Three Weeks in Seoul & Busan – Part work, part friend-cation!!
- Joanne Colman-Bown
- Jul 22
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 22
Just got back from our first group holiday to South Korea followed by 8 days with the girls. An unforgettable adventure in South Korea I have to say ... and let me tell you – this trip had everything. Culture, beaches, karaoke, insane food, soju, and enough inside jokes to last a lifetime.
Our first 10 days, we travelled with the first Koreana Travel Group. We had a diverse group from different countries and backgrounds, all brought together but the shared love of BTS. The love fans have for BTS goes way beyond music – it’s a global phenomenon. ARMY (that’s the fandom name) is known for its passion, creativity, and unwavering support, they show up for BTS in powerful ways, and that includes travelling to Seoul for the annual festivities around the group debut anniversary. It’s not just about being fans – it’s about feeling part of something bigger.
Hosting group in South Korea was a great way to experience the country’s rich culture and vibrant energy from different viewpoints. I already love the country, but you experience things through different eyes. Korea is incredibly safe, welcoming, and easy to navigate as a group, and there’s something for everyone – from history lovers and K-pop fans to foodies and nature seekers. Whether you’re bonding over BBQ in Seoul, soaking in a Jjimjilbang (Korean spa), or exploring coastal temples in Busan, the country’s group-friendly transport, varied accommodation options, and range of activities make it ideal for diverse travel crews. Just be mindful of local etiquette (like being quiet on public transport), and you’ll find that South Korea is an inclusive and exciting destination that brings people together beautifully.
Busan – Beaches and Chilled Vibes
We started by meeting at Incheon Airport and staying there overnight as everyone arrived at different times, from different countries. Staying at the IBIS Ambassador Incheon Airport T2 was a great choice. There is a shuttle bus that takes you from the airport to the hotel, running from approx6am to 10.30pm. Next morning we were collected for our private transfer to Seoul Station, where we took the KTX train down to Busan – only 2.5 away.
We stayed on Haeundae Beach, and honestly… it was paradise. Morning walks, coffee by the sea, and a lot of seafood feasting. One night we sat on the sand, just watching the waves and laughing about something dumb one of us said in Korean by accident. Bliss.
As a group we had an evening tour which took in the city centre – Jagalchi Fish Market, Gukje Market and BIFF Square, before we headed to Gwangalli Beach to see Diamond Bridge (the local name for it) or rather Gwangandaegyo Bridge lit up and to watch the drone show.
Things we loved in Busan:
Gamcheon Culture Village: Like stepping into a rainbow. Quirky art, pastel houses, and photo ops everywhere.
Jagalchi Fish Market: Slightly chaotic but totally fascinating. We let one of our friends pick something random! There are definitely some interesting (by western standards) looking delicacies available there.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: That one magical spot where we all just went quiet and stared at the ocean for a bit. It’s that kind of place. Perched dramatically on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea, the sound of waves crashing below, colourful lanterns swaying in the breeze, and intricate temple carvings create an atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly.
Gwangalli Beach at night: Drinks, snacks, fairy lights, and the bridge lit up like a K-drama scene. Every Saturday night, Gwangalli Beach lights up with an incredible drone display, as hundreds - even thousands - of drones take to the sky in a perfectly timed performance above the ocean, set against the glowing backdrop of Gwangandaegyo Bridge.
Seoul – City of Style and Surprises
After Busan, we headed back to Seoul and to our hotel close to Namdaemun Gate and market. A vibrant area where past and present mix to form an eclectic array of sights and opportunities.
Group faves in Seoul:
Gyeongbokgung Palace: We all rented hanboks and wandered the palace grounds like a historical royal group. Our guide was excellent! Vast knowledge balanced with excellent English and a superb sense of humour made the 4 hours we had go extremely quickly. 10/10 for the photo ops. We had a great photographer with us too!
Myeongdong: Skincare and sheet mask heaven. We spent hours hopping from one beauty shop to the next and ended up with enough serums to open our own shop and sheet masks for everyone on our flight home. A tip – stick to the mainstream large stores like Laneige, Medicube, Tirtir and Olive Young. If the prices in the stores look ridiculously cheap, there is a reason. They are often Chinese run and not original.
Korean BBQ & Noraebang (karaoke): Oh, this is a messy night! Many thanks to our host, Paul from Taste Seoul Good… Paul taught us how to do KBBQ with meat, lettuce wraps and Soju – you get the idea. Dessert was rice flour donuts and a photobooth. We had a private karaoke room, belted out BTS and Lady Gaga hits, and drank a little more Soju than was good for us. Afterwards it was down to a basement café for Jeon (Korean pancake) and Makgeolli. One of the best nights of the trip. Also: never underestimate the power of kimchi after a night out.
Samgyetang: Eating like a local in the height of summer in a small restaurant hidden above workshops, definitely raises eyebrows! One Brit, one Aussie, one Welsh and one Dutch, in a café of just six tables… 3 for 2 people and 3 for 4 people. But we did get excellent service, and I think they loved the idea we were trying their food, not tourist food. Plus, when we told them in Korean just how amazing it was, we got the biggest smiles and thanks. Lunch for 4 people – about £14 total!!! What is Samgyetang I now hear you ask - Samgyetang is a comforting Korean dish made with a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, jujubes, and ginseng, all simmered in a rich, nourishing broth. It’s traditionally eaten in summer to restore energy and balance, especially on Korea’s hottest days. Light yet hearty, it’s a warm hug in a bowl that locals swear by for its health-boosting powers. It’s a must to try!
Every day was packed, but somehow it never felt rushed. We’d explore temples in the morning, café-hopped in the afternoon, then grabbed street food or cocktails at night. (Hot tip: never pass up hotteok - fried pancake! Cinnamon and sugar - life-changing.) We shopped as if our lives depended on it and tested our Korean language skills.
Now it was FESTA for BTS ( the annual celebration of BTs' debut on 13 June 2013) and lucky for us, the J-Hope, Hope on the Street: The Finale concert, which we all got tickets to see. FESTA was held at Kintex, about 30 mins from Seoul on the new GTX-0A train from Seoul Station. But it did take about 4-5 hours of queuing in the heat to get in unless you were lucky enough to win a raffle to enter the fan zone and get a special limited-edition gift. Out of 13 in the group, only 2 of us won a pass.
When it was just the girls left, we heading to see the Hope on the Stage exhibition in Hongdae, a stunning Christian Dior exhibition at the Dongdaemun Design Centre, the taping of a music show for TV with a lot of new artists, and on our last night, the Seoul Music Awards. That was an amazing night full of South Korean talent from new artists to established global names.
Things we learned (Sometimes the Hard Way) on not our first visit!
You’ll walk A LOT. Like, a lot. Bring comfy shoes or you’ll regret everything by day two.
Korean convenience stores are elite. Ice coffees, triangle kimbap, emergency hangover cures? They've got it all.
Public transport is amazing once you get the hang of it. We all got T-money cards or WOW Passes and felt like locals by the end. UBER saved us on many occasions, although the traffic in Seoul, like any big city, can be challenging at times.
Trying to pronounce things properly gets you big smiles – and sometimes bonus snacks. Worth the effort!
Travelling with the group and with friends made everything 10x better. From swapping street food at night markets to getting hopelessly lost in underground malls, we were constantly laughing, constantly exploring, and constantly eating.
South Korea’s energy is contagious. Seoul had us on our feet all day (and sometimes night), while Busan gave us room to breathe and soak it all in. It’s the kind of trip that bonds you tighter – through shared beds, missed buses, and one too many soju shots.
We are already planning our return. Next time: maybe Jeju? Or a ski trip in the winter? Perhaps even hiking in the mountains!
If you're thinking of doing Seoul and Busan with friends… do it. Until then, annyeong Korea – and thanks for the memories 🫶
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