Tips for First Timers to Korea

If you are going to Korea for the first time and need assistance in planning your trip, look no further. I'm here to help! Here are some things I wish I knew before going to Korea!

1) Download the Naver App.

Regardless of what you are planning, the NAVER app is essential. Since Korea does not share its information with Google Maps, this is the only way that you will be able to get around or plan. It can share bus routes, driving directions, reviews, and it even tells you how long the light will be green. You can filter by different sections, such as restaurants, gas stations, cafes, etc. You can create different lists (just like Google Maps) and organize them by region or city. Please note that some of the names you find on TripAdvisor might be different than what you see on NAVER. Don't be discouraged and keep looking!

2) Buy a T-Money Card

T-money cards can be purchased at any convenience store, such as a CU or a 7-Eleven. However, you can only use a non-foreign credit card to put money on your t-money card, so make sure to have cash or a way to withdraw Won from your account to upload that amount onto your t-money card. The T-Money card can be used for all public transit and toll roads.

Once you have your T-Money card, it is important when you are in Korea to tap in and then tap off on your final stop on all public transit. If you do not tap your T-money card, it will keep deducting until there is no more money left (which unfortunately happened to me). A woman on the bus was very kind to try to explain it to me. I was too much in my head to listen, so hopefully you will heed my warning ;)

3) Know your translation apps

Korea is one of the most difficult countries I've been to, where most of the population does not speak English. To combat this, it's important to have a translation app on your phone to help you read signs, menus, and possibly communicate with locals when you cannot communicate with words. Most places in metro cities have iPads where you can change the language to English.

4) Pay for food and beverages when leaving

Another noticeable difference in culture is that Koreans pay when they leave restaurants and bars. You won't find many restaurants where you flag down the waiter and ask for the check. It is quite common for there to be a cash register to pay for your meal at the entrance of the establishment.

5) Admire the reconstruction and the resilience of the Korean people

One thing I learned in the Korean War museum is that more than 80% of South Korea was decimated by the war, and 10% of the population lost their lives in the 1950s. Because of this conflict, there are so many societal wounds among their people, which can be seen in their art, culture, and way of life. It is quite admirable to acknowledge how far they have come since the 1950s to rebuild.

Whether you plan to go to Seoul or venture into the many beautiful places that Korea has to offer, I would recommend it for anyone who loves great food and wants to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences! :)