We’re back with another article where we write up your suggestions! From adorable fluffy animal cafes to spooky haunts like abandoned theme parks, and even Korea’s hottest K-Pop museum, we’re building the ultimate South Korea itinerary with our community.

With the recent news of South Korea lifting all Covid-19 border restrictions and arrival PCR tests no longer being mandatory, we’re all but ready to hop onto a plane and fly ourselves to the Land of the Morning Calm. After all, who isn’t in love with this Kimchi paradise? 

The K-pop bops, the all too addictive K-dramas, and not forgetting to mention the FOOD. I don’t know about you, but I’m already salivating at the thought of getting my hands on sticky Korean deep-fried chicken that’s smothered in spicy sauce. And we definitely can’t leave out those chewy tteokbokki rice cakes and bouncy tangy Naengmyeon noodles! 

There’s just so much to do and see in South Korea. But where to start? Recently we put up a poll asking you, YouTroopers, what’s on your Korea itinerary. And boy, oh boy, did you guys really come through. Here are the results! 

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🇰🇷 Ongoing Korea Deals
Pay with your YouTrip Mastercard at ticket counters to receive discounts on your tickets/attractive gifts at the following attractions!

Attraction	Promotion	Validity Period
Lotte World	🎟 20% off one-day passes	1 May 2022 – 30 Apr 2023
Museum Kimchikan	🎟 Get 10% off on admission tickets	1 Jul 2022 – 30 Jun 2023
Seoul Sky	🎟 Get 20% off on admission tickets	1 Jul 2022 – 30 Jun 2023

1. Play With Fluffy Sheep At Thanks Nature Café

Image Credits: Bored Panda

You may be familiar with dog and cat cafes, but have you ever enjoyed your cup of coffee in the presence of soft fluffy sheep? These two docile and friendly four-legged friends are well taken care of, as well as clean and bathed regularly. So feel free to earn yourselves a little cuddle therapy! 

Thanks Nature Café (땡스 네이쳐 카페)​​ also offers a variety of dessert waffles and refreshing ice shaved Bingsu for you to chow down on. Their Honey Bread Toast with ice cream on the side is also a hot favourite. But do keep in mind that during the summer season, you won’t be able to see these woolly stars due to the extremely humid weather conditions! 

Admission Fee: N/A

Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 12 AM – 9 PM. Weekends, 12 AM – 8 PM. 

Address: 10 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Building Our South Korea Itinerary With YouTroopers: Check out more on Thanks Nature Cafe here

2. Eat At Single Inferno Moon Se Hoon’s Restaurant — Onlygo

Image Credits: Danial Food Diary

If you’ve watched the popular Netflix reality TV series, Single’s Inferno, you’ll know of Moon Se Hoon. And guess what? He has his very own restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul! Onlygo is an up-scale and classy restaurant for those who want a fancy night out dining on only the best. Serving a variety of dishes from cream pasta to steak, pork belly, risotto with a Korean-Italian twist, and even salmon sashimi, you’re undoubtedly in for a treat at this eatery. 

Tip: Head there for lunchtime if you’re looking to skip out on long queues and dodge the crowd! If you’re lucky you might even meet the dedicated and talented Moon Se Hoon! 

Opening Hours: Daily, 11 AM – 10 PM

Address: 20 Eonju-ro 151-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Building Our South Korea Itinerary With YouTroopers: Check out more on Onlygo here

3. Get Cheesy At Imsil Cheese Theme Park

Image Credits: Korea Tourism Organization

Imagine cheesy corndogs, dakgalbi, and pizza with an impressive yellow gooey pull that never seems to end. If you love cheese as much as I do, head to this cheese lovers’ paradise dedicated to all things, well you’ve guessed it, cheese! 

At this quirky theme park, you’ll learn about, make, and eat cheese. Why not try your hand at making your very own Mozzarella Ismil Cheese for 13,000 Won? Or learn how to make pizza for 12,000 Won! This gigantic theme park is full of sights and activities. 

Head to the Trick Eye Museum and take a bunch of fabulous pics. Or relieve your childhood at the playground that’s equipped with a 300-meters long slide! There’s even a barn full of adorable goats that you can feed. You’ll even find a gigantic cheese wheel observatory building that will give you a bird’s eye view of the entire theme park. 

💡 If you’re heading to Korea in the springtime, this park will be littered with colourful blooms of red, yellow, and pink. A mesmerizing sight indeed.

Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 AM to 6 PM. 

Address: 50 Doin2-gil, Seongsu-myeon, Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea

Building Our South Korea Itinerary With YouTroopers: Check out more on Ismil Cheese Theme Park here. 

4. Explore Asia’s Largest Limestone Cave At Hwaam Cave

Image Credits: TripAdvisor

“Shiny! Like a treasure from a sunken pirate wreck.”. As Moana’s villainous giant crab sings, gold, as we all know is one of the most highly coveted items. But how does it come about? Find out at Hwaam Cave.   

Known as Asia’s largest limestone cave, this cave showcases Korea’s gold mining history. There, you’ll be able to learn about the cave’s ecosystem, as well as how to mine and smelt gold! Home to plastic goblins, bizarre little cartoon characters, wacky music, and colourful lights, this nature-made cave sports plenty of limestone, stalactites, and lakes that’ll take your breath away. Simply golden. 

Admission Fee: 4,500 – 5,000 Won (Adults), 3,000 – 3,500 Won (Adolescents), 1,500 – 2,000 Won (Children), Free (Seniors aged 65 >).  

Opening Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 5 PM

Address: 12-1, Hwaamdonggul-gil, Hwaam-myeon, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea 

Building Our South Korea Itinerary With YouTroopers: Check out more on Hwaam Cave here

5. Watch BTS In Busan

Image Credits: The K-Pop Updates

Calling all ARMY fans! BTS is all set to rock the stage with a FREE live performance on 15th October in Busan! Supporting Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo, the much-awaited concert is titled “Yet To Come In Busan”. This charming seaside town will be transformed into a BTS wonderland for their dedicated fans. 

Even Lotte World Adventure Busan will be transforming its theme park for its special “Purple Lights Up” event celebrating the talented boy band. Offering purple-themed BTS-inspired food, beverages, and limited-edition merchandise, we can only imagine the amount of purple that will be filling up Busan in the coming days! Guess we chose the right colour after all 💜

Concert Venue: Busan Asiad Main Stadium

LIVE PLAY Viewing: Busan Port International Passenger Terminal Outdoor Parking Lot

Livestream Platforms: Weverse, NAVER NOW, ZEPETO 

Building Our South Korea Itinerary With YouTroopers: Check out more on Yet To Come In Busan here

6. Visit Korea’s Hottest K-Pop Museum At Hybe insight

Image Credits: TripAdvisor

Another one for you K-Pop maniacs! The cultural centre of Seoul, HYBE was established as a space where artists and fans can meet through music. Experience its many exhibitions and displays that’ll surround your five senses as the museum showcases how music can be enjoyed in a deeper way. Haven’t gotten enough of BTS? Hybe Insight is holding a “2022 BTS Exhibition: Proof In Seoul” till 22 November 2022! A place for music lovers looking to get inspired.

Admission Fee: 22,000 Won 

Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 AM to 9:20 PM

Address: South Korea, Seoul, Yongsan-gu, Hangang-daero, 42 HYBE INSIGHT

Building Our South Korea Itinerary With YouTroopers: Check out more on Hybe Insight here

7. Live Out Your K-Drama Dreams At The Most Popular Hanok-Themed Cafe — Café Onion

Image Credits: middleclass.sg

If you’re an avid foodie, you definitely need to add this to your travel itinerary. A blend of the past and present, Café Onion Anguk near the Gyeongbokgung Palace will transport cafegoers into a dreamy historical Korean drama. With traditional roof tiles and wooden interiors, this cafe is beautifully designed like a Hanok — a traditional Korean house built in the 14th century during the Joseon Dynasty.

Image Credits: Alexis Jetsets

Rest your tired feet after a trip down to Bukchon Hanok Village and enjoy fragrant coffee and fluffy pastries such as their popular Pandoro that’s covered in powdered sugar. Or have a taste of their bestselling Avocado Pollack Roe Baguette! And of course, how can you come to Korea and not try Injeolmi and Red Bean bakes? 

Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 7 AM to 10 PM. Weekends, 9 AM to 10 PM.

Address: 8 Achasan-ro 9(gu)-gil, Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Building Our South Korea Itinerary With YouTroopers: Check out more on Cafe Onion Anguk here

8. Get Spooked At Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park 

Image Credits: Abandoned Spaces

Perfect for adding to the Halloween spirit, this small abandoned theme park was built in the 1980s and now stands as a glimpse into the past. Fading colours, bleached-out images of 80s pop icons, and rusty rides surrounded by scattered pieces of furniture and dislodged ride parts, this unusual theme park is great for photography or getting a break away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

For those willing to pay an additional fee of 30,000 Won, the owner will turn on the lights of its ghostly merry-go-round for you after 8 PM for an ideal photo op. Explore this spooky haunt to your heart’s content! But psst, be sure to visit in bigger groups if you’re heading there late at night. After all, who knows what could be out there? 😈  

💡 Check out Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital for other spookier places of interest! 

Admission Fee: 10,000 Won (Adults), 5,000 Won (Child). 

Opening Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 6 PM 

Address: 118 Mangu-ro 70-gil, Jungnang-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Building Our South Korea Itinerary With YouTroopers: Check out more on Yongma Land here

9. Eat Raw Octopus At Noryangjin Fish Market

Image Credits: Klook

A must-see destination for seafood lovers, the Noryangjin Fish Market is one of the largest seafood markets in Korea. With briny giant crabs, bouncy fresh salmon steaks, and the controversial yet popular raw octopus dish — Sannakji, it’s a seafood haven here at Noryangjin Fish Market. 

Market-goers can grab their favourite seafood in the markets below before heading up to the restaurants above where their purchases will be prepped and cooked. With the dirty work out of the way for you, all you’ll have to do is pair your dishes full of fishy goodness with a bottle of soju for the quintessential Korean experience. 

Opening Hours: Daily, 24 hours.

Address: 674, Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu Metro #1 Noryangjin Station, Seoul 06900 South Korea

Building Our South Korea Itinerary With YouTroopers: Check out more on Noryangjin Fish Market here

Explore The Land Of Morning Calm To Your Heart’s Content

Congrats, you’ve made it to the end of this list! Now that you’re equipped with a brand new guide to where to go when visiting South Korea, you’re all set to enjoy living out your K-Drama dream. When booking your hotel or getting some good savoury KBBQ meat, don’t forget to make use of your YouTrip Card to lock in those wholesale exchange rates and skip those pesky bank fees!

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Stay safe and happy travels! 

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