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3 days on Jeju Island, Korea travel vlog: cafes, museums on Day 1 | Where's Anne Travel

3 days on Jeju Island, Korea travel vlog: cafes, museums on Day 1 | Where's Anne Travel

Welcome to this travel vlog series, where we'll be exploring some of the best and unique destinations on Jeju-do.

Jeju-do is known as the "Hawaii" of Korea! While it was raining for most of the trip, I still was able to visit some cafes, museums, and restaurants on day one of my trip!

Jeju-do is an island located in the very southern part of South Korea.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJQN-nEqBM

⭐️ Have you been to Hawaii or Jeju-do, Korea? Let me know in the comments!

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Travel vlog: We Hiked Seoraksan National Park ⛰️ saw waterfalls, a cave in Gangwon-do, Korea

This hike is why I hike.

Waterfalls, temples, a massive sitting Buddha, unique rocks, a cave, and more can be found at Seoraksan National Park. Located in the northeast of South Korea, my friend and I took a long-weekend to visit Sokcho 🦀 and hike Seoraksan ⛰️.

Hope you enjoy watching!

They say South Korea is 70% mountains, so why not hike them?

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NJtTUBwvtPg

⭐️ Have you been or are you planning to go hiking in Korea? Let me know in the comments!

We Hiked Seoraksan National Park ⛰️ saw waterfalls, a cave in Gangwon-do, Korea

How to get to Seoraksan? 00:29 We took a bus from East Seoul Bus Terminal, Sokcho Bus Terminal, bus stop, Seoraksan, then get off at the last stop! Use Kakao Map or Bustoago to find the exact routes!

ABOUT SEORAKSAN: Seoraksan Mountain (설악산 국립공원) is one of Korea's most famous tourist destinations that stretches across several areas including Sokcho, Goseong, Inje, and Yangyang in Gangwon-do province. Seoraksan is listed by the South Korean government with UNESCO as a tentative World Heritage site. The government designated the area as a nature reserve in 1965 and UNESCO designated it as a biosphere reserve in 1982. Its main peak, Daecheongbong, Seoraksan has a total of 30 imposing peaks spread across its territory.

The city near Seoraksan is Sokcho -- watch my travel vlog of Sokcho:

Thanks for watching!

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Where to See Cherry Blossoms + Flowers 🌼🌸 in Jeollanam-do (전라남도) Spring in Korea

Spring in Korea is so fun as cherry blossoms and other spring flowers start to bloom. Here are some of my top favorite spots to see the cherry blossoms and flowers! 🌼🌸

Jeollanam-do province is located in the very southern part of South Korea, so it sees signs of spring before the rest of Korea!

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJQN-nEqBM

⭐️ Where are your favorite spots to see spring flowers in Korea? Have you been to any of these spots in Jeollanam-do? Let me know in the comments!

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Best of Gwangju: My Top 10 Favorite Things to do in Gwangju, Korea (광주여행)

Best of Korea series continues! Best known for its music, art, and modern Korean history, Gwangju city has plenty to offer for a day trip. Here's my favorite things to do in Gwangju.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jMrF_ApShhM

10+ Places mentioned in this video:

Asia Culture Center (국립아시아문화전당) + Library Park (라이브러리 파크)

Chungjang-dong / Geumnam-ro Shopping Street (충장동 / 금남로) + ACC Madang (하늘 마당)

Dongmyeong-dong Cafe Neighborhood (동명동)

Gwangju Art Street (광주예술의거리)

Penguin Village (펭귄마을 (양림동))

Sajik Park & Guitar Street (사직동통 기타거리) + Sajik Park (사직공원)

Radiating Youthfulness Village (청춘발산마을)

Mudeungsan National Park (무등산국립공원) Watch my video on it: https://youtu.be/1w3idzvqWjo

Uncheon Reservoir (운천저수지) is a great spot to see cherry blossoms! 🌸

May 18 Democratic Movement Hall (5.18민주화운동기록관)

*in the order they appear in the video

And more places in Gwangju *not in the video:

1913 Songjeong Market (across from Gwangju Songjeong Station)

Family Land (Uchi Park) Zoo (우치공원동물원)

Gwangju-Kia Champions Field (KIA 챔피언스 필드)

5.18 Park (기념공원) (near KBS and City Hall)

Gwangju Eco Park

⭐️ Where is your favorite place in Gwangju?

📍📷 Check out more of my travel photos of Gwangju on Instagram using the hashtag #AnneLovesGwangju

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Bamboo Forest + Things to do in Damyang (담양) | Travel Vlog in Korea

Here's a travel vlog when we visited Damyang’s beautiful Bamboo Forest, despite the rainy forecast.

One of the most famous bamboo forests of Korea is located in Damyang (담양), a rural town in Jeollanam-do province (전라남도).

Watch now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7Zcf9oSjTk

Find more of my Damyang photos using the hashtag #AnneLovesDamyang on Instagram

Read my full blog post about Damyang

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Korea Travel Vlog to a Historic Port City, Gunsan

From the travel archives, here is a travel vlog of the main destinations in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do province. Gunsan is a small port city known for Japanese-style architecture from the Japanese colonial period.

Check out the travel vlog and let me know in the comments: Would you want to visit Gunsan? What Korean cities have you visited outside of Seoul or Busan?

Last year, I took a one-day trip to Gunsan, a historic port city in Jeollabuk-do province. Similar to Mokpo (목포시) and Naju (나주시) cities, Gunsan has modern historic vibes — because of the Japanese-style architecture from the Japanese colonial period.

Gunsan is a small and lesser-known Korean city with plenty of interesting things to do, places to go for a day trip or a short weekend trip.

Use KakaoMap or Naver Maps to bookmark and find these 10+ places mentioned:

Gunsan Train Station 군산역 has tourist guides/maps available

Gunsan Gyeongam-dong Railroad Village 군산 경암 철길마을

E-Mart is good for parking or renting a bicycle! 🚲

Gunsan Modern History Museum 군산근대역사박물관

Former Jeil Feed Corporation Factory 구제일사료주식회사 공장 + Cafe196

Museum of Modern Art 군산근대미술관

Jinpo Marine Theme Park 진포해양테마공원

Honam Customs Museum 호남관세박물관 is a popular photo spot

Chowon Photo Studio 초원사진관

Lee Sung Dang 이성당 is known as the oldest bakery in Korea and was opened in 1945.

+ Japanese House in Sinheung-dong (Hirotsu House) 군산 신흥동 일본식가옥(히로쓰 가옥)

+ Dongguksa Temple 동국사

+ If you have extra time, check out the Chaeseokgang Cave in Buan-gun 부안군채석강

Thanks for watching!

[wheresanne]

What It’s Like Living in Naju, South Korea

Moving to Naju to teach English with EPIK was one of the most unexpected adventures I could have ever experienced.

Before moving to Naju, Jeollanam-do province, however, I couldn’t find much information online about what it’s like living or working in Naju. Admittedly, I was a bit worried about transitioning from working in NYC to living in “rural Korea,” so I kept my expectations low.

After spending two years living and exploring the small city known for its delicious pears, I can promise you that I know a few things about Naju. If you find yourself visiting or living in Naju, I can also promise you that it isn’t as “rural” as you might think!

And here are some pros and cons you can expect living in Naju.

I have written some blog posts, shared tens of photos #AnneLovesNaju on Instagram, and recorded many videos of my travel experiences in Naju on YouTube. In summary, here are some things you should know about living in Naju, Jeollanam-do, South Korea.

What is Naju known for?

Among Koreans, Naju is best known for its delicious Asian pear “Naju bae” (나주배), the Naju Gomtang beef-bone soup (나주곰탕), flat plains along the Yeongsan River (영산강), and the new Naju Bitgaram Innocity (빛가람동) featuring KEPCO and 15 other big Korean corporation buildings relocated in 2014 from Seoul.

According to Wikipedia, Naju is also known as the “little Seoul” since it has the local Yeongsan River stretching throughout the tiny historic city.

First, I will share with you some of the cons of living in Naju which you should know and consider.

Cons of Living in Naju, South Korea:

There’s a very small expat community.

If you’re planning to move to South Korea and about to start teaching in Naju, you should know that Naju doesn’t have a huge expat community. It can be lonely at times. On the weekends, you may realize that most English teachers leave Naju and take the local bus or train to Mokpo or Gwangju for shopping, a bigger social life, etc. I heard Koreans used to go home to their families in Seoul on the weekends and only work on the weekdays in Naju Innocity.

Between the EPIK/JLP Programs, TaLK Program, local universities, restaurant workers, factory or farm foreigner workers, I would guess that there are about 100 to 200 foreigners living in Naju. You just have to find them!

Join both the Naju (나주) and the Gwangju (광주) Facebook Groups to find out any local events, communities, resources, etc. Both of these groups are good for meeting people, discovering what’s happening, or selling/buying items in the Naju area and Gwangju city.

Locals speak less English and see less foreigners compared to Seoul.

Since there aren’t many foreigners living or exploring Naju, the local Koreans will likely stare or give you attention and might even attempt to ask you what you’re doing in Naju!

Pros of Naju:

Naju is located on the Honam Line.

The local Naju Train Station (나주역) connects all the way up to Seoul if you want to visit Seoul within two hours. 

Naju has a new Innocity.

Public transportation is good and makes it easy to travel to other cities.

The cost of living in Naju is affordable.

Naju has flat plains, perfect for cycling or easy hiking.

Behind the local Naju High School and Dongshin University, the Geumseongsan Mountain (금성산) is the tallest mountain in Naju, where you can also see views of the local historic “Old Naju City” with views of the new Bitgaram “Naju Innocity” on the other side of the river.

There are two local airports with budget flight options.

In neighboring city Muan (무안) and local airport in Gwangju, which both connect to other airports throughout Korea and internationally to other Asian countries.

Air pollution isn’t a big issue in Naju as Seoul.

The air pollution down in Jeollanam-do province is still an issue, but not as high or concerning as it is in Seoul. In the recent years, thousands of families have relocated from Seoul to Naju Innocity for the promise of cleaner air.

Naju has one of the largest K-drama filming site in Jeollanam-do.

Naju is not Seoul

Naju is definitely not the big energy of Korea’s capital city. While many expats hope and dream of living and working in Seoul, living in Naju gives a chance to see other parts of authentic Korean culture.

After all said, living outside of Seoul in Naju, Jeollanam-do was a secret blessing in disguise.

Watch my video sharing what it’s like living in Naju on YouTube:

Still interested in life in Naju? Then read my post “Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Naju“ 

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15 K‑Drama Filming Sites in Korea

Attention K‑drama lovers!

Here are some 15 locations throughout South Korea where I’ve visited and also used as filming locations for Korean movies, shows, or music videos!

Do you recognize any of these locations from your favorite K‑drama?

Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장)

Find King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul where the Korean tv series “City Hunter” (Korean: 시티헌터) was filmed in 2011. It’s where Lee Min Ho arrives in Seoul for the first time.

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)

Visit the neighborhood in Seoul, where 2013 Korean drama “The Heirs” (상속자 들) filmed a scene. It’s where Lee Min Ho finds Park Shin Hye at the dream catcher shop.

N SEOUL TOWER (N서울타워)

Overlooking the city from the top of South Mountain, Namsan Seoul Tower has love locks and cable cars. Featured in “Boys Over Flowers”, “My Love From Another Star”, “Rooftop Prince.”

Seongsu Station (성수역)

Find this wall mural off of Seongsu Station, Seoul where “Goblin: The Lonely and Great God” of episode 3 was filmed.

Graffiti Tunnel Sinchon (신촌벽화터널)

In Sinchon, Seoul, walk through this tunnel where the popular K‑drama “Goblin” was filmed. It’s the scene of Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook walked through the Tunnel after buying green onions for Kim Go Eun.

Into the Storm (폭풍속으로 세트장) in Uljin (울진)

In Uljin County, Gangwon-do, you can find the 2004 movie “Into The Storm” (Korean: 폭풍 속으로) movie scene. (Source: AsianWiki)

Jumunjin Beach (주문진해변)

I haven’t visited here yet! In Gangneung, Gangwon‑do, one of the most iconic scenes from the show “Goblin” is when Eun Tak first summons Kim Shin to the beach on her birthday.

BIFF Square (광장) in Nampo-dong (남포동), Busan

If you like films enough, be sure to see BIFF Square or visit the Busan International Film Festival in October in Busan city. Similar to the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, US, you can see handprints of famous directors and actors when the BIFF Square premiered in 1996. Today, the square is a popular destination for shopping, food carts or reading the handprints.

Busan Gamcheon Culture Village (부산 감천문화마을)

An episode of “Running Man” (Korean: 런닝맨) tv series, which has been aired on SBS since 2010 and aired over 500 episodes, filmed a scene in the famous Gamcheon Cultural Village in Busan.

Gunsan (군산)

In Wolmyeongdong neighborhood (월명동) in Gunsan, Jeollabuk‑do, visit the Chowon Photo Studio. Also in Gunsan, the Binhaewon Chinese Restaurant (빈해원 식당) was used for the “Crash Landing on You” in episodes 11 and 12; it’s where Jeong‑hyuk faces a large group of gangsters and Se‑ri buys the restaurant with the request to the tenants to locate Jo Cheol‑kang. I loved this k-drama!

Most recently, the Netflix zombie apocalypse movie “Alive” (Korean: 알아있다) released in 2020 was also filmed in Gunsan.

Damyang Bamboo Forest (죽녹원)

In Damyang, Jeollanam‑do, the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest has posters throughout the forest where k‑dramas were filmed.

Naju Film Theme Park (나주 영상테마파크)

In Naju, Jeollanam‑do, has a variety of new and old buildings where k‑dramas were filmed: My Country: The New Age (2019); The King In Love (2017); Goblin (2016‑17); Jang Young‑sil (2016); Moon Lovers (2016); Jeon Woo‑chi (2012‑13); Iljimae (2008); The Legend (2007); Jumong (2006‑07)

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Suncheon Seonamsa Temple (선암사)

In Suncheon, Jeollanam‑do, majority of the drama “Damo” was filmed at the Seonamsa Temple.

Boseong Greentea Plantation (보성 녹차밭)

In Boseong, Jeollanam‑do, see the green tea fields to live out the scene from “Legend of the Blue Sea.” It’s the scene where Lee Min Ho meets Jun Ji Hyun in the past.

Aqua Planet Yeosu (아쿠아플라넷 여수)

Multiple scenes of “Legend of the Blue Sea” were filmed at the Yeosu Expo and Aqua Planet Yeosu in Yeosu, Jeollanam‑do province.

Cheongsando island in Wando (완도군)

Visit Wando, Jeollanam‑do, to see the village for ‘Pinocchio’ of yellow fields and petite houses.

And this concludes this mini guide of some places in South Korea where k-dramas, movies, or music videos were used as filming sites. If you want to visit any of these locations or if you’ve already visited a location, be sure to comment below and let me know!

Spot a mistake or new information? Feel free to contact me. Thanks for reading!

[wheresanne]

Busan series: Travel vlog to Oryukdo Skywalk, BIFF Square, Busan Tower

For my summer vacation, I visited Busan to enjoy its beautiful coastline of beaches, the BIFF Shopping Square, Busan Tower, and a few other places on my Korea bucket list. Check out the travel vlog and let me know in the comments: What's your favorite thing to do in Busan, Korea?

Places in Busan mentioned in this video:

Oryukdo Skywalk 오륙도 스카이워크

BIFF Square 광장

Busan Tower 부산 타워

Yongdusan Park 용도산공원

Haeundae Beach 해운대해수욕장

You can use Kakao Maps (or Naver Maps apps) to go to Oryukdo Skywalk; it's walkable and has pathways for bikes or wheel-access for hikes or bikes. BIFF Square is a 10 to 15-minute walk to up to Busan Tower, located in the center of Yongdu-san Park 용도산공원. Message me if you have questions about this trip! 

You can enjoy other Busan videos:

✰ "Colorful “Machu Picchu” of Busan, Sea Life Aquarium 부산아쿠아리움 Travel Vlog" https://youtu.be/C6NRiu0l_fM

✰ "Korea's most beautiful temple along the sea, cafe hopping, Haeundae Beach" https://youtu.be/NSCSZi5I-fA

✰ New videos every Wednesday and sometimes Sunday ✰

[wheresanne]

Colorful “Machu Picchu” of Busan, Sea Life Aquarium Travel Vlog

On day 2 of my summer vacation in Busan, I traveled to the Gamcheon Culture Village (부산 감천문화마을) and Sea Life Aquarium (부산 아쿠아리움) with my Korean family.

You can watch more Busan travels and life in Korea videos on “Where’s Anne” on YouTube.

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Busan Summer Vlog: Korea's most beautiful temple along the sea, cafe hopping, Haeundae Beach

Kicking off my summer vacation with a domestic trip to Busan!

For my summer vacation, I took a bus from Gwangju to Busan to visit some of my favorite spots, including Haedong Yonguksa Temple and Haeundae Beach.

Be sure to subscribe to see new videos every Wednesday and sometimes Sunday on “Where’s Anne” YouTube channel.

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Summer in Naju (나주 느러지 전라남도여행)

This land looks like the Korean Peninsula, do you see it?

New video now on YouTube: 

It has been rainy season here in South Korea, but I still adventured out to see the Korean Peninsula (한반도지형) shaped land and purple hydrangea flower path in a rural part of Naju, Jeollanam-do.

It's located on the border of Naju, Muan, and Hampyeong along the Yeongsan River. You can ride your bicycle here or I recommend taking a car.

There are two other popular locations similar to this one: 1) Okcheon, outside of Daejeon (충청북도 옥천군 든주봉) and 2) Yeongwol, Gangwon-do (강원도 영월 한반도지형)

You can also find me:

✰ Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/wheresanne_korea

✰ Twitter  ➭ https://www.twitter.com/wheresanne_

Thanks for watching!

[wheresanne]

This is the southern gate of the Najueupseong Fortress located in Namnae-dong called Namgomun in Naju, South Korea

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Jeongsulu (나주 정수루) in Naju, Korea located near Gomtang Street, Naju Culture Museum, and Geumseonggwan (근성관).

Address: 전남 문화재자료 86호 정수루(正綏樓)

See it here on Naver Maps.

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Don’t underestimate the cafe aesthetic of Korea. I visited the 복합문화공간 39-17 마중 Cafe in old Naju city.🍹🌴 

@3917majung6838 Instagram and 복합문화공간 39-17 마중 on Facebook

Address: 나주시 교동 16번지 

[wheresanne]

Naju Hyanggyo (나주향교) is a Confucian Academy in Naju city. 

This local Confucian school was founded in 1701 (the 27th year of King Sukjong's reign), and the layout of the royal palace is very different from that of other local schools.

According to the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, during the Joseon Dynasty, Naju teachers taught students with land, records, and labor, but after the theological system was implemented, the educational functions were removed.

Today, it is a recognizable tourist spot in old Naju city, near the Gomtang Street and Geumseonggwan 금성관 historic buildings.

“1407년(태종 7)에 현유(賢儒)의 위패를 봉안, 배향하고 지방민의 교육과 교화를 위하여 창건되었다.이 향교에는 1701년(숙종 27)에 창건한 계성사(啓聖祠)가 있는데, 이로 말미암아 교궁(校宮)의 배치가 다른 향교와는 크게 다른 특색을 보인다.일반적으로 교궁의 배치는 대성전이 위에 있고 그 밑에 명륜당이 위치하고 있으나, 공자 아버지의 위패를 봉안하는 계성사가 있는 향교는 대성전과 명륜당의 위치가 바뀐 것이 특색이다.호남지방의 향교 중 계성사가 있었던 곳으로는 나주향교 이외에 전주향교와 함평향교 등이 있다. 이 향교의 대성전은 보물 제394호로 지정되어 있으며, 5성(五聖), 송조4현(宋朝四賢), 우리 나라 18현(十八賢)의 위패가 봉안되어 있다.���선시대에는 국가로부터 토지와 전적·노비 등을 지급받아 교관이 교생을 가르쳤으나, 신학제 실시 이후 교육적 기능은 없어지고 봄과 가을에 석전(釋奠)을 봉행하며, 초하루와 보름에 분향을 하고 있다.현재 전교(典校) 1명과 장의(掌議) 수명이 운영을 담당하고 있으며, 소장 전적 145종 195책 중 필사본인 『금성연계방안 錦城蓮桂榜案』·『유림안 儒林案』·『청금안 靑衿案』·『통문 通文』 등은 이 지방의 향토사연���에 귀중한 자료가 된다. 이 향교는 전라남도 유형문화재 제128호로 지정되어 있다.”

[wheresanne]

One of the four gates in Naju. This is the West Gate (나주 서성문) located near the Naju Hyaggyo (나주 향교) Confucian School.