Do you suffer from springtime allergies? Spring is a beautiful season in South Korea, with an array of different types of flowers blooming and temperatures warming up after a long, cold winter. However, for many people, spring also brings seasonal allergies. Understanding the types of allergens that occur in Korea may help you manage your allergies throughout the spring season. Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to make more of our content accessible. If you would like to join our Accessibility Team apply to volunteer with South of Seoul. Allergies Differ from Country to Country Seasonal allergies can vary in severity and symptoms depending on the location and time of year. The primary triggers of seasonal allergies are typically pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. However, the types of plants and the timing of their pollination can differ from country to country, leading to differences in the prevalence and severity of allergies. For example, in the United States, the spring season is commonly associated with tree pollen allergies, while in Europe, grass pollen allergies are more prevalent during the summer months. Additionally, some countries may have different plant species that produce pollen, leading to variations in the types of allergies experienced. Therefore, it is important for individuals who suffer from seasonal allergies to be aware of the specific allergens in their region and to take appropriate measures to manage their symptoms. Let’s explore some of the most common types of spring allergens in Korea. Types of Spring Allergies in Korea Korea has a few categories of allergens that surface during the spring season. These allergens include fine dust/yellow dust, tree pollen, grass pollen, ragweed, and mold spores. Fine Dust Fine dust, also known as particulate matter, is a type of air pollution that may have serious effects on those with allergies. These tiny particles, with a diameter smaller than 2.5 microns, can penetrate the lungs and cause irritation and inflammation. If you live in or near urban and industrial areas in Korea, you may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of fine dust. Such areas tend to have higher levels of pollution. The spring season in Korea tends to be windy, causing fine dust particles to become more easily airborne. Exposure to fine dust can worsen existing allergies, such as hay fever, or even trigger new ones. Yellow Dust Yellow dust, also known as Hwang Sa in Korea, is a type of particulate matter or fine dust. This phenomenon occurs because winds carry particles from China and Mongolia into South Korea. The severity of yellow dust in Korea can vary throughout the year with the highest concentration typically occurring in the western and central regions of Korea, particularly in Spring. Yellow dust can cause respiratory problems and worsen allergies, leading to symptoms like sore throats, itchy skin, and excess phlegm. Inhaling yellow dust can also damage the nose’s mucous membranes, exacerbating existing allergies and conditions like asthma. Tree Pollen During spring in Korea, trees release pollen into the air, which can trigger allergies for some. A robust scientific study found the peak months for tree pollen in Korea are March to June. The study also found that during that time, the most common tree allergens are alder, oak, cedar, or elm. The amount of allergen by tree type changed significantly area by area across South Korea. Of all the tree allergens in Korea, the ones known to cause the worst allergy symptoms are cedar, birch, and oak. This means that other trees may give off more pollen, but people tend to get sicker from cedar, birch, and oak. Different tree allergens may affect individuals differently depending on their immune systems and the concentration of pollen in the air. Since tree pollen concentration can vary by region in Korea, some individuals may experience varying symptoms depending on their location and how accustomed to the allergen their immune system may be. Grass Pollen Grass pollen is also a common allergen in Korea during the spring season. The most common grasses that cause allergies are Timothy grass, Bermuda grass, and ryegrass. If your immune system is not accustomed to these types of grasses, you may be more susceptible to such allergic reactions. Much like any seasonal allergen, the concentration of grass pollen may vary depending on the region of Korea you live in causing varying levels of allergic reactions. Ragweed Ragweed is a type of weed that grows in Korea and releases pollen in the fall season. However, some people may experience allergic reactions to ragweed during the spring season as well. Ragweed is one of the most common allergens in Korea. Its pollen can travel long distances in the air, causing allergies to flare up in individuals who may be nowhere near where this plant grows. This extremely lightweight pollen can remain airborne for days, increasing the risk of exposure to those who suffer from allergies. Mold Spores As the weather warms up and humidity increases, mold spores become more prevalent in Korea during the spring season. Mold spores can grow in damp areas, such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. Mold can also accumulate inside air conditioners that go unused over the winter months. These tiny fungal spores can easily travel through the air, causing allergic reactions when inhaled. How to Manage Your Spring Allergies in Korea Here are 4 ways to manage your spring allergies. 1. Check the Air Quality Before Planning Outdoor Activities Before planning an outdoor activity, checking the air quality is always a good idea. High pollen and dust level days can severely exacerbate allergy symptoms. Download air quality apps like Air Matters or Mise Mise to stay informed about the current dust and pollen levels in your area. These types of apps tells you what the Air Quality Index (AQI) is in realtime. Good AQI falls between 0-50, moderate AQI is between 50-100, and anything above 100 AQI is labeled as unhealthy and may affect allergy sensitive individuals. Taking preventive measures and being aware of the air quality can help you manage your allergies and enjoy good air quality days outdoors. Fun Indoor Activities for Bad Air Quality Days On poor air quality days, consider engaging in indoor activities to limit your exposure to pollen and dust allergens. Here are some indoor activities to try: Watch a movie at your local CGV, Megabox, or Lotte Cinema Relax at a cafe Spend time at a local cafe where you can do things like play board games, read books, enjoy coffee, or play with animals. The following South of Seoul blog posts offer cafes options in Pyeongtaek-si: Get your game on at an arcade or PC Room If you love computer games, you may also want to try a computer room known as a PC Bang or visit a gaming arcade. Here are some ideas of where to go or how to find such places. Visit an indoor sports theme park Sing your heart out at Noraebang (aka Karaoke) Go shopping at a local mall/department store 2. Wear a Mask to Filter Out Dust and Pollen While Outdoors Masks are a versatile tool that serve multiple purposes other than COVID prevention. Masks can be worn to manage respiratory illnesses, for protection against cold and weather, for cosmetic purposes, as well as for dust and pollen protection. Wearing a mask outdoors on poor air quality days is a great way to mitigate your exposure to allergens. Allergenologists recommend using the FFP2 face mask for allergies due to their tight fit and high filtering capabilities. However, the KN95, KF94, and N95 masks work just as well. These types of masks can be purchased online from Coupang or GMarket by searching “KN95 Mask (KN95마스크)” or “FFP2 Mask (FFP2마스크).” 3. Do Some Spring Cleaning Spring Cleaning can be an effective way to manage allergies and reduce your exposure to allergens in your home. Dust, mold, and pet dander are common allergens that can accumulate throughout your home. A few important tasks to incorporate into your spring cleaning agenda include: For a comprehensive guide and list of resources, read the South of Seoul Spring Cleaning in Korea to help you get started on your spring cleaning! 4. Visit the ENT (Ear Nose Throat Clinic) When your spring allergies in Korea start to set in, visiting your local ENT may be the best option for you to manage your symptoms. Going to a medical clinic in Korea can seem challenging due to potential language barriers. However, tools and resources like translation apps and free interpretation call services like BBB Korea are available to help get you through your appointment if you don’t speak Korean. ENT visits don’t generally require an appointment. However, during peak allergy or flu season, they can get busy. Additionally, most clinics in Korea, including ENTs will close during the lunch hour. Therefore, calling ahead to check on their wait times, to make an appointment, or to double-check that they are open is a good idea. Use BBB Korea for interpretation assistance if needed when you call. The cost of an ENT visit may vary depending on the treatment you receive. However, don’t let the fear of high cost deter you from making a visit if you need to. ENT visits are quite affordable. I recently went in for a check-up after waking up with a migraine and half of my head swollen due to allergies and left with a 5,000 KRW (about $3.70 USD) bill. ENT visits are covered (about 70-80% of the cost) by the Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS). Medication is also covered under NHIS (between 60-65% depending on where you live). At my ENT visit, I was prescribed 5-days worth of migraine medication, an anti-inflammatory, and a digestive medication (typically given to help your body process other medications that may cause nausea). My pharmacy bill totaled 8,700KRW ($6.51USD). If you would like to skip the ENT and purchase over-the-counter allergy medication, ExpatHealthSeoul has a list of medications you can purchase at your local pharmacy in their “A Guide to Allergy Medicine in Korea” blog post. To find an ENT or a pharmacy near you, copy and paste the following Korean terms into Naver or Kakao Maps: Conclusion To conclude, spring allergies are a common problem for many people living in Korea. Fine dust, yellow dust, tree and grass pollen, ragweed, and mold spores are the most common allergens that people may encounter during the spring season. The concentration of these allergens may vary depending on the region of Korea, causing varying levels of allergic reactions. To manage spring allergies, individuals can take various preventive measures, such as checking the air quality before going outside, engaging in indoor activities on bad air quality days, and taking medications prescribed by a doctor. With appropriate precautions, individuals can enjoy the beauty of spring in Korea and manage their allergies effectively. Follow SOS Public Health for More Resources Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on SOS Public Health Initiatives. If you have questions about healthcare in Korea, visit the Health and Wellness in Korea Facebook Group, or feel free to message SOS Public Health via Facebook messenger with any questions or concerns. Lisa Peck, MPH, CPHMs. Peck graduated from the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon with a Master’s in Public Health and her Certification in Public Health (CPH). Ms. Peck also holds a Bachelor’s Degrees in Linguistics and one in International Studies with a Global Health emphasis. Ms. Peck is Korean American and speaks both English and Korean. She has moved between the US and Korea since childhood, finally settling in Korea after graduating from UAC. In 2021 Ms. Peck founded the South of Seoul Public Health Program which focuses on research and initiatives regarding the health and wellness of multinational residents in South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Peck oversees the SOS Public Health...

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Do you love a fun festival on a beautiful spring day? Don’t miss the spring festivals across South Korea. If you already know about festival culture in South Korea, click here to jump to the spring festival list. Spring in South Korea Many consider spring in South Korea as March, April, and May. Therefore, we have selected festivals occurring from March to May for our Spring Festivals list. However, such festivals may begin earlier than March or end later than May. Korean festivals may occur over many months. During these months the weather quickly changes and begins to warm up, bringing in new growth in plants, beautiful blossoms and the cold weather begins to move out. If you love a festival, you may want to visit more than one and take friends. South of Seoul volunteers choose to combine spring festivals in one post since many cover more than one month or change months depending on the year. Therefore, it made more sense to organize festivals by season rather than month by month. Large Spring Festivals in South Korea During the spring months, Korea loves to host flower-focused festivals. The weather tends to be warming up and people are excited about being outside before it gets hot. You will want to dress in layers. Some festivals may be promoted nationally and internationally while others may only be promoted in the neighborhood or city hosting the event. It can often feel frustrating trying to stay on top of each festival. Finding National Promoted Festival Information Large, nationally promoted festivals may have English information and promotion. The best location for large nationally focused festival information is the Visit Korea website. Visit Korea is a non-profit government-affiliated organization that provides tourist information in a variety of languages. Basically, Visit Korea exists as a primary source of information. Non-Korean-speaking bloggers use this website to create many of their seasonal blogs. This means you don’t actually need to hunt through blogs to find current festivals, just go straight to the Current Festivals section of the Visit Korea website. National Festivals May Change Months, Dates, or Seasons Over time, the large festival details may change. You can’t be sure that a festival held in August one year might not be in September the next year. Date changes occur for a variety of reasons based on city budgets, national holidays, the fact that Korea runs off of two types of calendars, etc. It’s not a problem that dates change, it just means we always need to double-check each year. You should always check the Visit Korea website for current information. Festival Announcements Korean festival marketing campaigns may only start 1-2 weeks before an event. This means that you need to be ready to take action when you start seeing the advertising. Don’t expect extensive advertising for a festival 1-2 months away. It’s easy to miss a festival if you don’t know what time of year it may happen. Festivals May Be Ticketed, Free, or Mixed Methods Each festival planning committee makes its own decisions regarding pricing. Korea often has three types of festivals: free, ticketed, and mixed methods. The different types break down like this: Festival Parking Large, nationally focused festivals tend to offer extensive amounts of parking that may be paid or unpaid. Remember, extensive parking and large festivals also may mean that arriving at and leaving the festival by car may require extra time. Many festival attendees may choose to take public transportation to the festival. Taking public transportation may help a person avoid the stress of parking and queuing to park. Festival Events and Activities South Korea has its own festival culture. They do not base their festival experience off of festivals from other countries. This means that the foods, games, and experiences you may be accustomed to in your home country may not exist at Korea Festivals. Additionally, Korean festival culture revolves around the Korean experience. This means international culture may mix with Korean festival culture in unique ways. Each year festivals may evolve a little and change as Korea changes and culture moves in different directions. Korean society, like any society around the world, changes with time. Nationally Promoted Spring Festivals in South Korea The following large, nationally promoted festivals generally happen each year in South Korea. This list may change from year to year. Organizers may cancel festivals and organizers may add new festivals to the list. Always check with the Visit Korea Current Festivals list to determine when festivals may occur. Light Festivals Spring Blossoms Cherry Blossom Festivals Other Festivals Locally Promoted Spring Festivals in South Korea In addition to the nationally promoted festivals, different communities across South Korea also host localized events. These smaller festivals offer a closer connection to the local community. Smaller, locally promoted festivals can be a great way to connect with your community. For example, such festivals may provide a chance to connect with local businesses, community organizations, and culture. Finding Local Festival Information Visit Korea does not include information on localized festivals. Instead, you will need to look around the smaller cities and rely on local websites and information portals. Local city websites often offer information on local festivals. Local festival locations may only be available in Hangul. Such festivals will often be advertised on city websites, Facebook communities, and on banners around town. Everyone in the community is welcome at such festivals. Don’t get too worried about things not being in your own language. Google Translate Chrome Extention You can use the Google Translate Chrome extension to translate online information about local festivals. Papago Translation for Images If the local festival information is on an image, poster, flyer, or sign – use Papago to translate the image. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Updated: 2021 Cherry Blossom season is coming up and it is a beautiful and iconic time in Korea. There were festivals from the top to bottom and left to right of the country prior to the pandemic. We felt the pressure to race around the country to find the best festival with the best events. All of these festivals were awesome and PACKED! However, it’s not the festivals that make Cherry Blossoms time amazing. The blossoms themselves are the show stopper. Don’t feel too sad about the festivals being called off since beauty still exists around you in abundance. Who cares about a bunch of flowers on trees? We have actually heard this question a lot which seems kind of weird to us, however, the answer is simple: People who aren’t dead inside love cherry blossoms (the reason we “blog” and don’t “report” is so that we can be sassy pants at times like these). It’s true that your life might not be changed by cherry blossoms, but your day most certainly will be because everything feels a bit more magical. The areas across Korea with tons of cherry trees feel almost other-worldly. The sight makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a painting and it’s fun to walk the tree lined streets soaking up the beauty. Even if you have a slightly frozen soul, walking beneath the warm spring sun surrounded by the soft pink peddles will cause it to thaw at least a little. Do I really need to travel far and wide to enjoy a cherry blossom festival?  Absolutely not. When there is no pandemic, Pyeongtaek has a Cherry Blossom Festival that happens at Pyeongtaek University. During the pandemic, you can still go to this area to see the flowers even though there are no events. Although there aren’t a lot of sexy videos made about the festival and area, Pyeongtaek University is a lovely place to spend the day and it will be far less hectic than other places. Even with fewer people, remember that parking won’t be great and taking a bus from the AK Plaza area will be the easiest way to enjoy your time at the festival. The festival is usually held at the beginning of April. Pyeongtaek Cherry Blossom Festival Location The Pyeongtaek Cherry Blossom Festival did not occur during COVID and it’s usually announced about 7 days before the event. Pay attention to the Pyeongtaek Event announcements to learn more. ADDRESS: 경기도 평택시 서동대로 3825AK Plaza to Pyeongtaek University Buses: 20, 21,15, 7-7, 94-1(Camp Humphreys readers, you can catch the 20 in Anjeongri/Paengseong and ride it all the way to Pyeongtaek University. With no festivals, does that mean I’m going to miss the cherry blossoms? You don’t have to go to a festival to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Here are a few drives, walks, and locations where you can check out the beauty without being bothered by the crowds.  Here are some awesome local spots to view the Cherry Blossoms in Pyeongtaek so you can avoid all the crowds. River Drive or Bike Ride Take a drive on (or a bike ride next to) the road that follows the river from Camp Humphreys to Anjung-eup. It’s lined with stunning cherry trees and feels quite magical. Be careful with biking as cars can be quite careless in this area. A bike path is available so choose that instead of riding on the road itself. START ADDRESS: 경기도 평택시 오성면 창내이 Take a quick tour of this driving location with KimchiRednecks in the following YouTube video: Make sure to follow the KimchriRednecks on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for regular videos about life in the Korean countryside. Lake Drive There is also a recommended driving route in west Paenseong, Pyeongtaek that takes you over by the lake. Click here to see photos from the route. We grabbed the addresses of where to get started so you don’t have to figure out the map in the linked blog itself. One address is actually from a housing development…don’t turn in there! Stay on the main road and go west! START ADDRESS: 경기 평택시 계양로 516-12FINISH ADDRESS: 경기 평택시 계양로 624 University Campus in Ichung-dong, Pyeongtaek This lovely campus is situated on the edge of the city near some lovely hills. It’s covered in cherry blossoms in the spring. This isn’t far from Songtan so Osan Air Force Base folks might find it a nice place to visit. There are city buses that go here and plenty of parking for cars. LOCATION NAME: 국제대학교ADDRESS: 경기도 평택시 장안웃길 56 People even visit from Seoul to see this beautiful street filled with cherry blossoms in Pyeongtaek. There are cafes, restaurants, and hiking trails nearby. You can see more about the are in the YouTube video below. Pyeongtaek River Walk: If you are in Pyeongtaek just head past Tong Bok market toward the river. The area is loaded with cherry blossoms and the river walk itself is beautifully developed. We are giving you an address that gets you to the area, and then you can just find the beauty around you. ADDRESS: 경기도 평택시 62-5 Cherry Blossoms Near Pyeongtaek In addition to many locations across Pyeongtaek-si (Most of the city is covered in cherry blossoms), you can also find many spectacular spots at nearby locations like Gakwonsa Temple. Keep in mind, traffic in Cheonan and other popular spots may be exceptionally bad during peak viewing times. What happens at a Cherry Blossom Festival? Well, obviously you take lots of pictures of yourself and the blossoms looking fabulous. You eat, maybe do some crafts, buy some pretty things, and generally do the classic festival things like live music and dance. However, honestly, it’s just about being outside in the spring weather and enjoying the majesty of nature. The other stuff doesn’t really matter. Any other things I shouldn’t miss during cherry blossom season? Oddly enough, don’t miss the Starbucks cherry blossom drinks offered during this time. They only come around once a year for a VERY short time and they are straight up awesome. The cherry blossom latte is my favorite for sure. I never miss it. They also have some spring time blends worth looking into. Whether you decide to go with a big festival or a lazy drive, just be sure to get out and enjoy yourselves this spring. If you are only here for a year, this is your chance to build a lovely memory. If you are staying for years, it’s the perfect annual tradition. More springtime activities in the Pyeongtaek area Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Looking for spring flower festival information? You’ve come to the right place. About Spring Flower Season From March through May, spring flowers bloom across South Korea. Arboretums across the country will host festivals and show off their stunning gardens. The country is covered with stunning locations to view copious amounts of blooms that will make your Instagram sing. Famous Spring Flowers in Korea Famous spring blooms in South Korea include cherry blossoms, pear blossoms, apricot blossoms, tulips, canola, digitalis, lupine, daisies, grape hyacinths, azaleas, magnolia, and forsythia. Of all of these flowers, cherry blossoms and tulip photos are the most coveted by Instagram lovers. Confirming Festival Dates Since spring blossoms are a thing of nature, festival dates may change a little each year. You can easily confirm the dates of any festival or the hours of any location by contacting the free tourist help center 1330. Use Instagram to Follow Blooms Korean influencers use an amazing system for tagging their images to make it easy to track bloom progress. We have created a whole blog to help you track the best picture-taking moments across South Korea. Five Places for Spring Tulips and Flowers [Photo Credits] Header Photo: Julie O’Leary, Pyeongtaek Travelers South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Try these 10 best cafes for cherry blossom viewing in South Korea. A fun way to relax and enjoy the spring flowers. About Cherry Blossom Season in South Korea Spring in Korea really begins with the Cherry Blossom 벚꽃 Season. People will drive for hours just for their own beautiful pictures with and of these lovely pink and white flowers. If you’re looking for spots to enjoy a refreshing drink while admiring the beauty of these blossoms, we’ve collected a few options. What Makes These Cafes “The Best” Every best list depends on the personal taste of the person that makes it. For me, I like locations easily accessed from Pyeongtaek-si, South Korea. I also prefer cafes that feel comfortable for both myself and my daughter. Cafe Narnia (Asan) Recommended cafe stop: Cafe Narnia, a magical themed cafe, adding cherry blossoms to the experience will truly feel as though you’ve stepped through the wardrobe. Great place to stop for lunch as well. People & Story Cafe (Cheonan) Located next to Cheonhoji Lake, a 1.8K walk that is stroller and pup-friendly. Not a lot of shade, so plan accordingly. Best for those days when you just need a short walk. You’ll find many spots to sit and relax, as well as other cafes along the way. Recommended cafe stop: People & Story is a unique, vintage cafe with lots of parking. You enter from the second floor with lovely indoor and outdoor views of the lake, and walk down to the first floor and bar area. My favorite coffee drink is the Einspanner. My favorite non-coffee drink is the Passion Fruit Ade. Gobok Residence Cafe (Sejong) Located next to Gobok Lake, a 6k walk. Took my toddler and I 2 hours non-stop to walk around this lake. While the route is stroller and pup-friendly, about 1/3 of the walk does not have a sidewalk so you’ll have to pay close attention to moving traffic along the way. Would recommend sunscreen and lots of water though you’ll find a number of cafes, restaurants, a sculpture park, and rest spots along the way. Recommended cafe stop: Gobok Residence Cafe has large open windows and covered outdoor seating for blossom viewing. They also have their own parking area and they are across the street from one of the entrances to the lake walk. The Present Cafe (Incheon) Recommended cafe stop: You can take many lovely paths in Jayu Park, view Incheon Harbor, a statue of General McArthur, and, of course, beautiful cherry blossoms. The Present Cafe has both first and second-floor seating with photo zones. There are both drinks, bakery items, and sandwiches. If you want to make more of your visit, walk around Fairytale Village and Chinatown. Pyeongtaek Cafes You can also find a number of locations in Pyeongtaek to view cherry blossoms. One of the locations in this blog, Kookje College, is a popular cherry blossom viewing location and is also close to a number of cute cafes. Recommended cafe stop:Cafe Jangan has a spacious second floor with large glass windows and outdoor seating. Recommended cafe stop: Boaz Mansion is also a great Cafe stop, especially if you’re heading toward Buraksan. Recommended cafe stop: If you can’t break away from Camp Humphreys for very long, consider The Cottage Cafe. It’s next to Paengseong Park, which has a collection of cherry blossom trees. Traveling to Taean & Anmyeondo? Recommended cafe stop: Travel Break Cafe is beautiful any time of year but they redecorate their Cafe in the Spring to match the Cherry Blossoms around them. With glass outdoor booths, you’ll feel like you’re sitting in your own personal viewing room. Driving further South? Recommended cafe stop: How about Cherry Blossom Cafe, in Sacheon Recommended cafe stop: Or this gorgeous spot, in Busan, along Oncheoncheon Stream Recommended cafe stop: Cherry Blossom Coffee Shop, in Changwon Year-round Cherry blossoms decor Missed Cherry Blossom Season? You’ll also find cafes that decorate their cafe with lovely cherry blossoms. Don’t worry, your friends on social media won’t notice the difference. Would You Like to Discover More Cafes Across Korea? Join a cafe-related group dedicated to sharing the coolest cafes from one end of Korea to the other. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Arboretums are for Everyone Whether you have a deep admiration for the great outdoors, want to inspire an appreciation for nature, or you just need socially distancing alternatives during a pandemic, the many arboretums in South Korea are fun for people of all ages. They are often free or have affordable admission rates. Additionally, each arboretum is unique. How to Prepare for an Arboretum Visit To truly appreciate the distinctive characteristics of the arboretums in South Korea, I would recommend bringing comfortable shoes, drinking water, snacks, insect repellent, sunscreen, and, of course, your camera. Make sure you do not leave any trash behind. Some of these arboretums have insect repellent dispensers, if you see one, they’re usually free for use. The arboretums may not have printed maps, so take a picture of the map at the entrance, just in case. Entrance Fees Some of the arboretums in South Korea may be either publicly or privately owned. Also, the majority of the arboretums will have a fee between 2,000 and 15,000 won per person depending. You can contact 1330 to confirm the entrance fees. Pets Arboretums do not usually allow pets, however, you can confirm the pet policy of each arboretum by contacting 1330. They will confrim the pet policy for the arboretums you wish to visit. 7 Wonderful Arboretums in South Korea These are seven arboretums I personally enjoy visiting. There are many other arboretums as this list includes my personal favorites and is not comprehensive of all of Korea.T Yeonginsan Natural Forest (less than 30 minutes from Humphreys) Just over a 5k hike with a stream, waterfall pond, gardens, grassy areas for the kids, and gorgeous mountain views. Yeonginsan National Forest also has a sports area with a water park, basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts. You need to bring your own supplies but you may rent a net. Campgrounds and zipline, too! Samseonsan Arboretum (45 minutes from Humphreys) Samseonsan Arboretum has he expansive, mountainous hike which you can do barefoot. Walk around barefoot as most of the mountain trails are “carpeted.” There are also foot-rinsing spots. Your kids will also love this location because there are a variety of playgrounds here for kids of all ages and climbing levels. While there are many picnic spots, you won’t really find any restaurants or cafes in this arboretum. Challipo Arboretum (Mallipo Botanical Gardens) (1.5 hr drive from Humphreys) The South of Seoul app refers to Challipo Arboretum Mallipo Botanical Gardens. With Challipo Beach on one side, pampas grass, flower gardens, and a pond, this arboretum is perfect for romantic and meditative walks. Not a lot for the kids but there is a children’s garden with swings and Hobbit holes. However, the fascinating piece of history for this location is that it was founded by a U.S. expatriate who was later naturalized as a Korean citizen. There’s a cafe and shop at the entrance and another cafe along the walk. This location may be best paired with another activity in the area as it’s not as large as some of the other arboretums. Cheongsan Arboretum (about 1.5 hrs from Humphreys) As a popular filming location for KDramas, if you love taking Instagram-able pics, this is the arboretum for you. From pampas grass, the Millet Art Garden, to the flower maze, you’ll definitely find an amazing shot. The restaurant is currently closed because of the pandemic, but there is a cafe. Food is not allowed in this arboretum. However, small dogs (under 5kg) are welcome. Anmyeondo Island Arboretum (just under 2 hr drive from Humphreys) Recommended for couples or those who need time for self-healing and meditative thought. Expansive hike through a pine forest. Many photo zones and a variety of trails. Greenhouse, flower gardens, fish ponds, grassy areas for the kids who like to run, and a Dinosaur landscape area. Sejong National Arboretum (2hr drive from Humphreys) Expansive garden with a large conservatory. We spent hours just walking around the greenhouse, including getting lunch at the restaurant and drinks at two of their cafes. The greenhouse also has rotating art exhibits and a coloring station. For example, one season it was decorated with an Alice in Wonderland theme and another year there was a light fantasy exhibit. This location is more of a full-day experience and, since there’s food on location, it’s easy to enjoy the day here. Additionally, there are large, grassy areas for kids who love to run. Deokpyeong Dinosaur Arboretum (2 hr drive from Humphreys) Expansive garden but be prepared for a few uphill walks while you’re surrounded by creatures from another time, possibly another world. If the dinosaurs aren’t engaging enough, there’s also a petting zoo, playground, waterfall, and greenhouse. In addition, there’s a restaurant and shop at the entrance and a cafe further in. The cafe has an amazing view so be sure to stop there. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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The South of Seoul featured K-drama for April is a popular series that aired in 2013, “The Heirs.” The drama’s compelling characters, complex relationships, and dramatic plot twists have kept viewers riveted from beginning to end. Therefore, this is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good coming-of-age story or romantic drama. Breaking Down the Cultural Knowledge When you watch a K-drama when living in Korea or plan to live in Korea, you may want to go deeper than just the show. In order to fully understand the context of entertainment and the world around you, plan on looking at not only experiencing the movie plot, but also at the actors, music, and cultural conversation. In order to make it easier to maximize watching K-Dramas for cultural knowledge, I will provide you with some quick links each month related to the South of Seoul recommended K-Drama watch list. If you catch up on all these details you will become a K-pop culture master in no time. Let’s explore April’s K-drama, “The Heirs.” About “The Heirs” “The Heirs,” also known as The Inheritors, a popular South Korean drama that premiered in 2013, quickly captured the hearts of viewers around the world. The series ran on the South Korean television network SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) for 20 episodes. “The Heirs” was written by Kim Eun-sook, a popular South Korean screenwriter known for her work on numerous hit dramas such as “Lovers in Paris,” “Secret Garden,” “Goblin,” and “Mr. Sunshine.” “The Heirs” tells the story of a group of wealthy high school students and the complicated relationships, power struggles, and love triangles that exist between them. The main characters are Cha Eun-sang, a girl from a poor family, and Kim Tan, the heir to the wealthy Empire Group. Despite their different social backgrounds, they fall in love and experience various obstacles, including family conflicts and disapproval, while trying to make their relationship work. “The Heirs” is a coming-of-age drama that explores themes such as family, class, love, and social hierarchy. Due to its all-star cast, stunning cinematography, and gripping storyline, this drama has become a beloved classic. About the Drama’s Success “The Heirs” was a popular K-Drama series both in South Korea and internationally. Due to its star-studded cast, compelling storyline, and beautiful cinematography, it quickly gained a large following. The series had high ratings throughout its run. Additionally, it was one of the most-watched online dramas with a strong following in China. In addition to its high ratings and online popularity, “The Heirs” received numerous nominations and awards. It won several awards at major Korean drama award ceremonies, including the SBS Drama Awards and the Korea Drama Awards. The actors and actresses from the drama also had many nominations and awards for their portrayals in “The Heirs.” Also, it was recognized internationally, winning the Outstanding Korean Drama award at the Seoul International Drama Awards in 2014. “The Heirs” has since become a beloved classic and it continues to be popular with audiences around the world. Its success helped to solidify the careers of many of its cast members, including Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, and Kim Woo-bin, who have since become major stars in the Korean entertainment industry. About the Drama’s Themes “The Heirs” explores several themes throughout its storyline including family, love, class, and social hierarchy. The overall theme of “The Heirs” explores the complexities and struggles of youth and coming of age. In particular, this drama focuses on challenges for young people who are born into privileged backgrounds. The drama portrays the difficulties of wealthy high school students trying to navigate social hierarchies, family expectations, and personal relationships and find their own identities and paths in life. At its core, this drama tells a story about the human experience of growing up, falling in love, and facing challenges that can shape one’s character and future. “The Heirs” puts emphasis on the importance of family, friendship, and personal growth as key components of a fulfilling life. Also, it calls attention to the societal pressures and expectations that young people face in Korean society, particularly those who come from wealthier backgrounds. “The Heirs” is a relatable and moving story for all ages and backgrounds, as it explores universal themes of love, identity, and personal growth. The Music of “The Heirs” Whenever a new, popular K-drama hits the screen you hear the music everywhere. Take the time to become familiar with the tracklist and maybe even memorize one for the norae-bang. Also, this will make you an absolute superstar at social gatherings. Additionally, being able to sing the chorus when you hear the songs in the streets or be able to casually say to a new friend, “Oh, isn’t this the theme song for The Heirs?” creates a wonderful feeling of connectedness to the world around you. Learn About the Cast of “The Heirs” After watching the K-drama and becoming familiar with the songs, it’s time to also become familiar with the cast. You will see these actors and actresses in advertisements across the country or in new dramas. Therefore, knowing about the cast helps you create a language for understanding the visual world around you. The Food of “The Heirs” Food is a significant aspect of Korean culture. Therefore, it is often featured prominently in Korean dramas, including “The Heirs”. Some of the food items that are prominently featured in this drama include Korean street food, Korean barbecue, Ramyun, and Jajangmyeon. If you want to try cooking Korean dishes at home, check out our series “A Year To Learn Korean Cooking.” Overall, food plays a significant role in “The Heirs”, not only as a way to showcase Korean cuisine but also as a way to bring the characters together and create a sense of community and comfort. Catch Up on Show Related Gossip Now that you have watched the show, listened to the music, and learned about the actors, it’s time to learn the tea. Check out this interview with some of the cast members and learn more about their time on set. This particular video discusses the wrap-up of the drama and the conclusion prior to it airing. It has been 10 years since the show aired, check out this story to see where the stars are now. 2023 K-Drama 101-Recommendations Each month in 2023, we will dig into each of our K-Drama recommendations to give you in-depth information about the series. Last month, our K-Drama was “Moon Lovers, Scarlet Heart Ryeo.” Check out the March K-Drama blog post for more details on this series. Make sure to watch them all and get caught up! In February, our K-Drama was “Itaewon Class.” Check out the February K-Drama blog post for more details on this series. In January, our K-Drama was “Crash Landing on You.” Check out the January K-Drama blog post for more details on this series. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies is a book of Korean folk tales translated in 1913 when Japan ruled Korea. Under that rule, Japan worked to eradicate Korean culture by destroying historical places, outlawing traditions, and much more. The telling and translation of Korean stories during that time feels especially significant. About the South of Seoul Virtual Book Club Looking for book recommendations? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. We recommend a book every month. Such recommended books explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience, and 5) lenses on Korean culture around the world. Commitment to Accessibility South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider: Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as: Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture. Commitment to Supporting Mental Health South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues related to living between cultures. This may include topics such as culture shock, language, relationships, and more. Book Recommendation by Lanae Rivers-Woods April’s South of Seoul Book Club recommendation, Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies, is brought to you by South of Seoul founder, Lanae Rivers-Woods. Rivers-Woods founded South of Seoul in 2015 and has lived in South Korea since 2011. She launched the South of Seoul book club in 2022 when volunteers suggested creating a reading list for those who just moved to Korea. About The Storyteller Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies come from a manuscript of recorded stories from Im Bang, born in 1640, and Yi Ryuk, who lived during King Sejo. Both men studied as scholars and documented the oral history of Korean imps, ghosts, and fairies. In 1911, a foreign translator acquired a manuscript of such stories and then translated the manuscript to English. It’s interesting to note that the translation of this book occurred during the Japanese occupation of Korea and the original English translation was published in Japan. Korean History During 1913 When reading Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies, understand the book 1) came into existence during a time of Korean cultural oppression and 2) the translator was a white Christian missionary who may not have fully understood the Korean concepts and terms he was translating. Understanding this will help you understand how some meanings may be lost in translation. Additionally, such an understanding may or may not prepare you for the racist and colonialist language that peppers the translation of the text. Such knowledge prepares you to observe writing and word choices that may feel deeply uncomfortable. For example, at one point, the translator writes: “Some think that love, strong, true, and self-sacrificing is not to be found in the Orient” Such a statement contains many important talking points that need to be observed through a comparative historical lens. For example, the unfortunate myth that true love is not found in Korea is often still reflected in current Western society. The use of the term ‘Orient’ is also jarring and shows a certain worldview that certainly must have impacted the translation of the folk tales. However, when you start digging into the history of the translator and his audience, your view of the statement may evolve. For example, when you complete the former quote more intention exists in the Translator’s words: “Some think that love, strong, true, and self-sacrificing is not to be found in the Orient; but the story of Charan, which comes down four hundred years and more, proves the contrary…” The translator James Scarth Gale had no intention of adding to the misunderstanding regarding Korean culture. Instead, he deeply loved Korean culture and did not want to see Korean culture destroyed and Westernized. He wanted to challenge the belief that Korean culture existed as less valuable than Western culture. When describing Gale, his biographer wrote: “He and I share a passion for translating Korean literary texts, especially poetry, into English, although our notions of suitable poetic style might diverge! Gale loved Korea, and he deeply regretted its passage into the modern world  (as his biographer Richard Rutt was also inclined to do). He tried hard to help his fellow missionaries understand and accept Korean culture and traditions.” In Gale’s commentary surrounding the translated work, we witness his intentions getting lost in the grotesque and biased language of the time. While attempting to support the Korean culture, Gale’s own cultural bias in word choice still stigmatizes the culture. Understanding this dichotomy between intention and execution holds great importance when communicating about other cultures. Even with the best intentions, our words and actions may not stand the test of time. In order to better unravel the intended history behind Korean Folk Tales, I highly recommend starting by reading the following pdf that covers the life and history of the translator James Scarth Gale: Also, to prepare to read Korean Folk Tales, I would also recommend using the following resources. Such information will help you to learn more about the time period of translation. From 1910 to 1948, Korea lived under Japanese Colonial Rule and U.S.-Soviet Occupation. The following pdf provides a quick look at this time in Korean history, so you can read the book with that in mind. In addition to understanding the history, having a visual concept of the period of translation also helps. The following YouTube video shares images of Korea between 1901-1913. My Experience Reading Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies When reading the Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies, I found myself caught between two states of being: 1) the lived realities of the translator trying to provide “insight” into Korean culture and 2) the stories themselves which give a sort of documentation of lived experience through a folk tales lens. I felt an intense mental and emotional push and pull as I moved between the translator’s notes and the stories themselves. In terms of translation, Korean Folk Tales brought me face to face with the complexity of the “white savior” archetype in history. This hit me square in the chest because I live in this complexity in current times. Things change and yet stay the same. Both Korean and Western organizations come to me for help understanding “the other.” However, this cultural and social role makes me feel deeply uncomfortable. I can’t speak to the experiences of every ‘foreigner’, nor can I speak for Koreans. My words only represent my own interpretation of the world around me based on my own life and research into the lived experiences of others. It’s all flawed. Even as I “help”, I only see a hundred ways in which I fail because one person can not speak for complex societies made of millions of voices. I also believe that the intention to “help” sits at the root of many social issues. I am quite sure that, like James Scarth Gale, things I do to “help” may not age well regarding either Korean or Western culture. Viewed under different lenses over time, words that I felt represented a situation without bias will come to reveal bias I never knew existed. Carefully chosen words will eventually reveal ways in which current society fails us all. That’s the complexity of words, lived experience, culture, communication, and life. We can not win, we can only listen. In short, Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies spurred a lot of healthy introspection about my own existence within Korea. This English translation of Korean folk tales holds a very important role in history. It brought a more diverse set of historical Korean stories to an English-speaking audience. Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies added to the voice and history of a culture during a time when they lived under oppression. Such cultural documentation is important. Equally as important is looking at such a translation and asking, “How would this be different if translated by a native Korean speaker? What additional nuances would exist?” All translations exist as cultural and political acts and need to be questioned. Additionally, I highly recommend doing additional reading on this topic to better understand why translation is political. I suggest reading Translation, Power, Subversion to begin your journey. After getting lost in the complexity of the translation, I started digging into the Korean Folk Tales themselves. I loved reading the stories collected over time and told within Korean culture itself. Some stories seemed to lose their obvious meaning through translation but still held interesting insight into social norms and structures. So often, we only get to hear a few carefully chosen tales associated with major holidays in Korea. This book takes you much deeper. As a person who has read and studied translations of Roman and Greek mythology, reading the Korean Folk Tales had some of the same pitfalls. Sometimes the archaic use of English in Korean Folks Tales coupled with stilted translation makes the stories confusing. However, unlike when reading about the Roman and Greek stories, we don’t often have different texts to cross-reference all of the stories with in order to fully understand the story context. I wish that I had a reader’s guide for Korean Folk Tales. That would have been helpful in breaking down some of the imagery and symbolism. Reasons to Read Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies After reviewing my notes regarding Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies I found a few important reasons to make this book, or at least stories from the book, part of your reading list: Regarding the final reason, when I read Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies, I think about Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, published only 14 years prior. The language used to talk about Korea and Africa mirror each other. Both make me feel uncomfortable and angry. But, of course, this observation digs into the fact we also need to know about a reviewer (in this case, myself) to understand the lens through which a book was read. Thankfully we don’t have time for that today. Online Purchasing Link You can purchase Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies in English on Amazon. Find More Book Club Recommendations Did you like this recommendation? Be sure to explore our other volunteer-recommended books. South of Seoul Book Club List for 2023 Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Today, let’s learn about cooking Korean spicy braised tofu/dubu jorim 두부조림. This delicious braised tofu dish is a little bit sweet and savory. Although typically served as a banchan (side dish), or small side dish, it can be enjoyed as a main dish when paired with rice or noodles. In addition, it is a great addition for dosirak 도시락 (packed lunches). Let’s dig into this awesome dish. About the South of Seoul ‘A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about braised tofu/dubu jorim. Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. Time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere. This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020, they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow KimchiRednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. About Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim 두부조림) Dubu jorim is a popular Korean side dish (banchan 반찬) that features braised tofu in a savory and slightly sweet soy sauce-based broth. This simple and flavorful dish highlights the natural taste and texture of tofu. The soy sauce broth (sauce) gives the tofu a rich umami flavor. With its easy preparation and delicious taste, dubu jorim has become a staple in Korean cuisine. For this braised tofu dish, you pan fry the tofu until it is a light golden brown color. This dish cooks very quickly and is able to be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Also, when you eat your leftovers, you can choose whether to serve them cold, hot, or at room temperature. Any way you choose, this dish is flavorful! Choosing Tofu For Your Dubu Jorim Since there are various tofus available on the market, the most important step for this dish is to choose the correct texture. Korean tofu typically comes in three different textures when sold by the block: firm (부침용), soft (찌개용), and silken (생식용). The difference in this tofus is how much water has been pressed from the blocks. For frying or braising tofu, you will want to get firm tofu (부침용). However, if you end up getting the soft tofu (찌개용), you will simply want to handle the tofu more carefully to keep it from breaking while you handle and cook the braised tofu dish. Our First Experience with Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) The first time I saw dubu jorim served, I took one look at it and decided it must be too spicy/hot for me to try it. Luckily, a friend who was with me recommended that I try it. I was surprised at how well the braised tofu had soaked in the flavors and how delicious it was. I knew that we would add this to our list of dishes to make at home and I am so glad we did. Biggest Hurdle Making Dubu Jorim One of the biggest hurdles in making this spicy braised tofu dish is working with the tofu. It is essential to make sure that the tofu remains firm and doesn’t break apart while cooking. Since tofu is so delicate and easily turns mushy when mishandled, this can be challenging. It is recommended to work with firm or extra-firm tofu in order to prevent the tofu from breaking apart. You should make sure to handle it gently when cutting and cooking. Additionally, simmer the tofu in the broth just long enough to absorb the flavors without it becoming too soft. Another challenge when making dubu jorim is balancing the flavors in the broth. The broth for this braised tofu dish is typically made with soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and other seasonings. Therefore, it is key to adjust the amounts of each ingredient to achieve the desired taste. If you add too much sugar, the dish will be overly sweet. Whereas, if you add too much soy sauce, the result will be too salty. Overall, making dubu jorim requires a delicate touch and carefully balanced flavors. However, with a little practice, it can be a delicious and satisfying dish to make at home. Three Braised Tofu Videos to Watch Are you ready to tackle the challenge of making braised tofu/dubu jorim at home? Here are three videos to inspire you to make your own! We like to include three perspectives on any dish that we present 1) a Korean chef making the dish in Korea, 2) a Korean chef making the dish in a foreign country (provides options for substitutions), and 3) foreign residents making the dish while living in South Korea. These three perspectives provide a broader look at cooking the dish so that you can understand how to adopt it into your lifestyle. Korean Making Braised Tofu/Dubu Jorim Korean American Making Braised Tofu/Dubu Jorim Americans in Korea Making Braised Tofu/Dubu Jorim Let Us Know How It Turned Out When you make dubu jorim at home, be sure to leave a comment on this blog or our video. We would love to hear how your dish turned out. Also, we love to hear about your adventures and experiences cooking these dishes at home. Follow KimchiRednecks If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of local restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel. We also share a little behind the scenes in or our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram. Join Pyeongtaek Food & Fun If you live in the Pyeongtaek area, share your cooking experience with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group.  Try More Recipies in Our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series We have many more Korean recipes that will make your life in Korea more delicious. KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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Interested in cooking jajangmyeon at home? This easy and filling dish can be made with noodles and rice. Perfect for family dinner.

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