A Weekend to Remember
Some weekends stay with you long after they’re over. This one, filled with sea air, street food, cherry blossoms and laughter with new friends, is definitely one of them.
I’m here not just to learn the Korean language, but also to discover this beautiful and unique country: its people, its culture and after all these years, maybe even some new things about myself.
A Day Trip from Seoul to Gangneung
Last Saturday, we took a trip from Seoul to Gangneung, a coastal city on the east side of South Korea. The bus ride took about three hours and we traveled with a group of students and one teacher from Lexis Korea.
Here is short video of our ride: https://youtube.com/shorts/A26Mwb18FqM?is=Y1Gxca5ea_SExCS9
As we drove through the countryside on our way to Gangneung, I noticed many small grassy mounds scattered across the hills along the highway. At first they looked like tiny green domes in the landscape, but they are actually traditional Korean burial tombs, a quiet reminder of the country’s long history.
During the first week of my course, I met Karin from Switzerland and Christian from Austria, we’ve been 친구 (friends) from day one. We’re in the same morning and afternoon classes and have been navigating this adventure together.
The weather forecast wasn’t very promising, some rain was expected in the afternoon. But when we arrived in Gangneung, the sun greeted us and the temperature was just right.
Exploring Gangneung’s Market, Beaches and Coffee Street
Our first stop was the Gangneung Jungang Market, where we got to explore the flavors of traditional Korean street food. It was quite the experience. I had a Korean Corn Dog, the proper Korean way, of course!
Here is a short video of a lady making fishcakes:
At one point, ducks were waddling between the crowd and our teacher reassured us they weren’t part of the menu.
Here a little video of the waddling ducks: https://youtube.com/shorts/lWaWRwz2t8Y?is=7JVvvZ81t3S7bRdr
After the market, we strolled along the picturesque Anmok Beach, wellknown for its charming Anmok Coffee Street. With the sea on one side and cosy cafés on the other, it was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the coastal atmosphere.
To uncover more of Gangneung’s hidden gems, we visited Aebulbawi Park (애불바위공원). It is a small coastal park located near Gyeongpo Beach. It is known for its scenic seaside cliffs, the distinctive ‘Aebulbawi’ rock formation and walking paths that offer panoramic views of the East Sea.
Immersive Art at Arte Museum Gangneung
Just as the rain began to fall, we made it to the Arte Museum Gangneung, a fascinating digital art space that felt like stepping into another world.
Here are some short video impressions:
Falling Petals:
https://youtube.com/shorts/HPDOcz_a490?is=z65hjEc3VZGxIomc
Big Waves:
Changing Colors:
Captivating Dance:
Visiting the Famous BTS Bus Stop
We ended the day at the iconic BTS Bus Stop, made famous by the group’s album photo shoots.
Purple benches dedicated to the members of BTS
Around the famous BTS Bus Stop, we also came across a row of bright purple benches, each bearing the name of a member of BTS. A fun surprise and of course a perfect photo opportunity.
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| RM (알엠) |
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| V (뷔) |
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| JIMIN (지민) |
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| JUNG KOOK (정국) |
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| JIN (진) |
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| J-HOPE (제이홉) |
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| SUGA (슈가) |
By the time we started our journey back, the rain was pouring down. But that didn’t slow down our fearless bus driver, who confidently drove us back to Seoul through the dark and rainy evening.
Later that evening, as I walked home through the rain in Seoul, the city lights reflecting on the wet streets, I realised that days like this are exactly what make this adventure so special.
Cherry Blossoms at Seokchon Lake near Lotte World
On Sunday afternoon, a few of us had made plans to visit the Cherry Blossoms at Songpa Naru Park. It’s located around Seokchon Lake (석촌호수) in Seoul. The park sits right next to the famous Lotte World, which makes the area especially lively during spring.
Let’s just say… we were definitely not the only ones with that idea.
The crowds were intense, but honestly, it was completely worth it. The blooming trees surrounding the lake were absolutely breathtaking. Their soft pink blossoms reflected on the water, creating a magical atmosphere that added yet another beautiful layer to this unforgettable weekend.
A Peaceful Walk Through Olympic Park
After soaking in the beauty of the blossoms, we made our way to nearby Olympic Park Seoul for a relaxing stroll.
Compared to the lively crowds at the lake, the park felt wonderfully spacious and calm. From the higher viewpoints we could look out over the wide green spaces and parts of the city beyond, giving us a competely different perspective of Seoul.
It turned out to be the perfect way to slow down and end such a memorable weekend: surrounded by nature, good company and the quiet feeling that this adventure in Korea was only just beginning.
Moments That Make It All Worth It
Moments like these remind me why I started this journey in the first place. Learning a language is about more than grammar and vocabulary. It’s about opening doors to new places, new friendships and perhaps even new parts of myself.
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