I am not a late bloomer but yes, I love K-pop and almost everything about Korean wave.Up until now, I am into K-everything!From the beautiful Dangdaemun Plaza to Joseon era Palaces, from Kpop stars and mind blowing Libraries and Korean BBQ to their fiery Soju drink, I am in love with everything Korean. Let me tell you more why.

We arrived on time at the Hanbok Rental shop around 8.30 am in Seoul, near Gyeongbokgung Palace.The streets are still quiet and we had the chance to choose the right Hanbok that we´d like to wear for a day.I love our traditional German Bavarian Dirndl as well, but I was really more excited about wearing Hanbok! It was another thrilling experience for us since we are personally been looking forward for this .My daughter looks so lovely in her Hanbok.She even paired it with a nice hair pin and a small clutch.Little sayys Miss, she knows how to knock it off.We´ve walked the streets of Seoul wearing these traditional clothes and people didn´t even pay us crazy stares.We´ve fit- in to Seoul.Without the scorching summer heat, we could have worn it for more hours.

Now we just need a real Palace and we are ready to be transported into the Joseon Era.

After a few minutes of calmness and some quiet walk around the palace grounds,we had a change of settings.The real commotion had began.This palace is a must -see if you are in Seoul and of course we haven´t missed it.I haven´t even had a decent selfie trying to do a copy-cat of famous princess pose with the background of the beautiful Gyeongbokgung Palace.Swarm of tourists flooded like locusts, a real tourist catastrophe coming in to life. I have seen different kinds of people from all over the world, all trying to feel the first impact of Hallyu–the world-famous Korean Wave.

We have visited few temples and Shrines on the past days, but this Palace is really special. Your visit to Seoul is not complete if you have´nt seen this. The changing of the guards is quite a scene so I am so glad we´re just in time to watch the show. It was quite enchanting.The palace square has a view of the modern buildings surrounding the Palace and on the other side, the view of the mountain.

When I was still living in the Philippines, I have often met many Koreans.Most of them are trying to learn English and were looking for Tutors.Before, I saw them as normal tourists, nothing special.During that time, I was more digging into Japanese culture and when I had the chance to work in a Japanese company and learn Nihongo, Korea is far in my memory and Seoul is never a tourist destination for me.

Now talking about Korean food, the first time I ´ve ever tasted “Kimchi“, I was offended by its smell. I couldn´t eat it. It´s so strong for my taste buds. I had a Korean friend in my German Class here in Germany and she kept giving me Kimchi. She made it herself so it´s an authentic recipe.Since then, I was hooked into making my own Kimchi and has been a staple part of my diet.This wonder food is so good that it helped me have a deeper love affair with Korean BBQ.So the moment that we are in Seoul, we had our first authentic Korean meal.I remember ordering Samyetang, which is a rich chicken with broth dish and some noodles that I forgot the name. Almost everyday, we eat Korean food and our tummies were happy.Our tables are always full of different side dishes and they were all delicious.

Korean wave came and we´ve got hit by it and we love it.The more that we dig deeper to Korean culture, the more that we appreciate it.We´ve watched few Korean Dramas and it´s really different from the overrated TV shows we´ve seen so far.There´s always a lesson behind each story and not to mention that Korean actors and actress are really good looking.The quality of production and talented casting made each series super cool.I mean the moment that we´jve watched how BTS do their dance and moves, I was really thinking where on earth did they get this so good?!

I have a sensitive skin but I felt at home with Korean beauty products.When we are in Seoul, we went to Myeondong shopping district.It is nearby to Namsan Tower and to where we are staying so its quite easy to reach the shopping areas by their excellent public transport.they even play a song while waiting for the train!Myeondong is a must in our trip because I want to get as many Skin products as much as I can bring back to Germany.

Korean beauty products are really really good.I am writing these things based on my personal experience.Koreans loved using facial masks as part of their skin care routine .From what I have seen,Koreans loved to take care of their health, skin kind of vain.Most of their products contain unique ingredients that are not commonly found in Western skincare products. Ingredients such as licorice root extract, ginseng, mugwort, snail mucin, birch sap, honey, fermented rice water, and various other fermented substances are commonly found in Korean beauty products.I was really surprised how big the market for beauty products there in Myeondong!

In Germany, you can find Beer garden and bakeries in every 2 kilometer radius, in Seoul, there is Olive Young and convenience store everywhere!Koreans loved to eat and drink, and always drink their national Coffee -the Iced Americano- their black coffee with ice cubes.

Another thing that caught my attention was how Koreans loved simple and cute little stuff.My daughter was so crazy about Kakao & Friends characters and also San Rio. In Seoul, she found her heaven.Locals were so nice, polite and always cheerful. Being in Seoul did not made us feel intimidated or out of place.It´s really a place where modern meets the traditional culture that is being preserved up until now.

When we are visiting the Palaces and temples, I felt like I was really transported to the times where humble Koreans are living in the past when there´s no fancy Cafes, no Samsung,LG, Hyundai and BTS or Black Pink.The architecture, the palace gardens are so well preserved.There is so much pure beauty in these gardens and palaces.One thing, these places remains sacred and no vendors are allowed inside.

I find Korean style very eclectic, modern yet conservative.I´ve watched many documentaries about Korean food like Korean BBQ Rhapsody , Noodles, and their fermented “Kimchi” and it all goes to one thing. A warm , homemade meal goes a long way.Every season in Korea has a special ingredient which is present to their table everyday.Even their fried chicken gained it´s owned famed and for me, better than others that I have tasted.When I visited my Korean friend in Seoul, she served me Gimbap , Theobokki and fried chicken. Everyday I wish I could have it again.

I admit that one of the reasons we went to Seoul is to have a real experience of the country and to see what´s really going in there.Is it really good as it we see in internet or heard.Before I only know Korea as a war-torn country. Up until now, there´s a wall dividing the South & the North and nobody knows until when it will be that way.But looking at the bright side of life, it is a great inspiration.I am always grateful to know some Korean and having them in my life.

We were eating our lunchbreak at work and suddely my German colleague showed to me her new Tattoo. On her legs shows a crazy BTS symbol.I could understand her excitement when she tells me that she´ll be visiting Seoul in October.Just like me, she have caught the Korean Wave as well.

So if you asked me, I would want to return to South Korea sometime again soon. I would love to explore more of its distant provinces and explore the neighboorhoods more, eat their local foods and probably just spend idle times at the banks of Han river.

What country is your next travel destination for this year?

Until then, Tschüß!