Korea Realist | Real Korea from a Local Perspective
Life in Korea
Why Koreans Buy So Much Bottled Water — And What We’re Actually Drinking
At our place, we order bottled water through Coupang or Gmarket. Place the order, and it’s…
Korean Pharmacies: What You Can (and Can’t) Buy Without a Prescription
My daughter spiked a fever on a Saturday evening. That’s when I realized we were out…
What to Do When You Get a Flat Tire in Korea: A Real Guide to Car Insurance Roadside Assistance
My wife called me at the office. She’d been pulling out of a parking lot and…
Drinking Water in Korea: Why Koreans Don’t Drink Tap Water (And What They Do Instead)
Yesterday morning, two packs of Jeju Samdasoo — six 2-liter bottles each — were sitting outside…
Travel Korea
Shilla Monogram Gangneung Residence Review: Hotel or Residence — Which One Should You Book?
Last weekend, I took my family on a trip to Gangneung. We packed a lot in…
Seonyudo Park Seoul: A Peaceful Island in the Middle of the Han River
Last June, I took my family to Seonyudo Park. No big plans — just a weekend…
Seoul Land Family Review: An Honest Guide for Visitors with Kids
When most people think of theme parks near Seoul, Everland or Lotte World come to mind…
Hongjecheon Waterfall Seoul — A Free Night Spot Most Tourists Miss
I lived in Seoul and didn’t know this existed. A 25-meter waterfall, free to enter, with…
Korean Culture
Food & Cafes
Donghwa Garden Gangneung: The Original Jjamppong Sundubu (And How to Skip the Line)
Every time I visit Gangneung, I go to Donghwa Garden. Not because it’s on every tourist…
Dookki Tteokbokki Buffet Review — Is ₩11,900 All-You-Can-Eat Worth It?
I should have gone sooner. I actually tried once before. Walked up to a Dookki location,…
Family & Education
Private vs Public Elementary School in Korea: What It Actually Costs
On the day of the lottery, I watched the draw live on YouTube. I saw numbers…
Why Korean Parents Send Their Kids to Hagwon — And What It Actually Costs
My daughter just started first grade this year. She is seven years old. And she already…