Korean Job Discussion Forums

Spike · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Location: Seoul

So my mother is finally coming to Seoul for a week or so this summer.. and honestly, I'm having problems deciding where to take her..

What I like to do isn't exactly what my mother likes to do...

So I'm looking for suggestions... I'm sure Namsan tower and InsaDong will be alright, but surely someone has had their mother come over and and recommend some places to go or not to go..

any advice is greatly appreciated!

Gnawbert · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Location: The Internet

My folks visited for a few days and loved Korea. They only got to see Seoul and Bundang but left very impressed. Some of the activities they enjoyed were:

-palaces
-museums
-Han river boat tour, walking along the river.
-DMZ tour (my dad's a history buff so that was his idea)
-Insadong / Myeongdong for shopping (my mom loves that stuff)
-Shopping for gadgets at Technomart
-Hiking part of Dobangson
-Food food FOOD. Took them to every type of food I knew of, the more Koreans the better. My parents are in their early 60's and the locals absolutely adored them. Dad has a big ol beard and my mom's still a blondie. I don't think we ever had a single dinner at a Korean restaurant that didn't have salary men introducing themselves and pouring them shots, most of which they declined. Obnoxious sometimes but my folks got a kick out of it and loved how polite people were to them (the age, grey beard thing).
Even just getting lost and walking through apartment complexes and taking them grocery shopping was a blast. My dad really loved the soju girls at HomePlus.

They left Korea totally impressed and I had a blast showing them around.

sonicmatt · Joined: 04 Oct 2007

i agree what the previous poster said. My parents came almost 2 yrs ago and loved it. they are coming again this summer as well. last time we went to(just to add to the list):
-Korean folk village
-Hwaseong Fortress
-Baseball game at Jamsil
-Chinatown in Incheon
They also did alot when I was working. Think they did Korean War Museum, almost all the palaces, and the history museum.

They really loved the food too and now search for it back home. Galbi, Dakgalbi and and pajeon were their favorites. Take them to as many things as you can, even if it seems like everyday life to you.

rumdiary · Joined: 05 Jun 2006

The most important detail is whether you have the week off too. If so I would take her down to Andong and stay at a traditional guest house in Hahoe Folk Village.

I wouldn't do a ton of traveling. Your mom is coming to visit you and spending time together is what is important.

Bring her to work. The kids will get a kick out of it and she will love it.

Insadong and that palace nearby is a given. DMZ too I guess.

Ask your boss to recommend the best restaurant in town. You will get better advice there than you will on Dave's.

If she likes seafood at all do not miss Noryanjin or whichever seafood market is close to you.

lakeshow · Joined: 02 Nov 2010

take them to some of the dongs

show them around gangnam
check out gwanghwamun plaza. they have some exhibits underground.
stroll through Samchongdong and chill at one of the dozens of unique cafes.
walk along Garosugil. sit outside if the weather's nice, people watch, esp. the good-looking girls.
can't go wrong with myeongdong.
maybe check out one of the Dept. Stores, especially the basements where they have all the market/food stuff.. lots of nice things to bring home as food gifts/souvenirs. the 1st floor has all the cosmetic stands. maybe your mom might like to check it out.
Insadong has some nice teahouses and souvenir stuff
Night out with meat, beer and then.... Norebang!!
order and get food delivered to your place. show them how fast it arrives, and look mom and dad! you don't tip!

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

If you want to see multiple "touristy" places in Seoul, take the Seoul City Bus Tour. You can get on at any of the stops. It's 10,000 per person and you can ride it all day. You can get off and back on, too.

It does stop at Itaewon, Myeong Dong, and Insadong.
http://www.seoulcitybus.com/

Caffeinated · Joined: 11 Feb 2010

Gyeongbokgung
Changdeokgung
Jogyesa temple
Seoul Tower
spa day at a jjimjilbang
maybe the DMZ

The appeal of Gangnam, Itaewon and Myeongdong are lost on me. They're characterless, overcrowded shopping areas with stores from home, and Itaewon is more like a hole. If I had to bring my parents to a somewhat uniquely Korean shopping experience in Seoul I'd bring them to Insadong and the open air markets like Namdaemun.

myenglishisno · Joined: 08 Mar 2011 Location: Geumchon

Hasn't been said yet:

Take her around Hwaseong in Suwon. While you're down there, find a way to Minseokchon. That's a whole day right there.

r. · Joined: 06 May 2006

recommend Nanta of Jump

Cedar · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:29 am Post subject:

Remember moms are necessarily interested in everything their children do-- so yes, take her to meet your co-workers and if you teach, your students.

Take her to performances. If it's not July there are a lot of free shows, July is so hot... less then. Now that there are TONS of performances as spring starts i have a very populated list of upcoming (traditional and tradish fusion) shows which I will maintain until the end of the summer. PM me for the blog address.

Most other things have already been said. But def. send her to the DMZ someday when you are busy or need time off from showing her around, because mom's generation tends to be interested in the Korean War compared to same age friends. And that comes with good English speaking guides.

If she's open minded and adventurous, try a temple stay.

Def. give her a chance to see rural Korea, even if you just take the subway to the end of Line 1 to the north and get off and walk around with a picnic lunch.

Nice hiking to be had even inside Seoul

chungbukdo · Joined: 22 Aug 2010

Take her to an anma for a massage.