✧ 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
☕ Pokpo Cafe: A Walk, A Moment on My Last Day in Seoul
Before I knew it, my last day in Seoul had arrived—quiet, reflective, and filled with small moments I didn’t want to rush.
I had already checked out of my hostel that morning, my luggage temporarily out of sight but never quite out of mind. With a few hours left, I followed my sister’s recommendation and set off in search of a café tucked somewhere beyond the usual tourist paths.
From Hoehyeon Station, I took Line 4 and transferred to Line 3 at Chungmuro, eventually arriving at Hongje Station. According to Naver Map, the café was still a 20-minute walk away—but I didn’t mind. Walking has always been my way of understanding a place, and on my last day in Seoul, it felt even more meaningful.
The streets were quiet, lined with modest apartment buildings and the kind of everyday life that rarely makes it into travel itineraries. It was Seoul—still vibrant, but softer here, more intimate.
☕ Pokpo Cafe: A Walk, A Moment on My Last Day in Seoul
Tucked within this peaceful neighborhood, Pokpo Cafe revealed itself like a hidden pause in the city. A traditional watermill stood nearby, adding a rustic charm to the space, while the outdoor seating invited stillness.
I didn’t stay long. The café hadn’t even opened yet. But somehow, that didn’t matter.
Just being there—standing in that quiet corner of Seoul—felt enough. A gentle beginning to an ending I wasn’t quite ready for.
Tip: If you have a late flight, spending your last day in Seoul exploring quieter neighborhoods like Hongje or cultural areas like Insadong is a relaxing way to end your trip without feeling rushed.
From there, I hopped back on the subway and made my way to Insadong. While nibbling on freshly made gyeran-ppang (egg bread), I noticed the shops slowly opening for the day. Known for its celebration of traditional Korean culture and arts, Insadong felt quieter than usual, which made wandering its alleys even more enjoyable.
🥚 Insadong’s Early Morning Charm
There was something calming about seeing Insadong before the crowds arrived. Cafés, calligraphy shops, hanbok rental boutiques, and galleries stood quietly in place, waiting for the usual rhythm to begin. Tourists in colorful hanbok posed for photos against wooden doors and vintage signboards, turning the streets into something that felt almost cinematic.
Time moved differently there—slower and softer.
By the afternoon, I found myself retracing familiar steps back to Chungmuro. Without planning it, I returned to Namsangol Hanok Village—one of the first places I visited on this trip.
🏘️ Returning to Namsangol Hanok Village
Coming back on my last day in Seoul felt symbolic, as if the journey had quietly come full circle. The hanok houses stood just as I remembered them—timeless and grounded—while the surrounding gardens offered a sense of calm I didn’t realize I needed.
From there, I wandered into Namsan Park, letting the golden light of late afternoon settle in. The city stretched out in the distance, slowly transitioning into dusk, and for a moment, everything felt still.
🚆 Farewell Seoul: Journey to Incheon Airport
Before reality sank in, I returned to my guesthouse, picked up my luggage, and headed to Seoul Station to catch the airport train.
It was a smooth and quiet ride to Incheon International Airport. After checking in with Jeju Air and going through passport control, I sat at a Paris Baguette with a croissant and coffee, quietly watching planes taxi by, already missing the rhythm of the city I had just left behind.
Until next time, Seoul—thank you for the memories, the culture, and the calm.
🌙 Reflection: A Gentle Goodbye in Seoul
As the train whisked me away from Seoul, I reflected on the soft rhythm of my final day. In quiet neighborhoods, cozy cafés, and timeless hanok villages, I discovered a gentler side of this vibrant city—a side I’ll carry with me always.
These peaceful moments reminded me that travel isn’t just about famous landmarks. It’s about the small, meaningful experiences that linger in the heart long after the journey ends.
*** I wrapped up 2024 with a solo trip to South Korea as the finale. From visa anxieties to subway rides, from cathedral quiet to Myeongdong chaos, I’m documenting the highs, lows, and everything in between. Thank you for reading, supporting, and walking this path with me—one step, one train, one heartwarming misadventure at a time. 💙***
