In preparation for my sojourn to the land of Kpop and Kdrama, I find myself browsing through countless blogs, travel sites, and OTAs (online travel agencies). Though I've yet to look for must-visit attractions and must-buy items, there are certain things I want to do when I'm in South Korea, particularly in Seoul.

1. Eat bibimbap and samgyeopsal

Bibimbap @ Bibimbob

I've had the pleasure of tasting bibimbap here in Manila at a fast food joint called, Bibimbob, which is located at the food court of SM North EDSA in Quezon City. This signature Korean dish literally means mixed rice, and that's really what you do with it, mix the rice with vegetables and beef (usually it's beef, but at Bibimbob they also have pork and chicken). It's surprisingly delicious and tasty, and I'm all for having as many vegetables in my rice as possible, well, except kimchi as it is spicy. Not a fan of spicy anything. Needless to say, I fell in like with it and now must have this when I visit Seoul soon.

Samgyeopsal, on the other had, I have been curious to try ever since I saw it in a Kdrama. Savory grilled meat with garlic, bean paste, bean sprouts--even rice--wrapped in crisp lettuce and dipped in sauce. I'd be willing to forgo my hate relationship with anything spicy for this, and still try to enjoy it.

2. Stay in a Hanok guesthouse

image from kimchicrew

Even for just a night, I would like to experience a stay in a hanok, a traditional Korean house with wooden floors, columns, doors, and sometimes tiled, sometimes straw roofing. If you watch Korean dramas, I'm sure you'd have seen one. Most would have an ondol, or floor heating to keep you warm during the winter months. Sure, I might have to endure a trip outside to the bathroom if I feel to urge to pee in the middle of the night, as hanoks will commonly have a shared bathroom that's located in a separate structure. But all this will just add to the whole South Korean experience that I'm planning to savor on my trip. On the plus side, most hanok guesthouses are affordable and located within city limits.

3. Watch a Korean pop music show

SBS Inkigayo

Yeah, I'd queue up for this one, maybe even get up early. I don't actually mind who will perform (it would be great though if SHINee, Infinite, SuJu, FTIsland, or SNSD will be there), I just want to experience watching a live show instead of on cable or on YouTube. Plus, I'm really all for Kpop.

Mnet Countdown

There are different ways of getting in, one is by joining a Daum or a fan club, and you'd have to show you are a fan by producing a copy of the band/ singer's album to the fan club president/ representative. But you can also take a chance by signing up as a studio audience in any of the 4 music show's website: SBS Ingkigayo (Sundays), KBS Music Bank (Fridays), Mnet Countdown (Thursdays), and MBC Music Core (Saturdays). The audience would be selected randomly from those who signed up at the site.

4. Eat in a Pojangmacha

Again, as seen from countless Korean dramas, I'm curious about trying a meal in a Pojangmacha. These tented street stalls are a common sight in South Korea and, I'm thinking, might be a great place to sample Korean street food and see how the locals are like. Basically, people watch. it's not something I do very often, as I think it's rude, but then I'm a tourist so, maybe, certain liberties could be granted and taken. :D

5. Try the Jjimjilbang

South Korea's public bathhouse cum sauna. As a first-time tourist in SK and a regular spa visitor, I would like to try this very Korean form or relaxation. I believe it has become some sort of tourist attraction, if not for the unique experience you'll get. For a few thousand wons you can spend hours inside the jimjilbang lounging by the common area while watching on a big-ass TV or having a meal. You can even head to the saunas and start your jimjilbang adventure (but you have to be butt naked in these areas. Not to worry, it's separated by gender.) Some budget travelers even bunk for the night in jimjilbangs, saving them thousands of wons in the process. It's a fantastic idea, if you're not too picky about where you sleep. I would do this for the experience, but only when I'm not traveling alone.

I'm quite excited about this trip that hopefully will come into fruition as scheduled. However, there are so many things to do first before this happens...and that's my cue to start moving my ass and get started.

PS

Thanks to SHINee, EXO, Infinite, Spica, Super Junior, and Henry for getting me in the mood to write this long post.