12 fun things about Seoul that TikTok won’t tell you

Have you ever travelled somewhere new and felt like you’ve entered into a different (maybe better) dimension? If that sounds meta, apologies but that’s what it was like: exciting and overwhelming, but brand new in every way. At least that’s how I felt when I visited South Korea on a week-long press trip with the small group adventure travel company, Intrepid Travel.

Of course it’s partly because I’d never been to East Asia before, but with the ever-invasive and ubiquitous reach of social media, my brain was convinced that few things can truly surprise me anymore. I’m happy to announce that this silly assumption was shattered in Seoul and Busan. From naked spas and kimchi smiles to quiet-time on public transport, I left having witnessed a fascinating, warm culture that goes beyond K-pop, K-beauty and K-dramas.

But if you’re yearning for something a little more vicarious, I got you! Here are 12 things I loved and learnt about (parts of) South Korea that internet roundups and viral TikToks may forget to tell you.

• In Seoul’s Hongdae district, many clubs have an age restriction – and no, not the kind you think. People born before 1997 (non-Gen Z lol) aren’t allowed in. Absolutely wild.

• If, after that club night, you’re looking for some midnight karaoke, locals may correct you and say it’s “noraebang” in Korean while the word “karaoke” is Japanese. For better or worse, some South Koreans are passionate about their nationality and wear it on their sleeve.

• This one’s cute: when posing for a photo, people often say “kimchiii” instead of “cheeeese”.

• If, like me, you’re a yapper on public transport, beware: most people use subways and buses as their quiet spaces.

• In my experience, fancy hotels rarely have their lobby on the entrance floor; they want guests to have a view when they check in, so it’s typically on the highest level of the building.

• Public trash cans aren’t popular in Seoul and Busan. Apparently it’s the government’s way of urging people to move away from single-use plastics and takeout boxes.

• Most restaurants are narrow and stacked up over multiple winding floors. So if you’re seated upstairs, keep an eye out for a little elevator in the wall that brings your food up to you. Another world, I told you.

• Oh and when you get your food, don’t be surprised if there are no serving spoons. South Koreans are big sharers and love digging into dishes together. Community and what not <3

• Age is a big thing: the youngest adult in the room always pours alcohol for everybody and looks away to have their first sip out of courtesy for the older ones.

• Okay you may have seen this one on TikTok, but they LOVE photo booths. Every street is peppered with themed shops that you can step into, take pics, and even add stickers and filters.

• When a local’s talking to you, make sure you nod constantly and interject with ‘aha’s and ‘hmm’s: it’s often considered disrespectful if you’re just quiet, as they think you’re not paying attention.

• If you’re flying Korean Air, you must appreciate the air hostess’ uniforms. Coquette without trying and bows galore.