My First Impressions of KOREA 🇰🇷 (i really like it here)

It's my first time in South Korea! I'm going to be spending the next two weeks here exploring the country. In this video, I share my first impressions from my first 2 days in the country. The food, the culture, the service stations?! We visited Aegibong Peace Ecopark in the DMZ and then made our way to Gangneung, visiting Coffee Street, and lots of other fun activities. #korea #firstimpressions
Thanks to ‪@VisitKoreaLondon‬ for sponsoring this trip.
My friends:
‪@karlwatsondocs‬
‪@AlexOuthwaite‬
‪@TheLifeOfJord‬
‪@thediscoveriesof‬
MORE VIDEOS IN KOREA COMING SOON.
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ABOUT ME🙋🏻‍♀️
I'm Christianne, a solo traveller, vlogger and entrepeneur from Surrey, UK. I spend half my time exploring new places around the globe with my backpack, and the other half creating videos about my experiences, what I'm packing, solo travel advice, money budgeting tips and anything else in relation to my backpacking lifestyle.
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FAQ's
How do you afford to travel? - I now earn a full time living through creating these KZbin videos, affiliate links, selling digital products and my clothing line. I used to simply just work any temporary job I could find to save up to travel! I budget the money I earn meticulously to reach my savings goals using www.backpackingbananas.com/pr...
Is travelling solo safe? - I would argue the answer is almost always yes! As long as you use your common sense and you follow your own government's guidelines about travelling in that country. I have made several videos on backpacking safety on my channel.
Do you have plans to settle down? Yes, I'm currently saving to purchase my first property in the UK and I'd love to have children one day. I doubt I'll ever live a completely 'conventional' lifestyle by society's standards though, as I often have my own preferred way of doing things.
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[@grokker99]

Korea's vibe is like no other. I compare it to Goldilock and the 3 bears---China, Korea, Japan. Korea is just right.

[@kayflip2233]

Asia is very advanced, clean, lovely, picturesque, full of adventure, friendly locals and the best food. Almost impossible to not have a good time there.

[@speakupyt4900]

Not all of Asia is like that... ★Most Technologically Advanced Countries In The World 2023---#.1 S.Korea Korea ranked first for 11 consecutive years. Ranking Country Composite Score 1 South Korea 6.52 2 United States 5.10 3 Denmark 5.02 4 Switzerland 4.72 5 Sweden 4.63 6 Taiwan 4.59 7 Japan 3.94 8 Netherlands 3.90 9 Finland 3.89 10 Israel 3.86 11 Singapore 3.79 12 Norway 3.53 13 Germany 3.46 14 Belgium 3.30 15 Austria 2.97 16 Canada 2.89 17 United Kingdom 2.84 18 United Arab Emirates 2.55 19 Hong Kong SAR 2.54 20 Iceland 2.23 21 Australia 2.00

[@andy5786]

Wow looks good first time in South Korea hope you have nice trip Cristian 👍🇬🇧

[@--ee6dm]

All the Korean side dishes are for harmony taste with rice to neutralize its spicy taste so everyone have to eat it with rice or meats all the time.

[@stayy5]

우리가 보기엔 답답한데, 몇 번 먹다 보면 눈치껏들 배우는 듯합니다.

[@filibusterfirework74]

I was so hyped when I found you were coming to Korea because I use your vlogs to help plan travel all the time and I’m going to Korea in June!!

[@lokangteng]

i like your price table in clip. everyone can understading how much cost easily ^^ i love your channel.

[@junep879]

I love your dynamic mood! It gives me refresh.

[@sarumi12246]

Going to Korea in march and I'm so excited. Can't wait to see your other vlogs. Even though I dont really do the same type of activities while traveling, it's fun to watch! Enjoy your trip! :)

[@seanmckee6061]

For the metal chopsticks, when I lived there, I learned that you have to grip it from all the way the back for more control. Just a little tip…

[@MackPacking]

I was just in South Korea too and filmed a couple vlogs. almost every minute I was saying how amazing and peaceful S Korea is 😍 I lOVED IT as well ❤️

[@bmountainstate]

i was waiting for you to go to korea hehe

[@jsheikh8]

Sorry to laugh, but your face after eating that spicy food... 😂😂😂 I spent a week in Seoul back in 2010 and was seriously mind blown, it was such a fascinating, great city! Well worth a visit (and a return trip for me to see more of the south!), thanks for sharing your experience 😊

[@bethmeredith]

So different than what I had imagined, thanks so much for taking us along. In my younger days I was married to a US soldier who was stationed for a year on the DMZ , it was an unaccompanied tour so myself and the children stayed back in the United States. It seems to me like a nice vacation destination.

[@anaismougin5207]

Love the video! When you were up on that bike-zipline-thing, it looked like you were cycling on a green screen and then put on a sea picture in post prod 🤣Can't wait for the next Korean vlog!

[@Jazzvibesicl]

This is super cool I really want to go to South Korea one day!! Cant wait for the rest of the videos!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Wooo wooop 🥳

[@insomnia5050]

Thank you for mixing in some different experiences beyond the typical checklist of Korean tourist spots.

[@TheSuz23]

Crazy that I started watching your vlogs when you were spending time in Mexico, and now I’m watching vids of you in my motherland 🥹🫶🏼

[@OneGlobe360]

South Korea is on the 2024 bucket list 100% 🤩

[@BackpackingBananas]

I reckon it’s gonna become SUPER popular in the coming years!

[@aminakhatun3245]

Love your videos. Please can you do a video on the thing you can get in korea or a shopping hual, I know your videos a just travel related, but I would love to see what skins and other things you get from korea. X

[@nancylove8360]

S. Korea is so fun and amazing! I loved my time there, people are so nice and friendly! I miss Korea!

[@Gladius_Here]

Never been to Korea, but currently in Australia right now, Sydney to be specific. Thanks for the videos you uploaded which inspired me! :)

[@chloedarragh_]

Korea looking cool 😎!

[@lindabenitz3910]

Love this video!!! I've never been to Korea but now I really want to go 😅❤ and the video itself is so well produced

[@seandesmond5560]

Great video wonderful Christie!!! 💖💖 The DMZ looks beautiful!!! Enjoy Korea!!!

[@haxter3]

Awesome video Christianne😊👍👍

[@wowtv3767]

thank you for sharing your vlog. have a good KOREA TRIP.

[@ThatGirl-cs1gt]

Your new editing style is just so good like WOW

[@BackpackingBananas]

Aw thanks so much! 🥰🥰

[@laurynwilkinson2710]

Are you planning on doing a video on what you packed? I’m going to Korea next year and would love to get some ideas on what I should prioritise in my 40L bag 😊❤️

[@TheShauNanigans]

I was surprised there wasn't a packing video as well, but wondered if maybe she only does those when she is gone for a full on backpacking journey that lasts closer to a month or more. Where as this was a shorter trip than spending 3 months in Thailand or that sort of thing. Just my theory. She also could have simply decided not to, which is valid. Haha!

[@trektaco]

What month?

[@M_Lopez_3D_Artist]

YES freaking YES i was right U did it!

[@thelobb]

Oh also they have the coolest contact lens stores on the planet might want to check them out they like make your eyes look bigger also if you run out of contacts or whatever they have a ton of options it's pretty amazing and you don't need a prescription for any of it.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Wow I didn’t know that!! 👁️👁️

[@thelobb]

@@BackpackingBananas yeah cuz like I see you packing all these daily contacts and you can get those almost anywhere which is good to know if you're worried about running out or whatever. A couple of countries like turkey don't do it but almost all of them do

[@xBeatNoCopyrightMusic]

Cool 🎉

[@briantsang3210]

got to try the Banana Milk from the store. its amazing

[@88avocado]

Gangneung is such a lovely place with so many things 😊

[@ranjinirajainfilm]

Headed to Seoul next week!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

🤩🥳

[@dsgcloud6092]

Funny start for a video

[@MsWenders]

Great video And the very first time I have seen you not enjoying the food!!! But just the spicy stuff 😂 You are the least fussiest eater ever xx

[@kmarshall-xn4on]

I’m so happy you’re exploring a new country! Did you feel you could get by with English or would you recommend learning some Korean before visiting?

[@BackpackingBananas]

You can totally get by with English, everyone spoke very good English in Korea! Though it was nice to be able to say basic words like hello and thank you!

[@kmarshall-xn4on]

@@BackpackingBananas Thank you for such a helpful response! I always enjoy learning basic phrases in different languages. On another note, I’m also currently rewatching your OZ series as my friend and I are visiting next September (finally) 😊

[@willemunderwood7952]

That is so cool,I'm definitley going back to explore more of Korea,I've only been to and from the airport pretty much! And did some stuff when I was little but I don't remember that I was only one,and the rest of the times I've been when I rememeber I was in the airport and the hotel as I do a stop over to Belgium! I'm from Belgium and New Zealand(New Zealander Belgian)

[@VTK72]

❤❤❤

[@Rhonda___]

🎉🎉

[@Nanichaa]

Heyy karl watson !

[@wolfgangdailing3061]

You should come to the viewing party for the League of Legends World Championship at Gwanghamun Square. Starts at 5 and there is estimated 50,000 turnout.

[@misssnowfoxx]

Can’t wait for you to go to Japan at some point after this. I had a flight booked for May 2020 and I think that’s all I need to say about that as to why it didn’t go ahead 😂 but my wife and sister in law both lived and worked there and it is truly one of the most unique countries I’ve ever heard about. Will hopefully be going on honeymoon there sometime next year but it’s definitely a country you’d want to just lose yourself in for weeks and weeks

[@SM999]

Haha warm drinks. Only people who've lived in Asia understand that lol. I love hot drinks

[@BackpackingBananas]

I do love a warm drink also 😅we should get those heating cabinets in our stores haha

[@TurnUpTheAC63]

I was begging the guy at 1:30 to keep his camera under the umbrella

[@BackpackingBananas]

😂😂 i don’t think the rain was too heavy at that point haha

[@shandramchugh4514]

I may have missed it, but was this a guided tour? Or just a group trip with a well planned Itinerary? Im planning a trip in 2024 and your itinerary looks like it covered such a great amount of the country

[@BackpackingBananas]

We did have a private tour guide, yes! But I’m going to be making a whole video on a Korea itinerary which could be replicated without the private guide! ☺️

[@shandramchugh4514]

@@BackpackingBananas ahhh exciting. Thanks so much. This trip looked amazing! And some lovely places not often covered by travellers!

[@lhollybow]

Great Britain ,and American are sooo in the Dark Ages compared to Korea and some of the other Asian countries.

[@bullmurphy11]

The new bond girl. 🔫

[@veterantraveler]

Nice to see Karl but……where is James?

[@BackpackingBananas]

😂

[@wanderingaj8030]

But why get the same thing you'd get at home, drink or food???. Did you try different drinks??

[@--ee6dm]

Korea is one of rainy and cloudy area country so every one have to check the weather before trip.

[@pisceskr]

This is incorrect information. In Korea, it rains a lot for about two months in the summer, and the remaining days are sunny.

[@--ee6dm]

@@pisceskr I'm correct. In average over 40% days are cloudy or rainy.

[@timeacu5277]

@@--ee6dmwrong. It has sunny and beautiful blue sky most days.

[@boomyitv]

I feel Korea is not that good at English but can speak English to focus on Trip and not that cheap COuntry but cheaper than UK right? also DMZ have amusement park like that want to North KOrea solier make come to here

[@kenburns4675]

It's actually called DMZeeeee, not zet. Just some mild correction for you!!! Enjoy 😊

[@BackpackingBananas]

‘zed’ is how British people pronounce the letter Z

[@kenburns4675]

@BackpackingBananas it just sounds funny to the American ear, especially being a Veteran, and having served over there in Korea. I wasn't being disrespectful. I'm glad you had such a wonderful, that is an amazing country, and some very lovely people as well! 😉 ('86-'87 USAF).

[@louisco3603]

Wait are they dating?!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Who??

[@louisco3603]

@@BackpackingBananas Watson?! I also wanted so say I LOVE your videos when you went to South America! When are you going back?

[@BackpackingBananas]

@@louisco3603 gosh no, we are good friends! 😅 Karl is engaged to a gorgeous Canadian girl called Jaime ☺️ and I’m returning to Mexico soon! I’m sure I will get back to South America at some point 💃🏻

[@user-qz5xi4rk9c]

Welcome to korea 🇰🇷

[@bertkelly7650]