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Tips and Hacks for the Ultimate Korea Trip

Have you been dreaming of finally flying to the land of amazing food, K-Dramas, and K-Pop? If you don’t know where to start, consider this your ultimate guide to ha

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Mariel Abanes

<p><strong><a href="https://metro.style/search?q=south%20korea" target="_blank">South Korea</a></strong> is a must-see destination for many, especially following the pandemic when we all got obsessed with everything Korean-related. And if, after a long travel hiatus, you’ve finally decided to book that flight to the land of <strong><a href="https://metro.style/search?q=hallyu" target="_blank">Hallyu</a></strong>, DIY-ing your way is a great option for a well-curated trip you will surely remember. </p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div class="youtube-iframe"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/63GWAM2I2fI?si=1M8c4uiC0q2Dxw0Q" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Tip 1: Get your finances in order</strong></div><p>																Having a trusty card such as a <a href="https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/cards/debit-card?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=rsa&amp;utm_campaign=dcacjdd&amp;gad=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JanBhCPARIsAJpXTx5WwfSA9xbRIIKOLHgKY5wUlmBHBpUwq4e3_IdudZMPav9dklX3idMaAvETEALw_wcB" target="_blank">BDO Debit Card</a> with you is important to enjoying your Koreangetaway to the fullest. Through safe and seamless transactions it lets you shop better and dinebetter on your trip. Having one will make your trip as easy as smiling to “Kimchi!” Plus, you won’thave to worry about bringing a bulk of cash and having it converted to the local currency. Makesure to have one so you can travel better.									</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/c8041231-4d2d-4d98-9041-7d07dcf27429_tip 2 book your airline tickets.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Tip 2: Book your airline tickets and accommodations ahead</strong></div><p>																Plan your trip way ahead of time and book your flights early to get low ticket fares. Make sureyou also have a comfy place to stay during your trip. To get great deals on both, keep an eyeout for travel sales and time-limited flash deals. One travel sale you can take advantage of isThe Great BDO Travel Sale happening throughout January with stops in Manila, Davao, andCebu, as well as online at <a href="https://www.travel.bdo.com.ph/" target="_blank">www.travel.bdo.com.ph </a>for exclusive discounts.									</p><div><br/></div><p>																Choosing long-term stays on Airbnb can also get you a big chunk off the original booking prices!Preparing ahead can reward you big time and spare you from stress, especially if you want tostay in popular districts such as Myeongdong or Hongdae.									</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Tip 3: Consider your luggage</strong></div><p>																In terms of luggage, consider the season you’re flying in – summer can guarantee lightweightpacking, while autumn and spring will require you to bring light cover ups and sweaters forlayering. Winter is for coats and puffer jackets, so get a bigger baggage allowance if you plan tobring all those thick knits and cozy pieces! Or if you have the budget, just bring luggage and buyyour winter wear when you arrive. The underground shopping area in Myeongdong and thriftstores in Dongdaemun offer good quality winter clothing that won’t hurt your wallet!									</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/985507ad-c101-4690-9550-fe95e04215d6_tip 4 plan your food tour.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Tip 4: Plan your food tour </strong></div><p>																From tteokbboki to bibimbap, enjoy a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience sampling variousstreet foods at affordable prices! Go cafe-hopping at Yeonnamdong, enjoy cheap eats atHongdae and Ewha, head to Incheon for jjajangmyeon, and experience Korea’s unique fooddelivery service when you order chicken and beer by the Han River. The options are endless!									</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/18f14fa4-2990-4f3c-a4be-a8fb830ad4d9_tip 5 set fangirling activities.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Tip 5: Set fangirling/ fanboying activities </strong></div><p>																You’re in South Korea. This is it! If you’re a K-Pop fan who wants to see your favorite idols livein Korea, you can bookmark go-to ticketing websites and register ahead of the open-ticket date.Fulfill your fangirl or fanboy dreams further by agency-hopping or by visiting your bias’ favoriterestaurants and hangout spots.									</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/2676fa45-17f7-4d71-b44e-fd1a271de209_tip 6 map out filming locations and go on a kdrama pilgrimage.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Tip 6: Map out filming locations and go on a K-drama pilgrimage</strong></div><p>																If you’re a K-Drama fan, curate a specially-themed escapade by visiting filming locations. Forstarters, there’s Gwanghwamun Square, where the iconic <em>The King: Eternal Monarch</em> meetingscene was shot; Yeouido Han River where scenes from <em>Squid Game </em>and <em>My Love from AnotherStar</em> was filmed; COEX Starfield Library for <em>Record of Youth</em> fans; and Everland if you want torecreate that romantic scene in <em>What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim</em>.									</p><div><br/></div><p>																You can search about these locations on various websites such as <a href="https://koreandramaland.com/" target="_blank">Korean Dramaland</a> (KDL),with over 3,000 locations on their archive, and <a href="https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/main/index.do" target="_blank">VISITKOREA</a> with published K-Drama guidesthat you can just bookmark and follow.									</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/15b323bf-71c4-4819-a57a-5ca20842a6aa_tip 7 participate in a culture tour.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Tip 7: Participate in a culture tour</strong></div><p>																If you’re in love with Korean culture and would like to learn more about South Korea’s richhistory, join a culture tour. Sightsee places such as Bukchon Hanok Village where you can takepictures of traditional <em>hanok </em>houses; Gyeongbokgung Palace where you can experiencewearing a hanbok while walking the palace grounds; and Insadong for some traditional tea atDawon Traditional Tea House and Shin Old Teahouse.									</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Tip 8: Stock up on skincare products</strong></div><p>																Since it’s Korea, go crazy choosing among their wide selection of beauty goodies available!Various skin care products can be found almost everywhere, and buy-1-get-1 deals (and more!)																							are also rampant in Hongdae and Ewha Women’s University that you can effortlessly pay forusing your debit or credit card! A premium K-Beauty experience awaits as well when you visitsalons, such as Jenny House or Woosun, and get luxury facials at Sulwhasoo Spa Gangnam.									</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/a284044f-3eb3-4a7b-8927-d47f77b41e68_tip 9 make sure you have a bdo debit card.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Tip 9: Make sure you have BDO Debit Card</strong></div><p>																Are you ready for the trip of your Hallyu dreams? Before you fly out, don’t forget your <a href="https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/cards/debit-card?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=rsa&amp;utm_campaign=dcacjdd&amp;gad=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JanBhCPARIsAJpXTx5WwfSA9xbRIIKOLHgKY5wUlmBHBpUwq4e3_IdudZMPav9dklX3idMaAvETEALw_wcB" target="_blank">BDO Debit Card</a> so you can go cashless! It’s most convenient for shopping, food trips, dining out, paying foryour accommodations, booking tickets to concerts, movies, and fan-meets, and more! And ifyou still need cash, you can use it to make ATM withdrawals while abroad.									</p><div><br/></div><p>																Plus, your <a href="https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/cards/debit-card?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=rsa&amp;utm_campaign=dcacjdd&amp;gad=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JanBhCPARIsAJpXTx5WwfSA9xbRIIKOLHgKY5wUlmBHBpUwq4e3_IdudZMPav9dklX3idMaAvETEALw_wcB" target="_blank">BDO Debit Card</a> gives you access to exclusive travel deals with airlines and travelagencies at the Great BDO Travel Sale! Don’t miss your chance to get exclusive exclusive faresonline at <a href="https://www.travel.bdo.com.ph/travelsaleonline" target="_blank">www.travel.bdo.com.ph </a>or onsite at:									</p><ul><li>Manila – SMX Convention Center Aura, SM Aura Premier on January 11-14</li><li>																			Davao – Mall Atrium, SM Lanang on January 19-21</li><li>																			Cebu – First Level Northwing, SM City Cebu on January 26-28</li></ul><div><br/></div><div><strong>Got inspired yet? Here are all the places we mentioned in this story!</strong></div><div><br/></div><div class="article-content" itemProp="articleBody"><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/2608ad54-6869-480d-bd0b-6af1079d09ab_bdo-landscape-thumb.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/77b4a598-5075-42fb-ace5-37756a76b5ad_myeongdong shopping.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/36826fd1-2cc4-49c2-8454-5a6313c84db4_dongdaemun design plaza - hakon-grimstad-x7xd-zvczzm-unsplash.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/7c398c4b-7e7b-42fd-a6c2-69d2825464ab_img_7685.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/a6fddf03-4486-47cf-b817-69b177097065_hongdae_pexels-ethan-brooke-2128042.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/6d6d7a51-715c-4e34-81eb-a3bb0706e701_han river_keiteu-ko-3gv7-q5pjly-unsplash.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/5e4b8ad4-bd2d-401e-a197-0031276a1025_gwanghwamun square_skyler-w-kmjbsdvwnzy-unsplash.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/01abc7cf-150a-4f4e-b256-5be7dded4f3e_coex starfield library_josip-ivankovic-jpets-vfp68-unsplash.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/e08f8ebd-6753-4540-8377-2a90f4373843_everland_skyler-w-cwwer8eihfg-unsplash.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/ad784825-d707-4367-9b59-4f2562deb4b1_bukchon hanok village_y-k--e6xu27_t50-unsplash.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/08df7b0d-eb78-422f-9f6e-81f67bdc391a_insadong chatjip tea house 1063782_image2_1.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/8f774a13-6599-4826-a7aa-bb3b2db90480_olive young_column_09.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/350dad4e-82cf-475e-b110-de57d24115a7_jennyhouse_w24tilsunwlzhifqaig6.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Myeongdong</p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Dongdaemun Design Plaza<cite>Photo by Håkon Grimstad on Unsplash</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Cafe-hopping at Yeonnamdong / Greem Cafe<cite>Photo from @greem_cafe</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Restaurant scene in Hongdae<cite>Photo by Ethan Brooke</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Order chicken and beer by the Han River<cite>Photo by Keiteu Ko on Unsplash</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Gwanghwamun Square<cite>Photo by Skyler W on Unsplash</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>COEX Starfield Library<cite>Photo by Josip Ivankovic on Unsplash</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Everland<cite>Photo by Skyler W on Unsplash</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Bukchon Hanok Village<cite>Photo by Y K on Unsplash</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Traditional tea house - Insadong Chatjip Tea House<cite>Photo from VisitKorea.or.kr</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Olive Young<cite>Photo from Visit Korea</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Jenny House<cite>Photo from Klook</cite></p></div></div></div></div><div><em><strong><br/></strong></em></div><div><em><strong>For more information, visit the <a href="https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/cards/debit-card?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=rsa&amp;utm_campaign=dcacjdd&amp;gad=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JanBhCPARIsAJpXTx5WwfSA9xbRIIKOLHgKY5wUlmBHBpUwq4e3_IdudZMPav9dklX3idMaAvETEALw_wcB" target="_blank">BDO Debit Card Website</a>.</strong></em> </div><div><br/></div>

Have you been dreaming of finally flying to the land of amazing food, K-Dramas, and K-Pop? If you don’t know where to start, consider this your ultimate guide to having the trip of your dreams!