5 Random Things No One Tells You About Korea

Everyone talks about K-beauty, cafes, and how good the WiFi is (definitely valid) but what about the weirdly specific stuff no one warns you about? 

Like the wild boar alerts? Or the emotional bond you'll form with your local CU? 

These are the random little things I wish someone had told me before landing in Korea, the stuff that catches you off guard, makes you laugh, and somehow becomes part of your everyday routine.

1. Backup cash is your best friend.

You need cash to load your T-Money card and you definitely need that to ride subways (10 things to know about the Korean Subways) and buses.

It’s easy to forget your balance (although download the BucaCheck App and thank me later), so either reload often or always carry backup.

Keep at least ₩10,000 on you at all times. Getting cash back from a card purchase is tricky, especially if you don’t speak Korean. Trust me, my friends and I would have been in difficult situations without this!

2. The stairs...they’re everywhere.

I knew Seoul was walkable, but no one mentioned the mountains. Okay, not literal mountains... but the stairs? The hills? Brutal.

You’ll break a sweat just getting to the subway platform. It’s no joke. If you're lucky, you'll find an escalator but…

Remember for stairs and escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left. It’s actually followed here (unlike…the US).

Pack your comfiest walking shoes and leave the cute-but-useless ones behind.

3. You don’t have to speak Korean, but trying matters.

Honestly, if you're in Seoul, the locals, especially millennials and Gen Z, know basic English. However, learning a few basics: hello, thank you, and sorry, go a long way.

A lot of tourists don’t even try… so when you do, people really notice. The effort is really appreciated, even if your pronunciation is off. Papago or Google Translate can fill in the blanks.

Don’t stress. Just try! Although it is humbling when you are waiting in line practicing your korean in your head, and the barista hits you with the “What can I get for you?” in perfect english. LOL.

4. Emergency alerts sound terrifying, but they’re usually not.

At first, I panicked every time an alert buzzed on my phone, especially since they were all in Korean.

But Korea is super safe. Most alerts are about rain, train delays, or cold weather.

By the end of the semester, I wasn’t even translating them anymore (sorry Mom). Also, the number of wild boar alerts I got? Hilarious. Just another day in Seoul.

5. You’ll be addicted to convenience stores.

GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven will become your besties. They are on EVERY corner. Need a snack, a quick meal, a drink, or even a late-night ice cream run? They got you. 

I’ll definitely write an entire post dedicated to convenience stores, but for now… just trust me!

They're open 24/7 and shockingly good. Like, you will miss Korean convenience store food when you go home. Especially the ice drink cups (IYKYK).

Also they give us a cheap dinner alternative when you spend a little too much of your budget at Olive Young (it happens to the best of us). Plus, they have microwaves, hot water dispensers and more.

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Whether it’s the tiny surprises, the sudden love for convenience store snacks, or the random things that make you go ‘wait, what?’, Korea will definitely keep you on your toes.

And honestly? That’s half the fun.

Until the next one,

Ashley 💌