Exploring South Korea: my first international adventure

It’s funny how life has a way of throwing curveballs. Just when I was all set to visit the USA in April 2022, brimming with dreams of American cheeseburgers and city skylines, my visa appointment issues crushed that plan slowly and steadily. But the universe had other ideas. Fast forward to August, and I found myself packing my bags for South Korea – my very first international trip! Hit the drumrolls with over-the-top excitement.

Now, thanks to K-pop and K-dramas, South Korea is having a major global moment. From BTS to BlackPink, everyone’s buzzing about this place. My wild imagination had a dreamy welcome by BlackPink on my flight. But, hey, the in-flight playlist did have a lot of Korean pop, so I half-convinced myself they were welcoming me.

As soon as I landed, I was hit with a fun fact: everything felt really expensive. Turns out, the Korean Won isn’t exactly a high roller in the currency world, so I was basically a millionaire… Yayyyyy!!! Well, this moment didn’t last long until I tried to buy coffee. Reality hits hard.

The food adventure: between kimchi, fried rice, and chicken wings

For a die-hard North Indian food lover, Korean food was a challenge. I mean, I don’t stray too far from my staple diet of Roti, Chawal, Dal, Spicy food, so let’s just say kimchi wasn’t my first choice. Thankfully, my hotel had an excellent breakfast spread that fueled my daily escapades.

And then there was fried chicken. Wowww. Korean fried chicken deserves its own award.

Also, I had a bit of a culinary miracle: I met an Indian guy who also happened to be my neighbouring district guy who would whip up spicy rolls, giving my tastebuds a little taste of home.

Sightseeing: where culture meets pop phenomenon

N-Seoul Tower offered a panoramic view of Seoul that was breathtaking – complete with “love locks” where couples immortalize their affection. Only thing I needed to lock was the harmony and peace in life.

Other stops included the National Museum, Lotte World Tower, and Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Next halt was Gyeongbokgung Palace. The palace is like a time machine; you step in, and boom, you are transported back to ancient Korea. The guided tour was amazing experience, and we got to know that this is where Korean scripture was developed.

And then, there was the Gangnam Style statue. Remember that time when Psy’s song was everywhere? It turns out the Seoul administration put up a massive hand-and-dance statue as a tribute. I attempted the dance move. (Let’s just say it’s harder than it looks).

Why was I really here? oh right, the conference!

Believe it or not, my trip to Korea wasn’t just about sightseeing. I was actually there for an academic conference. Huge shoutout to CSIR for funding the travel and later Korean Society of Medical Oncology for bestowing me with ‘Young Investigator Award’. Presenting my work to an international audience and get their feedback enhanced the quality of my work significantly. Also, I got the chance to interact with fellow researchers. It was like hitting two birds with one stone; attending the conference in the morning and exploring Korea in the evening.

After the conference, Saikat Bhaiya, who lived in Korea, invited me over. He showed me around, cooked traditional Indian food (yes, you read that right).

He even got me into a K-pop live show at his university. Despite the rain, I finally witnessed the craze firsthand. Oh, and here’s a crazy story: I noticed a pair of AirPods left unattended near the elevator for a couple of days. No one touched them. Talk about honesty!

With Saikat Bhaiya and his gang in Korea, we even took the Train to Busan. No zombies, thankfully, but plenty of laughs and memories. Let’s just say, “What happened in Busan, stayed in Busan.”

Second trip: because one just wasn’t enough

Funny thing, after my first trip, I realized I missed Jeju Island. And let’s face it, one simply doesn’t go to Korea without visiting Jeju.

So, off I went again (well for a conference only), roaming around this stunning island. Coming from India, it was mesmerizing to notice that street side of the road may look this stunning. It was surreal to soak in the breathtaking scenery that looked like it was straight out of a movie.

Final impressions: a love letter to Korea

South Korea left a lasting impression on me. The people’s patriotism, their love for language and culture, and the fact that nearly everyone was proudly following the law of the land. Even with difficulty in understanding English, people would go out of place to help us navigate the city. While the whole world goes gaga over iPhones, a majority of Koreans owned Samsung phones and flaunt the fold model proudly. The clean streets, the impeccable public transport, and the way they religiously sort garbage, there’s so much we could learn from them.

Here’s to South Korea, a place that welcomed me warmly and left me inspired. May this beautiful country continue to flourish and inspire others! 🌏