Just another world from Ploy's view
Every spring, Seoul plays a familiar game of cat and mouse with flower enthusiasts. We track the blooming forecasts, set our alarms for sunrise photo shoots, and mentally prepare for the crowds at the usual hotspots. But this year, the script flipped. If you’ve been following Seoul news, you know the heartbreaks: iconic cafes with …
If you have been following my little atlas for a while, you know I am a firm believer that the best travel moments are the ones you stumble upon after the crowd has moved on. Everyone chases the first bloom. The famous Somei Yoshino. The pale pink snow. The chaos of the Yeouido Spring Flower …
There’s a secret that local photographers and in-the-know Seoul dwellers have been whispering about for years. While the masses flock to Yeouido and Seokchon Lake for the fleeting, snow-white some (벚꽃) cherry blossoms, a much rarer, more opulent spectacle blooms just a short train ride south of the capital. Imagine walking through a European-style campus, …
If you’ve ever watched a Korean drama, you’ve seen the scene: friends sitting together with towels folded like sheep horns on their heads, cracking hard-boiled eggs, and sipping sweet rice punch. That quintessential experience takes place in a jjimjilbang (찜질방) —a traditional Korean bathhouse that’s so much more than just a place to get clean. Jjimjilbangs are …
My first solo trip to Hanam this spring was an absolute blast. If you’ve been following along, you know I recently gushed about the fluffy Gyup-beotkkot (double blossoms) at Misari Speedboat Park. But Hanam has another ace up its sleeve during the spring season: a vibrant, kaleidoscopic field of tulips that looks like it was …
For the past couple of weeks, my social media DMs have been overflowing. The recurring theme? Travelers arriving in Seoul with a bit of a heavy heart, asking where they can still find those iconic cherry blossom spots. I hate being the bearer of “bad” news, but it’s mid-April, and those delicate, pale Yoshino cherry …
It’s officially the middle of April. The pink dust that blanketed Seoul’s streets has faded to green, and the last of the beot-kkot have fluttered down into the Han River. If you’re reading this with a heavy heart, feeling like you blinked and missed the entire cherry blossom season, I have good news for you: …
If you’re staring at the green leaves on the trees in central Seoul today, feeling that familiar pang of blossom FOMO, I have some good news for you: Your spring isn’t over yet. I know the feeling. You saw the Instagram stories from Yeouido two weeks ago. You watched the petals fall from the trees …
I was meeting up with a visitor in Hongdae one evening, and my mission was simple but high-stakes: find a top-tier Gogi-jib (BBQ House) to welcome a friend who had just landed in Korea that very morning. After a quick deep dive into Naver, I stumbled upon Dwaeji Myeong-ga (돼지명가) Yeonnam-jeom. At the time of …
So, you’ve heard about Suwon’s famous fortress walls, but did you know this vibrant city is also a haven for modern design, serene gardens, and some of the best coffee you’ll ever taste? Just a short trip from Seoul, Suwon effortlessly blends centuries of history with a dynamic, contemporary heartbeat. Forget the typical tourist trail. …