Seoul State of Mind: Dodging Rain and Finding Kimchi Soul
okay, so. seoul. wow. i’m still buzzing, honestly. i just got back and my brain feels like a tangled ball of soju-soaked yarn. i’m a touring session drummer, you see, and this was a quick hop-on gig - backing up some K-pop group I can’t even pronounce, let alone spell. but the city? the city’s something else.
I landed, and the first thing that hit me wasn’t the crowds (though there were plenty) but the air. It’s… damp. Like a really enthusiastic hug from a cloud. i just checked and it’s drizzling a persistent, almost apologetic rain there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. Seriously, pack a good umbrella. Or five.
My hotel was in *Myeongdong, which is… intense. Sensory overload in the best possible way. Think neon signs battling for your attention, street food vendors hawking everything from tornado potatoes to live octopus (i passed on that one, thanks), and a constant hum of chatter. I spent a good hour just wandering, getting delightfully lost. Found this amazing little place selling hand-painted phone cases - seriously tempted to buy one for every drumstick I own.
Speaking of food… kimchi. Everywhere. Which is amazing. I’m now convinced I can survive solely on kimchi and ramyeon. I did try some bibimbap - a total explosion of flavor. Someone told me that the best bibimbap is in Insadong, but I didn’t make it there this time. Next trip, for sure. I also overheard a drunk guy at a bar raving about a place in Hongdae that does Korean fried chicken with honey butter sauce. Apparently, it’s life-changing. I’m adding that to the list.
I spent a day exploring Bukchon Hanok Village. It’s like stepping back in time - these beautiful traditional Korean houses, all nestled on a hillside. Super picturesque, but also super crowded. Get there early if you want to avoid the hordes of tourists. I also stumbled upon a tiny tea house tucked away on a side street. The owner, a sweet old woman, served me the most incredible green tea. It was exactly what I needed after battling the crowds.
“Apparently, if you disrespect the ancestral shrines in Bukchon, you’ll have terrible luck for seven generations. A local warned me about that, very seriously.”
My neighbors? Well, if you get bored, Busan and Daegu are just a short train ride away. I didn’t have time to venture out that far this trip, but I’m already planning a longer stay next time. I need to explore more of the peninsula.
Seoul Survival Kit (Drummer Edition):
Noise-canceling headphones (essential for surviving the subway)
Portable charger (you’ll be using your phone a lot)
Comfortable shoes (seriously, you’ll be walking everywhere)
A phrasebook (or a translation app - my Korean is… nonexistent)
A sense of adventure (because you’re going to need it)
I also checked out some local music venues. Found a really cool jazz club in *Itaewon* - super chill vibe, great musicians. You can find some listings on TripAdvisor. Yelp is also pretty good for finding hidden gems: Yelp Seoul. And if you're looking for something a little more off the beaten path, check out Seoul City Guide.
Honestly, Seoul is a whirlwind. It’s chaotic, it’s vibrant, it’s delicious, and it’s utterly captivating. I’m already counting down the days until I can go back. Just… bring an umbrella.