Beyond the Camera: What I Didn't Show You in My Korea TravelVlog
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| Haeundae Blueline Park - Songjeong Station |
If you’ve been following along with my recent Korea travel series over at my YouTube Channel, you’ve already seen some of the biggest highlights and the most unforgettable views from our 8-day itinerary. But as any creator knows, the video editing room floor leaves behind some of the best, most intimate moments.
Between rushing to catch tour buses, adjusting camera angles, and simply wanting to step back and just soak in the atmosphere without a lens in my face, there were a handful of stunning places that never made it into the final vlogs.
So, consider this blog post the "bonus footage." Now I’m sharing the stories, the hidden history, and the quiet morning walks from three incredible and distinct villages: Seongeup Folk Village in Jeju, Ikseon-dong Hanok Street in Seoul, and Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan.
Before I begin, have you watch the video on Jeju Water World?
Osulloc Tea Museum ~ in Jeju Island
Our itinerary included a visit to the Osulloc Tea Museum, which is a total dream for tea lovers. We got to sample a range of different teas, watch how they mill and package fresh matcha powder, and browse the gift shop for souvenirs.
The best part? A complimentary scoop of matcha ice cream was included for us! It was incredibly creamy, with just the right touch of matcha sweetness without being too intense. Once we finished our treat, we crossed over to the tea fields for a quick photo session surrounded by gorgeous, vibrant greenery. Oh, by the way, the Innisfree Jeju House sits right beside the museum grounds. It wasn't on our itinerary so wasn't sure what to expect over there. So you decide if it's worth checking out if you're exploring the area!
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| Osulloc Tea Museum |
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| (Left to Right) Tea Field & our indulgence on Matcha Ice Cream |
Stepping into this 600-year-old village feels like stepping back in time, made even more special by the actual local residents who still call it home. Your journey begins at Jeongui Hyeonseong, the ancient town wall that once defended the area against Japanese invasions. Beyond the wall, a quiet warmth washes over you as you wander among traditional thatched houses that were well-preserved. K-drama fans will also recognize these picturesque streets as a major filming location for the legendary series, Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum). By the way, our 2nd time visiting this place and nothing changed.
Apart from viewing the traditional houses, you can engage in their available activities like traditional crafts, trying out traditional Korean archery or folk games, and even dressing up in traditional Korean Hanbok for photo taking in this nostalgia village. Even trying out the traditional Jeju Black Pork. Understand that in October, there is an annual festival going on too.
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| Seongeup Folk Village's town wall, Jeongui Hyeonseong |
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| Traditional thatched-roof walkways |
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| Go Pyeong-o's House |
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| Ga-ok (Traditional house) in Seongeup Village |
Ikseon-dong Hanok Street ~ in Seoul
It’s been 11 years since our last trip to Korea, where we explored the famous Bukchon Hanok Village (you can check out my old Seoul Travelogue here!). This time, we found a whole new spot to immerse ourselves in that classic hanok charm. Arriving early meant the streets were quiet and most shops weren't open yet, making it an absolute dream for Instagram photos.
One thing I noticed immediately? The sheer number of bakeries selling the exact same thing: salt bread. Is salt bread just a massive Korean trend right now? Because honestly, it’s delicious, so airy and fluffy. Our tour guide even treated everyone in our group to one!
Afterward, I stopped by a gorgeous café called Rain Report for a quick drink, purely to sit back and soak in the atmosphere. Oh, and fun surprise: we chanced upon a Squid Game filming location inside a local game arcade! Want to see what it looks like? Check out my latest YouTube Short.
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| Hanoks at every corner |
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| Love natural lights through glass panels like these |
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| Didn't expect to find the filming location |
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| Rain Report Cafe stop among many others in the same place |
Don't forget to watch our video on Aegibong Peace Ecopark for a North Korea view!
We couldn't leave Busan without visiting Gamcheon Culture Village! From my experience exploring its winding alleys, you're guaranteed to run into two major recurring themes: The Little Prince and BTS. Jungkook and Jimin are actually Busan natives, which explains the gorgeous celebratory murals you’ll spot along the walls. As for The Little Prince, he’s practically the official mascot here. I think it stems from a deep cultural appreciation for the story's themes: imagination, the beauty of human relationships, and remembering what’s truly essential in life.
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| This is also a good photo stop too |
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| The Little Prince is everywhere |
But there’s a deeper, more painful history behind these bright, pastel-colored houses. Gamcheon originally formed during the Korean War, when refugees settled on the mountainside and worked the rugged land just to get by. Its incredible transformation into a top tourist destination is all thanks to the Village Art Project in 2009, where artists, students, and residents came together to breathe new life into the neighborhood with incredible installations and murals. There is a Little Museum to know more about the history of Gamcheon so do pay a visit when you are there. It's free!
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| Any BTS Army out there? |
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| The view when in Gamcheon Culture Village |
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| Understand the history of the village at Little Museum |
More beautiful views of Busan that I have curated for you peeps in the video below.
It’s hard to believe that 11 years after our very first trip to South Korea, this beautiful country can still surprise me around every corner. From walking the ancient defense walls of Jeju to stumbling into Squid Game arcades in Seoul and reflecting on the resilient history of Busan’s hillsides, this trip was a beautiful reminder of why I love to travel.
Putting together these blog posts and videos has allowed me to relive the magic all over again, and I am so grateful to have shared this journey with you. Whether you watched the vlogs, read the travelogues, or did both, thank you for being here.
WATCH THE LAST PREMIERE!
🍿Watch the YouTube Video Premiere Here! (Tuesday 2 June @ 4:00 PM)
If you want to see just how much Korea has changed over the last decade, you can take a trip down memory lane with my original posts from 11 years ago:
WARNING ALERT!
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| Nobody cares if we go so for you to decide |
This was our second visit for some last-minute airport shopping, but it will definitely be our last. We had the misfortune of dealing with a terribly rude cashier who seemed completely fed up with tourists. She openly took her frustration out on us, snapping about how we placed our items which we just merely took it out for her to scan and then started shouting at us in Mandarin. There goes the shouting game between us.
It was a classic case of stereotyping; she assumed our nationality based entirely on our appearance. The second she saw our passports and realized we were Singaporean, she suddenly switched to English. It got both me and my husband incredibly pissed off. It’s a sharp reminder that having the same skin tone doesn't mean everyone is from the same country! Her attitude was completely unacceptable, and it's safe to say this place has officially lost our business for good.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All expenses were personally covered by the writer and her husband. The opinions expressed are entirely herself and her husband, based on personal experience and preferences, and do not represent the views of any other individual or organization.
