Beyond kimchi & K-Pop: 5 takeaways from my trip to South Korea amidst COVID-19

Initially, I had booked a flight in May only to receive an unexpected positive COVID-19 test result which completely disallowed me from getting on the plane. This had repercussions on subsequent hotel, car rental and attraction bookings; worst yet, the insurance I bought for this trip did not have any COVID-19 cover! As a result, I suffered monetary losses, and after rescheduling my flight, I vowed to get better coverage despite a higher premium. So, I looked to MSIG's TravelEasy® plans that automatically included COVID-19 insurance coverage on top of other travel insurance benefits. With this, I could travel worry-free. 

Hiccup aside - the two-week-long trip to South Korea in early June, when the weather was just transitioning to the summer season, was perfect for exploration of the city. Often synonymous with South Korea are K-Pop sensations like BTS and the wide variety of Korean cuisine, but overlooked are its serene mountains, clean waters and green terrain that account for the title given to the Korean peninsula and its calming nature landscape. With mask-wearing restrictions still in effect indoors, I mainly looked to the outdoors for activities to add to my time there. 

Check out Seoul City from the Namsan Tower

In the heart of Seoul, one can't miss out on the iconic Namsan Tower and Namsan Park, which serve visitors a bird's eye view of Seoul City and is a perfect spot for watching the sunset amidst forested paths. 

Accessible by subway, day trips out of the metropolitan city to the countryside areas such as Yangpyeng and Gapyeong make both an affordable and convenient getaway to the countryside. 

View along the bicycle path in Yangpyeong county

Exploring Yangpyeong county is best done on bicycles along demarcated cycling paths through attractions such as the Semiwon Garden and Dumulmeori, a main ecotourism spot where the Bukhangang River and the Namhangang River converge. There, we were greeted with beautiful scenery of the hills and river, a 26-metre high zelkova tree over 400 years old and framed photo zone popular with tourists. 

If you're feeling a little daring, you can also try paragliding in Yangpyeong to witness the country's beauty above the verdant forests, breathtaking mountain ranges, and vast fields. 

Venture amidst the canopy of trees all around Nami Island

Taking a ferry out to Nami Island from Gapyeong is also one of the must-dos when visiting South Korea. It features beautiful tree lanes, riverside walks and woodlands and has since been popularised for being the filming location for many hit K-dramas. It was not only one of the most instragrammable spots of the trip but also provided respite away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul. 

Pro-tip: Make the most of the day trip by planning your route around other attractions such as Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm, also located in the area. 

Ride along the Ganchon Rail Park

Special mention goes to Gangchon Rail Park*, 20 minutes away from Gapyeong station. With breathtaking views of the mountainous countryside and themed caves along the rail path, it is undoubtedly the superior rail experience you can get on your day trip to Gapyeong. 

Split into 3 parts, the course includes a 6-kilometre rail ride, a train ride and a shuttle bus back to the station where you can easily head back to Seoul from - all for just approximately 20 SGD. This way, unlike the Gapyeong equivalent, you will pass by the same scenery twice, but you will still return to where you started. More information on the Ganchon Rail Park here. 

*Note: There is also Gapyeong Rail Park experience available, but my friends recommended I go for the Gangchon one. No regrets!

A bird's eye view of the Gyeongbokgung Palace compound

Alongside the picture-perfect scenery, South Korea's rich history is best represented by the traditional Korean houses (also known as "hanok") and 600-year-old royal palaces that exist alongside the tall skyscrapers in the heart of Seoul. 

Inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, wearing a traditional hanbok

I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. There, I took a step into Korea's history while marvelling at the beauty of the formal halls, pavilions and surrounding greenery. 

The entry fee is usually around 3,000 KRW but wearing a hanbok (traditional Korean dress) will get you in for free. To get the full traditional experience, I dropped by a rental store located just around the corner that offered many different colours and styles for both men and women. I picked out a traditional piece in my favourite colour and was also offered free hairstyling services on the spot (~12 SGD for 2.5 hours of rental). 

Pro-tip: Book the hanbok rental in advance on Klook, and you might run into cheaper deals! 

In the area, there are other historical places to visit, such as Chandeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shiren. The Bukchon Hanok Village, with countless alleys of hanoks, must also not be missed. Free walking tours that bring you through key cultural areas in the village are also available for booking. 

Walk along the alleys of hanoks around Bukchon Hanok Village

Did someone say café? As a coffee junkie, I appreciate a good cuppa joe and ambience. South Korea sure does take its coffee seriously, with numerous hipster joints all over the city boasting unique concepts, aesthetic interiors and really, really good coffee - espresso, filter...you name it! Along with this, you would find an array of sweet and savoury pastries at any time of the day. 

My favourite pick? The famed hanok-themed Café Onion Anguk is known for its Instagram-worthy interior and delicious pastry.

Indulge in pastries and coffee at Café Onion Anguk

Apart from having the caffeine fix covered, who will pass up on the authentic K-BBQ experience? Offering different cuts of meat paired with an array of side dishes, including various types of kimchi and other vegetables, the hospitality and service at K-BBQ eateries in South Korea sure hit different. If you're in the Namdaemun or Gangnam area, check out Yuksiri - their white kimchi was extra yummy! 

Our first hearty K-BBQ meal in Seoul in Yuksiri

Be ready to conquer shopping in Korea - a few hours in and out of stores was enough to tire me out, but there was just so much to see (and buy) that I could not miss out on! A mix of budget-friendly finds in underground malls, and conceptual stores of both international and local brands, every store I walked into never failed to pique my interest. 

The futuristic exterior of three-storey conceptual store Worksout

The streets of Hongdae and Apgujeong were my favourite. There, the store concepts, curated items and welcoming staff of the stores that lined the alleys surely added to the experience. 

Pro-tip: Locate the shops and brands you would like to visit ahead of time and plan your shopping by the districts.

Don't forget to stop and check out the talented buskers in Hongdae!

Thinking of travelling to South Korea soon? With over 50 comprehensive benefits, including adventurous activities cover under the Elite and Premier plans, MSIG TravelEasy now comes with automatic COVID-19 coverage for Single Trip plans purchased at no extra charge. 

This includes up to $3,000 coverage for travel postponement or cancellation if the insured gets COVID-19 within 30 days before the trip*. If the insured tests positive for COVID-19 while overseas, up to $200,000 coverage for medical expenses and an overseas quarantine daily benefit of up to $1,400 per adult are also included. 

Find out more about TravelEasy here. 

About our guest writer

An undergraduate student with an interest in food, arts, travel and trends. Melissa jumps at every opportunity to experience and discover the world up close. When she's not busy with projects, you'll find her in the streets documenting people and places or Netflixing in the comfort of her home.