✧ 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

🚉 Getting There: Like a Scene from a K-Drama

I decided on a different route that morning: I took Line 4 from Hoehyeon Station and transferred to Line 1 at Geumjeong Station, heading toward Suwon. After exiting Suwon Station’s Exit 4, I made my way to the Suwon Tourist Information Center to ask about the free shuttle bus to the Korean Folk Village.

🚉 No More Free Shuttle: A Small Setback

Unfortunately, as of September 2023, the shuttle service had been discontinued. Instead, the kind staff handed me a discount coupon book and pointed me toward a city bus option.

I’ll admit—I hesitated. I’ve always been more comfortable with trains. But with no subway stop near the village, the bus was the only budget-friendly route.

🚌 Bus Rides and Drama Scenes

After a half-hour wait near the Novotel, I boarded Bus #10-5. I tapped my T-money card, found a seat, and looked out the window—just like the K-drama bus scenes I’d always loved. No English announcements, but Naver Map and basic Korean got me through.

🏘 Korean Folk Village: Stepping into the Joseon Era

As a longtime fan of historical and traditional Korean dramas, visiting the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do had always been high on my travel wish list. This place is a rare chance to walk through the stories I’ve watched unfold on screen—where history, culture, and tradition live and breathe.

After 35 stops—almost an hour-long ride—I finally reached the last stop: the Korean Folk Village. Thanks to the coupon I received earlier, I paid just KRW 15,000 for the entrance fee (a great deal from the regular KRW 32,000).

Located at 90 Minsokchon-ro in Yongin-si, this open-air museum brings the Joseon Dynasty to life. The village is divided into Market Village, Folk Village, Amusement Village, and Marketplace. You’ll find everything from noblemen’s homes to government offices, all recreated with meticulous attention to detail.

It’s no surprise the village has become a go-to filming location for iconic K-dramas like Kingdom, Jewel in the Palace, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and Royal Gambler.

🍲 A Taste of Tradition

That day, I caught a traditional dance performance in the main plaza—an absolute cultural treat, even with the biting cold. I later visited the market area and tried janggukbap, a warm radish rice soup that hit all the right spots.

Wandering through the village felt like I had time-traveled back to the Joseon era. As a drama fan, it was more than just sightseeing—it was immersion. I learned how house styles varied across provinces, and I was fascinated by the details of daily life from centuries ago.

I didn’t try the hanbok rental this time (maybe next trip, when it’s warmer!), but I still soaked in the surroundings. My favorite spots? The Wooden Bridge, the Large Landowner’s House, the Cotton Weaving Workshop, and Jigokcheon, the peaceful stream running through the village.

🛤 Back to Seoul, One Bus at a Time

After the visit, I made my way back to Seoul. I caught a bus to Sanggal Station on the Suin–Bundang Line (it may have been Bus #10-5 or #37—can’t say for sure). This return route had fewer stops than the ride from Suwon, which was a nice surprise.

From Sanggal Station, I took the train toward Suwon, then hopped on Line 1 back to Seoul Station.

🌆 Evening Wanderings in Namdaemun & Myeongdong

From Seoul Station, I walked to Namdaemun Market, where I grabbed a hotteok (sweet Korean pancake) for KRW 1,500—so simple, so good.

Since it was still early, I kept walking toward Myeongdong and passed a sign pointing to Deoksugung Palace. I detoured that way, only to find it closed—it was a Monday, after all (when most palaces in Seoul shut their gates). So back to Myeongdong it was for a round of shopping and people-watching. There’s always something electric about those lively streets, lined with skincare shops and street food stalls.

🛏 Goodbyes and New Hellos

Back at the guesthouse, the room felt emptier—most travelers had moved on. While packing, I met a kind woman who had just claimed the lower bunk.

She shared she’d once been a Korean national, now living as a Japanese citizen. Her warm greeting and gentle presence reminded me how travel brings strangers into the fold, even at day’s end.

🌙 Reflection: Living the Drama

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt truly grateful. This day wasn’t just about ticking off a location—it was about living inside the very stories I’d once watched from a screen.

The Korean Folk Village turned out to be a quiet, immersive chapter in my own travel story. With every step, meal, and encounter, it deepened my connection to the culture I admire.

And in that way, my day became its own kind of drama—one I’ll replay in memory with a full heart.

*** 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.***