Stories from Korea
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Notes on Korean culture, travel, and seasons — from guides who've lived in Seoul for more than a decade.
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Korean Family: Chonsu, Household Types, and the Art of Addressing Relatives
Korea's family culture is one of the most distinctive in the world — shaped by Confucian hierarchy, a precise numerical kinship system called chonsu, and a language of address so elaborate it traces back to the royal courts of Joseon. At the same time, modern Korea has undergone a dramatic demographic shift: single-person households now make up over a third of all homes. We unpack the old and the new, from the eldest son's duty to the DINK couple next door.
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Korean Housing Explained: Apartments, Jeonse, and How to Rent Safely
Korea has a housing market unlike anywhere else in the world — dominated by high-rise apartments, shaped by a unique deposit-based rental system called jeonse, and layered with legal protections most foreigners have never heard of. Whether you're planning a long stay or simply curious about Korean city life, we break down every housing type, rental format, and tenant right you need to know.
Joseon Palace Seoul: Everything You Need to Know Before You Book
Joseon Palace Seoul positions itself above the Four Seasons and Signiel in the Gangnam luxury market — and the details bear that out. We walked through the property floor by floor: from the 25th-floor check-in lounge and Byredo amenity-stocked rooms to Chinese fine dining, Korean chef's table, and a rooftop pool on the 26th. Here is everything you need before you book.
Medical Tourism in Korea: Premium Health Check-Ups, Stem Cell Banking, and Wellness All Under One Roof
Korea's premium medical wellness centres offer far more than a standard health check. From personalised DNA testing and immune-level screening to stem cell banking and anti-ageing therapies, visitors receive a fully tailored health plan — with a luxury hotel room included. We walked through one of Seoul's flagship clinics floor by floor and came away with everything you need to know before booking.
Haeundae Sand Festival 2026: A City Sculpted from the Beach
The 2026 Haeundae Sand Festival turns Korea's most famous beach into an open-air gallery before the summer crowds arrive. This year's centrepiece — a 9-metre-high, 25-metre-wide panorama of Haeundae — is the largest sand sculpture in the festival's history. From pork-soup soul food to Korean War refugees and BIFF zombie-film characters, every artwork is a chapter of Busan's story.
Louis Vuitton in Seoul: Why Korea Is Now a Global Luxury Capital
Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, visited Seoul for the first time in three years — his first stop was the newly opened Louis Vuitton flagship at Shinsegae, the largest LV store on the planet. Korea's luxury market is projected to nearly double to $8.5 billion by 2034. For travelers, this means Seoul is no longer just a cultural destination — it is a world-class luxury shopping destination too.
Big Korea Journey: From Busan to the Namwon Love Festival
Eight days across South Korea — from the modern vertigo of Seoul to the ancient silence of Gyeongju, with a love festival in between. This post-tour diary captures the smells, sounds, and small human moments that no itinerary can fully plan for.
K-pop Live in Korea: MyK LIVE Concert & Seoul Music Awards 2026
June 2026 brings two can't-miss K-pop events to Korea: the MyK LIVE Concert at KINTEX on June 26–27, featuring RIIZE, ZEROBASEONE, TREASURE, and more, and the 35th Seoul Music Awards at INSPIRE Arena on June 20. Floor-standing and seated tickets are available for both shows — here's everything you need to plan your trip around them.