Discovering Korea

5-12-25
Today, we visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest palace complex in Seoul, and it was an incredible experience to walk through such a significant piece of Korean history. One of the highlights was watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony, a colorful and traditional performance that gave us a glimpse into Korea’s royal past. We also learned about the guardian figures placed along the rooftops of palace buildings. These symbolic creatures are meant to ward off evil spirits, and the number of guardians on each building represents its importance. The more guardians there are, the more significant the building, often reserved for major events or royal gatherings. After exploring the palace, we toured the National Folk Museum, which showcased everyday tools, clothing, and rituals that reflect Korea’s agricultural and cultural history. Our welcome lunch allowed us to enjoy authentic Korean food, and the neighborhood orientation helped us get familiar with our surroundings.

5-13-25
Today, we went to a K-pop dance class on our school trip to Seoul. It was really fun and full of energy. We learned a dance to a popular K-pop song, and the teacher helped us step by step. It was harder than it looks, but we enjoyed trying the moves and dancing together. After the class, we went shopping on Hongdae Street. The area was busy and full of cool stores, music, and food. We looked at clothes, K-pop merchandise, and even tried some snacks. It was a fun way to learn more about Korean pop culture and enjoy the city.

5-14-25

Today, we started at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, where I learned about how Korea rebuilt itself after the Korean War. I learned that the government helped grow the economy quickly by planning carefully and focusing on new ideas. The museum showed big events that shaped the country’s politics, culture, and daily life. Afterward, we went to Cheongwadae, the former home of Korea’s presidents. I learned it was once part of a royal palace and later became the president’s house. It was interesting to see how the building mixes old traditions with modern history. 

5-15-25
Today we visited the War Memorial of Korea and Sejong University. At the museum, we learned how the Korean War was truly a civilian effort, fishermen used their boats, families gave up supplies, and women cooked meals for soldiers. South Korea was underprepared compared to the North, but people came together to protect their country and loved ones. Later at Sejong University, we got to experience a lighter side of Korean culture by making gimbap, learning Korean drinking games, and meeting both local and international students. It was a great mix of history, culture, and connection.

5-16-25
On our free day out in Korea, we went cafe hopping and it turned out to be such a fun experience. One of the cafes we visited was the popular Cheongsudang Café, which is known for its beautiful scenery and calming atmosphere, it felt super welcoming as soon as we walked in. I tried a traditional drip green tea there, which was a new experience for me and really soothing. After exploring a few more cafes, I ended the outing with my first-ever massage, which was so relaxing. Even though the rest of the day was rainy, it still felt like a peaceful and refreshing break.

5-17-25
Today we went shopping at the Myeongdong street markets and tried some really good food. We had a Korean corndog, some dumplings, and the famous Bungeo-ppang, which is a fish-shaped pastry with sweet filling. After eating, we walked around and did some shopping for clothes. We found a few things we liked at the underground mall and also stopped by H&M. It was a fun and busy day exploring the area.

5-18-25
Today we got to wear traditional Korean hanboks and visit Changdeokgung Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in Seoul. Walking through the palace in hanbok made the experience feel more special and immersive, like stepping back in time. One of the highlights was the Secret Garden, which felt peaceful and hidden away from the busy city. After returning our hanboks, we explored Bukchon Hanok Village, where we saw lots of traditional Korean houses and small shops. It was a really cool mix of history and culture all in one day.

5-19-25
Today we visited Hallyu K-Star Road and spent the afternoon at COEX, the largest underground mall in Asia. At K-Star Road, I learned more about the Korean Wave and saw the statues of popular K-pop groups, which showed how big of an impact K-pop has on Korean culture. At COEX, I went shopping and saw a lot of cool stores with unique items. One of the highlights was the huge library in the middle of the mall, it was really impressive and made the space feel different from a typical shopping center.

5-20-25
Today we visited Haneul Park, which used to be a massive landfill but was transformed into a beautiful eco-park. I learned that the park is part of a larger effort to turn waste into something useful and green. At the eco center, we saw how they managed the landfill by covering the waste and using the methane gas it produced for energy. It was interesting to see how nature can come back when given a chance, and I enjoyed walking through the park and seeing the tall grasses and views of the city. After the tour, we had a farewell lunch together, and it was a nice way to end the day. We had Korean BBQ with soy sauce pork, and it was really good, everyone seemed to enjoy it and it felt like a nice moment to reflect on the trip.