Cheap Thrills from Korea Worth your Last Won

Cheap things to buy in Korea are aplenty which is good news because traveling on a budget in Seoul can be a challenge. We’ve already broken down the best shopping areas where you can do some do cheap shopping in Seoul. But to help you sort through the overwhelming amount of products Seoul offers and to make sure you pick up perfect souvenirs from Seoul, here are 8 cheap things to buy in Korea. 

Cheap Thing #1: Socks

Cheap Thing #1: Socks (Flickr/Chelsea Marie Hicks)

Socks are one the best cheap things to buy in Korea. Seoul is a mecca for inexpensive, high-quality socks. Find colorful patterns and playful prints. At around USD$1.00 a pair, you can pretty much afford to bring pack a pair for everyone you know.

Cheap Thing #2: Cosmetics

Korea is famous for their sheet masks and luckily, they’re on our list of cheap things to buy in Korea. Grab a stack and gift to your BFF who’s obsessed with beauty (or gift to yourself for some quality me-time). While you’re at it, head to Korean beauty stores like Tony Moly, Hollika Hollika, The Faceshop or Etude House and pick up other inexpensive goodies like lip gloss, hand creams or masks in super adorable packages.

Cheap Thing #3: Soju

Cheap Thing #3: Soju (Wikimedia/Beatlehoon)

Weekends are made for soju! Bring home a few bottles of soju in your suitcase and break them out for last-minute gifts, birthday celebrations or just any ol’ Friday night. You can find soju at any convenience store in Korea for about USD$3.00 a bottle which means weekends are about to get a whole lot more fun.

Cheap Thing #4: T-Shirts

Cheap Thing #4: T-shirts (Flickr/Tory)

T-shirts (among other clothing items) are of the cheap things to buy in Korea. We’re talking about cute and trendy tees, forget those lame ‘My grandma went to Rome and all I got was this lousy t-shirt’ shirts. Visit an underground shopping street or mall in Seoul for some great, cheap shopping.

Cheap Thing #5: Shoes

Shoes make our list of cheap things to buy in Korea because with a little perusing of the underground malls, you can spot affordable (and trendy!) sandals and flats for both men and women.

Cheap Thing #6: Accessories

Cheap shopping in Seoul doesn’t get better than accessories in Korea. Hats, totes, purses, and costume jewelry are a steal in Korea. They won’t break the bank and they come with adorable quotes, illustrations, and patterns.

Cheap Thing #7: Everything K-Pop

Got a friend who loves all things K-pop? Head to Seoul for some cheap shopping of K-pop paraphernalia. Score pens, stickers, fans, posters, pins and more plastered with your favorite K-pop stars.

Cheap Thing #8: Korean Snacks

Cheap Thing #8: Korean Snacks (Flickr/Yusuke Kawasaki)

Snacks are not only one of the cheapest things to buy in Korea but they’re also one of the tastiest. Drop by one of Korea’s many duty-free stores and collect chips, candies and snack cakes. Pop them in your suitcase and savor your memories of Seoul, even after you return home.

With amazing finds and cheap things to buy in Korea, the most difficult part of shopping for souvenirs will be resisting the urge to not keep everything for yourself!

Visit these 5 Stunning National Parks in Korea This Fall

Fall is the perfect time to trade the dull office grey for the bright colours of the province. Drink in the autumn air and add some colour to your life (and Instagram feed) and spend the day touring and hiking Korea’s National Parks. Here’s a quick list of places to go and things to do in Korea this fall season!

Naejangsan National Park: Go Hiking

If you’ve only got a day outside of Seoul, go here. Mt. Naejangsan, which loosely translates to ‘many secrets in the mountain’, is a year-round natural marvel, but it’s especially lovely in the fall.

Fall in Korea: Naejangsan National Park

The cool autumn weather makes for a perfect day of hiking, where you can uncover the park’s hidden wonders. Across its spider web of trails, you’ll stumble upon myth-like waterfalls, sacred temples, and lush forests. Take the park’s cable car and marvel a the autumn carpet of reds and orange from above.

Fall in Korea: Naejangsan National Park Cable Car Ride

Seoraksan National Park: Have a picnic

At Mt. Seorak (from ‘Seol’ meaning ‘snow’ and ‘Ak’ meaning ‘big mountain’), fall and winter meet early to give visitors a breathtaking view: brightly colored leaves littering powder-white snow, with crystal clear ponds and streams cutting through.

Fall in Korea: Seoraksan National Park

In 1965, Seorak Mountain was designated a Natural Monument by the Korean government and in 1982, a Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO.

Fall in Korea: Seoraksan National Park

Everywhere you turn, the park is filled with odd rock formations, dense forests and interesting wildlife. Enjoy the fall afternoon with your friends and family with a picnic of homemade goodies and a bottle of meoruju, a traditional wild fruit wine.

Daedunsan National Park: Ride a Cable Car to the Top

What makes Daedunsan National Park particularly enchanting in the fall is the bare mountain. Rising from the lush forest is the overwhelming bareness of Mt. Daedun The craggy, stony cliffs are a stark contrast to the warm hues of the trees.

Fall in Korea: Daedunsan National Park

Drink in the autumn atmosphere when you take a cable car ride to the mountain peak. Our advice? Try to ride the cable car in the late afternoon, just as the sun sets and the sky turns the same color as the leaves.

Fall in Korea: Daedunsan National Park Cable Car Ride

Gingko Forest: Have Afternoon Tea

For a truly rare sight this autumn, head to Korea’s Gingko Forest this October. For most of the year, the forest is closed off to tourists and visitors. But for around three weeks, the park opens to the public. catch rows of some 2,000 Gingko trees turn into a brilliant golden yellow.

Fall in Korea: Gingko Forest

After exploring the yellow forest, sit down with your friends and family for some afternoon tea at the Millennium Tea House.

Odaesan National Park: Relive Your Favorite Scenes from Goblin

Who could forget the tragic love affair between Kim Shin and Ji Eun-tak? The hit Korean Drama, ‘Goblin: The Great and Lonely God’ took us on a roller coaster of emotions. The show was shot all over Korea (and you can visit those spots with KKday!), including Odaesan National Park. Even during the quiet moments where they stroll through the autumn leaves, our hearts were reeling.

Fall in Korea: Odaesan National Park

Stroll through the fir tree paths, just like Goblin and his bride. Even if you aren’t a fan of the Kdrama, the fall leaves of Odaesan National Park are sure to bring out your inner romantic.

Fall in Korea: Odaesan National Park

Korea is full of post-card ready landscapes and scenery; it would be a shame if you spend the season locked away in your house of office. Book your fall adventure with us today!