K-Beauty, Gangnam Style & Traditional Seoul

We arrived in Seoul early in the morning, around 6 AM after a long direct flight from Mexico City. We were tired but also excited, it already felt like a completely different world.

Since check-in at the hotel was only at 3 PM, we didn’t want to waste time and decided to go to Inspire Mall near the airport. It’s very close, about 10 minutes by taxi. There is also a free shuttle, but since we arrived very early, taking a taxi was just easier.

At the mall, we left our luggage in lockers, which made everything much more comfortable after the flight.

We started the day with buffet breakfast at Chef’s Kitchen, and honestly, it was a great choice. The buffet is very diverse, with many international options, so it’s easy to find something you like. After such a long flight, having a good breakfast really helped. The only thing to know is that there are specific time slots, so it’s better to check in advance.

After that, we walked around the mall. It’s very modern and full of interesting spaces and photo spots. It didn’t feel like a typical mall, more like an entertainment complex. Most shops open around 10 AM, and you can find both Korean brands and international ones.

One of the most memorable experiences was Le Space. It’s the largest interactive media art exhibition in Korea, and it really feels like you are inside another world. It’s a very immersive experience with digital installations that feel like you are inside a different universe: galaxies, lights, and moving visuals all around you. It’s very unique and worth visiting.

After spending a few hours there, around 2 PM, we took the free shuttle back to the airport.

From the airport, we took the metro to Myeongdong. The ride was easy, but after a long day, it felt a bit tiring with luggage.

Our hotel, Myeongdong Mom House, was just a 4-minute walk from the metro station. It’s a budget and simple place, but the location is really its biggest advantage. The room was not too small compared to other places in Seoul, which was a nice surprise.

After some rest, we went out to explore Myeongdong. The area is very lively, with many shops, restaurants, and huge screens on the streets.t busy. We visited during the Christmas season, so everything was beautifully decorated with lights, trees, and festive decorations. It made the atmosphere even more special.

I decided not to rush into buying skincare on the first day. There are so many options, so it’s better to first look around, compare brands, and understand what you actually want.

In the evening, we went to Wangbijib Myeongdong Central for Korean BBQ. This place was a really good choice. The meat quality was high, and the staff cooked everything for us at the table, so we could just relax and enjoy the experience. It felt very authentic but also comfortable for tourists.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel to rest. It was a long and full day, but a very good first impression of Seoul.

The next day we checked out from our hotel, since we had booked another place near the Hongdae area for the next few days. We left our luggage and headed to Beauty Blossom Clinic for beauty procedures.

In december many clinics have discounts, and Korea is known for its beauty industry. Prices are also much lower compared to my country.

My appointment was at 10 AM, and we didn’t have time for breakfast. When we arrived, we were welcomed warmly. I filled out a form and had a consultation before the procedures. They also provided an English translator.

I came with the intention to do lip filler, but during the consultation, they also suggested ultratherapy for the lower part of my face.

After payment, you can get a tax refund, which is available in most clinics and is definitely worth doing.

To be honest, I was not fully satisfied with the lip filler. I expected a more personalized approach and more attention to detail. But the ultratherapy result was good, and I was happy with it. What I really liked is that they didn’t try to aggressively sell more procedures. They only recommended what they thought was necessary, which felt honest.

In general, choosing a clinic in Seoul is not easy. Almost all of them have perfect reviews, so it’s important to research carefully in advance.

After the clinic, we went back to Myeongdong area and had lunch at Myeongdong Kyoja, a Michelin-listed place. The menu is very simple with just a 4 dishes, but everything is done really well. We ordered dumplings and noodles, portions were big, prices were affordable, and the food felt very comforting.

After that, we explored more shops.

One place I really recommend is Mimiline Mall. It has several floors, but the best one is the third floor with skincare. You can find many Korean brands there that are not available in Olive Young, and the selection is much bigger. There is also tax-free shopping. It honestly felt like a paradise for skincare, you can easily spend hours there.

Later, we went back to pick up our luggage and moved to our next hotel, K Stay Sinchon. This hotel is also a budget option, but I actually liked it. It felt clean, new, and simple. The room size was decent for Seoul, and they had a free washing machine, which is very useful. The location is also great, about a 6-minute walk to the metro.

The area itself feels more local and less touristy compared to Myeongdong.

In the evening, we went to Hongdae, which is very close, about 20 minutes walking or just a short metro ride. Hongdae has a completely different vibe. It’s very young, energetic, and modern. You see street performances, dancers, trendy fashion, and a lot of small restaurants and cafes.

There is also a big two-floor store of the popular brand Medicube, which is definitely worth visiting if you’re into skincare.

For dinner, we went to It Sushi. The place has a modern and cozy atmosphere, and the sushi was fresh and nicely presented. The service was friendly and fast.

After dinner, we decided to walk back to the hotel instead of taking transport. The streets were full of shops, and it was actually a very nice walk to end the day.

We started the day with breakfast in a random place in our area in Sinchon and then took the metro to Gangnam.

I decided to visit another clinic, Ocean Clinic, for a Rejuran treatment. The price was very good because of a discount, and overall I was really happy with the result. The service there felt very professional, and everything was well organized. They even offered a Spanish translator, which was very helpful in my case. My husband also decided to make some treatments for himself.

After the clinic, we walked to COEX Mall. It’s a big modern shopping mall, but the main highlight there is the Starfield Library. This place is really impressive. The shelves are around 13 meters high, filled with thousands of books, and the design is very open and bright. During the Christmas season, everything was decorated with lights and festive installations, which made it even more beautiful. It’s definitely a very “Instagram” spot, but still worth seeing in person.

Right outside the mall, there is the famous Gangnam Style statue, where you can take photos or try the dance for fun.

Not far from there, we visited Bongeunsa Temple, which felt like a completely different world. Surrounded by modern skyscrapers, the temple is quiet, peaceful, and very traditional. You see monks, people praying, and simple wooden buildings. It’s a strong contrast with the busy city around. It’s not a huge complex, but the atmosphere is very special and worth visiting, even for a short time.

After that, we took the metro back to Hongdae to buy Onitsuka Tiger sneakers, which we saw yesterday.

In the evening, we had dinner at The Giwa. The place has a cozy and modern atmosphere. The food is a mix of Korean flavors with a slightly different presentation. They also serve corn tortillas and drinks like a latte, which makes the experience feel a bit more fusion-style. Based on the overall experience, it’s a good place if you want something a bit different from traditional Korean BBQ. The presentation is nice, and the atmosphere is relaxed, but it’s not the most authentic option if you’re looking for classic Korean food.

After dinner, we took a bus back to the hotel to rest.

For our last day in Seoul, we decided to focus on traditional culture and slow down a bit after the busy previous days.

For breakfast, we went to Grain Seoul. It’s a modern and cozy place, popular for healthy-style breakfasts and good coffee. The atmosphere is calm and aesthetic, with simple but stylish design. It’s more of a “brunch café” vibe. Portions are not very big, and prices are a bit higher than average, but the quality is good. It’s a nice place to start the day, especially if you want something lighter.

After that, we took the metro to Bukchon Hanok Village, which is about an hour from Sinchon.

This area feels completely different from the rest of Seoul. It’s a traditional neighborhood with hanok houses, small streets, and views over the city. It’s one of those places where you really feel the history and culture. There is a lot to see around like temples, museums, traditional houses, so it’s better to plan at least one full day, or even two if you want to explore everything slowly.

We walked around the village, and one of the most popular things to do here is rent traditional Korean clothing and take photos. It really adds to the experience. There are also tea houses and small museums where you can sit down, try traditional tea, and just enjoy the atmosphere.

We visited Asian Art Museum Bukchon. The entrance requires buying a drink, but it’s definitely worth it. The space is very cozy, well-designed, and offers beautiful views, a great place to relax and take photos.

After a few hours of walking, we stopped for lunch at Tosokchon Samgyetang. This place is very well known for its traditional korean chicken soup with ginseng. The dish is served with a whole young chicken stuffed with rice, and the portion is quite large and very filling. But you need to order one portion per person to enter. The food is really good and worth it. It felt like a very authentic Korean experience.

After lunch, we went to Changgyeonggung Palace. This palace is less crowded compared to others in Seoul, which makes it more peaceful to explore. It was originally built during the Joseon Dynasty and was used as a residential palace for royal family members. Unlike other palaces in Seoul, Changgyeonggung doesn’t follow a strict symmetrical layout.The area is quite large, with gardens, traditional buildings, and open spaces. It feels calm and not too touristy. We spent a few hours there until the evening, walking around and exploring the grounds.

After that, we returned to the hotel. That was the end of our last day in Seoul, a perfect mix of culture, history, and local experiences.