Things I Love About Living In Korea and Why I Came Back

Hey everyone~ Upon popular request, I have finally filmed a video listing some of the reasons why I enjoy living in Korea!
What are some things you love about your country? Let me know down in the comments below.
Connect with me on socials:
Instagram: siennahong
Tiktok: sienna.hong

[@adanmizura]

Sienna, this topic definitely resonated with me considering that I was stationed in Korea during my military career. I can validate the difficulties of navigating one’s sense of identity and self awareness as a foreigner. During my time in Korea, the main regrets I had as a foreigner: 1. Not trusting myself more 2. Not socializing 3. Not being afraid of making mistakes 4. Not going to therapy earlier 5. Not being open minded Now, when I watch videos of individuals discussing the nature and aspects of their country (identity) it definitely makes me wish I can go back in time to reevaluate my decisions ! Thank you Sienna for being open and honest about your life experiences.

[@genuinetallguy6318]

Sienna you have become one my favorite KZbinrs. The amount of content your posting and the subject matter of your content is hella good. Interesting af.❤❤❤

[@siennahong]

Ahh thank you so much 🥹❤️ this means a lot to me!

[@Cute-2000]

@@siennahong안녕하세요 1:30 👋

[@ciaronsmith4995]

It's weird. I went to Korea, Bhutan, China, Turkey, Iran, and then Serbia. I actually found Iran to be the nicest (not a joke), followed by Bhutan/Turkey. To be frank, Korea was the most depressing - everyone on the trains seemed so sad. China was too crowded.

[@theresaanderson6528]

Sienna i haven't seen all your videos but don't let people make you feel like pointing out some off the negatives makes you somehow a traitor. You are an inspiration and an Ambassador for SK and you have probably saved a lot of naive ppl who watch Kdramas who plan to travel to SK from having negative experiences because you have told them to enjoy but be careful thru the wisdom of your own experiences. You can both love your country and point out areas that need improvement that's how change comes about, you have to at first acknowledge it. I am glad that you are past the awkward stage that international ppl go through sometimes of not feeling like you fully belong anywhere and are comfortable in who you are a SK woman that loves her country warts and all. No place is perfect. You love your country so much that you talked about the growth that still needs to take place as well as the many great things that SK has to offer which takes courage. I think you should embrace your experiences both abroad and at home cause it gives you a unique perspective on things that many of your peers don't have and someone like you are more apt to speak out or have conversations about controversial things with your peers. Who knows if enough people start talking about it maybe change will come faster. I am happy for you and thanks for sharing. If I was a young woman I would visit SK, but as a sexy, curvy size 8 black woman I wouldn't live there but would at least visit once and enjoy the cuisine and sites and maybe club once now that you have schooled us in other videos on what to watch out for.

[@hunterdlgjaja]

I totally understand how u feel whitewashed. I’ve lived in USA my whole life but family is not from here. I wish I could live in one of my parents countries one day! That’s so inspiring how you cherish your roots

[@Devilmousy]

A lot of Western people tend to romanticize Korea a lot so I think it's really good that you also show the other side of living in Korea especially since you have experienced different cultures. With these videos people can hopefully get a better view of what Korea is like when they want to go there.

[@agnarssondemise]

Although I don't ever plan on visiting Korea, I keep watching your videos because I love hearing you talk about your experiences.

[@TXKorea]

U.S. now also has very fast delivery (Prime Same-Day/Next-Day, W+ Same-Day/Next-Day) as well as grocery delivery to outside the door or even the refrigerator, at your desired time (W+ from Walmart). I do agree with most of your pros about Korea, especially safety/crime. Actually, the U.S. has tons of CCTVs too but the prosecutors and police just don't care enough about what they term "low-level" crime - which really sucks because it creates a "chilling effect" for all of society. That said, it's also important to compare 2022 North America with 2022 Korea, and not 2019 North America. Some things (e-commerce) are improving here as well. Uber/Lyft are very big here and most people don't tip (though some do - but they don't shake you down like cabbies do). It's better than KakaoTaxi actually. I'm actually surprised Canada (even back in 2019-20) was as backwards as not having government services online. In the U.S., these days pretty much every government or quasi-government service is available online. It's very shameful as an American that you heard "Ching Chong" remarks often while in the U.S. That's a bit surprising, but I guess it may depend on region. Here in Texas my Asian wife and friends have almost never heard things like that. My wife did get some rude stares in Feb/Mar '20 when COVID was first spreading, though.

[@josed948]

All countries have good and bad things. It's nice to see this video after watching the previous ones that were all about the negatives.

[@siennahong]

Definitely!! I’ll try to post a bit of both every now and then for balance

[@Chifuyaaaa]

I really want to go to korea one day honestly .......🙂

[@MisterPenguin42]

It's a cool place!!

[@siennahong]

You definitely should 💖

[@lizzyyxxx]

me too!

[@MisterPenguin42]

Korea's my favorite country, I miss walking by seven convenience stores on the way to the train.

[@siennahong]

The best!!!

[@timothybush9633]

Hi Sienna ♥My Mother taught me "Everyone, no matter what you think, is Important". I think your Amazingly Talented, funny and a person I would like to know ♥

[@sauravlahiry6951]

hi sis, welcome back. home is home.

[@Vainashell]

I enjoyed your older post about your authentic experience and opinions about Korea. ♥️

[@heydirobles7476]

Love the video!

[@Cute-2000]

Korean people are awesome and cool 😊😊😊😊😊 1:30 you got my respect ✊🏾 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@mixedandknot5911]

Thanks for this wonderful information. By the way, add salt to warm water and swish a few times in your mouth. The swelling will diminish faster. I think you would enjoy Spain a lot. Spain has the cafe hopping, bars, the greatest food ever. Mostly mixed cultural cuisine. Moroccan, Asian, Spain, French, etc. etc. We loved it and we are not Spanish. I do not know about digital ordering as we stayed two weeks touring different towns. Munich was very very safe city. I am in the USA, and have found lots of money, jewelry and I have returned everything to the owners. I hate bringing home what I have not paid for or been given to me.

[@lawrenceandrews4367]

I love Korea, still my place to visit and live.

[@ryuken2023]

I'm glad I was born in America. It made me a diamond 💎

[@jonathanunlimited]

your yt shorts are funny and fun to watch

[@siennahong]

Thank you :)

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Homeless people are almost never dangerous especially to random people.

[@aminaa00__]

After watching your previous videos about Korea, we needed a good one 😂

[@siennahong]

It’s about time 🥲 didn’t mean to scare off anyone lol

[@remuspierre7573]

You have a beautiful smile

[@yeahnah4303]

hell yeah!

[@fatimajunero416]

First comment love you so much♥️♥️😪

[@siennahong]

Love you thank you so much 💖💖

[@PolePosition08]

As a Chinese-American, I really appreciate seeing 1) Westerinized Asian perspectives living in an Asian country and 2) Hearing your perspectives on identity. I resonate so much with that because I always feel that I don't quite belong. Ironically enough, I visited Hong Kong years ago, and so many people thought I was a Hong Konger that studied abroad in the States, hence why I spoke English and Chinese with an American accent instead of a Chinese/British one LOL. How do Koreans view other Asians visiting or living there?

[@3orcs]

Korea is best because you are there. One of Korea's pride ;)

[@flamea56]

i enjoyed mostly on what you had to in your video. I felt like what was mentioned vs. what i didnt hear is the kinds of events that korea has to offer. cafes is nice but i'm not person that is going to spend time at cafes and eating. i would've liked to know more about the outdoor life in terms of hiking, camping, sporting events that korea has to offer. That's what i want to about Korea. I do know it's your take on why you like Korea, but those are sometings that i'm more interested in getting to know a cournty.

[@lasvegasnevada7514]

I’ll be in Korea by the end of August for dental procedures because it is cheaper/affordable.

[@feelingveryattackedrn5750]

If youve ever been to a place like Denmark or one of the wealthier European countries I would love to hear your thoughts comparing them to Korea. I have been to Copenhagen and it seems like there are a few similarities between that and Korea (things that they both have which America unfortunately does not haha).

[@remuspierre7573]

Awesome stuff

[@mayohooe1397]

Totally get you on the “not belonging” feeling you talked about. I’ve lived on and off between my birth country and and the UK and now I feel like I don’t belong in either, and that no one really gets it...

[@saimalishahid1406]

I do have a similar experience myself. I was born and raised in one country, and my nationality and family and cultural roots are from another, while at the same time personally resonating and developing through a culture different from both the countries thanks to the age of the internet.

[@rainy905]

I also have a simliar experience. at this point I dont feel like I belong anywhere because I’m stuck between two places . personally it doesnt matter as much since the world has become more globalized.

[@BoaConstrictor126]

I want to visit South Korea so bad but I’ve always been too poor to travel internationally. God willing that’ll change soon. I’m glad that you like things about the land of your ancestors

[@charmander777]

the first week or so..i was so excited to be in korea. after a wall, it's a bit boring actually lol. i live in vancouver...canada. the food/climate etc. is way better

[@mightymeatymech]

$300 for a cute, clean studio sounds like a dream... Where i live (midwest US) studios are minimum $800/mo and you're probably going to have to clean it before you move in. :'( I am jealous lol. And every time i watch a video of someone eating out in korea I've also noticed how affordable it is, and for really really good food. Jealousy lol so much jealousy!

[@BoaConstrictor126]

You’ll never find anything that cheap in America anymore. Even in the poor, rundown parts of town. Studio are even more expensive in the southeast. The Midwest is the cheapest part of America but still expensive

[@aaron_k4787]

She forgto to mention down payment. for a studio like that is around 20k down payment then 300/mo + utility. With no down payment, It's about 1.5-2k /mo

[@mollymo6229]

Nice video 😊🎉

[@foreveryoungsy3511]

Your my favorite korean vlogger...pls collab with jessica lee

[@BoaConstrictor126]

Also is it true that the Internet in South Korea is significantly faster than most parts of the United States?

[@betabot.]

I want to go to Korea ....

[@MrHalo087]

Im a firm believer that every country has there issues but North America has some extreme issues. Glad you went back to Korea. Your better off now.

[@vatefairefoutre0]

lol all the shops and cheap, cute clothes in Korea is just depressing unless you have a body that fits it well. but I'd imagine how amazing it must be if they do fit!

[@eun4978]

Honestly all countries have pros and cons…

[@siennahong]

Yep! Been saying this for years

[@BoaConstrictor126]

I would appreciate it if you could do a video on what life is like for people with Autism and Aspergers in Korea. Here in America it’s awful but I’ve heard it’s worse in Korea minus the checks you automatically get from the government. Here in America you’re left to fend for yourself in spite of the constant discrimination, bullying and harassment you face in the workplace if you’re autistic and compassion for white men on the autism spectrum doesn’t exist in America

[@twilighttrance2454]

I want to try a trip to Korea one day. I think the exposure would help me get more insight on the reality of having relations and crushes on eastern women.

[@daviel1005]

Ultimately it's the parents fault for having kids and putting them in a situation where they are going to be the odd one out. If you want to move to a completely different country once you are grown up that's up to you but don't have kids and then move country knowing that you are condemning them to be an outsider all their life to one extent or another. Here you have a fully grown independent woman who still has to deal with the shit her parents put her through and will live with the consequences of her parents decision all her life. Speaking from experience (obviously). Wishing you all the best Sienna.

[@invalidsoup8427]

Grocery delivery is a common thing in Australia, don't see how it's a special thing in Korea

[@mervel.8630]

I think people are really biased like they see good video about Korea and say "wow Korea is amazing and perfect" then see bad video and "wow Korea is sooo bad". It's normal for country to have bad and good side. Agree that Korea has some really problematic things but it's still amazing and wonderful place to visit.

[@dfjulesful]

I live in a really safe country but not a leave your bag on a cafe table safe.

[@kyopo18]

ㅠㅅㅠ👍

[@tl9585]

As a Vietnamese average looking girl I desire to go to Korea once but I’m always afraid of the racism there, this video has helped alot!

[@TXKorea]

I wouldn't worry about it as a tourist. I might worry about it if your long-term employer/boss is an older Korean. But it's very dependent on the specific boss!

[@remuspierre7573]

Mmm delicious

[@Noelzy617]

Never had any other instances of theft in Korea but had my push bike stolen and my friend also.. 한국인 자전거 많이 도둑해요 ㅋㅋ

[@pauloromero5477]

Korea isn't cheap. America and Europe are expensive.

[@DrTakeu-ni2xw]

You know you are my angel in the sky I would like God to come to Cameroon get married with me so that I could have a vantage to go with you in your country I love you only god know a that for real I wanna get Married to you

[@maeybee4354]

Bruh

[@bredwords2481]

agree

[@TruthofTarot]

South Korea, next stop...

[@peterjna12]

Learn to obey your masters.

[@lulululu1116]

just spent a month in korea, was amazing, makes toronto look like a third world country. anyone that thinks otherwise is delusional

[@4_vaccuum_salesman_of_marr944]

Do they still brutally kill dogs for food in korea?