South Korea
South Korea in particular Seoul is an extremely busy place. While the country is known for its culture and historical sites, tombs, temples, and ancient relics the country is very crowded and hardly relaxing. During the holiday periods in July and August the accomodation also tends to get very expensive, there are crowds everywhere and the transport system is overloaded.
- Location: Eastern Asia
- Capital: Seoul
- Climate: Humid summers and icy winters.
- Currency: Republic of Korean Won (W)
- Language: Korean (official)
- Related Link: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/south-korea
July 1, 2006 @ 7:15 pm
willee said,
extremely busy, people everywhere!
However, very interesting place, Pusan, has one of the most interesting markets I have ever seen!
I have also found that if I stand around looking lost , railway stations etc., or even on the street people will always ask if they can help me.
The food is not great, but there is always some kind of fast food , such as pizza, or burgers.
Pusan is so much better than Seoul, still old world in many areas; although, it has changed a lot since my first visit in the early 90’s.
May 24, 2007 @ 1:24 am
matthew said,
Worst country in East Asia. Lots of racism. Japan so much better.
April 24, 2008 @ 3:18 am
Lily said,
As someone who has visited China, Japan, and Korea, and spent some time living in most of them, I would say that if you’re looking for an exotic, classical far east experience then you’ll be disappointed in major cities and tourist hubs. Seoul is no longer the city of ancient relics and a far eastern experience most people imagine when they thing of Korea, it’s a functioning industrial center, just like New York City, or any other. I think the problem here is more a matter of expectation than of quality
June 14, 2008 @ 7:41 am
Brian said,
I disagree with all the previous posts. Seoul offers a great mix of the old and the new, which I love!! Crowded??? I think you guys gotta be kidding me. Of course Seoul is a city of 10+ million, but thats what makes it exiciting and fun! I am 100% sure you guys are from one of those smaller towns and cities in the US or Europe. Plus, racism…I’ve seen a lot more in the USA than ANYWHERE around the world. Koreans can be rough on the side but they are the warmest people on earth and VERY honest and helpful too! Let’s not talk about food because Korean food beats burgers and hot dogs and pizza any day any time. No wonder most westerners are overweight as fuck
March 1, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
Adrian said,
I went to Koera because my wife is Koeran,I found it to be a clean safe city where the cab driver place their money on the dash boards of the cabs.I loved the temples,mountains the forests and shopping the people loved me when they found out I was Aussie not American. A clean safe lovely place to visit.
November 22, 2010 @ 6:29 am
Nicole Hudson said,
I think Pwhelli is one of the worst destination in the world. There are a lots of beaches which is too terrible and you can never spent more time with your family there. I have been going there, not good for vacations.
December 27, 2010 @ 2:12 am
Kevin said,
Seoul… I would say this city is full of people without any public manners…
I was at the public washroom and there wasa guy was smoking inside infront of no smoking sign … Gosh.. But then it is very safe city thou unlike L.A.
I would say nothing special about Seoul…
I prefer HK or Japan much more.
January 30, 2011 @ 9:42 pm
Justin said,
Well, me being korean myself, this was a rather harsh review. I guess you haven’t known it enough, but there are good and bad things about South Korea. Recently, I took a short visit, and it’s a lot more cleaner and dynamic. I was born in the United States and currently go to school here, but I understand why some don’t like the cultural differences. I must admit, 3 to 4 years back when Roh Moo-Hyun was president of S.K, my god it was different.
June 20, 2011 @ 9:11 pm
SS said,
Why is South Korea on this list? My husband and I went there last summer & we loved it!! We are from Canada & couldn’t get over how clean, safe and polite the people are. Also, the food is amazing & the people are so kind!!! I would go back again for sure!! As well, the fashion is amazing there & the high tech stuff is out of this world…I prefer South Korea to Japan - which is way to expensive and fake!
June 20, 2011 @ 9:14 pm
april said,
Loved it!! Pop culture is amazing…food is amazing…people are beautiful and super friendly!! Very honest and hardworking!!
July 20, 2011 @ 11:41 pm
Lisa said,
The food is boring, especially the street food. Garbage cans are rare, so when I visited people just dumped their trash on the street. The hotels are overpriced and the service is terrible. Tokyo was better.
October 31, 2011 @ 8:49 am
Chuck in Osan said,
I’ve been in S. Korean for 3 months now. I am stationed at Osan Air Base (actually outside of Osan). I get out often for competing in bike races…have been all the way to Changwon (by Busan) and to Seoul/Incheon multiple times and many places inbetween. So, I will have a bit of a prejudiced view being American….however here is what I have discovered:
1) Yes, the roads can easily get over-burdoned especially on the weekends leading to miles-long jams. Buses have an advantage in that they can use the bus lane and often keep moving. Koreans are agressive yet unintelligent drivers. They often don’t follow traffic signals; especially if no police are around.
2) It is true that trash cans of any decent size are uncommon. People often pile their trash at certain locations.
3) Koreans love to push and shove….don’t expect them to keep to one side of a sidewalk or stairwell.
4) The food is plain at best, often with huge over-use of red peppers to give some flavor. They will pickle anything.
5) I left my wallet in a cab off base (discovered this 5 secs after I closed the door)…had three credit cards, my military ID, my US State Driver’s License, $200+ cash….the cab company was rude to my Korean speaking U.S. friend and did not offer to help. I never saw my wallet or contents again. I have heard many stories about Koreans keeping people’s ID and left wallets/money. Honesty does not exist in South Korea any near like it exists in Japan. Japanese are far, far more honest.
6) Yep…you’ll often get overcharged for poor service/food/hotels. Koreans will do anything for a buck, including traffic women in the sex trade.
7) The air quality is not that great. I spend at least 10 hours a week outdoors biking. I rarely have experienced a day with fresh air. Most days I smell stinky rice paddies, manure from cow/dairy farms, factory smoke and people burning trash including plastics especially at night time. Factor in particulates coming south from China and/or Yellow Dust in the Spring….and it is a BAD LUNG OF AIR to fill up on your vacation. Oh, don’t expect sandy beaches either. They are often muddy and have barbed wire to protect from norther invaders.
8) Resorts where hiking is an attraction such as Jeju Island, Mt Serac are simply over-crowded with locals on very narrow paths; especially when the weather is nice.
….save your money and go elsewhere…Thailand, Japan….Hawaii !!!
October 31, 2011 @ 11:53 am
mojde from IRAN said,
mmmmmm …. i like visit this country even one time….
i wish i can…..
December 1, 2011 @ 2:09 pm
jack said,
i exept……yes south korea is the worst place to visit…..i hv been their last year,the whole city is so crowded and even people are so identical………transport system is worstest ,food is disgusting ,hotels are too expensive ,and even i’hv watched their tv drama show,it is difficult to identify whether the actor in drama is a male or a female,never mind koreans this is true ,south korea is the worstest place i hv ever visted. I’ll recommend china, japan,india,singapore,thailand is much better place to visit.
December 10, 2011 @ 8:26 am
Aomy- Thailand said,
I think it depends on how u look at it..
also, it depends on your own expectation and taste.
for me, South Korea is very Fascinating.
i traveled to not only a city like Seoul, but other countryside areas,
only me and my friend (both female)..
we are touched by people who offer kind help,
people knows what is good what is bad..and that’s the charming part..
they seem to know what is right to do and what shall not do..
they always offer help, from there sincere heart…
talking about drama, i am from Thailand..
where all the TV dramas talk about affair/ corruption/ girls fight over boys/ and etc.. and that very pity for us Thai…
but for Korean drama, the plot the story, even the bad people in Korean drama seems to have reasons why they are bad..and in the end, u find out..they are not that bad..so it is something to tell us..of how people think/act..as life and drama…somehow it can be related.
talking about food, perhaps i come from Asian country too…so food there is AWESOME for me! i love their nutritious food, fresh and non-toxic.
visiting Korea in late autumn, is one memorable journey for me.
so i definitely get back to Korea again, for all the changing seasons…