Korea Living

Is South Korea cheap to visit? South Korea is not one of the cheapest destinations in Asia, especially when compared with countries in Southeast Asia. International flights and accommodation in central Seoul can take a large part of your travel expenses. However, it is possible to travel South Korea cheaply once you understand how local people eat, move around the city, choose accommodation, and spend their free time. As a licensed Korean tour guide living and working in Seoul, I regularly meet foreign visitors with very different travel styles. Some spend heavily on hotels, taxis, cafés, shopping, and famous attractions. Others experience many of the same places at a much lower cost. The difference is often not comfort. It is local knowledge. This article introduces the basic principles of planning an affordable South Korea trip. Flights, accommodation, food, transportation, sightseeing, and shopping will each be covered in separate articles in this series. The goal is not t...

South Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for women traveling alone. Seoul offers efficient public transportation, busy streets that remain active late into the evening, countless cafés and many attractions that are comfortable to visit without a companion. But is South Korea really safe for solo female travelers? The honest answer is that South Korea is generally considered a relatively safe and convenient destination, but “relatively safe” does not mean risk-free. A woman traveling alone should still take normal precautions, particularly when drinking, meeting someone through an app, returning to her accommodation late at night or visiting an unfamiliar area. This guide covers practical safety advice, the best areas to stay, places to visit alone and a simple three-day Seoul itinerary for solo female travelers. Solo female traveler exploring Seoul, South Korea Is South Korea Safe for Solo Female Travelers? South Korea has a low overall crime rate, and most ...

Teaching English in South Korea remains one of the most popular ways for foreigners to live and work in the country. However, getting hired is not as simple as speaking fluent English and sending a résumé. Your nationality, university degree, visa eligibility, documents and employment contract all matter. The requirements can also differ depending on whether you apply to a public school, private academy or international school. This updated 2026 guide explains who can teach English in South Korea, how the E-2 visa works, how much teachers earn and what you should check before signing a contract. Foreign English teacher teaching students in a South Korean classroom Can You Teach English in South Korea? For the standard E-2 English teaching route, applicants are generally expected to meet the following basic conditions: Hold a passport from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa Have at least a bachelor’s degree from an ac...

A new Korean medical drama has attracted attention surprisingly quickly. Doctor X: Mafia in White , starring Kim Ji-won, premiered on SBS on October 9, 2026. Only two episodes have aired, but the series has already achieved double-digit television ratings, reached No. 1 on Netflix Korea and generated discussion among international K-drama fans. The drama began with a nationwide television rating of 11.4 percent. Episode 2 rose to 14.9 percent, with a reported peak of 17.4 percent during the broadcast. Those numbers are particularly impressive for a drama that has barely introduced its central mystery. So why has Doctor X: Mafia in White become popular so quickly? It is not because of one factor alone. Kim Ji-won’s return after Queen of Tears , a proven Japanese original, a powerful female lead, fast storytelling and a satisfying battle against hospital corruption have all contributed to its strong start. This article contains basic information about Episodes 1 and 2 but avoi...

Summer is over. The nights are cooler, the humidity feels lower, and you may finally think Korea’s mosquito season has ended. Then, just as you open your hotel window or sit beside the Han River on a pleasant October evening, you hear that familiar buzzing sound. Many Koreans say: “Autumn mosquitoes are more dangerous.” You may also hear that autumn mosquitoes are bigger, stronger or more desperate to bite before winter arrives. But are mosquitoes in Korea really more aggressive in autumn? The short answer is not exactly . Their bites do not suddenly become more poisonous when September or October arrives. However, several weather and environmental conditions can make mosquitoes feel much worse in autumn than during the hottest part of summer. This article focuses on why mosquitoes remain active during Korea’s autumn and how travelers can protect themselves. If you are visiting Korea during the hotter months, read my broader summer survival guide as well: 👉 How to Survive th...