Just another world from Ploy's view
Spring in Seoul this year (2026) has been, quite frankly, a little surreal. We haven’t even officially hit April, yet the city is already draped in white and pink. It’s strange—prominent cherry blossom spots reached full bloom so early this year, even beating out the usual early bloomers like Busan and Jeju! Among the neighborhoods …
You know spring is in full swing in Seoul, South Korea, when the days grow longer, the air turns warmer, and the 벚꽃 (bot-ggot), the Korean word for cherry blossoms, begin to bloom. It’s the season that breathes life back into my sluggish social media presence after a seemingly endless winter hibernation. The moment I spot the …
It’s still the last week of March, but this year, something magical is happening. The cherry blossoms have started to pop and bloom across Seoul much earlier than usual—a rare, early phenomenon that has caught many by surprise. Many spots are reaching their peak before April has even officially arrived. One particular spot that has …
After a decade of living in the heart of Seoul, I’ve navigated my fair share of smoke-filled BBQ joints. From the high-end luxury spots in Gangnam to the hidden “hole-in-the-wall” gems in Mapo, I thought I had seen—and tasted—it all. But then I found 백년갈비 (Baeknyeon Galbi) Sinjeong branch, and frankly, the leaderboard has been …
We are in the last week of March, and Seoul is beautifully undergoing its annual spring magic. While the famous cherry blossoms are still shyly budding, the magnolias have stepped up to take center stage! If you are visiting the city this week, you will likely notice white “popcorns” of magnolia flowers popping up at …
Spring in Seoul is always a race against time, but sometimes the best views aren’t the ones on the “Top 10” lists—they’re the ones you stumble upon while simply getting to know your new home. We recently moved into the Guro-gu area, and as the air started to lose its winter chill, we headed out …
With only four winter days to explore Hakuba for the first time, we decided to dedicate each day to a different resort. Naturally, we saved a spectacular ‘bluebird’ day for the legendary summit of Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort & Snow Field. In this post, I’ll walk you through our entire journey—from the first morning lift …
The Koriko Cafe Yeonnam branch has been on my Seoul cafe bucket list for quite some time, and finally, this Spring, I eventually got to tick it off the list. In this post, I am going to share the lovely experience and tell you why the blooming season is the perfect time to visit this …
Spring in Seoul is officially in the air, and if you are anything like me, you are already counting down the days until the city is blanketed in soft pink petals. While places like Yeouido or Seokchon Lake get all the fame, my absolute favorite area to witness the peak is Hapjeong. What makes Hapjeong …
Busan is a city where rugged mountains meet the sparkling East Sea, and sleek skyscrapers stand right next to colorful, winding alleys. If you’re planning a trip to Korea’s second-largest city, you’re in for a treat. From savory pork broths to “Santuorini-esque” views, here is your ultimate guide to exploring Busan like a local. 1. …