hours, but I didn’t mind. I was grateful for the free ride—and the slower pace allowed me to enjoy scenic views along the way.

For the return trip, I booked a high-speed KTX train and chose the 7:00 AM schedule to arrive in Seoul early and avoid travel delays.

🍲Airport Adventures and a Bowl of Doenjang Jjigae

Fast forward to my travel day.

After a busy workday, I rushed to the airport, filled with excitement for my long weekend getaway. I expected heavy crowds at immigration, but to my surprise, the area was relatively calm—a small win that set the tone for a smooth start.

Our flight departed Manila on time. I hoped to catch some sleep on the plane, but turbulence kept me restless. Still, we landed safely at Incheon International Airport around 3 AM local time.

I lingered at the airport, charging my phone and picking up my pre-booked SIM card. For breakfast, I chose doenjang jjigae at Pleating, a local airport restaurant. The traditional soybean paste stew—paired with rice and side dishes including kimchi—was flavorful, hearty, and exactly what I needed to start my journey.

🛤 To Seoul Station and Beyond

After breakfast, I topped up my T-Money card and hopped aboard the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) train to Seoul. I didn’t need to withdraw any Korean won since I still had leftover cash from a previous trip. That was enough for meals, T-Money top-ups, and a few souvenirs. For most transactions, I planned to use my debit card.

South Korea never fails to impress with its cutting-edge technology. Even at the airport restaurant, a sleek self-ordering kiosk made the process of browsing, ordering, and paying for meals incredibly smooth. Everything—from the touchscreen menu to the payment options—felt intuitive and modern.

The train ride to Seoul took less than an hour. It was seamless and quiet. When I arrived at Seoul Station, I was met by its grand scale and the buzz of the morning rush. There were fast-food chains everywhere, and the lively energy reminded me that I was back in the heart of Korea.

🚆All Aboard: The Train Ride That Meant Everything

I grabbed a comforting meal from McDonald’s and a Portuguese egg tart before settling into a cozy corner at Seoul Station to wait for my train.

When it was time to board, I took a deep breath.

This was it—the moment I had dreamed of. Taking the train to Busan had always been a bucket list item for me. And now, I was finally doing it—solo.

Although I had taken trains before, this one felt different. This journey symbolized something bigger: courage, independence, and finally embracing the unknown. The rhythmic sound of the train and the fleeting scenery outside filled me with anticipation and quiet pride.

🌇Hello, Busan City!

We arrived in Busan just four minutes behind schedule. As I stepped off the train, a wave of gratitude washed over me. I made it.

But Busan had its own surprise waiting.

🌧️Rain and Letdowns: My Guesthouse Misadventure

Outside the station, I was met by a torrential downpour. The sky was gray, the streets were slick, and Naver Map turned my short walk to the guesthouse into a frustrating maze. I wandered through unfamiliar alleys, soaked and flustered.

When I finally reached the guesthouse, my heart sank.

After the mishap, I finally found the guesthouse nestled in a bustling neighborhood. As I stepped inside, my heart sank; it was far worse than I had anticipated. A disheartening realization washed over me—I was not satisfied with this place at all. 

It was far from what I had expected. The common room was cramped and smelled heavily of cigarettes. The sink overflowed with dirty dishes, and there was no elevator—just a narrow staircase I had to conquer while carrying nearly 18 kilos of luggage. My room offered no privacy. The beds were bare, with no curtains, and the linens looked unwashed. The bathroom, though a bit cleaner, had a glass door that didn’t offer much coverage. Even the small storage cabinets didn’t lock.

The only saving grace? The location. Busan Station was close by, as were restaurants and convenience stores.

Tired and disappointed, I tried to rest—reminding myself that this trip was still mine to shape.

🌊Haeundae Beach: A Brighter Second Day

The second day in Busan greeted me with clear skies and crisp morning air. I woke up early, eager to make the most of the day and to finally explore the city beyond the rain and chaos of the night before.

Starting from Busan Station, I took Line 1 toward Nopo, transferred at Seomyeon to Line 2, and headed toward Jangsan Station. I got off at Haeundae Station and made my way to the beach. Though I had initially planned to visit the night before, the storm had changed my plans—perhaps for the better.

Haeundae Beach is a world-class destination. Towering buildings stood just meters from the shore, and despite the early hour, the beach was already alive with energy. Tourists and locals walked along the shore, took photos, and lounged on the sand. The water was a deep blue, and although swimming wasn’t advisable due to the strong waves and cool breeze, the sight was nothing short of captivating.

I wandered around the nearby Mipo Station area, curious about the beach train and the colorful sky capsules I had seen online and in Korean dramas. The lines were long, and I didn’t ride them this time, but seeing them up close was worth the detour.

After picking up a few souvenirs, I returned to Haeundae MRT Station, grabbed a quick lunch from the convenience store, and headed back to the guesthouse to rest and charge my phone.

🌈Gamcheon Cultural Village: A Hidden Gem

Next on my list was Gamcheon Cultural Village—and wow, it turned out to be one of my favorite stops in Busan.

I took the train from Busan Station to Toseong Station on Line 1. After weighing my options between taking a local bus or walking, I decided to explore on foot. It took about 20 minutes with a few wrong turns (thanks again, Naver Map 😅), but I finally made it. 

The village was everything I had imagined and more. A maze of brightly painted houses, artistic murals, and winding alleys greeted me. The sound of laughter, the smell of street food, and the laidback vibe gave the place a pulse of its own.

I bought a stamp rally card from the Tourist Information Office and wandered through souvenir shops, each one more charming than the last. Looking back, I kind of wish I had visited Gamcheon before Haeundae—it felt more authentic, like the soul of Busan rather than its postcard.

Time ticked fast, and by 4 PM, I realized I needed to wrap up if I wanted to squeeze in Gwangalli Beach before nightfall.

🌉Gwangalli That Got Away (Almost)

After leaving Gamcheon, I caught a minibus back to Toseong Station and retraced my subway route toward Seomyeon. I had one goal left for the day: to see Gwangalli Beach’s famous bridge and drone light show.

But the universe had other plans.

Naver Map failed me again—this time at night, with barely any people around. The directions led me in circles, and with rain threatening once more, my frustration peaked. After wandering through dim streets and wrong turns, I gave up and returned to Busan Station.

Still, I wasn’t quite ready to end the day. I took some time to finally explore the station area I had skipped earlier due to my tight schedule. That’s when I stumbled upon Texas Street.

It was a chaotic but colorful scene, filled with neon lights, restaurants, and shops. I wandered through the area, snacked on street food, browsed quirky stores, and felt the city’s pulse—not the tourist version, but something a bit raw and real.

Back at the guesthouse before 11 PM, I packed my bags for the early morning KTX ride to Seoul. I was tired, yes—but satisfied. My journey had been imperfect but unforgettable.

🧳Packing Up, Looking Back: Why Busan Stays With Me

My last night in Busan was quiet. As I zipped up my suitcase and triple-checked my train ticket for the 7 AM KTX to Seoul, I paused and breathed in the moment. The city outside was still buzzing, but I had found a strange calm inside me.

This trip was far from perfect.
I got lost.
I got soaked.
I had one too many run-ins with Naver Map.
And that guesthouse? Whew—let’s not even go back there. 😅

But even through the mishaps, Busan gave me something I didn’t expect: proof that I could do this.

I could take a leap.
I could board that train alone.
I could arrive in a city where I didn’t fully speak the language and still find my way.
I could walk unfamiliar paths—even when they were steep, messy, or unexpectedly wet—and still come out stronger.

P.S.
Dear Gwangalli Beach,
We didn’t get our moment this time—but I haven’t forgotten you. Let’s call it a to be continued… 😉

*** I traveled alone to South Korea on Nov. 01-06. This is my 2024 year-end travel. What I found in Busan wasn’t just scenic coastlines or pastel-colored villages. I found a braver version of myself. I’m sure I’ll return someday. There’s still more to see, more to taste, more to uncover. But for now, Busan will always be the place where I learned that even in the rain, I can rise. And even when the journey doesn’t go as planned, I can still call it beautiful. Thank you for reading and supporting my work.***