Do you love a fun festival on a beautiful fall day? Don’t miss the fall festivals across South Korea. If you already know about festival culture in South Korea, click here to jump to the festival list. Fall in South Korea Many consider Autumn in South Korea as September, October, and November. Therefore, we have selected festivals ranging from September to November for our Fall Festivals list. During these months the weather quickly changes, the leaves turn, and the cold weather begins to move in. South of Seoul volunteers choose to combine fall 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 Fall Festivals in South Korea During the fall months, Korea loves to host festivals. The weather tends to cooperate and people are excited about being outside. 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 the 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 into 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 Fall 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 Fall 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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Today let’s learn about cooking budae jjigae (부대찌개) at home! Budae jjigae, or army base stew, is delicious meat stew in Korea. Since this dish is one of Korea’s most popular hot pots, you can find many places to try this spicy goodness, but it is even better at home! About the South of Seoul “A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series 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 Budae Jjigae 부대찌개 The name of this stew comes from the two Korean words: budae (부대), a term meaning base or army, and jjigae (찌개), a term meaning soup or stew. Therefore it is no surprise, that budae jjigae is often referred to as army base stew, soldier stew or army stew. Simply put, budae jjigae is a Korean fusion stew that uses many American processed products, like Spam, hot dogs, sliced American cheese, and canned pork and beans. After the Korean war (1950 to 1953), food was in short supply in Korea. The processed foods that were around were imported by the military. Since the Koreans had access to these foods, they used them to create this delicious stew. We believe two versions came about around the same time, Songtan style and Uijeongbu style. Uijeonbu is most famous for this stew and even has a street dedicated to this goodness! Even though there are two versions, they are unique dishes themselves. The Songtan version includes fewer ingredients and requires less time to put together and cook. The Uijeongbu version has a little more work involved. However, the flavor that develops is fabulous. Traditionally, this dish is cooked on the table at the restaurants on a gas stove. This enables you to be able to enjoy the dish family style. Also, you can choose to add ramen or cook stir-fried rice at the end. Biggest Hurdle in Cooking Budae Jjigae When trying to decide what the biggest hurdle for cooking this dish was, we decided that it was determining: Once you make your decision, the dish is relatively easy to put together and then enjoy! Four Recommended Cooking Budae Jjigae Videos to Watch We were so excited to make this dish at home. Even though there are a great deal of processed ingredients, we love this dish and really wanted to be able to make it at home. After we cooked the Songtan version of budae jjigae, we knew that we had to try the Uijeongbu version since neither of us had had it before. The Uijeongbu version includes more vegetables, rice cakes, tofu and pork and beans. Honestly, it is a flavor onto its own when it cooks. Also, you add the ramen noodles in earlier in this dish. However, the Songtan version adds the ramen noodles once you have mostly broth left in the pot. Adding an additional slice of cheese in when you cook the ramen gives that broth an amazing flavor and it coats the noodles perfectly. Korean American Cooking Budae Jjigae Korean Cooking Budae Jjigae American in Korea Cooking Budae Jjigae Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Songtan Budae Jjigae Let Us Know How It Turns Out When you make budae jjigae 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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Hiking and viewing the fall colors in South Korea is a beautiful cultural experience founded in shared misery.

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Wondering about National Foundation Day in Korea? Here is a quick overview of the holiday and what to expect. About Myths Within Culture All cultures have stories and myths that give us an inside look at how cultures views the world. These myths and stories have a great deal of value with the culture and allow insight into how different cultures perceived the world. Members of some cultures may view myths as ‘lies’ and may dismiss myths as a childish aspect of another culture. However, myths occur across cultures and represent how collective psychology expresses itself in stories. Therefore, taking the time to learn about myths can bring a wider view of the world around us. National Foundation Day (개천절 Gaecheonjeol), a Korean holiday, celebrates the historical foundation of Korea and the cultural myth tied to the day. Obviously, Koreans understand the difference between myth and reality. They also understand the value of myth within their culture and continue to honor the National Foundation Day myth. About National Foundation Day National Foundation Day (개천절 Gaecheonjeol) is a ‘red day’ or public holiday on the Korean calendar. A ‘red day’ means that salaried employees have a paid day off for National Foundation Day, a Korean public holiday celebrated on October 3. Gaecheonjeol is a literal translation of “the day on which Heaven opens.” This holiday celebrates Korea’s birth, specifically the legend regarding the creation of the state of Gojoseon in 2333 BC. This holiday was an unofficial harvest festival prior to 1909 when it became a national holiday. It has been fixed on October 3 since 1949. There are often festivals and parades, and people burn sandalwood incense to give thanks and perform ancestral rites. Learn About the Foundation Myth Learn more about Korean history, creative expression, storytelling, and National Foundation Day by watching the videos embedded below. Celebrating National Foundation Day On National Foundation Day in Korea, an official ceremony is held at the Sejong Performing Arts Center and a special observance is held at Dangun’s mausoleum. In addition, observances are held at the shrines of Dangun across South Korea. Also, there are huge fireworks displays for the celebration. In Seoul, it is very popular to head to the Yeouido Han River Park to watch the fireworks. You may also get a fabulous view from the top of Namsan Tower. Additionally, when Foundation Day creates a 3-day weekend, many families will celebrate by camping and hiking. The weather is perfect this time of year for outdoor activities. Also, many camp sites book out far in advance. Check out this fabulous camping blog for more information on camping in Korea. Potential Inconveniences on National Foundation Day Obviously, any of the following inconveniences may or may not occur depending on where you live in South Korea and the current social climate. However, the awareness that the following issues may occur may allow you to better plan ahead and avoid stress: How to Source Additional Information About Locations If you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. In addition, using apps like Naver can help you navigate with expected traffic times 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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Wondering about Hangul Day (한글날) in Korea? Here is a quick overview of this holiday celebrating the creation of the Korean alphabet and what you can expect during the holiday in South Korea. About Hangul Day Hangul Day (한글날) is a ‘red day’ or public holiday on the Korean calendar. A ‘red day’ means that salaried employees have a paid day off for Hangul Day, a Korean public holiday celebrated on October 9. (When this day lands on a weekend, it is often celebrated on an alternate day.) Hangul Day is the representative birthday of the Korean alphabet. This day celebrates the invention of the Korean alphabet, referred to as Hangul (or Hangeul, 한글). Many people also refer to the day as “Hangul Proclamation Day.” Prior to the creation of Hangul by Korean King Sejong the Great, the people of Joseon (as Korea was known at the time) wrote using Chinese and other native phonetic writing systems. Since there were many differences between the Korean and Chinese languages, there was a great deal of trouble learning how to write the characters. King Sejong invented this unique alphabet to promote literacy, especially among the lower classes. Although South Korea celebrates Hangul Day on October 9, North Korea celebrates Chosun-gul Day on January 15. Korea observes this day to honor King Sejong’s achievement and the proclamation of the “Hunminjeongeum,” (훈민정음), a document relating the new written script for the Korean language. Though prior to 1945, Hangul Day was celebrated on various days. The date became officially an annual national holiday. However, between 1991 and 2012, the date was not observed due to major employers wanting to have workdays in the year. It was still commemorated but the day off was not given. The status of a National Holiday was restored in 2012. The following video explains Hangul. Some say Hangul is easy to learn in less than a day. Of course, learning to write Hangul may be easier than learning to read Hangul. Don’t feel bad if it takes you longer to learn than one day. Hangul can be read both horizontally and vertically. Below you can see examples of Hangul in two orientations as it’s used in graphic design. Celebrating Hangul Day in Korea Since Hangul Day is in October, you can enjoy the beautiful autumn weather and activities. Many people choose to celebrate this day by staying home or enjoying a day off from school or work. Visit Museums About Hangul However, in Seoul, some may visit the museum of King Sejong. It is located in Gwanghwamun Square (in front of Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul) under the golden statue of King Sejong. (The entrance is behind the statue). Others may choose to visit the National Hangul Museum in Seoul (Yongsan area). You can check out the many exhibitions in the language. **Keep in mind, on Hangul Day the Seoul museums will be an absolute madhouse. Learn Hangul You can also choose to learn Hangul on Hangul Day. Talk to To Me in Korean is a great resource for helping you to learn the Korean language. Check out this beginning video below. Go Camping Additionally, when Hangul Day creates a 3-day weekend, many families will celebrate by camping and hiking. The weather is perfect this time of year for outdoor activities. Also, many camp sites book out far in advance. Check out this fabulous camping blog for more information on camping in Korea. Potential Inconveniences on Hangul Day in Korea Obviously, any of the following inconveniences may or may not occur depending on where you live in South Korea and the current social climate. However, the awareness that the following issues may occur may allow you to better plan ahead and avoid stress: How to Source Additional Information About Locations If you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. In addition, using apps like Naver can help you navigate with expected traffic times. 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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Halloween isn't a Korean holiday, but they still love it! Throw a party and invite your friends.

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Enjoy the fall locations for Korean craft beer. In this post, we share the best places for fall colors and cool brews. Autumn in South Korea Autumn is the best season in Korea. The season is marked by pleasant weather with high clouds and low pollution. The rice fields and other crops will be harvested, and families will celebrate Chuseok. Then the trees will begin to change color. Gingko trees will drop their pungent fruit and then turn a bright yellow. Maples will follow with colors ranging from orange to red. Oaks and chestnuts will also drop their nuts and leaves. Before we know it, only the pine trees will remain in color, which means winter and snow are right around the corner. Korean Fall Craft Beers Spots What is a beer lover supposed to do in autumn in Korea? Where should one go to enjoy the season and some tasty brews? Osan Craft Beer Club (OCBC) and Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society (PCBS) have compiled a few suggestions. Please add any of your own suggestions to this post and be sure to check out both of our groups on Facebook and Instagram. Links are provided later. Let’s start in the north since fall colors will begin to appear north of Seoul and in Gangwon-do in mid-September. After that, we will work our way South. That’s right, this blog includes locations across South Korea and not only Seoul or Busan. Please note leaf color dates are estimates…we are all patiently waiting for the leaf people to release this year’s fall color schedule. Each year a new fall foliage map gets released and you will want to cross-reference the dates in this post with the estimated dates based on current weather. In addition to sharing what craft beer locations to visit in the fall, we will also mention nearby attractions so that you can mix and match your travel plans with your craft beer plans. Sokcho, Gangwon-do This is the premier spot for autumn hiking and color exploration, but it is also the first area to change colors and is extremely busy, especially on weekends. Follow the Craftroot Instagram Follow the Mont Beer Instagram Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do The White Crow brewery is, in my opinion, one of the best breweries in the country and is situated in a beautiful valley, surrounded by trees and farmland. It is quiet and has wide open spaces for kids, adults, and pets to frolic. And the beer is outstanding. Be sure to try the fall version of Freebird and the new Chillhops collab. Follow the White Crow Brewing Instagram Gapyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do This location is the closest to Seoul and is home to several small attractions and one large brewery. Follow the Kraemer Lee Instagram Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do This destination will scratch your history itch for fall colors, history, and amazing craft beer. Gyeongju is home to many historic structures, tombs, and museums. It is also nestled between some mountains and has excellent, open views. Follow the Whasoo Brewery Instagram Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do This southernmost destination will start its colors later but will have the most gingko trees. Be sure to explore the Hanok Village. Do it while wearing rented hanbok for a fun day. Food and snacks in the village are tasty and the Nomadic beers are handcrafted, hard to find anywhere else in Korea, and very good. Follow the Nomadic Brewing Instagram Follow the Nomadic Beer Garden in Hanok Village on Instagram Kimchi Rednecks Interview with Nomadic Brewing Who are we? We are craft beer lovers who live and work in South Korea. You can learn more about craft beer in Korea by joining or following us on Facebook or Instagram. Learn more below! Osan Craft Beer Club A social group at and near Osan AB. OCBC tries to meet weekly and loves exploring local and distant beer destinations. Follow the OSBC Instagram Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society A social group in Pyeongtaek and near USAG Humphreys. PCBS loves to sample local and import beers and post descriptive descriptions of these beers. Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer ClubMike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea. As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea. Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea. www.facebook.com/groups/545864773526672/

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It’s almost sweater weather. Grab your best sweater and scarf, then enjoy the most marvelously “basic” fall day in Pyeongtaek! About fall in Korea Fall in Korea is everything you could want for embracing the basic beauty of the season. The skies are never bluer, the weather is perfect for a sweater, the leaves are gorgeous crunchy, and Korea loves fall pumpkin! Every year, I try to have a least one perfectly basic day where I do my favorite basic fall things! Everyone should try it at least once. Read on to see my best “basic” fall day in Pyeongtaek. My perfect Basic Saturday starts from Sinjang-dong and stays close to home. I don’t like to drive all over on my day off. Instead, I want to pack as much magic as I can into a small area with very little driving. That means, I’m going to spend my morning in Sinjang-dong near Osan Air Force Base where they cater to the basic western tastebuds. Next, I drive about 20 minutes east into the countryside where I can find nature and delicious food. My Perfect Basic Fall Saturday I start with a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Pumpkin bread at Counting Stars. This is the perfect choice for the earlier person who plans to make Pumpkin Duck a lunch meal. If you like to get up later in the day, grab your Pumpkin Spice coffee (their pumpkin spice comes iced or hot) and a Pumpkin Spice donut at Cosmic Cat Donuts around 12pm. On this schedule, the pumpkin duck ends up as more of a dinner. Now that I’m hopped up on sugar and caffeine I need to go try not to die. That’s why my next step is to pretend that I’m sporty. I head for a hike through the beautiful fall leaves. A hike where I will oscillate between complaining about having to walk up hills and totally loving the fall leaves and beautiful weather. To reach this particular hike you will actually drive across a college campus and down a one-lane, two-way road. If it seems like you are lost, you are probably in the right place. It’s actually easiest to park on the university campus and walk to the hiking and dining area. Parking at the entrance of the hike can be congested. After I have worked off the morning sugar, it’s time to go eat! Thankfully, one of the BEST meals in town is right near the hike entrance! Time to eat more food than God intended in one meal at my favorite pumpkin duck shabu shabu restaurant. Remember that the side dishes can be refilled! How to Source Additional Information About Locations If you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. 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. Share your best basic day with us there so we can enjoy your adventures too! 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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When you don't have time to drive across Korea, check out some of these lovely fall color spots near Pyeontaek.

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This muhly grass in Pyeongtaek blog post started as a list of 5 and quickly grew to a list of 7! You will find plenty of muhly grass photo spots close to Osan Air Force Base or Camp Humphreys. We look forward to seeing your photos on Instagram of these muhly grass photo ops near Pyeongtaek. About muhly grass in South Korea Native to North America, muhly grass originates in Florida. Since Instagram became a craze in South Korea, many locations have planted this popular pink to attract folks looking for the perfect fall photos. You can find muhly grass planted at tourist attractions and cafes across the country. When does pink muhly grass become pink? Muhly grass usually becomes pink in September in South Korea. Changes in weather can impact the perfect time for muhly grass photos. Later in this article, we will cover how to make sure the pink muhly grass location you want to visit is ready for a photo op. Where to find muhly grass photo ops near Pyeongtaek Lots of folks living at Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Force Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea love to get their Instagram shots with Muhly Grass each year. Yes, we know that everyone loves these shots but Search Engine Optimization (SEO) requires that we call out Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Force Base residents in order to ever have this blog found on Google. Here we are sharing the 7 best spots for muhly grass photo ops near Pyeongtaek. How do I know if the muhly grass is in bloom? To find out if the muhly grass photo ops near Pyeongtaek are in season, use Instagram. You can check at your local Instagram muhly grass ‘hotplace’ (the Korean term for a popular location) via the tags on Instagram and sorting by recent images. This way of searching Instagram gives you instant weather and bloom reports based on folks’ posts from that area. Check out our post on how to maximize your Instagram use while here to get up-to-date information. You can use the South of Seoul app to make your Hangul Instagram search easier since you can copy the Korean name of each location and post it on Instagram with a #. Here is a little tutorial on how the South of Seoul app can help you check out the current conditions of locations around South Korea. Step 1: Search South of Seoul by keywords “Muhly grass” or “Pink Grass” You can search “Closest” or “Newest” locations added depending on what you are looking for. Step 2: Copy the Hangul name of the location To do a solid search on Instagram you need the name written in Korean. Very limited information is available using English or romanized names. Step 3: Paste the Hangul name with a hashtag Step 4: Sort by ‘Recent’ posts on Instagram Step 5: Look a the recent posts How to find muhly grass photo locations across South Korea You can search ‘핑크뮬리’ to discover muhly grass photo locations across all of South Korea. The Weather in Pyeongtaek You will enjoy viewing muhly grass the most if you go either on a day with good air quality or in your preferred weather. However, you can also enjoy the parks if you go prepared for incidental weather and the current air conditions. Here is what is happening currently in Pyeongtaek so that you can determine what is right for you right now. Current Air Quality in Pyeongtaek Air quality and weather change throughout the day. However, having an idea of what the air quality is right now can help make decisions easier. You can download the Air Matters App for your phone to keep current on changing air quality conditions throughout the day. You can even set up alerts. Godeok, Pyeongtaek Air Quality Bijeondong, Pyeongtaek Air Quality Current Pyeongtaek Weather Groups to Find Muhly Grass Photo Ops Near Pyeongtaek Want to know more great muhly grass locations across South Korea? Join one of the following groups. 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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