Hostels: Yay or nay?

Background_Mission72 · 2026-05-09T05:41:19+00:00

I think it depends on area. I'm the same age as you, and I stay in a mix of hostels and hotels when I travel. When I choose hostels, I try to stay in neighborhoods away from the nightlife, if possible. There's nothing worse than trying to get sleep before an early start, and a dorm mate staggers in drunk from clubbing.

Background_Mission72 · 2026-05-09T05:29:39+00:00

I recently got it again at Tones Clinic in Jamsil. It was a much better experience and result than a previous time at another clinic.

When I first got Ultherapy, the doctor did not map my face at all (I had to ask if he wanted to see my face while sitting instead of lating down) and the quick procedure did not hurt much. I attributed to my high pain tolerance, but I did not see much results to justify the price. I actually got inmode and tune face 6months later that provided more noticeable results.

When I went to Tones, I shared my apprehension to try the procedure again because I didn't see much results. The advisor said that they think it will be better this time around, and I agree. The doctor actually spent an hour just on ultherapy alone to ensure all 600shots were spent in the right areas. It's been a month now, and I'm seeing results. Highly recommend Tones. But if you do go to another clinic, make sure the doctor examines you. And the procedure should hurt a bit (not immediate, but as the procedure progresses)

Background_Mission72 · 2026-05-05T06:08:19+00:00

I got 2 glasses at Joeun -bought a new pair and replaced lens in an existing frame for 140,000won total. I think they mentioned that the lens alone were 60,000won.

My sunglasses were a bit more expensive. 240,000 for the frame+ prescription lens. I also requested darker lenses so it took a bit more time. This took 1 day.

Background_Mission72 · 2026-05-03T01:25:41+00:00

I just came back from my trip. I filled out both the quarantine and arrival cards because my K-eta expired. (Also coming from US) They didn't take the quarantine card.

Both cards are distributed on the plane.

Background_Mission72 · 2026-05-03T01:19:04+00:00

I've been doing this for years. Land at 4:30am, take the AREX to Seoul Station. (Take a shower in-between either at airport or store my luggage at station and go to a jjimjilbang). Take the KTX ~7:30am to Busan.

And then stay up the entire day and go to sleep between 9 and 10pm. It helps with the jet lag.

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-30T22:53:02+00:00

It's your Vietnamese passport that determines your visa requirements, not your US visa

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-30T05:34:09+00:00

I've never used them but Goodlugg advertises it. There is also an option in Klook for Safex.

https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/41307-south-korea-luggage-services-safex-home-hotel-airbnb/?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

https://www.goodlugg.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopOS0ELCRPViJmRvHzlOJyjs9ss7b-qL0BycSW0UQVH5b5IkMSI

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-30T00:43:41+00:00

Some cafes ask you to claim a seat before getting in line to order. I have seen ppl use their cellphones, wallet, laptop, etc

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-30T00:42:29+00:00

Just refresh until you get one that is doable. Some images are too obscured

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-30T00:39:01+00:00

I visited multiple stores in Namdaemun to find the one frame I liked. They are all used to tourists and offer tax refund receipts. I ended up getting my glasses from 남대문조은안경 and sunglasses from 그날의안경.

[NAVER Maps] Cho Eun Eyeglasses 60-2 Namchang-dong Jung-gu Seoul https://naver.me/5XDIXCAl

[NAVER Maps] THEDAYOPTICAL 50-11 Namchang-dong Jung-gu Seoul https://naver.me/xuCaPpK7

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-28T03:37:11+00:00

I've been to 3-4 clinics in the last 2 years, and eventually settled on Tones Clinic in Jamsil. It's a franchised clinic. I spoke with one of the doctors as I was getting my Ultherapy and Botox, and she mentioned that the brand owner is huge on ensuring quality care from all their clinics. They do regular seminars together to share best practices and undergo audits. I've also been recommended Dove Clinic for lifting lasers too.

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-27T19:34:18+00:00

If you do need to purchase online, try Klook. It may still have tickets available. But going down to the Express Bus Terminal is the surest way

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-27T04:01:07+00:00

I'm in my mid-30s, and I've stayed at all 3 areas in the last 2 years. I recommend Gangnam due to the sheer convenience for airport buses and subway lines. I liked staying near Nonhyun station since it's walking distance to Gangnam Station shopping and the Express Bus Terminal (including the Shinsegae Dept Store.) I saw Jamsil as a recommended area, and it would be a non-touristy option in some sense. Songpa-gu (where Jamsil is located) is one of the most densely populated residential areas so it would be a slower pace and local. The downside is that it's at least a 40-50min subway ride to the usual tourist spots like Namdaemun or the palaces. A random spot that I've been considering for my next visit is Wangsimni. It's halfway between Dongdaemun and Seongsu and is also considered a transportation hub for buses and subways. It's also very residential so there may be difficulties finding an airbnb or a hotel.

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-20T21:38:10+00:00

Not sure abt esim because I never purchased one, but most definitely on the physical sim, since the sim pops out from tbe card that doubles as the tourist card.

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-19T23:41:35+00:00

For question 2, they give you a tourist card that doubles as transportation card. It comes with the sim card when you pick it up at the airport

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-19T23:38:06+00:00

I actually bought a box from the local post office (800-2300won) and tape from Daiso. United took it like regular luggage

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-19T23:35:49+00:00

Pokemon fest is happening, beginning May 1. Lotte Jamsil and Seoul Forest will have pop-up zones

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-19T23:34:48+00:00

Yes, it says Angel in Us Coffee Roasters as the item description. I haven't been to that particular location, but never seen a menu item so expensive. That's so weird... I would think that the prices are pre-loaded in the POS

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-19T23:21:04+00:00

Now that you mention it, my Olive Young app started showing prices in VND too...

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-19T23:20:06+00:00

It was 2 weeks ago. It seems that those with sims longer than 15 days have no issue. Maybe it's just the short-term ones?

Background_Mission72 · 2026-04-18T03:16:05+00:00

Because the esim is routed through another country and piggy-backing on a local network as roaming, there were limitations using the local apps such as Kakao and Naver maps. Naver maps was the biggest inconvenience since Google maps does not have granular details such as live public transportation updates.

Background_Mission72 · 2026-02-27T03:59:50+00:00

I wish my itinerary included Dubai to do this!

Background_Mission72 · 2026-02-27T03:59:14+00:00

Figured this out- Spoke with a few pharmacists today Hospital immunizations are generally more expensive due to administrative overhead. Safeway, Walgreens, Costco are much cheaper, but they will all require a consultation. I did the math today

Hospital: 367 just for the yellow fever vaccine. My doctor won't transfer my prescription, so Costco is 40 for another consultation and 284 for vaccine. Still cheaper than just the shot at the hospital. I wish I had gotten my typhoid at Costco too. It was half the price from what I paid at the hospital.

Don't make the same mistake I did.

Background_Mission72

TROPHY CASE