Top 10 ways to beat your Korea blues during a global quarantine
Closed borders crashed numerous travel dreams with no end date in sight. The world is trying hard to fight against the COVID-19, and we hope that things will get better soon… But, while we wait, we have created a Top 10 list to help you get past the hard times, and even improve your future trip to South Korea! Read along to get some inspiration!
1. 안녕하세요! (it means hello in Korean)
First thing you can do is learn some Korean. Learning a language does not have to be plain and boring with your head in the books 24/7. There are fun ways to learn Korean too! Did you know that 한글 (Hangeul) is one of the easiest alphabets to learn? For a start, check out Talk To Me in Korean page as they create structured lessons with easy explanations! Are you up for a challenge?
If you feel you are not a complete beginner anymore, then check out some lessons on Youtube to further expand your basic conversation skills. How about ordering a Korean fried chicken on Han river next time you are in Korea?
Knowing a word or two in Korean will definitely make your trip more enjoyable as the locals are always happy to hear you speak their language (even if it is just a simple 안녕하세요)!
P.S. We would recommend trying out our favourite Korean Language app Teuida. It not only gives you a chance to actually SPEAK the language, but you also get to e-meet your favourite K-pop idols, such as Nancy from Momoland! It is free to try it out, and if you decide to carry on with it, just use HALLYU code to get up to 50% OFF!
2. Learn the lyrics of your favourite Korean song (…or songs)! This will be a perfect addition to your South Korea trip too, as Korea is famous for it’s 노래방 (norebang) karaoke rooms. It is a must do when you visit South Korea! And learning your favourite song beforehand will definitely work out for the best!
3. Read some Korean books! We promise you will love it! Our top picks would be Han Kang ‘Vegetarian’ or ‘Human acts’. It will definitely leave you speechless! Or learn more about Korean war by reading another fictional book ‘Pachinko’ by Min Jin Lee. Check out our Top 6 here! You will soon wish the quarantine never ends!
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4. Study Korean history. If you talk to a Korean person, soon enough you will realize just how proud they are of their country. There is a reason why! Korea has come through a lot, and standing where it stands now, there are a lot of incredible people that the country is thankful for. Have you heard of Yun Gwan Sun? Her bravery and love for her country created the national movement, which, at a later date, helped Korea break free from the Japanese occupation. This is just one young lady, there are many more national heroes worth discovering!
5. Learn about South Korean culture. Did you know that sleeping with a fan on might cause death? Well, at least that is what the famous Korean superstition is saying! The Korean culture is definitely different from the West- the cultural norms, the superstitions, the drinking rules- you name it! Learning a thing or two about it will definitely improve your trip to South Korea, even more, it is a fun way to spend an afternoon reading through the list too!
6. Research about North Korea. Although it stands as a separate country now, the South Korean public hopes that one day the two will become one again. After all, up until 1945 it was one united country. Many families were separated and most have never seen each other again. Although it is not something you will be chatting away about while on your trip to South Korea, but it is good to have some knowledge about it. When you are visiting Seoul, you can also take a day trip to the DMZ, the only place where you can see North Korea right in front of you!
7. Watch a Korean drama/movie. As you may know South Korea is famous for it’s dramas and especially the movie ‘Parasite’ (have you seen it yet? It’s a must!) The Korean dramas caught an eye of many international fans due to it’s romantic nature. The characters are often well developed and the stories will keep you glued to the screen for an all-nighter (oops!). Have you seen Travel Through Romance? This is one of our top recommendations as it’s based in some of the most beautiful places in South Korea, it will definitely make you long for that trip!
8. Why not make some Korean friends before your trip to South Korea? This might be an especially good idea for those traveling there solo. We know just how scary it might be, getting on your first solo trip to a country you’ve never been to. If you search the internet, you will soon learn that there are a few apps allowing people to make international friends! Just to name a few Hello Talk and MEEF are the most used apps as far as we know. However, take care when talking to people online and make sure you stay safe in the digital world and when you do meet your online friends for the first time.
9. Try a Korean recipe! Did you know that Korean food is extremely delicious? Once you try it you will know exactly what we mean! It will make your heart melt! While we are all home grounded, now it is a perfect time to have a little play around and try to cook some of the easier Korean dishes yourself! 계란말이 (gaeran amri) is a Korean egg omelet, it tastes delicious and it will only take you 10 minutes to prepare it! So why not give it a go!
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10. Exercise! Well, this one is kind of obvious… But, you need to stay fit and healthy so that once the flights are open you can hop on the plane and explore all that South Korea has to offer! All these wonderful mountains and lakes! Never mind the delicious food you’ll eat everyday! It is important to stay fit and healthy to enjoy all what life (and Korea) has to offer!
With all of the above you will not only feel closer to Korea, but you will also be 100% ready for your next trip! Let us know if you have any more ideas to add onto the list!
Author: Raimonda Kekyte