Hang : Korea Made Simple

If you are moving to South Korea for work, study, or a long-term stay, one of the first practical questions you may have is: Do foreigners need health insurance in Korea? In many cases, yes. Foreign employees working at an eligible workplace are generally enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) through their employer. Many other registered foreign residents become subject to National Health Insurance after living in Korea for six months, although the starting date can be different for certain visa types, including students and some other residents. Once you are covered, you can use Korea's National Health Insurance at hospitals, local clinics, pharmacies, and for many medical tests and treatments. However, insurance does not mean that medical care is completely free. You normally pay part of the cost yourself. Quick answer: If you live in Korea long term, check your health insurance status soon after receiving your Residence Card. Employees are usually enrolled...

If you want to see a side of Seoul where old workshops, decades-old restaurants, hidden cafes, and lively night pubs all share the same narrow streets, spend an afternoon and evening in Euljiro (을지로) . For a first visit, start around Euljiro 3-ga Station , explore the industrial alleys and cafes in the afternoon, eat at a traditional Korean restaurant, and finish the evening around Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목) . Three to five hours is enough for a relaxed visit. There is no admission fee for the neighborhood itself, and a realistic budget for food, coffee, and an evening drink is around ₩25,000 to ₩50,000 per person , depending on what you order. You may also hear Euljiro called “Hipjiro” . It is an informal nickname that combines Euljiro's older industrial character with the newer cafes, restaurants, bars, and creative spaces that have opened inside aging buildings. 1. How to Get to Euljiro and Where to Start The easiest starting point for this walking route is Eul...

Seongsu-dong is one of the best neighborhoods in Seoul for travelers looking for trendy cafés, Korean brand pop-up stores, K-beauty experiences, shopping, and an easy date course. For a first visit, start near Seongsu Station , explore the streets around Yeonmujang-gil , stop at a café or pop-up store, and finish your day with a walk through Seoul Forest . You do not need to plan every stop in advance. Part of the fun of Seongsu is discovering temporary stores, small design shops, cafés, and new brand spaces while walking. Because pop-up stores can open and close quickly, it is better to build your day around a few reliable areas and check current events shortly before your visit. Quick answer: Plan about 4–6 hours for a relaxed visit to Seongsu-dong. If you only want cafés and shopping, 3 hours may be enough. For a full date course with Seoul Forest and dinner, allow half a day or longer. 1. Where Should You Start in Seongsu-dong? For most first-time visitors, Seongsu Sta...

If you want to experience traditional Korean architecture without leaving central Seoul, Ikseon-dong Hanok Street (익선동 한옥거리) is one of the easiest neighborhoods to add to your itinerary. This compact maze of narrow alleys is filled with renovated hanok houses, cafés, restaurants, bakeries, small shops, and photogenic courtyards. It feels very different from a museum-style heritage site: the traditional buildings are still part of a lively commercial neighborhood. Ikseon-dong is especially easy to visit because it is only a short walk from Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station , served by Seoul Subway Lines 1, 3, and 5. The street itself does not require an admission ticket, so your main costs will be food, drinks, shopping, and transportation. Best for: cafés, Korean food, photography, couples, solo travelers, and first-time Seoul visitors Nearest subway: Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station Admission: Free Recommended time: About 2–4 hours Best time to visit: Late morning on weekdays for fewer crowds, ...

If you want to understand Korean history without spending much money, the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관) should be high on your Seoul itinerary. The museum's permanent exhibitions are free , and the collection covers Korean history from prehistoric times through later dynasties, along with Korean ceramics, Buddhist art, painting, and cultural objects from other parts of Asia. The museum is also much larger than many first-time visitors expect. Trying to see everything in one visit can be exhausting, so it is better to choose a few highlights and spend around 2 to 4 hours inside. Permanent exhibition admission: Free Special exhibitions: Some require a separate ticket Regular hours: 9:30 AM–5:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday Late opening: 9:30 AM–9:00 PM on Wednesday and Saturday Last admission: 30 minutes before closing Nearest subway station: Ichon Station Recommended visit: About 2–4 hours If your Seoul itinerary includes only one large history m...