What I wish I knew before coming to Korea...

[@MeganOsten]

When are you coming to Korea!? 😍♥️✨ Or if you already came here… on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 be 100% yes) how likely are you to come back? 🤔 As always, love you all! 🫂✨

[@thetyrguy]

Love your videos! 4 of us are arriving in Incheon in a couple weeks from Canada for a Hapkido training trip. We are so excited. 10 on the scale! This will be my 12th trip. July 7 we should be at Gyeongbokgung in Hanbok rentals.

[@tsietsiramakatsa7429]

It was my first time this year - its a 10 for coming back.

[@henricushan]

Let’s go Meeeeeegan!!!😊

[@karenedwards3938]

10. I will be back.

[@Roboto-chan_1402]

Coming to Korea with my partner for the first time in September. Your videos are super helpful. Thank you! 😊

[@stevenmercado4367]

So glad you mentioned churches, Megan. I have met people who just decided to stop going to church once they moved to Korea, one of the reasons being they didn’t know where to start as far as looking. Your invitation can really help a lot of people find a good community :)

[@MeganOsten]

Yes! You’re so right! It’s hard to find a good church while abroad and ESPECIALLY going to a foreign country… we need each other/the church just as much if not more when we’re stripped of so many of our other comforts. It’s hard out here and can get so lonely… I thank God as often as I think of it for my church here. Such a blessing 🥹♥️

[@Pastor_Madeline]

My husband and I are exicted to visit Korea next summer (July2024). I’m a Christian seminary professor in Ohio and am visiting Manna Church who is hosting our student spiritual formation retreat. The hubby and I plan to stay longer and explore. Your tip about airbnb and AC in hotels is SOOO helpful!! I hate being hot when sleeping and if I can’t control the temperature, that could be tricky. I also love the tip about the stores to visit. All your tips and videos are great! Closer to time, I’ll reach out again and ask about your church home. If we have a free Sunday morning, would love to visit.

[@bayouboyentertainment2106]

My grandma's house in South Korea had like triple sliding windows so you could open one window let the beach air in but keep the bugs out, I thought that was the coolest thing lol.

[@andykim6434]

I am not a tourist but a native Korean and enjoy watching your youtubes. Makes me think of what Korea really looks like to your eyes.😊

[@MeganOsten]

I’m so glad 🤭🫂✨

[@tinycafe1]

I love how practical, realistic, and informative your videos are! You do a wonderful job on your editing, adding the visual references so I can see exactly what you are talking about. SOOOO helpful! I am 90% sure I will be visiting Korea in December. Keep up the amazing you 💖💘💚💝💙

[@MeganOsten]

Oh my gosh… thank you so much 🥹♥️♥️♥️🫂 I didn’t get to edit this video as much as I usually do because I wanted to make sure I finished it for Sunday, so reading this comment means so much to me because I struggle feeling like the video could have been much better… but perfect editing is not what it is about! I just want to help others and get the information out there 🫂 Thank you so much for your love, support and encouragement! I hope you have a wonderful trip here~ No rush! Korea will be waiting🤭♥️🫂

[@dorgoray]

Wow, all suuuuuper useful advice from knowledge gained from real experience. Thank you as always! The play by play on why you need layers in summer and winter was too funny 🤣😭😂.

[@MeganOsten]

Glad it was helpful! 😍 and that you got a little laugh 🤭 (gotta keep it entertaining~)

[@ChisacoChan]

I will fly to Korea for a semester abroad in 2 months. Your videos are a great help to prepare myself! Thank you! 😊

[@MeganOsten]

AHHH! SO exciting~ 😍✨ I'm so happy to hear my videos have been helpful for you~ Much love!! ❤

[@xxblanksxx1]

The rain and humidity adds to the window and AC tips so much. I went in May during some rain and forgot to close a window. Spent the next 5 days of the trip hunting down mosquitoes with extreme prejudice.

[@MeganOsten]

😭😭😭 the mosquito hunting when all you want to do is go to bed is truly THE worst 😭😭😭

[@jackmarshall2801]

I made my second trip to Seoul last month. Your information is spot on! Particularly helpful is the Papago app for translating the HVAC remote controls if you don’t read Hangul. I would add to your tip about wearing sturdy shoes. On this recent trip, I was dealing with one arm in a cast and became aware of how uneven and broken many of the streets are. Also, many subway and other stairs do not have handrails. OSHA is not a thing there. 🤷‍♂️ Those things said, I love visiting Seoul and will be back.

[@MeganOsten]

YES! Sturdy, comfy shoes for sure! The sidewalks are very uneven… good additional tip!! 💪🏼 I’m so glad you had a wonderful time here!! Korea will be waiting 😊🫂✨

[@Metsa25]

I was pretty nervous about taking a month long visit to Korea by myself. After watching Megan's videos and a couple of her online trip consultations (which I HIGHLY recommend) I feel like I'm good to go.

[@MeganOsten]

Awwww!!! Thank you so much!! 🥹 I’m glad you’ve found the consultations to be helpful~ 🫂✨ I definitely enjoy them as well 🤭🤭

[@AndrewWorkshop]

We totally got approached by some ladies who gave us packs of cookies and tried to get us to go with them near Hyehwamun gate in Seoul lol. Also, we didn't eat the cookies haha.

[@MeganOsten]

I approve of your decisions 😅🥲

[@karenedwards3938]

See you in 2024. GREAT INFO once again.🎉❤

[@MeganOsten]

See you then! 😍🫂♥️ Thank you for your support as always!!!

[@boris8787]

10 - I was in Seoul last year for six weeks and loved the experience - your videos really helped me have a great trip.

[@MeganOsten]

Awwww I’m so glad 🥹♥️🫂

[@brandonlee3758]

As a half-Texan, very helpful vids and tips! Not really big deal yet for us since TX is very humid and hot around these days too. Got a warning message saying: don’t go outside after 2pm because it is over 34C• but it wasn’t that bad after all, 😆

[@Rachel-sv9pq]

I am an INFJ with a very strong J so nothing makes me happier than being made aware of all the little details I need to plan ahead for. Traveling is fun but it's also always a little stressful so thank you for giving me more peace of mind. 🙏

[@LaurenCaver129]

You are so helpful! We met when I landed in Korea like two years ago and you helped me and my friends through the airport and even to our air bnb! I was so grateful for you cause we were very very lost!

[@pauljunholee]

6:12 "frigid. iceberg. igloo. all the same" got me cracking up so much LOLOL but forreal though, layers layers layers. recently went on a trip to Korea in April and the temperature outside was perfect for a thick hoodie. so me being an inexperienced human with Korea weather, I got on a jam packed bus with my very warm thick hoodie only to end up hating my hoodie forever and questioning why that bus had no AC turned on... so yes people, listen to Megan and bring them layers!!!

[@animekaye7091]

I love this update on making a trip to Korea more enjoyable. Not knowing these little but important things can ruin a trip. Thanks for sharing this info!!

[@MeganOsten]

You’re so right and you’re so welcome 😁🫂✨

[@isabeau3238]

Thank you so much for making these videos, Megan. The level of detail is unmatched. ❤

[@MeganOsten]

You’re so kind! So happy to help 🥹🫂♥️

[@cherrysdollshop]

Thanks for info. Great to know before visiting S. Korea.

[@amardeepkhosla2578]

So helpful, and engagingly presented. Thank you very much!

[@Gattberserk]

I stayed in busan Tokyo inn hotel and the room air con was fully functionally. I can set the temp as and when i like.

[@ariah457]

The best SK tips on KZbin your videos always amaze me. I thought I knew everything but your videos always touches on something I didn’t think of in planning my future travel to SK so informative, detailed and super helpful! 🙌🏾

[@WINGS-OF-FREEDOM]

진짜 매번 대단하다고 생각해요!! 모든 정보들이 세심하고 정확합니다!! 👏👏👏

[@vickiebergquist2881]

This is very helpful. Thank you always for sharing.

[@MeganOsten]

You are so welcome! 😊🫂✨

[@eugeniasnyder8845]

This is incredibly helpful! Thank you for practical useful tips!❤😊

[@charliemoee]

Im coming during spring next year…. Looking forward to it after 6 years 😊

[@MeganOsten]

So exciting 😍🫂✨ Safe travels~ ♥️

[@jazzjohns4955]

wait! tell me about your church! im going in the spring and im kindaaa worried abt finding a church

[@Abdulrahman_91]

Always Megan videos to save you 😂👏🏼

[@MeganOsten]

🤣🤣🤣 I got chuuu~~~ ❤️

[@Twinmamascot]

Cannot wait to come to Korea. Thank you for you for your advice! xxx

[@MeganOsten]

So so so excited for you!! Happy to help 😍🫂✨

[@danih6820]

Thanks Megan. Really helpful especially the thermostats! We are travelling to Busan by Ferry from Hakata on 31 Dec 2023. We are planning for the cold for sure.

[@MeganOsten]

Happy to help! And YES! Dress warm but always remember - layers! 😊🫂✨ Have a wonderful New Years celebration 😍😍😍

[@danih6820]

@@MeganOsten got it and thank you so much for all your videos supporting us keen as Korea fans.

[@mattofafnir5654]

Wow! This is packed with valuable information delivered in your funny and fast style! Keep it up - great work!🎉

[@MeganOsten]

Thank you so much 🥹🫂✨

[@ekming751]

The hostel i stay in Myeongdong, for heating i on the air-con to hot during the spring .

[@reeseosbornestudios]

Always helpful! One of my hotels in Seoul had no ac last year that I could control. It was early October, but they had a few hot days... i had to live with a cracked window... but no screen? Why???

[@raaashadz9454]

Your videos are so wholesome 🙏 have you got any tips for where to stay in Busan pl ? 🙏🙏

[@lifestylebyk.a.]

Very informative as always. Thank you!

[@MeganOsten]

You’re always welcome 🥹🫂✨

[@siddhant3242]

Thank you very much, Megan, for these types of videos, which are really realistic and helpful for people who come to Korea. I just arrived two weeks ago in Gangnam and will be here for one year. I am looking for a foreign-speaking church around the Gangnam area. Can you recommend me some places.

[@steveyim]

Gonna get my stroll on in comfy shoes, avoid slips, no need to walk crip on my Korea trip. Get my grub on no need to tip. Shout out to Megan O for being sweet, with her unique travel techniques . I’ll be back for mo.

[@MeganOsten]

Can’t wait to see you in Seoul Steve!! But yeah… good, sturdy shoes with nice traction. Don’t need any more shoulder surgeries if we can help it 💪🏼👏🏼😄✨

[@goemmygo2599]

Daiso for daaaaaays! There were a few of these in Vietnam - Yes please.

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

Its interesting, Daiso is a Japanese store, thought they hated the japs?

[@MeganOsten]

Daiso is the BEST!! 😍😍😍

[@ando-ryu]

Great vid Megan, awesome tips!

[@sathya-enjoy_lifetothefullest]

Very good tips ❤

[@MeganOsten]

Glad you think so! 😊🫂✨

[@sathya-enjoy_lifetothefullest]

I am travelling to Korea next month will definitely follow your tips and meet you if possible 😊

[@hajialiahmedbhatti2039]

hi megan ....! Am your new subscriber .... So....i wanna ask that will u please make a video ....that .....how to get a hostel ....or any aprtment...as a foriegn student 🙂😶☻ please please please .....i wanna came korea for uni study plzzzzzz make a video on it

[@noob.168]

I'm confused. Could I use T luggage to send it to Busan for example? Or just between the luggage kiosks in Seoul?

[@MeganOsten]

Just between the stations/locations mentioned on their website (located in the description box). But taking luggage onto public transportation is pretty easy if you took the subway/express train to Seoul Station from Incheon airport and then from Seoul Station to Busan station. Just get a taxi once you arrive in Busan if you have anything heavy! Safe travels~ ☺️✨

[@Tyrita12]

Learned something new about hotels! Thanks! ❤

[@MeganOsten]

Love you friend!!! Happy to help! 🫂♥️✨

[@bookish.brietto]

It’s been two years already?!! Congrats!!! 🎉🎉🎉 My bestie is visiting Korea for the first time this summer. Just sent this to her!! 😊😊 thank you for all the info! Can def say this is all accurate and is easily explained. The layers thing had me laughing because honestly it’s so true 😭😭😌😌💕 art box is my literally favoriteeeee.

[@MeganOsten]

March of 2021!! First time in Korea and WOW does time fly 😱😱😱🫂 But awww! I hope your bestie has the best time here!!! 😍✨ Much love! Thank you for your support with this comment and sharing the video as well 🥹♥️🫂✨

[@pjpororo323]

Thanks Megan! Yeah Airbnb to go! I contemplating between ikeseon dong, hongdae or myeondong...for a ahjuma like myself Yes church, I am definitely keen. I will pm you when my senses are back!

[@MeganOsten]

All great options! Just depends on your travel style (as I’ve stated in my “Where to stay in Seoul” video) but Myeongdong is definitely thriving once again (just a little update). Make sure you’re near a subway station or bus stop and you’ll be good to go! 😊 Have a wonderful trip and I’ll be on the lookout for your message ♥️

[@pjpororo323]

@@MeganOsten Great tip! Thanks Megan, I remembered, I watch that video too! Was just concern on upon arrival what mode of transport to take downtown. Let me do some more research first! 😅✌

[@LeiSalazar]

Is mid December an okay month to go? Pros and cons? Thanks!

[@honggwan.]

Nice video. I don't like it either when bugs and mosquitos come inside of my apartment. :-) Interesting comparison of the hotels in America vs. in Korea. I think the AC control depends on which hotel you go to in Korea. I might be wrong here, but I sensed that you may have came from the southern US.

[@trishcampbell367]

Is Jubilli Church a good choice? It’s in 명동

[@daniabelko1382]

Super super helpful!! Thank you so much!!!

[@MeganOsten]

You're so welcome! I’m glad you thought it was helpful and thanks for letting me know in a comment! Really means a lot to me 😊🫂✨

[@Metsa25]

I'm not sure if you check old video comments, but I'll give it a shot🙂. This is about transportation from Incheon Airport to Seoul. I'm arriving at 5:20 in the morning. I'm not sure when I'll make it through customs, so I'm not sure if I'll hit morning traffic. I'm going to have one large check bag and two standard carry on bags. Will the subway be a nightmare with the big bag? If I can swing it should I go for a taxi? (taxi may run into traffic. Subway might be a problem with all those bags.) Thoughts?

[@Victor-y9g1w]

you are so beautiful and sensitive and articulate and smart.💯💯

[@elizabethstark1850]

Thanks for the tips! Your videos are great!

[@MeganOsten]

Awwww thank you! I’m glad you like them! 🥹🫂✨ Happy to help~

[@crazycatlaidie]

this video is a blessing since i totally forget to check if my credit cards have foreign transaction fees. well....applied for a new one. 😛. i will be in seoul from the end of september until mid oct. not gonna lie, i count the days. lol.

[@MeganOsten]

I’m glad I could warn you in advance!! No need for any extra fees~ But have a wonderful trip! Fall is SO beautiful here 😍😍😍

[@mishainwonderland8970]

I went to Seoul and stay at the hotel. I was confused why the remote was not working. Now i know 😅😅😅

[@MeganOsten]

Yeahhh.... 😅 At least you can now know - you're not the only one! haha

[@milvperez]

Comfort >>>>>> always 😂 I never knew about hotels controlling A/C! Airbnbs all the way, for better or worse lol

[@MeganOsten]

Yes and amen! 🤭👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@cosmo6447]

Are window screens common there?

[@joykim3352]

What church? We are visiting this summer and would love to visit.

[@tayninh6934]

Very helpful tips. Thx

[@MeganOsten]

You’re so welcome! 😊🫂✨

[@brucemize2939]

Great content again... thank you....

[@MeganOsten]

You’re welcome!! Thank you for all of your constant support Bruce!! 🫂♥️✨

[@amandaprowell389]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MeganOsten]

Happy to help 😊🫂✨

[@jazzzg2813]

First: I luuuv your videos! Super helpful! I will be traveling to Kore Ador the first time end of Sept with 3 girl friends. We are coming from Seattle going to Jeju, then Busan, then Seoul and back. We have a layover in ICN for 3hrs and flying out of GMP to go to Jeju. Do you know if the luggage hold applies if we ask to leave our luggage at the ICN airport till we come back from Busan? Instead of lugging around our big luggage we can just use our carryon for Jeju and busan. It would be like a 7 day hold or would that even be worth it? I don’t even know if they would be able to take the luggage from the route? Sorry for long question. 😔 any advice would help 😊

[@odjani01]

Hi Megan, I can't found you on Instagram?

[@charlientran]

The shoeeeesssss!!!!

[@MeganOsten]

The SHOOOOOOES 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Sturdy as well! 👟

[@nickh1193]

Would you say the summers in Korea are similar to the southeastern US (hot & humid)?

[@MeganOsten]

Horribly… horribly hot and humid here... 😅 the additional part where you have to walk everywhere also stinks 😅

[@rshum85]

Thanks for the AC tip! I would assume most Asian countries allow you to control AC, but I guess not!

[@MeganOsten]

Just depends on the time of year but yeah - I would have thought so too 🤣🥲

[@jerrycho9869]

i had a weird exp where some guy just grabbed my arm and pretended to know me. i have no idea what he wanted but i was sure i didn't know him. so i let him go on with his b.s. for a minute before i started speaking english lol and he finally let go of my arm.

[@amandamurphy1489]

Of course i knew all of this.... BECAUSE YOU TRAINED ME WELL BESTIE... also dont tease me with Daiso.. you know thats my Disney land 🤭 🤭

[@MeganOsten]

Hehehehe 🤭 I love you so much fwend 🥹♥️🫂

[@hakonberg8003]

Listening to your comments on hotel rooms it reminds me how happy i am for not being American 🤣🤣

[@lolitagodwin]

Thank you for your video; it is spot on. My daughter and I visited South Korea in 2022. We arrived April 16 and left June 6. It was our first trip their and my first vacation in 2 years (all plans were cancelled when COVID hit and where we live we went into 'shelter in place' for 28 days). I kept telling my boss not to worry because I had a "big trip" planned. I'm a bit OCD so I researched some of the basic customs (don't want to insult anyone unintentionally or embarass myself). I learned hangul and some basic greetings. And I had a huge list of places I wanted to see (2 years in the making lol). We live in Bermuda so I found everything about South Korea fascinating. We wanted to return this year but.....the money - we need to save up. :) Our goal is the fall of 2024. I've seen the cherry blossoms, now I want to see the foliage. I really needed that information about luggage storage back then lol. We went from Seoul to Jeju to Busan; back to Seoul dragging large suitcases. We were going to visit Sokcho but by that time I was tired of dragging the suitcases around. Next time we'll rent the AirBnB for the entire period, using it as our base. That way we can leave the large suitcases behind when we visit other cities. I was especially interested when you mentioned your church. One of the things I missed most while on this long trip was my church family. Thankfully, our Sunday services are broadcast live on KZbin so we could join; but there was that 12 hour time difference. It would have been amazing to attend a worship service in person. I would love to get more details for our return visit. I have subscribed so I will be going through your videos to gather as much information as possible. Thanks again!

[@kimmichi9535]

Hopefully 2026 I'll finally get to go🎉

[@MeganOsten]

AHHH!!! I really hope so!!! 😍 So exciting~~

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

PLEASE LISTEN TO MEGAN, These tips are absolute GOLD, I just returned from a three week trip to Korea. The tip about the AC is ridiculous and annoying but sooooo true!, busses will crank the ac when no one is on it then when its jammed full of people, the driver turns the ac off so it becomes a stinky sweaty mess. Shops will run ac but have alllll the windows open so its basically useless. some places are just not ventilated at all so prepare to be drenched with sweat and pray theres no new covid. Luckily for me I hacked the control for our Hotel, Got it down to 21 degrees, Copied the rfid room tag and left the aircon on which was stupidly undersized for the room, and left it run 24x7. With the controller set at about 18 to 21 the room would sit about 23. They have massive stand-up air conditioners some running 21 degrees some turned off altogether, even in places liek the national museum or war memorial, 35ish degrees 90% humidty blazing sun outside and no aircons turned on.... Subways suck as its hot and sticky in most places with terrible hopeless exits and entries ie multiple flights of stairs no simple easy elevator to exit to the surface. -Also regarding the people trying to rip you off, i had a guy try and give me a buddah token, i said NO and walked off. He knew what he was doing as gave me a cheeky smile, tried shoving it in my hand too. It was around the mapo/ seodaemon subway area. The subways are a maze as well, we figured out that teh naver or kakao app tells you the subway exit number thats relevant toyour destination, but ended up just looking for elevators and taking them and walking on the surface. -Shoes! Number one tip! I did 27kms of walking on our first day as it was hot but no rain so we walked everywhere. Asics Gel Kayanos, Running shoe technically but comfy and reliable. I think the biggest annoying factor about korea however is just how many rude selfish people there are however. Ie i opened doors for people who didnt even know of my existiance, people will blindly wait at elevators and wait for someone else to press the button, and people will slam doors in your face or just flat out walk into you because they are so so so very obsessed with their phone. Sorry Seoul, But id say visit japan over Korea anyday. Im sure there are lovely people, and we met a couple of friends there but, it was just too much self obsesssed instagram generation for us.

[@MeganOsten]

Thank you for all of the details to help others!! 🫂♥️

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

Ahhhh great, another thing I should have prepared for hahaha. Also thankyou for the tip about hot water.

[@MeganOsten]

Happy to help 🥹🫂✨

[@endingsnow]

Really hate the idea of ac being controlled💀

[@breakloop]

Point no 1 is legit lol

[@MeganOsten]

😊🫂✨

[@Seoulmysoul-r5d]

😮😮😮

[@MeganOsten]

First! 🤭♥️🫂

[@actgunner3082]

You pay money book a room and someone else controls the temperature 😂

[@mahabharat589]

Need CW channel. 🎉

[@MeganOsten]

Hahahaha a dream~

[@kittiefloyd]

you swipe on people you wanna be friends with!? thats so absurd to me. also do you need to pay for that?

[@yeslll]

You are so cuteee cutieeeeeee 😏😌

[@pluto3687]

hot but now you are freezing lol

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

This is exactly what japan was like in august. I walked around in shorts and t shirt and sooo many japanese were like 😲 ohmg are you cold... Im like ahh no ok thankyou hahaha.

[@MeganOsten]

It’s truly incredible to see how different cultures take on the heat! The covering up to protect themselves from the sunlight and I’m over here about to pass out in my shorts and a t-shirt… it’s incredible!

[@quesitos_2924]

Iceberg, Igloo, all the same ☠️ I was one who thought there was no hot water the whole time 😂

[@MeganOsten]

🥶🧊❄️🤪 So you really knew a new level of cold 🤣😅

[@chuckanderson218]

you need to stay away from the cheap hotels...or motels

[@ymk1708]

These are great tips. Thank you!!!

[@MeganOsten]

You are so welcome! 🥹🫂✨