House of BTS – Line Wait, New Friends & More – Part 8

~~A little late at posting but never too late to relive it !~~ ❤

Event: House of BTS

Location: Gangnam

Date: October 26th of 2019

Weather: Fair and Sunny

Mood: Ancy & Ecstatic

When my sister and I arrived to middle of Gangnam (station) approximately about 9:30am right before opening, we were overwhelm with the crowd already. You are never too early anywhere in Seoul. Our anticipation of visiting the House of BTS was more on our mind than the crowd however. The location is not far from the main street. But you did have to tackle a little hill..so we thought. As we reached closer to the location, we see pink. And then the line. And another line. And so we climbed another steep hill. Thank God it was still early where the sun didnt burn us. We both did not think we would stand in line for about 6 hours just to get inside. We didn’t but we did.

What made the line go fast though was the friendly friends from abroad as well we met on our line. We joked and entertained ourselves alot. Although it felt long, the time also felt fulfilled and unwasted. When we all got hungry at one point, my sister’s husband was able to drop us some food while off he goes to explore Gangnam on his own. A few friends also had snacks to share which made it even more inviting to be among the group.

The anticipation of whats on the other side of that door made us squeal like little kids. Oh, I want this door for my mansion, first of all when I saw it. Haha!

Lets Shop & Play!!

It was so much fun despite the crowd. It felt like an adult fun house. Lots of people inside but they made sure people were moving along too. Good entertainment and things for you to see. I spent about $160 USD if I can recall. Haha. Who knows. All that wait I entirely forgot how long and tiring it was after entering the place. The line grew as we made our way out later. We spent an entire day there and I dont regret it at all.

A good memoirs I cant forget. Not just because we waited sooo long to get inside a simple manufactured shop of the BTS as others may think but met great friends and experienced things we dont often get to for the love of the boys. I felt young at heart. Thats the most important as you age. Til next time!

❤ Kae

Busan – A Trip across the Country! – Part 7

You really cannot just spend a day in Busan. And that was what we basically did wrong. With the traveling via the KTO train and busing around Busan, we underestimated the city’s bustling population, traffic and mass things to do. But we definitely enjoyed what we were able to see. I have to say I was pretty tired after this day but I would do it again, just in a 2 day span instead the next time.

We arrived at the wrong station to start our morning. It was a hassle just to book online already but I found that its not too hard to get decent seats as you arrive there same day.

We took off to Busan that early morning from Seoul Station. Our hotel was a good 10-15 minutes by bus to the station. Not too crowded as it was a weekday. Part of the decision to take the KTO was for the country side views of South Korea that we are unable to explore fully in the first trip. Our train ride was pleasant and easy.

We arrived about 4 hours later to Busan. And headed off on a cab to the the Cultural Village of Gamcheon first thing first. Once a dwelling place, now center of visitors across the world to basically support the village. The vibrant homes are fun and colorful.

We were hungry by the time we climbed these hills and visited most nooks of the village. So we decided to head to Gukje Market (Nampodong International Market) for some cheap street food. Since it was still early, we didnt have too much problem roaming around and not bumping into people. Lots of stalls just opening so we sat down to enjoy some fried food. My eyes were bigger than my stomach for sure as I devoured a piece of everything.

After a good meal and a stroll around the market, we took off to the Oryukdo Beach front – the glass Skywalk area. Another long bus ride but well worth once we got there. The lovely scene and finally getting to make it to the edge of Busan infamous water was rewarding.

By now, we were tired of the long busing and waiting around. And it had also hit almost 6pm. Unfortunately, Haeundae Beach was still another 30 mins from where we were by light traffic, but an hour ride by the time we attempted. So we didnt make it that far. I was sad but I am glad I got to see parts of this water coast. We headed back to the Busan Station area to explore to make our 9pm ride back to Seoul. Found Chinatown and some more food.

Yummies I found while at the station. Coffee was much needed by this time. Seemed like we did alot but not really either with our short time here. But I was glad we made it.

More food to enjoy. We decided to eat near Chinatown in Busan so as you can see the fusion of Chinese and Korean food. This very filling that night.

Ended our night view of this Rainbow bridge Busan. We were able to drive through out during the day and watch it light up at night. I guess I can say Ive ridden and seen it.

Busan definitely another try in the next visit. It was a good stop outside of Seoul if you wanted to have a different feel but not really either. I think the difference was the beach and port scene that made it inviting. Not as tourist friend in my experience but they have many tourists for sure where you couldnt find your way around. I also enjoyed the local accent down there. You heard it often and knew who were locals versus non.

Til next time,

❤ Kae

Waterscape in the City – A Han River experience in Seoul – Part 6

This is by far one of my most favorite moment in Seoul for me. Why? I enjoy rivers and streams in the city. Something about the glistening city at night that reflects against the romantic water. I am not a romantic person I do like to believe in fairy tales in the modern world. Only a short walk from the bustling city to the river, you can sit and relax as the world goes by. Sure, it can get quite busy during the day and night. But this very evening was just perfect. It wasn’t too crowded. I actually prefer warm bodies around over a potential robbery scene waiting to happen. Ok, a little too morbid but you know what I mean.

Anyway, while we waited for a good hour, we stopped inside Emart lounge cafes/ building for entertainment while you hang out. Gosh, was there even a name for this place? It really is just for a entertainment and beauty. It lit up at night so that was super fun and nice!

I had a banana milk drink and sandwich from the Emart inside. Enjoyed this snack outside while we hung out in front of the river. Couldn’t get any better but I had wished I bought some ramen noodle to enjoy this scene later.

We weren’t sure when the rainbow water show was suppose to happen on the bridge. We looked it up and happened to sit on the wrong side so we rushed over just in time to enjoy it. My pics can never do justice but each picture I look back on, brings a special moment for me.

On a whim after that show, we decided to walk through the Banpo Bridge towards our hotel (back to Jung district area). I definitely enjoy this and can see myself doing this on a weekly basis for exercise if not for a good stroll after dinner, if I lived here. I really enjoyed my solitude time across the water as my group was ahead of me. It was a good 15 mins walk, 25 mins for me as I took my time and enjoyed the people watch and city lights. The night was calm and cool. The noise of the cars driving by did not bother me. Traffic was light. Lots of bikers and walkers but everyone kept to themselves.

I was feeling good. And I cant wait to do this again!

❤ Kae

Seoul Trip 2019 – Part 5. Gangnam ->Apgujeong, Winner Cross, Coex (SMtown), K-Star Road

A very much belated post but never too late to read on our continued Seoul journey in October. I also lost my train of thoughts to post. Its been a cold and unmotivated season. Up til BTS announced their new album promos and World Tour again for 2020, I had the courage to blog again. I am still recovering from when we couldnt get tickets to their Seoul last concert days.

Anyway, we stopped at the Pop Store again briefly the following week, just because. Why not. We spotted a cafe with BTS pictures and decided to head in. Lots of V pictures with some minimal Jimin birthday stuff in October. Pretty obvious, V was a bias of the owner of that cafe. Didnt hate, love Taehyung but really wished more BTS as a whole. I took of what I could. But I’d prob do the same too with my Namjin too (Namjoon and Jin). Haha. We spent a good 45mins and bought drinks. Met some army from out of the country and shared stories and photos.

I need this in my life!

On our last day in Seoul, Winner had a exhibit going on at the Lotte Duty Young Plaza. We had to check it out. I do enjoy their music and have attended a past concert in my town. Besides, our hotel was nearby. I realized we didnt spend enough time exploring other areas of this place.

Coex Mall. We spent much longer time here then expected. Very busy but besides checking out SMTown Museum, the big Library, that was about it for me. SM has definitely taken over this area. I came to SM Museum to seek out DBSK, Shinee and Girls Generation. Lots of past displays and some fun photo bombing activities for you to explore while there. Of course, you had to also take pics with the infamous Gangnam hands statue outside. Apujueong wasn’t too far up the area so headed there next.

Beloved Shinee Jonghyun’s 2017 SMtown concert outfit

My Passes I got to Pick at SM : Red Velvet & DBSK

K-Star Road. What can I say? It was one of the most anticipated areas I had to be in before leaving Seoul. This happened to be later in the evening. Which I regret not exploring more as we got too tired by then. The day time was alot more different as I discovered busing through a different day. But we walked the strip and found alot of the Bearbricks as we didnt know the order of them. Our target: BTS. And eventually found a quick BBQ joint because we got hungry. A little overpriced but it was in an area that was expensive. Compared to Hongdae and Myeongdong, food seemed a little tasteless too.

I found more Bearbricks but I couldnt load them all on here as I had so many photos but I will update again. I am not even sure how many there is.

I suppose this is like our Beverly Hills scene. Not like I really hang out in BH either. Though it was nice to see and say Ive been there, I dont know if its somewhere I would spend alot of my time while in Seoul. We did only past through once fully. But as you can see, many brand name stores to admire.

I dont recall the name of this place but I got too rainy and too hungry to move on. I did enjoy their soju. We completed our night here before returning back to our hotel across the Hangang river.

And I had to buy one of these sugar candies that Ive seen forever on the streets of Seoul from this old lady. The one I bought was huge at $1 a piece. They are bitter from the baking powder but for the most, it is all sugar. Still good when you want something quick and sweet.