Making Each Day Count

After our hanbok adventure at Gyeongbokgung Palace followed by a quick stroll around Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon, we headed back to Hongdae to rest.

My friends and I decided to split up for the afternoon and do our own thing. I wandered around Hongdae, browsed the shops, and picked up a few souvenirs.

That evening, we reunited for Korean BBQ, one of those meals that is as much about the experience as it is about the food. We sat around the grill, cooked the meat at the table, wrapped it in lettuce with garlic and sauces, and enjoyed some banchan in between.

The next day was something completely different. Prior to the trip, spent hours researching aesthetic clinics in Seoul. There are so many choices that narrowing them down was actually quite a task. I looked through different clinics, treatments and reviews, trying to find somewhere that would cater to what I specifically wanted. Eventually, I found a clinic in Hongdae that seemed like a good fit. This was a first for me as I’ve always found aesthetic clinics a little intimidating. Walking into one in another country and deciding to have procedures done took some courage. The experience was much more comfortable than I expected, and I was very happy with how everything went. In fact, I was already thinking about what else I would like to be done on my next trip.

By the time we were done, we were more than ready for lunch. We headed out for an octopus lunch at 오쭈꾸미 홍대점, which hit the spot after our long clinic session.

Food sorted, we checked another item off my friend’s Seoul checklist: a themed café. We found a cute little place called 오 아일랜드 카페 Oisland, and I thought the service concept was pretty cool. My friend got to try one of those slot-machine-type games where you get a surprise gift.

With our bellies full and a little caffeine in us, we were ready to keep going. We hopped into an Uber and headed for Namsan Seoul Tower.

Namsan Tower is one of those Seoul landmarks that feels worth visiting at least once. Perched on Namsan Mountain in the middle of the city, it offers a completely different perspective of Seoul. We took the cable car up, which made getting there part of the experience. And I immediately made a mental note: Next time, I’m bringing D. He’s never been to Namsan Tower, and I definitely want him to experience this. At the top, we took our time enjoying the panoramic view. Seoul seemed to stretch endlessly below us, with the mountains surrounding the city.

We also came across the famous love locks, with thousands of padlocks left behind by couples over the years. I’m not sure I’d add one myself, but it was fun to see.

We grabbed a drink, found a spot with a view, and watched the sunset over Seoul. After spending days rushing from one place to another, it was nice to simply sit and take it all in.

After Namsan Tower, it was time for diner, and dinner meant Myeong-dong and street food. Yes, it’s touristy. But my friend was visiting Seoul for the first time, so there was no way we were skipping it. The last time I did the Myeong-dong street food and shopping circuit was in 2011, with another travel friend. So coming back after all those years was a little nostalgic. This time, I got to experience it through my friend’s eyes as she discovered Seoul for the first time.

We wandered through the busy streets, sampled street food and browsed the shops. My friend particularly enjoyed the skincare shopping.

Eventually, our feet were tired. We called another Uber and headed back to the hotel. It was our last full day in Seoul and I am glad we got to do a lot of activities. I really wish I can go back again next year.