About

Hi, I'm Jin from Korea, a Korean local who writes practical travel guides for visitors to South Korea. Welcome to Korea Trip Notes!

Korea is easy to enjoy once you know a few local tricks: which card to tap on the subway, which map app actually works, how to call a taxi, or what to order at a market stall. This blog shares those tips in plain English so you can spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying your trip.

What You Will Find Here

New to Korea? Start with the Korea Trip Planner for First-Timers, which links to every guide on the blog.

How I Write These Guides

  • Local view: I live in Korea, and many photos on this blog are my own, captioned "Photo: Jin from Korea".
  • Checked facts: prices, hours and routes are checked against official sources when each guide is written.
  • Korean you can copy: many posts include Korean phrases and place names you can copy and paste into Naver Map or show to a driver or shop staff.
  • Kept up to date: fares and rules in Korea change, so I update posts when details change. If you notice something outdated, please tell me.

Get in Touch

Questions, corrections or suggestions for a new guide are always welcome. Please use the Contact page. You can also read our Privacy Policy.

Thank you for visiting, and enjoy your trip to Korea!

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Paradise Hotel Busan Review: Premium Deluxe Ocean Twin & Club Lounge Worth It?

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Disclosure: This is an independent review based on my own paid stay. I received no payment, free night, or perks from Paradise Hotel Busan or anyone else, and this post contains no affiliate links. Paradise Hotel Busan sits right on Haeundae Beach, and its Premium Deluxe Ocean Twin room plus Club Lounge is one of the most talked-about combinations for a Busan trip with friends or family. I stayed one Saturday night with three other adult men and paid about 1,000,000 KRW for the room. I paid separately for Club Lounge access and used it for tea time, happy hour and the next morning's breakfast. Here is my honest take on whether it is worth it. Quick Verdict Worth it if you want a beachfront base, an ocean view, and a lounge that can replace dinner and breakfast. Think twice if you are on a tight budget or you want the pool and spa to be steps from your room. The price was high, but between the view and the lounge food I never felt I had to go out and spend more. My Stay at ...
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Google Maps vs Naver Map vs KakaoMap in Korea: Which Map App Should Tourists Use?

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If you land in Korea and open Google Maps out of habit, you will probably be fine for about ten minutes. Then you will try to walk to a restaurant and discover that the blue line you expect is missing. I get this question from visitors all the time, so here is the plain version: which map app should you use in Korea, and why? Short answer: install Naver Map as your main app, keep Google Maps for finding places, and use a taxi app for rides. Korean shop signs on a Busan sidewalk. Photo: Jin from Korea Quick Answer: Which Map App Is Best in Korea? Naver Map – best all-rounder for tourists: English interface, walking, transit and real-time bus and subway info. Google Maps – great for reviews and searching in English, but limited for walking and driving directions in Korea. KakaoMap – what many locals use; it has an English mode, but coverage is less complete than Naver's. Kakao T or k.ride – for calling taxis. Sign-up requirements are covered below. Download L...
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Korea Trip Planner for First-Timers: Busan, Seoul, Transport, Money & Apps (Complete Guide)

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Planning a first trip to Korea can feel like juggling ten browser tabs at once: trains, maps, hotels, SIM cards, food. I am Jin, I live in Korea, and this page ties together the guides I have written for first-time visitors. Think of it as your starting point. Read each short section, then open the matching guide when you want the full details. Prices, hours and routes can change with the season, so confirm anything important close to your trip. Sunset over Busan’s apartment towers and mountains. Photo: Jin from Korea Quick checklist Get a T-money card (or a Climate Card for busy Seoul days) and carry some Korean won in cash. Book the KTX on Korail's English site or app with an overseas card. Install Naver Map before you fly, and keep Google Maps for searching places. Sort out mobile data (an eSIM is the easiest choice if your phone supports it). Pick a Seoul area that fits your style and a Busan base near Haeundae Beach. Save Korean place names so you can paste them ...
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