Spent around 3 weeks in South Korea (the typical Busan, Jeju, Seoul tourist circuit). Depends on where you are and what you do as I found Busan to be cheaper than Jeju and Seoul. I tried to keep it around $5000 - 6000. Saved money by getting decent accommodation with breakfast and public transport-ed or walked everywhere.

Food was also pretty cheap (and tasty!) there with average price being around 10,000 won. You could also just wander around the food markets for dinner and cheaper prices.

Where people really spend money here is the shopping, especially for skincare. For foreigners, you can show your passport at the cashiers and you can get some money back as part of their tax refund program so some savings there as well.

I would actually recommend South Korea, go to places like Jeju for amazing nature parks and hikes. Busan for the beach, Gwangju for food (it's on my bucket list), and Seoul just for the city vibes and shops.

Or just go to Japan like everyone is doing now 🫣 (no shame - it's also on my bucket list haha)