January flies past quickly and if you don’t have a plan you might miss the fun! It’s very easy to stay home all January because it feels great to cozy up with some video games and Netflix. However, January exists as the perfect month for adventure and building a rich life in Korea. Making the Most of January Every year I look forward to January in Korea. In fact, I love it so much I wish I could shout it from the rooftops. January when I get to go snowboarding, focus on my hobbies or studies, take a break from running around, and spend cozy time with friends. The month always flies past faster than I would like. Therefore, I make an effort to very intentionally plan my January time so that I can treasure it. In my first years in Korea, January became a key part of my yearly Adaptation Plan that I created each year to prioritize learning about Korea and building my community. Of course, this approach to winter was one I was raised with since I’m from the frozen north. A little cold and snow never bothered me anyway. Funny enough, I spend a great deal of time at the beach in January. Something I hadn’t really thought about before I went searching for images for this post…. anyway, jumping back to what this January post is all about…. learning to love January. My View on Cultural Adaptation I take adapting to a new culture seriously and I schedule it into my life throughout the year. When I moved to South Korea, I had to rely heavily on such adaptation processes in order to survive. Dealing with everything being different all at once felt like drowning. You see, I become easily overwhelmed quickly. I can’t race to adapt, or my mental health will crumble like a stale cookie. Instead, I have to break life into scaffold-ed chunks and work through tasks over time. In order to scaffold my learning in healthy amounts, I trust in human science, like the fact it takes an average of 66 days for automatic habits and the importance of sleep for mental health. So instead of pushing myself to my limits, I methodically work toward my integration goals over time and work toward building new habits and caring for my mental health. As you can imagine, taking such a detailed approach to embrace my Korean life requires extensive research and planning. However, since I’ve already created my own assimilation plan (and I’ve been refining it for 12 years because I create a new plan each year), I decided to share it with my community to better help others who value the same approach. My System for Adapting in Korea Gamification works for me. I create missions for my year so that I know what I’m working toward and I can make choices around the tasks. My missions might be based on cultural skills I need to learn, family life, or hobbies. I don’t schedule things weekly, but I do have goals. When I achieve such goals, I make sure to celebrate them as well. Adventures keep me motivated. I grew up having a LOT of adventures, so I need to keep them scheduled in my life. Just staying home makes me feel restless. I want to climb a mountain, slide down a mountain, or swim in something. This means I carefully keep my weekends free for doing big activities. My choices may not be your choices. What I choose to do with my time in Korea will likely not match your values and choices. I am sharing my monthly ideal plan to help you conceptualize a framework for creating your customized Adaptation Plan. Let’s jump into how I plan my first January in South Korea. You will quickly see that my January has so much to do I don’t have any time to feel sad about winter. In fact, I look forward to winter every single year! I absolutely LIVE for December, January, and February because life feels full and lovely. January Integration Missions The following integration missions will help you dig into January. Struggling through making your first Korean meals, falling in love with characters from dramas, and reading books that build cultural empathy sets the tone for a more integrated life. So let’s go! What to Cook January Recipe Recommendation: Kimchi Jjigae The cold weather means spicy hot soups hit the spot! Thanks to KimchiRednecks our community has an easy online outline for slowly building Korean cooking skills throughout the year. In January the have us start with the Korean classic kimchijjigae because it’s likely to become your comfort food after a year in Korea. Kimchijjigae is a spicy Korean stew made with fermented Napa cabbage, also known as kimchi. It is typically made with various other ingredients, such as pork or beef, onions, garlic, and tofu, and is often seasoned with gochujang, a red chili paste. The dish is traditionally served hot and can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish. It is popular for those looking for a flavorful and spicy meal and is often served at Korean BBQ restaurants. Kimchijjigae is believed to have originated in the 1950s and has since become a staple of Korean cuisine, enjoyed by people all over the world. What to Watch January Drama Recommendation:  “Crash Landing on You” With the cold winter officially set it, it’s the perfect time to spend time watching Korean dramas. South of Seoul volunteers created an entire list of the most watched dramas, everyone, who lives in South Korea should consider watching to build cultural talking points. Crash Landing on You is a popular South Korean television drama that premiered in 2019. The show tells the story of Yoon Se-ri, a wealthy South Korean heiress, and Ri Jeong-hyeok, a North Korean military officer. Se-ri accidentally paraglides into North Korea while on a trip to South Korea and is rescued by Jeong-hyeok. As they try to find a way for Se-ri to return home, they fall in love and must navigate the difficulties and dangers of their situation, including the tensions between North and South Korea. The drama is a romantic comedy-drama that combines elements of action, espionage, and political intrigue with the portrayal of the complex relationships and personal growth of the main characters. Having opinions on popular Korean TV shows helps a great deal with making friends. Every culture loves to gossip about shared knowledge and you don’t want to be left out. What to Read January Book Club Recommendation: “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” Starting the year with a memoir about mental health might seem like an odd choice. The cold days and dark nights coupled with feeling isolated in a new country can feel overwhelming for the best of us. It’s important to see the value of reaching out for therapy and support when you struggle. It’s also important to know that people in South Korea go to therapy. It may not be common to talk about but it has become much more common to do. The South of Seoul book recommendation for January “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” shares one Korean woman’s mental health journey and documents her time in therapy, her personal struggles, and how therapy impacts her. If you find that you connect with the author and also need extra support in the winter months, you can find English-speaking therapists in Korea. Weekend Activities Of course, you don’t want to only stay home on the weekends. You want to explore Korea and build your portfolio of adventures! Here is how I would spend my first January if I could do it all over again. Weekend 1: Home Life We prefer to spend our first weekend of the year in our own city. We might hang out at home doing laundry and organizing the house, or we will prioritize meeting up with friends for coffee or having friends over for dinner. The first weekend of January is a time to feel connected to our life and community. If our community has other plans, we use this weekend to try a new cafe, eat at a new restaurant, or explore a new neighborhood. The point of the weekend is to find the small joys of mundane life that create the infrastructure for stability and a sense of belonging. Weekend 2: Snowboarding and Ice Festival When it’s winter I want on the slopes as much as possible. In Gangwondo, it’s also easy to plan a day of snowboarding/skiing and then the next day visit an Ice Festival such as the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival. Weekend 3: Art & Theater in Busan or Seoul For whatever reason, I enjoy attending musicals during the winter months. I’ve always pictured the theater as a cold-weather activity. Therefore, in January it’s nice to bundle up and head to a big city to enjoy the hustle and bustle. Most musicals will be in Korean unless they included an international cast. Keep in mind, many operas and other theater pieces are often performed in languages other than English and they still move you at the core. We can hardly understand anything that’s being said but we never regret attending. We will find a nice hotel and enjoy our time visiting museums and attending a show. You can book theater tickets in English on Interpark. Weekend 4: Byeonsanband National Park I love the outdoors so I’m going to fit in a lovely hike even in winter at Byeonsanband National Park. This will keep me on target for visiting all the National Parks in South Korea in one year. Byeonsanband National Park is a protected area located in the southwest of South Korea, along the coast of the Yellow Sea. It is known for its beautiful beaches, cliffs, and forests, as well as its cultural and historical significance. The park is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including the endangered Korean red pine and the white-naped crane. Visitors to the park can enjoy activities such as hiking, swimming, and bird watching, as well as exploring the park’s many temples and cultural sites. The park is also a popular destination for photography and filming, due to its breathtaking natural beauty. In addition, I’m going to use this weekend to make sure I have February outlined in advance. It feels good to plan the next month’s adventures while on an adventure. Schedule Reflection Time Don’t forget to make time to reflect back on how you felt at the end of the month. Consider asking yourself variations of the following questions: Actually, using Reflective Questioning such as the ones above might exist as the single most helpful thing I do for managing my mental health and fostering my own joy. Tools for Building Your Own Adaptation Plan As I mentioned, you may have different interests than I do. In order to help you create your own Adaptation Plan for the next year. Consider using these tools to get started. You may quickly notice that seeing everything in Korea can quickly feel overwhelming. This is why creating Adaptation Plans can help you manage your anxiety over time. Breathe deep, set your intentions, and build your plans. Good luck and I hope you have the best January ever that creates the perfect foundation for a great year. Still Struggle with January? When I’m having trouble seeing past my own emotions or anxiety about the past or the present. The following meditation can bring insight into how I can overcome the stories I tell my self. It’s a very simple 10 minute mediation that allows me to find a starting point for finding joy or movement in areas I feel trapped or stuck. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She...

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The South of Seoul K-drama for January is a big one. “Crash Landing on You” was all South Korea could talk about when it first aired. It remains a much beloved show that those living or moving to South Korea should watch at least once. Let’s dig into this K-drama and use it to expand your social knowledge. 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 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 start with January’s K-drama Crash landing on you. About “Crash Landing on You” “Crash Landing on You” is a South Korean television drama that premiered on tvN in December 2019. The drama tells the story of a South Korean heiress named Yoon Se-ri,. She accidentally crash lands in North Korea while paragliding. Yoon Se-ri is rescued by a North Korean army officer named Ri Jeong-hyeok. He hides her and helps her return to South Korea. As they spend time together, Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok develop feelings for each other. However, there are many challenges and dangers they face due to their different backgrounds and the political situation. About the Dramas Success The drama was written by Park Ji-eun and directed by Lee Jeong-hyo. It stars Hyun Bin as Ri Jeong-hyeok and Son Ye-jin as Yoon Se-ri. “Crash Landing on You” was a commercial and critical success. The drama had high viewership ratings and positive reviews for its acting, storytelling, and cinematography. The drama also gained a large international following. This included a particularly large following across Asia. Crashing Landing on You won several awards at the 2020 Baeksang Arts Awards, including Best Drama, Best Director, and Best Actress for Son Ye-jin. About the Drama’s Themes “Crash Landing on You” explores themes of love, family, loyalty, and overcoming obstacles. The romance between Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok is at the heart of the drama, and their relationship is tested by the challenges. The drama also examines the impact of the political situation between North and South Korea on the lives of ordinary people, and the ways in which individuals can overcome their differences and work towards peace and understanding. Overall, “Crash Landing on You” is a heartwarming and thrilling drama that explores the power of love and the importance of understanding and acceptance. Its engaging characters and the captivating story will leave viewers rooting for Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok and their journey toward happiness. The Music 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 nori-bang. This will make you an absolute superstar at social gatherings. The following YouTube video provides English translations and Romanization so that you can learn the songs for “Crash Landing on You.” 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 Crash Landing on You?” creates a wonderful feeling of connectedness to the world around you. Learn About The Cast 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. Knowing about the cast helps you create a language for understanding the visual world around you. The Food of “Crash Landing on You” While watching “Crash Landing on You,” you may notice many scenes involving Korean food and wonder what the dishes are. Specifically, in this drama, you will see Korean-style bbq, pancakes, fried chicken, ramyun, and more. For a more in-depth look at the dishes represented in this K-drama, check out this blog by Korean Bapsang. 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. For example, “Crashing Landing on You” occurred partially in North Korea but what do North Koreans think about the show? The video below provides one perspective. You might want to search out even more. Additionally, with “Crash Landing on You” the leads actually ended up getting married! You can find all kinds of videos that deal with this aspect of the massive phenomenon that was “Crash Landing on You.” Learn more about their relationship below. In 2022, the couple also announced they would be having a baby. 2023 K-Drama 101 Recommendations You can find more popular K-Drama recommendations on the K-Drama 101 recommendations list for 2023. In the blog article we recommend a K-drama for every month of the year. 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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The South of Seoul Volunteer January Book Club 2023 recommendation is I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir by Baek Sehee. Check out this deeply personal memoir of conversations between the author and her therapist. 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, or 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience. 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 KimchiRednecks December’s book club recommendation is brought to you by our content partner, Melissa Whittington from KimchiRednecks. I have experienced bouts of depression since I was in my teens and adding the struggles of Multiple Sclerosis on top of that means I am no stranger to this topic. Whether you have experienced mild depression or deep depression, this book is a great respite in that she is simply sharing her reflections and experiences which make you feel less alone in your own struggles. About “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” by Baek Sehee is an open and honest look into the author’s experiences dealing with depression and seeking professional help. The author has transcribed her sessions with her therapist and intersperses some additional essays with humor and self-reflection as she works to resolve her harmful behaviors. Although she has a successful career at a publishing house, Baek Sehee seeks out a therapist to help her delve into her issues. She isn’t quite sure how to categorize her feelings as just depression or hopelessness at first. Though she tries to connect with others, she often has trouble forming deep relationships and sometimes feels very judgmental of others. “I wonder about others like me, who seem totally fine on the outside but are rotting on the inside, where the rot is this vague state of being not-fine and not-devastated at the same time.” I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, Baek Sehee I really enjoy how she explores her issues, questions and concerns and works to find ways to remove those harmful behaviors of self-abuse. The author is open about her struggles and frustrations which is refreshing since mental health issues often still feel very stigmatized. If you have ever felt depressed or alone or frustrated with yourself, you may find more hope and understanding reading this memoir. Though I am not millennial or Korean, there are some universal struggles and frustrations that connected me to the author and her feelings. This translation was just released in November of this year. I was intrigued by the title because the dark humor was relatable and it was a good read. More Commentary and Reviews For more on “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir,” read the Japan Times review ‘I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki’: Compelling confessions of an exhausted millennial. Online Purchasing Link You can purchase “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” on Amazon. Find More Book Club Recommendations Did you like this recommendation? Be sure to explore our other volunteer-recommended books. What Books Do You Recommend? Feel free to share your own book recommendations on our Facebook page or in the blog post comments at the end of this post. 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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Today let’s learn about cooking kimchi jjigae (김치찌개) at home! Kimchi jjigae is a delicious, flavorful stew in Korea that is just plain comfort food. You can find it in many restaurants and homes all across Korea. About the South of Seoul ‘A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series 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. In this post you will learn about cooking Kimchijjigae, a popular winter dish in South Korea. 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 Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. About Kimchi jjigae Kimchi jjigae could be considered a love language in South Korea. This spicy, warm, and tangy dish exists as one of the quintessential Korean comfort foods. When the weather is a bit off or your heart is a little sad, kimchi jjigae can make it all seem a little better. The flavor profile of this dish will vary based on the quality and style of two key ingredients: kimchi and gochujang. If your kimchi is well-aged the flavor profile will be deeper and tangier. If you use less gochujang you will get a less ‘muddy’ taste. Each restaurant and person will have a slightly different style so you may have to adjust the recipe to find your perfect version. Biggest Hurdle When Making Kimchi jjigae Access to aged kimchi can be a hurdle for those new to Korea. Cooking kimchijjigae usually requires VERY old kimchi to get the best flavor and you may only have access to ‘fresh’ kimchi. Do not let this keep you from making your first kimchijjigae. The dish can still come out light and nice. Don’t get disappointed when your kimchijjigae doesn’t taste as deep and rich as those with 1-year-old kimchi available. Just put some kimchi aside for your jjigae next winter. Three Recommended Videos to watch on Kimchi jjigae The truth is, it’s hard to get kimchi jjigae wrong since you can simply keep adding a little of this and a little of that until you like it. We don’t usually use actual recipes or measurements. We just ‘feel’ it. However, before you can ‘feel it’ it’s nice to use a few recipes as a guide. We have chosen a few different cultural views of this traditional Korean dish. Watch these three versions of kimchi jjigae and then attempt one of your own! Korean American Kimchi jjigae Korean Kimchi jjigae American In Korea Kimchi jjigae Let Us Know How It Turns Out When you try cooking Kimchi jjigae for the first time, be sure to leave a comment and let us know how it went! If you live in Pyeongtaek you can even share your success (or failure) with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group. Learn more recipes in our Year to learn Korean Cooking series Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again. 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. 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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Today let’s learn about cooking jjimdak 찜닭 at home! This flavorful braised chicken dish is easy to make and might become a favorite to add to your meal planning. This savory, sweet, spicy chicken dish has the perfect balance of flavors. About the South of Seoul “A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series If you are familiar with this series, skip ahead to the goodness of Jjimdak. Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. However, 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 Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. About Jjimdak Jjimdak 찜닭 get it’s name from the Korean words jjim 찜 (meaning braised, stewed or steamed) and dak 닭 (meaning chicken). Jjimdak can also be referred to as dakjjim 닭찜. The most famous version of jjimdak is Andong jjimdak, which originated in Andong. Although there is not an exact date to when this dish originated, it is believed that the merchants of dak golmok 닭골목 (chicken alley) in Andong, were constantly trying to come up with more ways to make chicken even more delicious and they added a galbi-style sauce (usually used on beef) to the chicken. Jjimdak is an easy dish to put together. It consists of chicken, dangmyeon (glass noodles), carrots, sweet potato (or regular potato), onion and green onions braised in a delicious sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, fish sauce, chilis, mirin and sugar. The combination of the ingredients in this dish come together to make an amazing and filling meal. Biggest Hurdle in Cooking Jjimdak This dish comes together relatively easy and can be adjusted to what you have on hand. However, if you have not cooked with dangmyeon noodles before, you will need to know that these need to be soaked prior to cooking. The recommended time for soaking is from 30 minutes to 1 hour. In addition, you can choose to make a less spicy version of this dish by omitting the chilis or reducing the amount that you add to the dish. Our First Experience with Jjimdak We discovered this recipe when YouTube recommended it to us from one of our favorite chefs, Seonkyoung Longest. After we watched the video, we decided to look at several other videos and recipes to see if there were any adjustments that we wanted to make. If you are curious who inspires us to cook Korean dishes, we wrote a blog about those influences. Once we cooked this dish, we just loved it. Even though Chuck is not a huge fan of dangmyeon noodles, he still enjoyed this dish immensely. Three Recommended Cooking Jjimdak Videos to Watch Check out these three videos for recipes on how to cook jjimdak at home. You can always customize recipes to make the dish more to your liking. However you choose to make the dish, enjoy the fruits of your labors. Korean American Cooking Jjimdak Korean Cooking Jjimdak American in Korea Cooking Jjimdak Let Us Know How It Turns Out When you make jjimdak for the first time at home, be sure to leave a comment and let us know how it turned out! Also, if you live in Pyeongtaek, you can even share your success (or failure) with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group. If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel or check out our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram, where we often share what we are cooking or eating. Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series 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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Would you like to visit all the Korean National Parks in one year but it seems like an impossible task? We’ve got you! Here is an easy, one-year plan for visiting all of the National Parks. It’s likely you may need a car or a friend with a car to accomplish this goal. Click here if you want to get right to the plan and skip the intro. About Korean National Parks Korea has 21 National Parks and Hallasan on Jeju. Many people love visiting these parks and hiking the beautiful trails, visiting temples, or just relaxing in nature. Eighteen of the National Parks are mountain parks, three are marine parks, and one is a historical park. If you are living in Korea for a year, it’s fun and possible to take on the challenge of visiting all these parks in one year. South of Seoul volunteers break down how you can make your dream a reality in the following post. Make Sure You Reach Your Goal Reaching all the National Parks in one year takes 1) a clear plan of action and 2) motivation to follow the plan. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with choosing which parks to visit each month and planning the trips themselves. In order to make it easier, South of Seoul volunteers have created this post and tools to help support your progress in achieving your National Parks medal with your National Parks Passport. Use fun tools to stay on track with visiting each national park. The best way to stay motivated and enjoy the fun of reaching all the Korean National Parks. There are three fun tools that work together to help you make sure your plan to see all the national parks in a year happens. This plan can be done with a car or without a car, however, car access makes it all much easier. Additionally, this itinerary assumes you live in Korea on a work visa and only have weekends to travel and explore the country. Tools for Reaching Your Goal There are three tools that you may choose to use in order to reach your goal of visiting all South Korean National Parks in one year. Sout of Seoul developed two of the tools and the National Parks of Korea provide the third tool. South of Seoul Yearly Planner The South of Seoul yearly planner allows you to plan out your year” adventures and make sure that you don’t have FOMO. In addition, South of Seoul provides monthly blog lists which include sample itineraries for visiting Korean National Parks so that you can make sure your trips are well-planned. South of Seoul ‘Korean National Parks Adventure Map’ South of Seoul created the National Parks Adventure Map in 2021 and it’s been a huge hit since then. The adventure map is printed on canvas so that it can travel with you during your trips or it can survive family life on the fridge. It’s your weekly motivation so watch your progress toward your goal! The Korean National Parks Passport In addition to the National Parks Adventure Map, you can also get the Korean National Parks Passport which you can get stamped at each National Park Office as you visit parks around Korea. You can use your stamps to receive medals for your accomplishments. The Park Service gives out free Korean National Parks Passports at National Park Offices at all of the parks across Korea. The passports can’t be ordered online or shipped to a particular address. You simply need to get lucky and arrive at a National Park Office that has them on hand. Korean National Park Passports may run out each month. The park service prints out new copies regularly and delivers them to National Park Offices across the country. You may need to use 1330 to confirm if the National Park Office you plan to visit has Passports available before heading out. South of Seoul includes stamp locations for each National Park in this post. It’s important to note that each National Park in South Korea may have a variety of locations to get a stamp. Additionally, stamp locations may or may not be located near popular hiking locations. Finally, stamp locations may change over time or have damaged stamps. Such issues may mean that locating a stamp at each National Park may take time. Korean National Parks Hiking Plan The following Korean National Parks in a Year plan takes into consideration important factors such as: In other words, this Korean National Parks in a Year plan includes attention to detail and considers the feedback of dozens of National Park visitors over many years. In fact, images have been provided by Camp Humphreys Hike & Bike group admins and founders. If you mix and match the parks in new ways, you can also be successful. Remember, this plan creates the outline for empowering your personal success. You haven’t failed simply because you need to deviate. Keep up the momentum of 2 parks a month and you can reach your goal. Let’s get started January Since January exists as one of the colder months in South Korea, we recommend visiting parks further south and we recommend only visiting one. The temps during January are as follows. Average Temperatures Byeonsanband National Park is stunning in winter. You have a variety of short and easy hikes that look beautiful when it snows. Our volunteers personally hiked in this park in January and found it lovely. During our visit there was snow in the mountains and on the roads, however, we easily navigated the roads without snow tires. Read more about visiting Byeongsanbando in the following South of Seoul post: February February is still cold, so head down to Wolchulsan on the southern coast of Korea. They say that Wolchulsan means “mountain where the moon rises.” The park consists of starting rocky peaks with Cheonhwangbong Peak (810.7 m) in the middle. You only need to do this one park during the coldest of the winter months, so take your time and enjoy it. Average Temperatures Keep in mind that you also need to seriously consider windchill in the winter months. It’s certainly possible to hike year round as long as you dress with care. You can also visit Dogapsa Temple and a sitting Buddha statue called Maaeyeoraejwasang which is a National Treasure. March March means warmer weather and it’s time to pick up the pace in order to visit all of the Korean National Parks in a year. The perfect early spring weather makes it a great time to visit both Juwangsan National Park and Gyeongju National Park located in the central-eastern region of South Korea. You can easily visit Juwangsan National Park and Gyeongju National Park in one weekend. You may not want to climb both mountains in one weekend. Visit one park on Saturday and the other park on Sunday. In a pinch, if you don’t plan to actually hike, you could even visit both parks in one day since they exist somewhat close to each other. Average Temperatures March means taking layers. The temps can either end up very cold or quite warm. April In April, Naejangsan National Park and Mudeungsan National Park have exceptional spring flowers. The images below do not show such flowers since Ms. Clarn and her family chose to visit these two parks in winter. However, if you would like to maximize your park experience, visit Naejangsan National Park and Mudeungsan National Park where you can enjoy the blossoms. It’s possible to visit Naejangsan National Park and Mudeungsan National Park on the same weekend, although it might feel a bit hectic. However, it’s worth it to get epic spring flower photography as well as two stamps on your National Park Passport. Average Temperatures April can become intensely hot during the day. Make sure to dress in layers that take into consideration that big temperature changes between day and night may occur. May Average Temperatures May often feels like one of the best hiking times of the year. It’s often comfortably warm without the big temp swings between day and night. However, it just depends on the time of year. It’s possible that May turns hot early. June Once summer hits, you may not want to spend a lot time hiking because of the intense heat. Additionally, you likely want to go on vacation with the family. That makes Hallasan the perfect park to visit. We recommend visiting two beautiful parks in the southern most parts of Korea for vacation, Hallyeohaesang National Park and Hallasan National Park. Keep in mind, you need to plan your June vacation in Jeju a few months in advance. That’s because many Koreans will also be heading south for summer fun. Don’t put off planning this trip or you may lose out! You also may need to register to climb Hallasan in advance. Average Temperatures Read more about visiting Hallasan in the following South of Seoul post: July In the summer, it’s a great chance to fit in both a mountain hike Gyeryongsan National Park and some beach visits at Taeanhaean National Park which is actually a marine park. Remember that July tends to be hot and rainy. Always hike safely during Jangma. Average Temperatures August In August you will visit Taebaeksan National Park and Sobaeksan National Park. Again, we have put two National Parks together which can be visited over one weekend. These are beautiful parks with lovely hiking. The weather in August may be very hot and you may still be dealing with a lot of rain due to either Jangma or Typhoons. Average Temperatures September September brings the best hiking weather in the entire year. The month can also have some of the best fall colors. It’s time to visit two of the best National Parks in Korea which an be visited in one weekend or separately. Keep in mind, hiking during the peak of hiking season brings complications like heavy traffic on the roads and trails. However, we feel it’s worth it. We love the communal feeling of hiking together with the rest of the country. We also have a post about tips and tricks for surviving fall hiking season. Average Temperatures Read more about visiting Seoraksan in the following South of Seoul post: October Visit Bukhansan National Park and Chiaksan National park on two different weekends. These parks exist in very different locations. Bukhansan sits in northern Seoul while Chiaksan is east of Seoul. However, both locations are perfect for fall colors. Average Temperatures November November will be your last two-park month and you will visit Woraksan and Songnisan. Once again, it’s possible to fit these two parks into one weekend. Doing both hikes in one weekend will depend on your fitness level and ability. Depending on the route, Songnisan can be a long day. In November, the cold begins to return but mid-day can still be the perfect time to enjoy some mountain hiking. Remember to pack windproof gear and dress in layers since the weather can vary drastically during the day. Average Temperatures December You are almost finished, only Dadohaehaesang National Park is left to finish! Since the cold returns in December, let’s head south to finish with one of Korea’s maritime parks! Dadohaehaesang National Park provides a spot to escape the cold and take a break from the heavy hiking. Instead, explore the sea and islands. Average Temperatures Join Camp Humphreys Hike and Bike If you would like to join a wonderful hiking community then Camp Humphreys Hike and Bike is the group for you! The group was created by folks at the Camp Humphreys US Army Base in Pyeongtaek and they welcome everyone. Want More? Check Out the Ultimate Hiking in South Korea Guide If today’s blog has you ready to lace up your boots, don’t stop here! We’ve partnered with United on the RoK Magazine to bring you a full resource on hiking across Korea — from beginner trails and Dulle-gil walks...

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Do you love a fun festival on a beautiful fall day? Don’t miss the winter festivals across South Korea. If you already know about festival culture in South Korea, click here to jump to the festival list. Winter in South Korea Many consider Winter in South Korea as December, January, and February. Therefore, we have selected festivals occurring from December to February for our Winter Festivals list. However, such festivals may begin as early as November or finish as late as April. Korean festivals may occur over many months. During these months the weather quickly changes, the leaves turn, and the cold weather begins to move in. If you love a festival, you may want to visit more than once and take friends. South of Seoul volunteers choose to combine winter 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 Winter Festivals in South Korea During the winter months, Korea loves to host outdoor snow or holiday-focused festivals. The weather tends to be cold and people are excited about being outside. You will want to dress warmly with great attention to windchill. Some festivals may be promoted nationally and internationally while others may only be promoted in the neighborhood or city hosting the event. 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 cueing 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 Winter 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. Locally Promoted Winter 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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Wondering what it’s like to celebrate Lunar New Year while living in South Korea? Here is a practical breakdown about the holiday. About the Lunar Calendar The Lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon which means that each Lunar year is about 12.37 months. This means that it does not track with the 12-month Gregorian calendar. Many different religions and cultures still use the Lunar Calendar for holidays, birthdays, and events. Korea uses a mix of the Gregorian and Lunar Calendar within the Korean culture. About the Lunar New Year in South Korea The Lunar New Year changes each year and usually occurs in January or February. Depending on how the holidays fall, Koreans may have 3-5 days holiday during this time. In Korea, and across Asia, the culture places more of a focus on the Lunar New Year than the Western New Year. Here in Korea, we refer to Lunar New Year as Seollal (설날). You may have also heard this holiday called Chinese New Year. Seollal is one of the biggest, most important holidays in Korea. During this time (about 3 days), Korean’s will move around Korea visiting their ancestrol homes and participating in various traditions depending on their religious and cultural commitments. Families will spend time together, prepare special foods, give gifts, and some may perform traditional rituals. In addition to celebrating Seollal day, Seotdal Geumeum is also celebrated. Seotdal Geumeum is Lunar New Year’s Eve. On this day, many people may stay up until dawn to watch the sunrise (similar to how Western New Year is celebrated in Korea, but at home). On this day, people in Korea will often eat bokmandu soup. Things to Do for Seollal We highly recommend joining in local customs when living in a foreign country. It brings you closer to those around you and creates a feeling of belonging that doesn’t happen when you only celebrate holidays from home. If you would like to join in the spirit of Seollal, here are some things you can do: About Seollal (Lunar New Year) Traffic Since students are not in school, this means many families travel and the roads may be locked with traffic, and train tickets may sell out months in advance. On the first day of the holiday, traffic will be terrible going East and South. On the last day of the holiday, traffic will be terrible going north and west. We recommend using Naver Maps and Kakao Maps for routing information during this time as they have up-to-date traffic information that may help you avoid the worst traffic (although avoiding all bad traffic may be impossible.) What is Closed for Seollal? Expect service interutptions during this holiday. Banking or immigration issues handled before the holiday. Public services will usually take a rest during this time. Additionally, small shops and businesses will often take time off, usually two days max. If you want to know if a specific place or service will be open on Seollal, you can contact 1330. Seollal Near US Bases Such as Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Force Base Service providers near US military bases often adjust to US culture. This means that businesses in such areas may remain open and operational during the Seollal holiday. Such changes in cultural behavior near large populations of international residents may distort perceptions related to the meaning and importance of local customs and holidays in relation to the country as a whole. That is because such areas may actually become busier during Korean holidays as folks flock to these open areas looking for things to do since their own areas are mostly closed down. 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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About Special Love Holidays Every month of the year contains a Korean “holiday” that falls on the 14th. The first thing you need to know about the love holidays that fall on the 14th of every month is that not everyone cares. These holidays are for fun to celebrate both being in love or single. Not every person in South Korea or of Korean descent cares about such social love holidays. In fact, not every Korean has even heard of all these love holidays. The reason that not everyone cares about ‘love holidays’ is because Korean culture views and experiences vary by age, belief system, where they were born, where they live now, economic level, education level, and so much more. This information in this blog relates to documentation of cultural phenomena and not the knowledge or the experience of every Korean person’s life. South of Seoul would even venture to say that Korean ‘love holidays’ might be best referred to as pop-culture holidays. This is because ‘love holidays’ don’t hold extensive historical value. Which is an ok fact. Culture exists on a spectrum that can be enjoyed and celebrated based on a person’s history and life experiences. Learning about both past and present cultural information creates a deeper understanding of a place and its people. As a person living in South Korea, you may find it fun to learn about the existence and meaning of ‘love holidays’. You may also enjoy participating in such holidays in some way. You can also talk about these fun ‘holidays’ and learn more about how Korean’s have experienced them in their lifetime. Now let’s have fun learning about one of Korea’s ‘love holidays’. January 14th is Diary Day To be honest, very few Korean’s acknowledge or knows Diary Day exists. Diary Day has not caught on like other popular ‘love holidays’ such as White Day or Black Day. However, Diary Day may be one of the most interesting of all the ‘love holidays’ since: Blank diaries are given as gifts among couples and friends. Anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions are recorded into the brand new journals. South Korea is full of stationery shops that specialize in quirky notebooks and agendas, often covered with Konglish phrases. . Ms. Lowry Honestly, as a foreigner living in South Korea, Diary Day would be a wonderful habit to adopt each January. Get together with your partner or friends, exchange diaries. Then come together at the end of each year to share your highlights, process your struggles, and reflect on the life you lived together. This could be a start to a fun tradition that brings you closer to your loved ones each year. Consider this a gift to yourself and your loved ones. Where to Shop for Diaries We usually get our diaries from Artbox, Daiso, Flying Tiger, or a neighborhood stationery store. Korean loves diaries and you will find many covered in English expression, encouraging quotes, and so much more. 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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When the weather drops below freezing outside, you need to prepare for the cold in and winterize your Korean home. 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. Please note that the pronunciation of some Korean words may be inaccurate due to AI technology’s limitations. Tenants Responsible for Cold Winter Damage Every year South of Seoul volunteers hear many sad stories of warm weather ex-pats complaining about damage to their homes because they did not prepare for winter. You don’t want to be this person. Instead, read this article carefully and take the time to prepare and winterize your Korean home in advance. It’s up to you as a renter to understand how to maintain your home during the cold winters in South Korea. This means that you need to take the time to prepare your home for winter cold snaps which can freeze pipes and cause extensive damage to your home and others above or below you. Understanding Korea Home Heating Korea uses an in-floor heating system they refer to as ondol. The system used to involve airflow and fires under the house but now looks like many in-floor systems used around the world. Ondol heat is fantastic, however, it also requires you to understand how it works and how to care for your home using the ondol system. Ondol systems often run off of a boiler that exists in either the kitchen, a bathroom, or a utility room (enclosed balcony). The ondol system may run off of either electricity or gas. You control the ondol from the main thermostat which is often located in the living room of the home. Some ondol may control home temperature room by room, some systems may allow you to cut off heat to particular rooms, and some ondol just controls the overall heat of the house without specificity to a particular room. Different ondol systems use different thermostats. This means that not every home has exactly the same setting options. This means that you may not find your exact model on an English blog. You may need your realtor, landlord or friend to come to your home to explain how it works. In addition to the main thermostat, most ondol systems have an area where you can control the rate of flow within the ondol system. Sometimes these controls may be located in the kitchen, utility room, or entry room. It all depends on how your home was built. Adjusting the flow of your ondol system can impact the heat regulation in your home and your utility bill. Jump to 2:21 in this YouTube video to see how the flow can be adjusted in some homes. Finally, ondol heat does not run throughout the house. Koreans do not often have ondol in their bathrooms, utility rooms, and sometimes kitchens (although this one is rare). Areas of Your Home to Winter Proof Most cold winter damage occurs in the utility room, kitchen, or bathrooms. Waterpipes and drains in these areas freeze, burst, and then flood either your apartment or your downstairs neighbors. If you have not lived in a cold weather climate, it’s important to know that burst pipes tend to be very expensive and troublesome to fix. Types of Homes to Winter Proof Anyone living in a villa or single-family home in South Korea needs to take winterization particularly seriously. Especially when living in an older building or home. In single-family homes and villas, renters have fewer units or no other units working to heat their homes. However, everyone needs to winterize even if they live in an apartment tower. The last thing you want to be the person that flooded the downstairs apartment(s). Recommendations for Winterization Here are a few ways to protect your ondol and plumbing system during the winter: Boiler ‘Leave” Setting Boilers in South Korea usually have a ‘leave’ mode. This will keep your house between 19-20°C. Remember that your floor heating can freeze and you don’t want this to happen, even if you don’t want to heat the house, keep the floors on ‘Leave’ in winter to prevent freezing. Keep in mind, you even need to set the floors to ‘Leave’ when you plan to be out of the country for a while. You don’t want to return from your two weeks in Vietnam to frozen pipes or a flooded apartment. Dripping Water Keep lukewarm water dripping from your faucet at night and when you are not home. Dripping water keeps water in the pipes flowing which makes it less likely to freeze. You don’t need to crank the water, just a small drip should keep your pipe safe. Since you need to drip all exposed faucets, you may need to also drip the wall faucets in the utility rooms (encoded porches) as well. Double-check with your landlord to see if you need to do this in your home. Turn your faucet to the cold tap side when dripping the faucet. To avoid triggering your water heater to run and increasing your utility bills, be sure to turn your faucet to cold when you set the drip. The water does not need to be warm, it only needs to be circulating. It’s important to note that you need toBOTH set your ondol to ‘Leave’ AND drip your faucets. These two actions protect different aspects of your home plumbing and heating systems. Close Windows Check your home for shutter-style windows and other open windows, and close them. Such windows may exist in either the boiler room or AC outdoor unit room. If you do not close this type of window, the boiler room or utility room pipes may freeze during a winter cold snap. Additionally, during winter boiler service people keep busy. A boiler service appointment is booked about 2-3 weeks out and may cost you over $700. IMPORTANT: Some homes may not have this type of window feature. Take note that most Korean windows have TWO windows to close. In a cold snap, you need to close BOTH of the windows to make sure the rooms stay as warm as possible. Remember, the bathrooms and utility rooms aren’t often heated so you need to take extra steps to keep the spaces warm enough. Utility Room Drains Some international residents may also forget not to pour water down their utility room drains in winter and then close the doors. The utility rooms rarely include heat and the pipes burst very easily. We have known more than one international resident who did not realize this and used their utility room winter and drains during a cold snap. Such a decision often ends poorly. Special Credit to Kim’s HSO Realty Thank you to Osan AB Housing /Kim’s HSO Realty who posted their three winterization tips. Our volunteers used their helpful information as a starting point and then added additional information based on lived experience and research. If you are moving to Osan Air Force Base in Pyeongtaek, make sure to visit their office to find your Pyeongtaek home. 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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