Last Updated on April 9, 2022
Looking back at 2020, and beyond the pandemic, I can’t help but be so grateful for my time I had living in South Korea.
I wrote this post as I was about to leave the country back in July, but have not gotten around to posting it yet. Reflecting on the good things that 2020 brought into my life, this seemed like an appropriate post to put out there – especially for any skeptical military spouses who have future assignments in South Korea.
As my time is approaching to leave South Korea, I’m starting to get that horrific gut-wrenching feeling that I get every time I’m about to bid farewell to a place I’ve become so fond of.
Living in South Korea has been one of the best experiences of my life. I’m truly going to miss it and hope I will make it back one day.
You what?! The negative comments I got prior to living in South Korea
It’s funny – when I announced to friends and family that I decided to accompany my hubby on his assignment to Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, South Korea, I only received negative feedback:
“South Korea is dangerous”, “South Korea is dirty”, “There’s nothing to do in South Korea”, “Locals are rude”, “South Korea has a reputation for prostitution”, “You won’t be welcomed”
…the list went on and on.
The truth? None of those statements are remotely true (okay, maybe parts of the country can be a bit dirty, but not much worse than the states).
Overall, living in South Korea is what you make of it. If you sit in your apartment all day long moping around, of course you’re not going to enjoy your experience! You wouldn’t enjoy that even if you were living in paradise!
Here are just 10 [of many] reasons I absolutely adored living in South Korea.
1. The country is surprisingly beautiful
I’m not sure why I expected to be living in a dump of a country when I came to South Korea (clearly, I based my expectations off of what people were telling me who hadn’t even stepped foot in the country).
South Korea is filled with rice paddy fields, lush mountains, seascapes and more. There are even green tea plantations and bamboo forests to explore.
2. The locals are the nicest humans ever!
Seriously. This is an understatement. The locals (mainly the younger ones), are such people-pleasers (I’ll admit, some of the older Koreans can be a bit grumpy and feel very entitled).
If I ever had a difficult time communicating, they are very patient and willing to help. If I need something at a restaurant or café, the servers are very quick, attentive, and gracious for your business.
Even just wandering out and about, the younger locals will help you if you look lost, or come up to you and try to speak English saying, “Hello, how are you?” or even say “You’re so pretty!”.
Seriously, Koreans have really boosted my self-esteem since I’ve lived in South Korea.
3. Everything is visually appealing
Koreans would make incredible interior designers. They know how to make almost anything aesthetically pleasing.
Nearly every café, shop, or restaurant is just so darn cute and Instagrammable. You’ll see plenty of shameless selfies being taken… and will feel no shame taking some yourself!
4. Koreans know how to do cafés
If there is one thing I will full-heartedly miss about living in South Korea, it will be the cafés. There are tons of cafés everywhere!
I’m not talking Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. There are a ton of cute stand-alone cafés all over the place – all with their own unique theme and personality.
Each and every one of these cafés puts so much effort into presentation – presentation of the café and presentation of whatever you order. Everything is picture-perfect!
5. Locals will make you smile
Guaranteed!
Whether it be a couple with a matching outfit (which you’ll see plenty of), a t-shirt with a saying that doesn’t quite make sense, or maybe even a t-shirt that says, “Be Smile”, they’re bound to make you crack a little smile.
6. Locals know how to have good, clean fun
All of the local Koreans are very innocent and just know how to have good, clean fun.
Unlike in the states, where everyone seems to have an “agenda”, Koreans are so down to earth and non-judgmental.
Think board games in cafés, going to a bar or party without the pressure to drink, plenty of festivals and events around the country throughout the year, and so much more.
7. My safety is never a concern
I think Korea is the safest place I’ve ever been.
I’ve walked through back side streets at night with a few girlfriends, or alone in desolate places and have never felt remotely scared or threatened.
I leave my computer and purse unattended at a café while I use the restroom and never once does it cross my mind that it will be stolen by the time I return.
Even my hubby leaves his keys in the ignition of his electric scooter when he’s not using it, and it’s never been stolen!
I truly believe if I were to drop a wad of cash on the street, a Korean would do anything in their power to return it to the rightful owner.
Despite our northern neighbor, South Korea is statistically one of the safest countries in the world! That’s a fact.
8. There is so much to do
No matter where you are living in South Korea, there is always something nearby to do.
Hiking, biking, exploring a local city, checking out a café or restaurant, visiting an old village, visiting a tea plantation, glamping or camping, hanging at the beach, golfing, trying a new fitness class, and more!
Again, it’s really what you make of your time living in South Korea. It can be intimidating to get out and explore in foreign territory, but it’s so rewarding.
9. Most of The apartments are luxurious
(I swear!) All the apartment buildings may look the same and drab from the outside, but the insides are quite luxurious.
Most apartments have fancy bidet toilets, heated floors, video security systems, and more. This goes for most of the hotels as well!
10. The things Koreans do are just…smart!
Nearly every day, I see something that Koreans do that I think, “Why don’t we do this in America?”.
Literally, silly little things that just make sense. Such as charging for nice plastic bags at the grocery store if you didn’t bring your own – these bags are thick and sturdy, plus have a tie in between the handles so things don’t fall out (and so you don’t have to tie the handles together).
When ordering a messy meal, some places provide gloves to wear while eating it so you don’t get your hands all dirty or have to worry about putting germs in your mouth while eating if your hands aren’t clean.
When driving, especially on the highway, when there is a fork in the road or an exit, Koreans have colored the lanes with a pink, green or blue line. On Korean GPS apps, the app will indicate which color lane you are supposed to be in.
Advice for Military Spouses planning to move to South Korea
Some of the most important advice I could give any military spouses planning to move to South Korea is to get out of your comfort zone and go explore the country or even just nearby town.
You’ll be amazed at how living and traveling in a foreign country can really change your life.
Explore one of
South Korea’s Most beautiful attractions:
Boseong
Green Tea Field
