Many people love the idea of travelling to Korea for a vacation. In this post, we’re going to argue why it’s the perfect lifestyle destination and how it compares to other locations like Costa Rica, which is famous for its wellness retreats, or Paris, which is world-renowned for its romantic streets, especially in the centre.
Over the last decade, Korea has expanded as a cultural force, with K-dramas, K-pop, and even K-beauty. Visiting the country is an extraordinary experience, especially for Western tourists used to conventional life in North America or Europe. Not only does Korea have neon-lit streets that never sleep, but it also has rice houses next to temples and meticulously designed venues that are purpose-built around guest comfort.
Korea offers cafe culture on steroids
If you thought Italy or France had the ultimate cafe culture, then you’ve seen nothing yet. Korea is now world-famous for having some of the best cafes in existence. The reason is that the country has turned the experience into something deeply cultural, almost like a weekend sport. Cafes have different themes:
- Brutalist
- inspired coffee bars
- minimalist bars
- traditional wooden hanok cafes in locations like Bukchon
You’ll notice that many of these cafes have unique drinks to offer, and interior themes and designs. They may even bring your drinks and food to you in unique ways, or have specific presentation rules that you won’t see anywhere else in the country.
Skin care and wellness are a way of life
Skincare and wellness are a way of life in South Korea, with the country spending millions of dollars collectively on treatments and cosmetics. K-beauty is now globally renowned, thanks to effective marketing campaigns demonstrating the extraordinary glass-like skin of many Korean models. Skincare is deeply rooted in culture and lifestyle. Many people protect their skin with SPF and have holistic skincare routines aimed at prevention, reducing the risk of wrinkles and other damage from forming in the first place.
Beyond retail products, there are plenty of high-quality dermatology clinics in Seoul and Incheon. Here, you can get affordable laser treatments and personal colour analysis to help you determine what types of treatments and cosmetics are best for your skin. Of course, at the root of all this care is the notion that it’s a good idea to take care of yourself holistically. This is something which is celebrated and encouraged in Korea.
Convenience stores are like nothing you’ve seen before
The idea of a convenience store offering something special seems sort of alien to Western tourists, but this is exactly what you get if you travel to a place like South Korea.
Many of the top brands, like CU, GS25, and others, offer more than just the ability to pick up a can of beans or a loaf of bread when you don’t have any left in your pantry. Instead, you get bento box meals, gourmet snacks, and all sorts of beverages.
For Koreans, the convenience store lifestyle is real. Many work long hours, so it’s become integrated into their lives. Convenience stores are where they can eat quickly and then get on with the rest of their day without having to worry about cooking from scratch. It’s simple to pick up a bowl of instant ramen or get a snack straight from a machine.
The best in the world culinary scenes
South Korea is also known for serving the world’s best food. If you’re into Michelin-starred restaurants, you’ll want to head to Gangnam. These offer highly innovative fusion dishes, often collaborations between Western chefs and locals.
You can also get comforting meals in the local neighbourhoods selling traditional Korean foods, including local soups. Street food culture is also thriving in Korea still, despite the country’s renewed wealth. Many people still prefer to go to street food vendors because they can see the meals being prepared right in front of them. Knife-cut noodles are a favourite, and mung bean pancakes. You can also pick up boxes of sushi and hot soups with noodles and ramen.
Exceptional public transportation
Exceptional public transportation is another reason why South Korea is fast becoming the ultimate lifestyle capital of the world. Not only can you easily get secure luggage storage Seoul Station, but you can travel across Seoul and the rest of the country very quickly.
The Seoul Metropolitan Subway, which is incredibly punctual and can take you to most parts of the city, dominates Seoul. If you want to get out of the main city, take the Korea Train Express, a high-speed rail that can take you from the top of the country in Seoul down to Busan in just a couple of hours. This ease of movement makes South Korea one of the most connected and accessible countries in the world.
A culture of trust and safety
One of the most striking things you’ll notice if you ever visit South Korea is the overwhelming culture of trust and safety. The crime rate is exceptionally low, as it is in most East Asian countries, but this fundamentally alters how you move through the world.
Many people leave their phones, laptops, and wallets on cafe tables while they go to the restroom without worrying about somebody picking them up and taking them. Walking home at night in most locations is relatively safe. Even in a capital city like Seoul, you rarely feel threatened. The atmosphere is completely different to most cities in the West, where doing those same things would be irresponsible, if not outright dangerous.
Trendsetting fashion
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, South Korea is an ultimate lifestyle destination because of its trendsetting fashion and street style movements. Walking around Seoul feels like you’re at the front row of a runway show. There are so many well-dressed people around, all aspirational and wanting to look their best. It’s not just suits and bow ties. You can also find plenty of cutting-edge streetwear inspiration simply by walking around the city.
If you are looking for something a bit more formal, then you might want to go to nighttime fashion markets in Dongdaemun. These go on until the early hours of the morning.
