Visit the country's museums, like the National Folk Museum of Korea and the Pulmuone Kimchi Museum, and see the principal Buddhist temples in the nation. Seoul also has five royal palaces. Shoppers may flock to Shinsegae, the largest department store in the world. The port of Busan offers white sand beaches and hot springs as well as great seafood. On the Island of the Gods, Jeju Island, learn about tea culture in Korea, or enjoy the active outdoor adventures like hiking, watersports, golf and more. While there, visit one of the best lava tunnels in the world, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

South Korea has four seasons, with the most auspicious time to visit being in the cherry blossom season in the spring, between March and May. Otherwise, with nature's colors changing during fall, September into November is also a very good time for a trip to South Korea. The winter, November through about March are colder months. January and February are the months with the most snow..

In Korea there's a sophisticated culinary world to explore that reaches beyond Korean barbecue. After all, there are some 26 Michelin-rated restaurants in South Korea. As for that bbq, bulgogi is at the top of the list (beef grilled with garlic and onion) and kimchi, the sour and spicy side dish made of fermented vegetables. Samgyeopsal are grilled slices of pork belly meat. There are many “Chimaek” outlets serving this Chicken and beer (maekju) combination. Bibimbap is Korea's version of a rice bowl with a variety of ingredients topped with a fried egg. Japchae is the traditional noodle dish on the sweet side that can have various ingredients. Kimchi Jjigae is local comfort food stew (with tofu or pork) with various ingredients, and various levels of "hotness." Chilled noodles made from buckwheat, potatoes, or sweet potatoes are naengmyeon, and can be served in a broth or in a spicy sauce. Samgyetang is a traditional soup made of chicken, garlic, rice, scallion, jujube and spices. Gyeranbbang (“egg bread") is a sweet batter cooked in a muffin cup with an egg cracked inside, and hoeddeok are sweet syrupy pancakes filled with cinnamon, honey, brown sugar, and peanuts. Korean cuisine will enrich your trip to Korea with its unique flavors.

A Geek in Korea: Discovering Asia’s Next King of Cool (D. Tudor), If I Had Your Face (F. Cha) , Pachinko (M. Jin Lee), Please Look After Mother (K. Shin), I Have the Right to Destroy Myself (Y. Kim), Native Speaker (C. Lee), The Vegetarian (H. Kang), The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture (E. Hong) , Go: A Coming of Age Novel (K. Kaneshiro), The Island of Sea Women (L. See).