Introduction
My parents have been watching my love for Korea for a long time.
It started with me watching K-pop music videos after school. Then it was me binge-watching a whole K-drama in one weekend. They saw me leave for an exchange semester in Korea, and then come back with even more admiration. Korea just matches my energy.
But after I moved to Korea permanently, they did not visit even once for 4 years.
It makes sense. The trip is long. Sitting on a plane is uncomfortable, especially as retirees. And because I always came back to Germany once a year, either for summer or for Christmas, they felt like they did not need to come all the way to Korea.
This year, it was finally time.
I convinced them to come.
I was so excited because I could finally show them how I live, and all the good things I love about Korea. But that also created a new problem.
How do you squeeze 4 years of life into one week?
I stopped trying to show them “Korea”
At first, I thought I should take them to all the famous tourist spots. But then I changed the plan.
Instead of giving them a tourist tour, I wanted to make it personal.
I gave them my tour.
Because what they really care about is simple:
- How does my child live in a foreign country?
- Do you have enough to eat?
- Do you live in a nice neighborhood?
- Do you have friends?
So that is what I showed them.
My daily routine. The streets I walk every day. Where I spend my time. Where I meet my friends. My favorite cafés.
I always send them pictures of my daily life, so they have seen it on their phones for years. But this time, they could see it in real life.
One week, but real life
For one week, I tried to show them the real life of Korea, not only the postcard places.
For organization, I booked them a place close to my home. That way, I could just walk over if they needed anything.
And then every day, I showed them one part of my world.
We started around my area:
- Mangwon
- Hongdae
- Sinchon
- Hapjeong
And of course we also went to some classic places:
- Itaewon
- Gwanghwamun
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Bukchon Hanok Village
Every day we walked a lot. More than 15,000 steps a day.
Honestly, I was surprised.
They kept up with my pace. Sometimes I came home tired, and they were still fresh. At their age.
The daily Daiso mission
Once a day, I took them to a Daiso. Not even the same one. A different location.
The amount of things they discovered and bought was not countable.
My Vietnamese mom loves cheap things. She was in heaven.
Cooking tools. USB cables. Random little useful items. Everything.
Outdoor gym culture, Korean edition
Another thing they loved was the outdoor workout equipment.
In parks, along the Han River, and in public areas, you can find machines everywhere. It feels like a free, open-air fitness center that anyone can use, whether they are doing a serious workout or just moving a little after dinner.
My dad tried the rollers and massage-style stations first, like a quick recovery routine for legs and back. My mom treated it like a proper circuit: a few minutes on each machine, a little stretching, then moving on to the next one. It was one of those small Korea moments that makes daily life feel more social and accessible.
What surprised them the most
Here are the things they found the most interesting about Korea:
- Seeing my everyday life: Not the “Korea from postcards”, but my actual life. Where I buy groceries, where I walk, what I eat, and how normal my life feels here.
- Daiso: The treasure-hunt effect. One small stop turns into a bag full of “why is this so useful?” items.
- The no-breakfast culture: How many people start the day with coffee, a quick snack, or nothing at all, and then eat a bigger first meal later.
- People being nice when you greet them with a smile: Small gestures often get mirrored back, even in a big city like Seoul.
- My friends being so respectful: The bowing, the careful greetings, and the polite way of speaking, especially when meeting someone for the first time.
- How quiet and peaceful my neighborhood is: Even in Seoul, some areas feel surprisingly calm once you are off the main streets.
- Koreans minding their business: Less staring, less random small talk, and a general “let people be” vibe in public.
- Being greeted with warmth: Not loud friendliness, but practical kindness, like helping with the ordering.
- How modern it feels: From delivery and apps to restaurant tech. Even small errands can feel efficient.
- Paying at the counter: How normal it is to just walk up, pay, and leave without waiting for the bill at the table.
- Kiosks everywhere: Fast ordering, lots of language options in some places, and fewer awkward moments if you are shy about speaking.
- Mangwon traditional market: Fresh produce, busy little food stalls, and the feeling that the neighborhood is alive (and the prices are hard to beat).
Conclusion
There were still so many places I could have shown them, and so much more to discover. But in the end, they were happiest when they got to see the deeper level of what it’s like to live in Korea. My neighborhood. The neighbors. My routine. What my days actually look like here.
That is what helped them understand why I fell in love with this place.
They had so much fun this past week, and the best part is that they can go home feeling assured: I’m doing well in a foreign country, and there’s nothing they need to worry about.
🏠 Looking for Housing in Korea? Renting Made Easy!
10% Off Service Fee with code:
KIMNINJA10
Enkostay Benefits:
✅ No Deposit ✅ Online Booking ✅ Immigration-friendly docs ✅ Flexible Contracts
Perfect for:
👨🏻💻 Digital Nomads 🎓 Students ✈️ Long-Term Travelers 🧳 Working Holiday
🤝 Collaborations & Inquiries
Are you a brand, business, or organization looking to reach the expat or digital nomad community in Korea?
I’m open to meaningful partnerships that align with my mission, bridging Korea 🇰🇷 with the world 🌍.
Whether you’re looking to:
- 📢 Promote a product or service to a Korea-curious audience
- 🤝 Collaborate on culture, tech, or lifestyle content
- 🎤 Invite me to speak, host, or create for your platform
- 🧭 Share helpful resources with an international audience interested in Korea
💡 How I Can Help You
Whether you’re visiting, staying long-term, or relocating. I share honest insights, guides, and tools to help you navigate life in Korea.
🛫 Working Holiday Korea
Real experiences & survival tips from someone who’s been through it all.
💻 Digital Nomad Korea Service
Guidance for remote workers and entrepreneurs building a life in Korea.
📬 Weekly Tips in Your Inbox
Join 1,000+ readers learning how to live smarter in Korea, from visas to vibes.
👋 About Kim Ninja
Kim Ninja (Nguyen Huy Kim)
🧭 Cultural Guide · ✍️ Storyteller · 🎨 Curator
📢 Creator helping foreigners understand and thrive in Korea
🗺️ I turn everyday challenges into comics, guides, and stories
The blog published by Kim Ninja (Huy-Kim Nguyen) is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter.
Done — I rewrote your conclusion to match this exact tone and message (more “everyday life” + reassurance, less tourist checklist).
