No doubt, I’m in South Korea!

In the hustle and bustle of a country where every corner reveals a surprising detail, South Korea has offered me a unique immersion. Throughout my adventures in this vibrant land of culture and traditions, I’ve been struck by the little things that make all the difference.

Here’s a detailed account of my experience, where I take you on a journey into the heart of daily life in South Korea.

Explore these unique details for an authentic immersion into South Korean daily life.

No key to open your own door.
Very small towels.
People use umbrellas to hide from the sun.
People constantly sniff because blowing your nose is very frowned upon.
I often got lost in the subway because even transportation apps are written in Korean.
There are parasols for pedestrians waiting for the light to turn green to shield themselves from the sun.
A little lady sweeps non-stop in the subway to pick up every hair on the floor of each car in Seoul.
You see people sleeping on restaurant tables, exhausted, between work sessions.
The streets are dotted with cafés, some open 24 hours a day.
Neon signs and lights shine brightly at night, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Cosmetics and selfie stores are ubiquitous, even in the smallest streets.
Your bus or train might “left earlier.”
It takes you forever to find an ATM that accepts your foreign card, and once you do, it takes ages to get all the information it asks for.
There are air compressor guns that allow you to clean your shoes or feet at the beach and in places with a bit of dirt, like parks or forests.
There are statues of The Little Prince everywhere, especially in Busan. I explain why in this article.
It takes you hours to figure out where to cross the road because it’s either a maze of pedestrian crossings or underground passages.
At the entrance of every home, hotel room, etc., there’s a vestibule called hyeongwan where you leave your shoes, often equipped with automatic lighting (motion detector). Really useful when you come home at night, no need to look for the switch.
All hotel bathrooms are equipped with huge bottles of shower gel, shampoo (ok, nothing unusual so far) AND conditioner AND full tubes of toothpaste (I mean the big tube).
There are sweet treats everywhere, all the time, on every corner. Sugar, sugar, sugar.
Many cars are electric, and you hear them as they slow down or speed up, with a sound that makes you feel like you’re in a futuristic movie like The Fifth Element or Back to the Future. Sorry, my references aren’t very recent.
Even though Koreans are often reserved, there will ALWAYS be someone ready to help you with a smile, regardless of their age.