#traveldiaries
A time to explore different travel destinations in Korea that are less well-known.
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Behind the Mask, the Truth Comes Out
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we leave the royal palaces behind and step into the village '마당', where ordinary people sang, danced, played games, and sometimes put on masks to laugh at the people above them. We'll look at why masks could be sacred, funny, and surprisingly critical of society; experience some of the most memorable characters from Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori; and co
Hangeul Day Special: The King Who Gave Korea a New Voice
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we celebrate Hangeul Day by going back to the surprising story behind Korea's alphabet. In 15th-century Joseon, King Sejong decided that ordinary people needed a writing system that actually matched the Korean language; then faced opposition from scholars who thought creating easy new letters was dangerous. We'll look at how the original 28 letters work
The City Built from Grief, Love, and Reform
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we finish our four-part King Jeongjo series in the place where his personal history became a physical landscape: Suwon Hwaseong. It began with the memory of his father Crown Prince Sado, grew into a new city built with scholars, soldiers, craftsmen and new technology, and became the stage for Jeongjo’s extraordinary 1795 journey with his mother Lady Hyegyeong.
The King Who Built a System, 규장각, 초계문신, 장용영, 신해통공 Part.2
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we leave King Jeongjo’s private life and look at how he actually governed. Jeongjo had ambitious ideas, but being king did not automatically give him loyal officials, trusted soldiers, or the power to change old economic privileges, so he built institutions to do it. From 규장각 and 초계문신 to 장용영 and 신해통공, today we look at the machinery behind the reform king.
King Jeongjo who Built a System, 규장각, 초계문신, 장용영, 신해통공 — ideas need tools
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we leave King Jeongjo’s private life and look at how he actually governed. Jeongjo had ambitious ideas, but being king did not automatically give him loyal officials, trusted soldiers, or the power to change old economic privileges, so he built institutions to do it. From 규장각 and 초계문신 to 장용영 and 신해통공, today we look at the machinery behind the reform king.
King Jeongjo: The King Who Began With a Wound
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we begin our new history and folklore chapter with King Jeongjo — not as a distant textbook figure, but as a prince shaped by family trauma, palace pressure, and survival. Through Lee Joon-ik’s film The Throne / 사도, we’ll look at Yeongjo as the ultimate “tiger parent king,” Sado as the son who broke under impossible expectations, and Jeongjo as the child who su
Top 3 Korean Travel Destinations: Memory, Mood, and Story
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we close one chapter and prepare for the next with our final classic travel segment before next week’s renewal into Korean history, folk history, and lore. Our listener survey answers traveled a little farther than expected – from Canada to Uganda to Japan, and even back to our Sky Castle episode – reminding us that travel is really about memory, mood, and stor
Back to School Special: Hagwons, Teachers, Makgeolli, and Sinchon Cafés
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we’re going back to school: new semester, new notebooks, same old anxiety. We’ll look at Korea’s latest school debates, from phone bans and AI textbooks to hagwon pressure and “friendflation,” then visit two very different school stories: the teacher drama Black Dog and the wonderfully strange indie film 막걸리가 알려줄 거야. Finally, we’ll head to Sinchon, Seoul’s clas
KOSPI Follow-Up Special: 롤러코스피, Margin Calls, and Market Faith
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we return to the KOSPI chart — because apparently the market heard our July episode and chose violence. On July 16, we talked about KOSPI fever: AI, semiconductors, retail investors, leverage, FOMO, and the emotional life of Korean “ants.” But just two weeks later, the market gave us a historic roller coaster: a brutal late-July selloff, a shocking rebound on J
Gwangbokjeol Special: The Spirit of Resistance (The Age of Shadows & Mr. Sunshine)
On this week’s Arirang Travel Diaries, we honor Liberation Day in Korea—Gwangbokjeol—the day light was restored after the period of Japanese colonial rule. But today, our core theme is resistance. We remember not only the moment of liberation in 1945, but the decades-long resistance of Koreans who refused to fade away: those who organized, fought, wrote, taught, and marched. Afterwards, we’ll dive
Summer Heat Wave: Record Temperatures, Old Houses, and Cold Noodles
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we step into Korea&s record-breaking heat wave – the kind of weather where corn visits Busan and comes back as popcorn, but visits Yangsan and comes back burnt. We&ll look at this week&s extreme 폭염, from Yangsan&s 42.5°C record to severe heat alerts in Seoul. Then we slow down with Yoon Dan-bi&s Moving On, or 남매의 여름밤, before cooling off with
납량 특집 Part 2: Killer Webtoons, Cursed Scenes, and Snacks for Ghostly Nights
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we continue our 납량 특집 with two Korean horror films that turn modern media itself into a source of fear. We look at 더 웹툰: 예고살인, or Killer Toon, where murders happen exactly as drawn in a webtoon, and 씬, or The Sin, where a film shoot in an abandoned school turns into a ritualistic nightmare. Then we explore ghost-repelling traditions and the very modern late-nig
CHILLING SUMMER: KOREA’S HORROR TRADITION & NETFLIX’S DONGGUNG
On this week’s Arirang Travel Diaries, we’re beating the muggy summer heat with a classic Korean tradition: a chilling Nablyang (납량) special!We’ll explore the true meaning of Nablyang—literally 'inviting in the cool breeze'—and look into Korea’s long-standing tradition of summer horror stories. Then, we’ll step inside the haunted palace and dark curses of Netflix’s new series Donggung, sta
'K-Stock Market' (Feat. the movie Default)
In this week's Arirang Travel Diaries, we are unfolding stock charts instead of travel maps.We’ll dive into the KOSPI—Korea's benchmark stock index—and the unique trading culture of Korea's retail investors (locally dubbed "ants"). We'll also examine the recent market shocks triggered by leveraged ETFs and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in the wake of the AI and semiconductor
The Rainy Season and the Onset of Sambok Heat
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we discuss the onset of the intense summer heat, 'Sambok,' which arrives following a brief rainy season. We explore the meanings of 'Chobok,' 'Jungbok,' and 'Malbok,' and delve into Korea's summer culinary culture for restoring vitality in the sweltering heat. We then focus on the summer scenery, seasonal vegetables, and refr
Back to School: True Education & Nostalgic School-Gate Snacks
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we are heading back to school to mark the end of the spring semester and the start of summer vacation! We will look back at school memories—from report cards and hagwons (cram schools) to emailing professors about grades, and the nostalgic snack shops right outside the school gates. Next, we will dive into the hit Netflix series Vigilante (True Education) to ex
JSA, Divided Brothers, Border Memories, and a Day Trip to the DMZ
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we take on the Korean War through Park Chan-wook’s JSA – a film that proves sometimes the most dangerous thing at the border isn’t a weapon, but friendship. We’ll talk about 6.25, separated families, televised reunions, and why Korea’s unfinished war still lives in memory, media, and everyday life. Then we head north of Seoul for a DMZ day trip through Imjingak
Red Devils, Dream Teams, Reply 1997, and Seoul’s World Cup Park
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we kick off a World Cup-themed journey through Korean soccer culture, from the Red Devils, street cheering, “대한민국!” chants, and chimaek to the unforgettable legacy of the 2002 World Cup. Then we look at the film Dream, before revisiting Reply 1997 and Cynthia’s memories of cheering for Korea in Tokyo’s Shin-Okubo Koreatown. Finally, we head to Sangam-dong for a
World Cup Cheers and the Rising Sun Flag Controversy
Pueyong, the newest member of The Kulture Inc., brings a fresh perspective on Korean culture. With bright energy and infectious enthusiasm, she explores World Cup cheers and the Rising Sun Flag controversy, all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee.
Seoul's Han River
Murky Waters, River Gangsters, Merchant Dreams, and a Sunset Ride on Seoul's Han RiverThis week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we explore the river that made Seoul possible—the Han River. From Joseon-era ferries, merchants, and river gangsters to Disney+'s historical drama 탁류 (The Murky Stream), we examine a side of Korean history rarely portrayed on screen. Then we return to present-day Seoul
Local Elections, Kingmakers, Honest Candidates, and Daejeon’s Campaign Crossroads
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, Korea’s June 3 local elections shift our focus to campaign trucks, city halls, local councils, and the power of the voter on the street. We look at Kingmaker, a sharp political drama about the strategist behind the candidate, and Honest Candidate, Ra Mi-ran’s comedy about a politician who suddenly cannot lie. Then we head to Daejeon, the symbolic heart of Chung
Chaebol Salarymen, Strikes, and Company Towns
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, Samsung’s labor talks put Korea’s office culture–wages, unions, shareholders, and all–in the spotlight. We look at On the Verge of Insanity and The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, two sharp stories about surviving corporate life. Then we head to Dongtan and Gwanggyo, where tech campuses, lake parks, cafés, and after-work dinners shape the “company town” lifestyle.
Buddha’s Birthday, Lantern Light, and a Walk Through Jongno
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, Seoul lights up for Buddha’s Birthday with lotus lanterns, temple visits, and a long weekend made for wandering through Jongno. We explore Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring and Move to Heaven – two screen stories about karma, grief, compassion, and letting go. Then we walk from Jogyesa to Insadong and Cheonggyecheon for temple food, coffee, and lantern
Family Month, Found Families, and Long Walks Through Euljiro
This week, Family Month in Korea gets a little complicated. We talk carnations, unconventional movie families, and the people who become family without sharing DNA. Then we walk it off in Euljiro with ramen, retro cafés, nogari, and 20,000 steps of Seoul chaos.
Busan, Family Introductions, and the City That Always Feels Slightly More Alive
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we head to Busan — where family introductions, sea views, and strong opinions about livability all happen in the same weekend. Expect gangster cinema, ‘90s nostalgia, Busan satoori, and enough good food to make Seoul feel briefly negotiable. Because in Busan, even a family trip can come with dialect lessons and excellent coffee.
태풍상사, Euljiro, Hipjiro, and the IMF-Era Heart of Seoul
Euljiro: where rust, neon, and office-worker heartbreak became a vibe. This week, we’re talking Typhoon Family, IMF-era survival, and very serious noodles. Because in Hipjiro, the beer is cold and optimism usually comes with nogari.
Misaeng, Gwanghwamun, Jongno, and the Geography of the Salaryman Soul
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we head into the fluorescent emotional battlefield of Misaeng and the office-worker heart of Gwanghwamun and Jongno. Expect awkward interns, legendary bosses, very fast lunches, and the kind of Ah-Ah (Iced-Americano) that says, “I’m coping professionally.”
Hannam-dong: Power, Youth, Art, and Very Good Bread
Hannam-dong is where Seoul puts on its best coat, serves you excellent bread, and quietly reminds you that class politics are also part of the scenery. So today: chaebol vibes, youth drama, world-class art, and enough good food to make your itinerary feel emotionally supported.
Spring Flowers, Black Day, Another Miss Oh, Very Ordinary Couple, and Walkerhill-gil + Achasan
Spring in Seoul is gorgeous, dramatic, and just a little emotionally manipulative. So today, we’re pairing cherry blossoms with Black Day, 또 오해영, one of K-cinema’s messiest breakups, and a pink-road walk at Walkerhill-gil + Achasan. Basically: flowers, feelings, fighting, and food, the full April experience.
“ONE SPRING NIGHT” + Seokchon Lake + Walkerhill-gil
Spring in Seoul: not a picnic, a night out with blossoms, lake lights, and rom-com feelings. We’re using One Spring Night (봄밤) as our blueprint for spring blossoms romance. Then we follow the petals: Seokchon Lake eats and Walkerhill-gil’s pink road under Achasan.
“Boyfriend on Demand” + Yangjaecheon (Spring Rom-Com Edition)
Seoul in late March: cherry blossoms outside, subscription romance inside. Today we’re talking Boyfriend on Demand, a rom-com where the meet-cute starts as a software trial. Then we take it to Yangjaecheon: café street, spring walks, and a date course that feels like episode credits.
Undercover Miss Hong + Yeouido Special
Today, we’re heading to Yeouido, where finance, politics, shopping, and cherry blossoms somehow all live on the same island. It’s polished by day, breezy by night, and just dramatic enough to feel like a K-drama set. So naturally, we’re pairing it with Undercover Miss Hong.
만약에 우리 + White Day
White Day in Seoul: candy on the outside, “what if” on the inside. This week we unpack Once We Were Us—the film that made Korea text their first love. Then we take it to Seochon: sunlight, alley walks, and a date that won’t break the bank.
The King's Warden (왕과 사는 남자) + Yeongwol, the last days of King Danjong
A boy king, a brutal plot twist, and one quiet county that still remembers. Today we follow Danjong’s last chapter—from the screen to Yeongwol’s rivers and pines. Bring your tissues… and your walking shoes.
Dapsimni Antiques, Appraisals, and a New Gen Z Wave
Dapsimni: where Seoul’s history isn’t behind glass—it’s stacked for sale. Think Antiques Roadshow, but you’re the one doing the treasure-hunting. And yes, Gen Z has entered the warehouse.
Lunar New Years, Fast Year, Soft Landing
Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries—this week we’re marking Seollal with the energy of 2026’s Year of the Horse. We’ll share a simple Seoul holiday plan and the key traditions to know. And we’ll close the day the gentlest way: a warm bowl of tteokguk, a slow walk, and tea + hangwa in a cozy hanok dessert café.
Valentine’s Day, Chocolate, Paradise, and 도꾸
Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries! Today we’re doing Valentine’s Day the Korean way: chocolates, “14th-day” romance culture, and a date course you can actually follow. We’ll decode the dating-show effect – from I Am Solo realism to Single’s Inferno “Paradise” fantasy. Then it’s real-life ideas: 도꾸 donut decorating, craft workshops, and a sweet finale – maybe even a Seongsimdang day trip.
Olympic Park Pt.2: Concerts, Cosmos, and ‘Geosigi’
Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries. We're back at Olympic Park for Part 2, where concert arenas, flower fields, and ancient Baekje walls meet in one place. We’ll follow the park’s Olympic legacy –from the World Peace Gate to today’s live-event energy– then spotlight Baekje history through the film Hwangsanbeol. And we’ll end the day the local way: the Alone Tree, a gentle stroll, and the best n
Olympic Park–1988 in Songpa
Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries – this week we’re heading to Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, where Seoul’s 1988 dreams still linger in wide lawns and bold public art. We’ll time-travel through the mood of Reply 1988 and channel the underdog Olympic spirit of Take Off as Korea looks ahead to Milano Cortina. Then we’ll slow down inside the park – SOMA Museum and the Sculpture Park, plus the Baekje-era
Namhansanseong: A Fortress of Stone, Snow, and Survival
Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries. This week, we’re heading to Namhansanseong, the mountain fortress where stone walls and winter air still carry history. We’ll revisit the gripping story behind the film The Fortress and trace the real footsteps of 1636 along the ramparts. Then we’ll finish the day the best way possible: one easy scenic trail and the coziest post-hike eats and cafés.
New Year's Resolutions (Seoul "Fresh Start" Rituals)
Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries—your weekly guide to Korea, one neighborhood and story at a time. Today, we’re turning New Year’s resolutions into something you can actually walk to: a sunrise hike on Achasan and a peaceful reset at Bongeunsa Temple. If you’re craving a fresh start, stay with us—your new year begins right here.
Seodaemun: A west gate stroy, a winter walk, and a city that remembers
Heads to Seodaemun where a vanished West Gate still leaves its mark, and the city shows you how it remembers. We'll follow a path of independence, then exhale on a quiet winter walk-ready to step into Seoul's living history?
New Year’s in Korea — From Bell Tolls to Tteokguk
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we explore New Year’s in Korea as a season of resets—public, private, and deeply symbolic. From the midnight bell at Bosingak to Seollal traditions and the Year of the Horse, we trace how Korea welcomes time with history and heart. And of course, we end with the most comforting ritual of all: a warm bowl of tteokguk or mandu-guk to begin 2026 on a hopeful note.
Christmas in Korea: Lights, Chicken, and K-Carols
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we’re unwrapping Christmas in Korea—from church bells and city lights to K-pop carols and quiet living-room feasts. Behind the sparkle, we’ll talk about how Christmas arrived here, and how joy and tragedy sometimes share the same winter streets. Bundle up, grab a piece of Christmas cake, and join us for a very Korean holiday journey.
Dongdaemun: Where Seoul's Nights Never Sleep
Today on Arirang Travel Diaries, we head to Dongdaemun–where fortress walls hide under futuristic curves, and shopping streets glow long after midnight. From the “Great East Gate” to DDP’s neon winter lights, come walk the side of Seoul that never sleeps.
Namdaemun: Seoul’s South Gate, Rebuilt and Reimagined
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we step through Namdaemun – Seoul’s south gate and a living symbol of the city’s moral and historical blueprint. From the 2008 fire to the 2013 restoration, we explore what “authenticity” really means when a nation rebuilds its heritage. Then we dive into the heartbeat next door: Namdaemun Market’s alleys, legends, and unforgettable comfort food.
Gwanghwamun
This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we’re heading to Gwanghwamun, the front gate of a dynasty in the very heart of Seoul. From royal palaces and political drama to winter lights and late-night hangover soup, we’ll peel back the many layers of this iconic square. Lace up your walking shoes, grab a warm drink, and join us at the Gate of Illuminating Transformation.
Seocho: A Day in Arirang’s Neighborhood
Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries, where we explore everyday Seoul behind the headlines. Today, we’re stepping out of the studio and into our own backyard: Seocho-gu, Nambu Bus Terminal, and the Arirang Tower. From K-dramas and concert halls to hidden royal tombs and late-night noodles, this is the Seoul we actually live and work in.
Changgyeonggung in Autumn
Changgyeonggung may be the "Quiet" eastern palace, but in autumn it glows in red and gold, wrapping Seoul in history and color. In today's episode, we'll walk its courtyards and ponds, trace its surprising past as a zoo and park, and connect it to modern K-dramas and films. Whether you're planning a trip or traveling through your headphones, let's step through Honghwamun
Suneung - When Korea Holds its Breath
It’s Suneung day—the morning Korea holds its breath. We trace the exam’s shifting rules and rituals, from grounded flights and police escorts to sticky rice-cake superstitions and cheering squads. Then exhale with post-test hangouts and a watchlist that explains Korea’s education fever.
Changdeokgung
Autumn has painted Seoul gold, and we're heading into Changdeokgung-Joseon's most poetic palace-just in time for peak foliage. We'll walk the Secret Garden't storybook paths, trace court rituals rhrough Injeongdeon, and prime your imagination with film-and-drama scenes shot on-site. Then we'll slip out to Seosulla-gil for cozy cafes and snack stops that keep the palace mood goi
K-Ghosts Special
Folklore, urban legends, and where to feel the chills after dark. From dream visitations to school-bathroom myths, shaman streets, and Seoul’s “Gate of the Dead.” Pack curiosity, not bravado: this episode is part travel plan, part cultural decoder.
Samcheong-dong
Ginkgo runway, hanok rooftops, and enough cafés to justify “just one more.” We’re walking Samcheong-dong—gallery alleys by day, City Wall glow by dusk. Bring comfy shoes and an appetite: today’s itinerary is carbs, culture, cardio.
K-pop Demon Hunters Special
From Seoul Olympic Stadium to Myeongdong and Jeju’s mythic spots. Concert lore, food stops, and fan-route tips in one bite-size replay.
Jeonju Special
World Calligraphy Biennale, “Resonance in Silence.” From the Hanok Village, Gyeonggijeon, and Jeondong Cathedral to Nambu Night Market & the makgeolli alley. Walk Jeonju’s plates and places with us—now on the podcast.
