South Korea's Hotspots
Add a cinematic twist to your Seoul vacation and follow our K-Drama itinerary from start to finish.
INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Nearly all K-Dramas have an airport scene, and nearly all of them are shot right there. Keep your eyes peeled-the arrival and departure areas are prime for star sightings.
NAMSAN TOWER
Famous for its scenic cable car ride, picturesque views, and its Love Locks fence, N Seoul Tower is the perfect spot to go all-out romantic with your Valentine. Older locks have been spun into Lock Trees to create a room for even more locks (and more love!).
BANPO BRIDGE
Experience the must-see Rainbow Fountain made famous by Geum Jan Di's "Goodbye, my fireman" moment with Yoon Ji Hoo as seen on episode 23 of Boys Over Flowers.
How to get there: Take Seoul Subway Line #3 and get off at Express Bus Terminal Station (take Exit #8). Follow signs to Banpo Bridge.
63 CITY OBSERVATORY
Head to the 63 City Observatory/ Sky Deck for a bird's-eye view of Seoul. Hold your breathe and make a wish, like Joo Yoo Rin in My Girl, or ride the elevator with Khuntoria on We Got Married. Other facilities include Sky Art and Wax Museums, an IMAX theater, and an aquarium.
How to get there: Take Seoul Subway Line #5 and get off at Yeouinaru station (take Exit #4). Walk towards 63 City Building (a gigantic gold building) or take the free shuttle bus.
PARIS BAGUETTE BAKERY
Drop by Paris Baguette for a taste of Baker King Kim Tak Gu's "Most Filling Bread in the World" or the Barley Rice Bread featured in Episode 17. Seoul is peppered with tons of Paris Baguette outlets. You can find one at Incheon International Airport, too.
BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE
Feel yourself transported back to the Choson Dynasty as you marvel at a maze of traditional Korean Houses. In the far end of the village, you'll find the Sanggojae house made by famous Lee Min Ho's latest drama, Personal Taste. The house is privately-owned, but tourists are welcome to take photos at the stoop.
How to get there: Take Seoul Subway Line #3 and getoff at Anguk station (take Exit #3). Walk straight (brace yourself for a long walk) and turn left at the village entrance with a pharmacy at its left corner.
MYEONGDONG
Explore the shopping mecca and retrace Go Mi Nam's steps in Episode 6 of You're Beautiful, and don't forget to stop by the intersection where Kang Shin Woo was about to reveal himself to her-it's right by the huge 4-storey Dunken Donuts. Visit the Myeongdeong Cathedral, feast on a bowl of Myeongdeong Gyoja's kalguksu (a yummy soup broth with chewy noodles) and head over to Bakshin Robbins for dessert.
How to get there: Take Seoul Subway Line #4 and get off at Myeongdeong station (take Exit #5, 6, 7, or 8).
HIT-STOP: THE BIG THREE
A guide to visiting K-Pop's top three music companies.
YG ENTERTAINMENT
397-5 YG Building
Hanjeong-Dong, Mapo-Gu, Seoul
How to get there: Take Seoul Subway Line #2 and get off at Hapjeong station (take Exit #8). Walking straight, turn right after passing SK Gas Station and walk further on. It is on the left side.
SM ENTERTAINMENT
521 Apgujeong-Dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul
How to get there: Take Seoul Subway Line #2 and get off at Apgujeong station (take Exit #2). Take bus #41, 143, or 4418, and get off at Cheong-Dam Elementary School bus stop. Walk towards Galleria Department Store. It is yellow building near Kia Motors.
JYP ENTERTAINMENT
123-50, Cheongdam-Dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul
How to get there: From SM Entertainment, walk straight, away from Galleria Department Store (East Wing), walking still Shinhan Bank appears at the left corner. Turn left at the corner and keep walking. It is at the left side, in front of Dunkin' Donuts.
Steps before going to South Korea
You've made up your mind... it's gonna be a Seoul-ful summer! You've
rounded up the crew and your itinerary's all planned out-all that's
left is to book that flight. Before you hop on that plane into the land
of infinite possibilities, you'll need to take care of a few things.
We help break it down:
Fly to Seoul
Preparing your Visa requirements:
The Korean embassy is very strict their requirements, so you have to
ensure that you start preparing your documents early on.
The standard requirements for all applicants are the following:
- Application form duly filled in and signed. The fom can be downloaded
from www.embassy_philippines.mofat.go.kr(if you lived in the
Philippines)
- One passport sized colored picture (2x2)
- Original passport and a copy of the first page (valid for more than 6
months)
- If available, photocopy and original previous and valid visas to
U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, or Korea
If you are ready working, prepare the following documents:
- Employment Certificate (original)
- Personal Bank Certificate (original)
- Individual Income Tax Return (photocopy)
- ACR & ICR (for foreign nationals who are resident in the Philippines)
If you are a student, these additional documents ready (enlist your
parent's help for some):
- School Certificate (original)
- Photocopy of school I.D.
- Birth Certificate (photocopy)
- Copy of parent's passport's first page
- Parent's Bank Certificate (original)
- Parent's Employment Certificate (original)
- Parent's Income Tax Return (photocopy)
Other important things to note:
- Your contact number in Korea is very important, so make sure to put
the telephone number of your guarantor or your hotel.
- Bank certificates are requested over the counter from your specific
branch and usually takes one day to process (Tip: Include the receipt
of the actual bank certificate processing-usually around P100- in your
documents for extra weight.)
- Employment certificates should indicate compensation and length of
stay in the company, and a valid landline number.
Submitting the application (only for the residence in Philippines)
Korean Embassy
122 Upper McKinley Road,
McKinley Town Center,
Fort Bonifacio,
Taguig City
1634 Philippines
Tel. No. +632 856 9210 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
+632 856 9210 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Visa applications can be filled at the embassy from 9-11a.m. only. Once
you enter the embassy, you will be asked to register and get a number
from the counter.
When a number is called, submit your papers at the counter and get your
papers at the counter and get your releasing slip. Keep this slip in a
safe place-you'll need it to claim your passport. Very important: Do
not lose your releasing slip! Visa processing takes around five working
days. However, if you have a previous or valid Visa to the U.S.,
Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, or Korea, your Visa can be
processed in three to four working days. Your release date will be
specified in your releasing slip.
DON'T FORGET:
Travel documents
Weather-appropriate outfits and comfortable shoes
Baggage well within the 15kg limit (if you booked a promo flight with Cebu Pacific)
Camera for documenting your Best Trip Ever (and who knows, for taking photos of K-pop stars!)
Pocket money
Extra money for airport fees: P1,620 for traveled tax (Cebu Pacific) + Terminal fee
Hotel address and directions on how to get there (know which bus stop is nearest your hotel)
3G-enabled phone (sadly, international roaming won't work on your phone in Korea, unless it's of more recent 3G models)
credit: Sparkling Magazine