Stepping Back in Time: A Palace and Hanok Village Adventure

✧ Series Note – South Korea Trip 2023 ✧
First time in South Korea. Solo. Unscripted. Raw. Real.
A short, cold trip filled with long walks, warm meals, and unforgettable moments.
📅 Dec 1–5, 2023

🛤 A Change of Plans (and a Missing Key)—A Plan That Didn’t Pan Out

Day two began with grand intentions—Nami Island, Petite France, the Italian Village, and the Garden of Morning Calm. DIY style. But reality had other plans.

After a smooth walk to Seoul Station and a hop across subway lines, I arrived at Cheongnyangni Station… and promptly got lost. Twice. Wrong train. Wrong direction. Then came the gut-punch: I’d left my locker key at the guesthouse. My laptop—locked inside.

Today’s palace tour is Chandeukgung Palace.

Backtrack. Retrieve. Regroup. The key was where I left it. So was the laptop. Relief. But it was already 10 AM, and I hadn’t had breakfast. Not even coffee—just lukewarm tea. Lesson learned.

🍁Attempting Namsan Tower (Morning Edition)

Since Nami Island was no longer an option, I pivoted to Plan B: Namsan Tower. I followed the signs through quiet, steep streets that felt straight out of a K-drama.

It’s already winter, but look at those trees full of leaves!

At the top, I was greeted by a wide road lined with golden and crimson trees—autumn’s last breath hanging on. The peaceful scene helped ease the stress of my morning, and I took it all in, slowly forgiving myself.

I had a good time walking here and followed the road ahead.

Crimson and golden leaves clung to the trees, painting a soft reminder that autumn was still lingering, even as winter whispered its arrival.

I wandered for a while but couldn’t quite find the exact trail to the tower. So, I paused, rested, and made peace with postponing it. Maybe it would be even better at night anyway.

🏯 Namsangol Hanok Village: Time Travel, On Foot

Instead of Namsan Tower, I stumbled upon Namsangol Hanok Village, a charming glimpse into the Joseon Dynasty. Though the Cheonghakji Pond was dry for winter, the hanoks were still beautifully preserved.

At the entrance, you will see this sign.

Free to enter (love that), the village is a calm oasis in the middle of the city. It’s closed on Mondays, so I lucked out. From there, I walked to Chungmuro Station and treated myself to a hot coffee from Starbucks. Cold air, warm hands—perfect.

I didn’t know where I was going next, but honestly, I was starting to enjoy that feeling.

👑 Changdeokgung Palace: Serene and Majestic

Next stop: Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1405 and a favorite residence of Joseon kings. It’s just as majestic as Gyeongbokgung, but with a quieter soul.

Before entering, I grabbed a KRW 2,000 gyeran ppang from a friendly ahjussi near the gate. Eggy, sweet, soft—like biting into a K-Drama scene.

The palace grounds were stunning—vibrant murals, layered history, and the famous Nakseonjae Compound, built in 1847 by King Heonjong for his concubine, Kim Gyeongbin. Quiet, intimate, and steeped in stories.

The houses inside the palace were so stunning!

🎶 An Unexpected Musical Interlude

On my way back, I passed a small hanok-style building and discovered the Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music—free admission and totally unexpected.

Inside were exhibits showcasing Korea’s rich musical traditions: work songs, folk chants, and ceremonial rhythms. It was a side of Korea I didn’t expect to connect with, but it resonated. Deeply.

🏘 Bukchon Village: Art, Stories & Warm Hellos

I followed the signs from Anguk Station straight to Bukchon Hanok Village, one of my must-sees. And it delivered. Traditional homes, winding alleys, and sweeping views of Seoul.

A charming art shop caught my eye—De Art, run by the lovely CEO Kim Young Hee. She welcomed me warmly, and through Google Translate, she shared that her husband’s paintings (on display) captured Bukchon across the seasons.

Despite the language gap, we shared a real connection. She even gave me a mini-tour of her shop, and I left with a full heart.

🌃 Namsan Tower (Night Edition): A Farewell in Lights

As the sky dimmed, I made my way to the Namsan Cable Car Station. My feet were killing me (hello, boots), so I skipped the hike and paid KRW 15,000 for the round-trip fare.

And wow—Namsan (N-Seoul) Tower at night is everything. The city glowed beneath me, and even though I didn’t go up to the observatory, the views from the deck were worth every won.

N Seoul Tower is famous for its beautiful city night view and padlocks.

It’s no wonder this spot shows up in so many dramas—Boys Over Flowers, True Beauty—all those swoony rooftop moments? Yeah, I get it now.

✍️ Reflections at the End of a Twisty Day

I thought the day was ruined. But I was wrong.

Yes, I missed Nami Island. Yes, I forgot my key. But I gained so much more—a spontaneous route, new discoveries, and conversations I’ll never forget.

And as I ended the day chatting with Wen before her flight home, I realized some travel days aren’t what you planned—but they’re exactly what you needed. 💫

*** I wrapped up 2023 with an adventure to the land of K-Pop—a journey that felt like a dream yet came with its own moments of truth. A few unexpected mishaps added some spice to the trip, but in the end, I was beyond grateful to finally tick South Korea off my travel bucket list; a place that once sparked a dream becomes the one that reminds you how far you’ve come.***