the ONLY guide u need for everything about seoul ⭐️

— 🪪 how do u obtain public transport cards?

get a T-money card. i recommend WOWPASS, for $5 on klook.

it’s both T-money card (top up at T-money machine) and debit card (top up at WOWPASS machine). claim your card at a wowpass machine, avail at most train stations eg airport

— 🏡 where to stay?

hongdae ✅ myeongdong ❎

imo, myeongdong is flooded w tourists and the prices are hiked up as a result. hongdae has a good balance of crowd with peace and quiet. and the restaurants & cafes are just better; stay tuned for my recommendation list

— 🚕 can i use grab? how to call taxi?

no airport van needed! call a car via 2 apps — TADA or kakao taxi.

both are really cheap, minimal surcharge during peak hour and they charge my distance rather than time taken. for reference, a 30 min trip from myeongdong to hongdae cost me 10,000 won (~$10). kakao taxi is a bit easier to get, TADA search times out quickly

— 🗺️ can i use google map? do i really need naver map?

use BOTH.

even if some locations are searchable by google map, korean shops close at random timings on specific days so only naver maps would give u accurate info on that. also, google maps doesn’t display many shops and doesn’t give u car and walking instructions.

however, i would keep google maps so u can look up the korean names and put it into naver maps. if location is not available on google map, you need to find a site (eg social media) that shows u the naver map link.

— ☕️ how do i find kpop idols?

it’s tough to get info on real-time findings as kpop fan cafes are usually in korean, and sometimes w bad UI/UX. and paparazzi like osen only gives u past updates. it’s also difficult to get into fan cafes as even if you’re willing to spend $$ on light sticks etc, you need a korean phone number.

i recommend trying incheon airport if u know they may be departing/arriving for a schedule, or going to watch SBS inkigayo/the show or KBS music bank. i made a post on how to get free tickets. otherwise u can pay $140 on the website trazy.

— 💭 do i need to speak korean?

most will know english / chinese in myeongdong, but anywhere else they kind of expect u to speak korean or at least try a lil! they get stressed if u order or talk in english. so do try learning some basic phrases, even if it’s just like “igeol - hana juseyo” or “hwajangsil-i eodieyo” [btw i’m sorry if i got anyth wrong]

— 🕰️ when to go korea?

avoid summer and winter bc korea’s seasons can be super harsh

— 💬 what other apps do u need?

also get LINE and kakaotalk because if u buy any travel experience there, they most likely need to communicate to u details via there. or u need LINE ID for certain things.

save this for when u need it!

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