Top 7 Out-of-the-Box Experiences in Korea That Are Worthwhile

By:  Brittany S

Traveling to a different country doesn't always have to mean you want to visit the tallest building, location where something was filmed, or museums (or something equally historical and/or insightful).  Why not do some of the fun stuff that the locals do?  Doesn't saying you ran with the bulls in Barcelona sound so much cooler than you watched a bullfight in your home country?  Here are a few ways to make these kind of memories in Korea.

7--Visit “Dr. Fish”  (Gangnam, S. Korea)

Although you can do this in other countries, I’ve read the best reviews about doing it in Korea.  Stick your feet in a tank with two different kinds of fish that will eat the dead skin—a natural pedicure!

Things to Do:

Wear loose clothes so you can roll them up and keep them dry.

Enjoy gelato/waffle/coffee/smoothie before you go to the tank.

Keep a tight grip on your camera so you don’t drop it in the water!

Things to Remember:

Don’t put on a lot of moisturizer the day you get ready to go.

6--Receive training and fly a plane same day! (Gimpo, S. Korea)

I wouldn’t recommend coming all the way to Korea just to do this, but if you are already planning a trip there, why not take things to the next level?  The pilot is British so don’t worry about language barriers.  You will either fly a 2 or 4-seater plane with his assistance.  It’s pretty cool!

Things to Do:

Dress in layers. The temperature will vary on and off the ground.

Taxi the plane on the runway.

Take control of the plane in the air, both turning & balancing it out.

Wear a headset and communicate with Air Traffic Control and your co-pilot.

Things to Remember:

Take your time moving the controls. It only requires small adjustments.

The instructor has a set of controls, too.  You’re in good hands.

You can only take pictures in designated areas ONLY.

5--Visit the “Love Castle” (Gyeongju, S. Korea)

I couldn’t help but giggle like a schoolgirl at this museum.  From penis chairs, sex toys, and karma sutra instructional videos to fetish displays and animal porn, this museum has enough to keep you smirking.  In spite of its description, it’s not a sleezy place and you will oftentimes see timid couples going there for a date.

Things to Do:

He's such a good kisser. ;-)

Take at least one inappropriate picture with a statue (oh c’mon…you’re at a SEX MUSEUM!)

Be prepared to be shocked, embarrassed, and/or curious, etc.

Go with someone you’re dating or make it a girls’ night out

Watch the kama sutra video while sitting on penis chairs in a dimly lit room

Things to Remember:

Don’t do anything there that you wouldn’t want others to find out about (employers, etc).

This place mainly focuses on the aesthetics of sex and love.

4--Eat LIVE Octopus!  (Seoul, S. Korea)

Ok I’m not gon’ lie, I haven’t done this one…yet.  I have to work my way up to it! Not only is eating live octopus a little like something off “Fear Factor” for many of us (it actually was a Fear Factor challenge), but if eaten incorrectly, you could choke and die!  It is only second to blowfish as the most dangerous food to eat in the world. (Now you see why I’m not in a rush to cross this one off my list.  Maybe I’ll do a few more of these and THEN do this one…*nervous laugh*)

Things to Do:

Have a buddy record a video of you eating it.  Some people make really funny faces.

CHEW FIRST THEN SWALLOW.  DO NOT SWALLOW WHOLE!

Things to Remember:

“Death By Octopus” is not something you want on your tombstone. CHEW!

3--Boryeong Mud Festival (Boryeong, South Korea)

Korea has a festival for just about EVERYTHING.  But out of all their celebrations, this one draws the largest foreign crowd.  Head down to the beach and enjoy a day covered in mud!  From mud facials/massages to colored mud body paint to mud wrestling, there is plenty of excitement for people of all ages.  You’ll leave with your skin feeling great!

Things to Do:

Encourage someone you can release your pinned-up frustration on to mud wrestle with you.

Go down the giant mud slide—try not to scream or you will get mud in your mouth!

Turn yourself in and go to “mud prison.”

Enjoy the free concerts and other performances.

Visit the mud spa.

Party on the beach!

Get your body painted in colored mud.

Things to Remember:

Book your hotel or pension rooms EARLY.  Same thing applies for transportation both ways.

Don’t pack things that you’d be devastated if they were ruined.

Wear sunscreen and swimwear that can handle you being active.

Don’t get your hair done right before you go. ;-)

2--DMZ Tour (DMZ, S. Korea)

DMZ, or Demilitarized Zone is a true misnomer.  By definition, a demilitarized zone is a place where all military presence or function has been removed and forbidden.  Then why is this place the most heavily militarized border in the world?  This area serves as the buffer zone between North and South Korea.  Not only do I recommend this as a great historical site that explains a lot of the story behind Korea’s division and current relations, but for some, it presents a unique thrill of being in a dangerous place.  Even though there are rules and agreements in place, time and time again incidents have happened from someone disobeying orders, resulting in death at times.  Depending on the current relationship between the two countries, you may even be able to go into North Korea; but be careful.

Things to Do:

Tour one of the three tunnels open to tourists (4 tunnels in total)

Take pictures with soldiers (ask permission first)

Read up/watch mini documentaries on the history of that area

Buy souvenir(s)

See “propaganda village” in N. Korea as well as the large flagpole

Go to the JSA (Joint Security Area)

Visit the Gyeongui (KORAIL) line that connects the two Koreas

Things to Remember:

Sign up to go with a tour

Have your passport and/or ARC handy

Dress conservatively and neatly (check your tour’s exact dress code)

Take pictures in designated areas ONLY

1--Do a Temple Stay (all around S. Korea)

You don’t have to be Buddhist (or be concerned that they will try to convert you) to do a temple stay.  Korea has a few world renowned temples that are foreigner/non-Buddhist friendly.  I highly recommend Haein Temple (near Daegu).

Things to Do:

Take a vow of silence.

108 Prostrations (Yup, you’ll bow 108 times!)

Wake up at 3am to begin your day as a monk.

Practice meditating.

Talk to monk(s).

Take a hike.

Things to Remember:

All your actions should be with your “mind” (it’s the heart, not the brain).

Make sure you eat all the food you put on your tray.

Adhere to the temple rules.

No cameras during official ceremonies.

Dress conservatively.

Afrique, je t’aime! (Why I Love Africa)

By: Meisha


I first fell in love with the continent of Africa while traveling across West Africa. The diversity of cultures, mixture of languages, beautiful landscapes, and richness of history drew me in.  However, it was the unique joie de vivre and spirit of the people I met from Senegal to Nigeria that made me fall in love with Africa.  Until now, I have never been able to fully express in words what I felt. I have learned a new word in South Africa though that fully captures the essence of the African spirit—Ubuntu!

Ubuntu is a South African word that loosely means humanity to others and is based on a philosophy that a person is a person through their relationship with others.  I have learned from my South African friends that Ubuntu is also togetherness.  Despite our differences we are one. Everyone is treated with the same respect.  And whether or not I know you, I respect you as a human being.  You are my brother.  You are my sister.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu once defined Ubuntu as, “the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole World. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.” 

While Nelson Mandela described Ubuntu as when, “a traveller through a country would stop at a village and he didn't have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him.”

I have witnessed Ubuntu as far north as Morocco and as far south as South Africa, in the warm (and sometimes really long) greetings that are extended to strangers and friends alike. In the numerous cups of mint tea, meals, and Cokes I have shared with strangers to welcome me to their country.  In the trust my neighbor has in her community, which permits her to let her 3-year-old son walk around and play in the neighborhood without her supervision (she literally goes door to door looking for him sometimes).  Or in the rides that strangers have given me that kept me from walking in the hot African sun.

I will never forget while traveling from Senegal to The Gambia during Ramadan, I got stuck at the border for over an hour while workers prayed and consumed their evening meal.  My friends and I were a little concerned about finding lodging at night.  A couple we chatted with, while waiting, invited us to abandon our taxi and ride with them into The Gambia.  They not only escorted us to an awesome hotel, but the next day they picked us up, took us on a tour, and invited us over to dinner for a delish meal of Chicken Yassa!  This was all done with no expectations.  The couple wouldn’t even take gas money from us.    

I encourage you, if you haven’t already, to visit Africa so you can experience Ubuntu for yourself. Be sure to include activities that will allow you truly mix and mingle with the local culture. I promise you that once you have a love for Africa will also develop in your heart!

Yeosu World Expo: The Ugly, the Bad and the Good

By Nicole Brewer (featured in the June issue of Busan Haps)


I attended the opening day of the Yeosu World Expo which is set to run through Aug. 12th.  Yeosu is a port city in the South Jeolla Province and its 317 islands. This year’s Expo theme is “The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities." The overall goal of the three month exhibition by countries from around the globe is to promote how humans can live in harmony with the ocean while also encouraging sustainable development and renewal energy.  

Nicole taking a photo opp. in the Oman pavilion. 

The Ugly- The expo was absolutely gorgeous with an astounding array of architectural designs, light exhibitions and dancers in vibrant, colorful costumes.  Nevertheless, I would be remiss to not mention that several of the pavilions were not finished on opening day.  I did not have time to investigate the corporate pavilions such as LG and Samsung but heard they too were incomplete. I did see a lot of wood planks and walled-off construction areas which was disappointing.  

The Bad- In order to be a successful international event with appeal to diverse backgrounds they need to have several languages available at the exhibitions.  There are 105 international pavilions to attract a varying crowd of participants.  However several pavilions, including the Korea’s, did not include English (the most widely used tourist language!) in the video displays.  

The Good- I was very impressed with the organization of the Expo.  We arrived around 8:30am with our tour group WinK (When in Korea). My suggestion to you is while you’re in Korea to not use this group, I was quite disappointed with their service, but I digress. After 9am you can reserve your 2 top pavilion choices.  

The "Big O" where fireworks and water displays are shown.

This helped smashingly in allowing us to detour long, never-ending lines unlike the Shanghai Expo of 2010.  When I attended the Shanghai Expo I was lucky to tour 4 pavilions in 6 hours.  Nevertheless, the crowds were much bigger in Shanghai but a reservation system could have indeed helped.

Even with some of the flaws I did have a lovely time and would recommend anyone living in Korea to check it out. I suggest visiting over the course of 2 days if you want to take a lot in.

Getting to and from Yeosu

The best route to Yeosu from Busan is by bus as there are no direct trains from here.  You can take either a bus from Sasang or Nopo terminals at a cost of 18,100 won. It takes 2 hours and 50 minutes. As reportedly widely in the media, poor planning by the Expo commission has, much like other international events in Korea, vastly under supplied the surrounding area with accommodations. Book in advance or consider staying at Gwangju, which is about 40 minutes away.