Littered with stereotypes and assumptions, South Korea has been reduced down to K-pop and K-beauty, but there is so much more than what initially meets the eye.

In fact, I think it could be your next holiday destination.

And why do I think this? Because I (a 20-something Australian woman) spent more than five months exploring, studying and living in the beautiful city of Seoul, and I believe I’ve found some reasons why other Aussies will love it just as much as I do.

We all love beer here!

A possibly surprising fact about South Koreans is they love their beer. When you first think of Korean drinking culture your mind immediately jumps to Soju, or at least mine did, and while Soju is a very popular drink to have at meal times (especially with Korean barbecue), it is not the ONLY drink. In fact, a delicious combination enjoyed by most is Korean fried chicken with a large bottle of beer! Apart from the love of beer in South Korea, there is a vivid nightlife that often goes into the early hours of the next morning . . . especially in popular clubbing hotspots in Seoul, like Hongdae and Itaewon.

You’ve had an Aussie barbecue, but what about a KBBQ?

The hissing and sizzling of sausages on a burning barbecue in the heat of a summer weekend with a poolside drink and the clinks of “cheers” by neighbours and friends is a classic Aussie experience — but have you ever wondered what the South Korean version is? Whether it be a five-star restaurant or the quiet, quaint place around the corner from your hotel, Korean barbecue is an absolute must-try when visiting South Korea. Cooking your own meal on a small but hefty coal stove is a uniquely Korean experience. There may be six of you crowded around one small table, but the taste and experience is unlike any other.

A quiet understanding of people

A common stereotype about South Korea is that the people are rather . . . self-involved. And yes, it is true that when walking the streets of Seoul you may see most people looking down at their phones while moving swiftly across the zebra crossing. But it is also true that South Koreans are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. If your bag breaks on the subway, you will have a new one in seconds. If you leave your wallet at a restaurant, it will be there when you get back with every cent still in it. If you cannot understand Korean, someone will help you, even if they cannot speak English. I know all this from personal experience. I’ve never met a Korean unwilling to share their culture with me, which is truly inspiring in such a beautiful way. While Aussies love loudly, Koreans share a quiet understanding welcome for all to experience.

Cherry blossoms where? EVERYWHERE!

While Japan is widely known for its annual cherry blossom festival — so much so they have had to limit the amount of tickets sold because of overtourism — the South Korean cherry blossom season is often disregarded when it is just a short flight away. Not only does South Korea have its own cherry blossom festivals, but they can be seen everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE! Down a quiet alleyway, a bustling side street, a speeding highway, a quiet lake, a simple river — everywhere. But something else that should be appreciated is the seasons that come after that. When the trees grow back their bright green leaves and the sun glistens through the city, it is breathtaking.

New, yet old

Korean history is a complicated one, yet Aussies are taught so little about it. In South Korea, you can experience the new history alongside the old. You might explore Gyeongbokgung Palace one day, a reminder of the Joseon dynasty of the 14th century, then the Demilitarised Zone, created at the end of the Korean war in the 1950s, the next. There is incredibly rich history and culture to be understood throughout time in South Korea, so if drinking and shopping are not quite your vibe, perhaps a walk down memory lane might be a more interesting path for you.

+ We met Imogen through the Travel Writing course at the University of Notre Dame, where she is studying under Mignon Shardlow. We are pleased to bring her work to our readers.