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The Soul of Seoul | Adventures In Korea - Travel
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Boutijour Lotus Leaf Anti-Pollution Repairing Toner & Snow Lotus Lifting Serum Review – The Soul of Seoul
Discover my honest review of Boutijour’s Lotus Leaf Anti-Pollution Repairing Toner and Snow Lotus Lifting Serum. Learn how these lotus-powered K-beauty products hydrate, protect, and revitalize skin while offering indulgent yet practical skincare for urban living.
Glow Like Gelato: Honest WHIPPED Review of Their Bestselling Products – The Soul of Seoul
Discover WHIPPED, the Korean vegan skincare brand making waves with whipped textures and nourishing formulas. Read my review of the Pack Cleanser, Muhwabutter Scrub, and Vita Soufflé Cream to see if they’re worth adding to your routine.
Fine Dining at Confier: Where Korean Ingredients Meet French Artistry – The Soul of Seoul
Discover Confier Restaurant Seoul, a fine dining spot near Seoul Station where Korean ingredients meet French techniques. Experience a theatrical open kitchen, seasonal menus, and celebrity-approved cuisine in an elegant setting.
Jeju's Weirdest and Most Wonderful Art Stops: The Arario Museum Collection – The Soul of Seoul
Discover the Arario Museum Jeju, a trio of quirky contemporary art spaces housed in repurposed motels and a cinema in Jeju City. Explore weird, wonderful, and provocative works by global artists just steps from Dongmun Market.
Aqua Planet Jeju: The Ultimate Rainy Day (or Hot Day) Family Stop on Jeju Island – The Soul of Seoul
Looking for a fun, family-friendly indoor activity on Jeju Island? Discover why Aqua Planet Jeju is the perfect spot for rainy days or a break from the sun, with massive tanks, sea lion shows, and interactive marine exhibits kids love.
There Is Just Something About The Way KORELIMITED Pays Homage To Korean Heritage – The Soul of Seoul
Discover how KORELIMITED blends Korean streetwear with powerful cultural symbolism, folk tales, and historical references. Fashion that honors Korean heritage—shop limited edition pieces that tell a story.
Meet Bokbunja: The Korean Black Raspberry Wine That Broke A Chamber Pot – The Soul of Seoul
Discover bokbunja, Korea's bold black raspberry wine with a legendary name, rich health benefits, and a flavor that's winning over soju drinkers—perfect for spicy meals, sweet desserts, and curious wine lovers alike.
The Biggest Mistake Tourists Make in Seoul: Underestimating Its Size – The Soul of Seoul
Many tourists make the mistake of underestimating Seoul’s size, spending more time commuting than exploring. Discover how to avoid the subway trap and make the most of your trip with local tips and a smarter way to plan.
Play The Gayageum In Seoul: The Most Unique Cultural Experience You Can Have In Korea – The Soul of Seoul
Looking for the most unique thing to do in Seoul? Learn to play the gayageum, Korea’s traditional zither, while wearing a hanbok in the heart of Bukchon Hanok Village. A must-try cultural experience!
Teterot Salon: Where To Buy A Stylish Modern Hanbok In Person Or Online – The Soul of Seoul
Discover Teterot Salon in Ikseon-dong, Seoul—where modern hanbok meets everyday style. Explore why this stylish boutique is perfect for cultural ceremonies, souvenirs, or adding a touch of Korean tradition to your wardrobe.
Beyond Moonlight Hours: Exclusive Night Tours & Royal Dining at Gyeongbokgung Palace – The Soul of Seoul
There are a few experiences in Seoul, Korea that will stop you in your tracks, something so special, unique, and exclusive, that you need to be in the know to even find them. The Moonlight Tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of them. To be clear, I’m not talking about the Korean palace extended hours. I’m talking about the special tours and events that you have to book or you’ll be denied entry. A decade ago when the first moonlight palace hours were unveiled, locals and tourists alike flocked to the main palace of Seoul to see it in, literally, a totally different light. Now, three of the main palaces are opened for moonlight hours twice a year. Beyond the general nighttime access though, are more exclusive performances, events, and even royal cuisine dinners. What’s even better than seeing Gyeongbokgung in the light of the night? Sitting in a building on the palace grounds, supping on Joseon-era royal cuisine and taking in live performances. Twice a year, the best thing to do at night in Seoul changes from Hongdae-hopping to the rare after-hours access to Korea’s most iconic palaces. Don’t want to be left out? Here’s what you need to know about visiting the Korean palaces at night and how you must book if you’re a foreigner in Korea, tourist and local resident alike. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.) How To Book To be crystal clear on how exclusive some of the moonlight tours and events are, the tour that included the royal court cuisine was only available 4 days and had only 2 sessions per day. Only 38 people can attend per session. When these open up, you want to book ASAP! How To Book: For foreigners, whether you’re a tourist or a resident of Korea, moonlight tours and event tickets are available exclusively through Creatrip. This is DIFFERENT from extended moonlight hours. These are tours, performances, and meals. A Royal Welcome Into Gyeongbokgung Palace The evening began at Gyejodang. While everyone else is entering for the general moonlight extended hour viewing via the main entrance, there is a special entrance on the east side of the palace for those of us enjoying the more exclusive experience. After checking in, we were ushered by staff, all of them wearing beautiful Hanboks, or traditional Korean clothing, into the Oesojubang, the traditional royal kitchen, now transformed into a dining Hanok. Beneath soft lantern light, we were served Doseuk Surasang, a modern interpretation of the royal meal once prepared daily for the king and queen. A Meal Fit For The Royal Family Doseuk, the more archaic form of dosirak, means “lunchbox”, but don’t be misled by the humble name. This was no ordinary dinner. Twelve side dishes flanked the main meal, a culinary showcase of seasonal ingredients, time-honored techniques, and elegance. They are also served in absolutely exquisite tableware. I was so drawn to the layout, I found the company that makes them online later. Just beautiful. If you want your own golden tableware with details such as Haechi adorning them, check out Ugiu. They would make for a gorgeous Korean souvenir or gift for someone special. Our meal featured seafood and lotus root strips, salted pollack roe, cucumber slices, and napa cabbage kimchi, braised walnuts, beef and clam and shiitake mushrooms in soy sauce, grilled deodeok, abalone braised in soy sauce, sweet braised bellfower root, and tangpyeongchae (mung bean jelly salad). There was rice and pan-friend fish balls and zucchini, grilled beef slices, and a shiitake mushroom soup. We were absolutely stuffed after finishing the main meal… only to be served more. After we’d eaten the main meal while enjoying a live performance, we were served rice cakes and a crispy deep-fried pastry for dessert along with omija tea. The meal was filling and indulgent, but perfectly balanced and comforting. It was a fantastic start to the tour to come. Stories Of Kings & Queens In The Shadows Once we’d had our fill, it was time to rise and follow our Hanbok-clad guides along the subtly lit paths to some of the buildings on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Our guides were storytellers, weaving historical anecdotes into every step and when we’d arrived at each location on the itinerary, there were more Hanbok-clad actors that played out how each space was utilized in the past. The first stop was Jagyeongjeon Hall, the living quarters of Queen Sinjeong. Watch as the shadow of an elegant queen is cast through the Hanok window. In the back, we were shown the ten symbols of longevity carved into the chimney. We saw the collection of onggi pots at janggo and heard tales of Korean sauce preparation. This space is usually off-limits to the public, which is one more reason why these exclusive night events and tours are absolutely worth joining. You see things that few others get to see at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Fun Fact: The ten symbols of longevity are the sun, mountains, water, clouds, rocks, pine trees, eternal life herbs, turtles, cranes, and deer. These represent the wish for a long and healthy life. Inside Jibokjae and Palujeong, we explored King Gojong’s personal study and private quarters. We could step inside and peruse the volumes of books that line the walls and gaze up to see the intricate details of the ceiling. The next stop at Geoncheonggung brought King Gojong’s story to life in another performance, casting the king not just as a ruler, but a man grappling with change. Pro Tip: Want to make the experience even better? You should absolutely wear a Hanbok to the event. You can rent Hanboks overnight, or get your own modern Hanbok like I did. It just adds to the ambiance. Finally, we went to one of the highlights of the palace, Chwihyanggyo Bridge and Hyangwonjeong Pavilion. The water reflected the glowing pavilion like a dream. It was quiet and an ideal way to experience this historic royal palace in Korea. It was a fitting goodbye before we were led back to the exit almost two hours after we’d arrived. Did you like this post? Pin IT!
An Elevated Fried Chicken Experience In Seoul? That's Kyochon Pilbang – The Soul of Seoul
Discover Kyochon Pilbang in Itaewon—an upscale, speakeasy-style Korean fried chicken spot where tradition meets creativity. Try their signature sauces, brush your own wings, and dive into Korea’s beloved chimaek culture.