5 months accommodation in Seoul

안녕~

It's my second month of staying in Seoul already (almost the beginning of ma 3rd month yo!)

So, I have been staying at this Hasukjib (하숙집) since I reached here and I'm pretty satisfied with my stay! :D

First of all, hasukjib is basically a shared house (in old buildings) without a common area where you can hangout with other roommates! which also means you will have to share bathroom etc with other people here!

On the other hand, 2 meals (usually breakfast and dinner) will be prepared by ahjumma and you will have your own room at a reasonably cheap price!

Oh and, the size of the room is gotta be bigger than goshiwon if you compare rooms with similar prices! 

Another thing to note: rooms without window facing outside will be much cheaper!

So yeah, let's begin with my room tour! :D

My room is about 3m x 2m (Yeah it's not big but I think it's fine for me) and I got it for 380,000 won per month! 

I think it is kind of cheap given that Yonsei University is only 5 minutes walking distance away from here!

Sorry for my super messy table HAHA 

There are 2 plug points and also a LAN cable!

(I'm pretty sure 2 plug points are not enough XD)

Too many things to be charged!

I decorated the wall beside the table with all my polaroid photos so I can just turn and stare at them anytime when I feel bored doing my stuffs! :D

There is a small cabinet right next to my table and the door is next to it!

This is where I keep all my tiny stuffs like skin care products etc...

And I place my rubbish bin/bag at this corner of the room (next to the cabinet)!

Well, I bet you don't want to see a picture of my rubbish right XD

Here is my bed, ma homie! <3

And my luggage which acts as my closet!

Yeah this room doesn't have a closet.

Okay, at least it has a hanging rack for my tower and some clothes! 

(A closet doesn't seem that important anymore)

Yeah I keep all my food supplies under the rack XD

#itsamusttostorefoods

#hungryallthetime

So I'm done with my room tour and let's move to the house tour!

Houses in Korea usually have separate toilet and shower room, so does this!

Obviously, this is the toilet!

and this is the shower room.

Here comes the most important thing which is FOOOOOD!!!! (at least to me XD)

This is the setting of the dining area!

These are the banchan (side dishes) at the other end of the table!

Yeah buffet style yo! :D

They will rotate when one is finished!

On the right there are 2 rice cookers! 

(Yeah I think koreans can't live without rice....Actually me too XD)

And a water dispenser!

There are 2 different types of soup here!

One is spicy and another one is not (Idon'tknow what are their names tho)

Here are seaweeds, salt and pepper!

YES SEAWEEDS!!! <3

I always eat my meals with seaweeds!

Tadaaaaa, here comes some of my breakfast/dinner! 

I'm so hungryyyy now~ XD

They may even serve seafoods! ^ 

Sometimes there are stir-fried pork, fish cutlets etc...

But sometimes there are just vegetables (Now I know why korean girls are so thin)

Oh and they provide soup everyday! (We have to finish the pot before ahjumma cooks another type of soup)

When you finish your meal, YOU JUST HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR CUTLERY AT THE SINK!!!

This is a perfect bonus for lazy people like me XD

(I really hate washing plates too HAHA)

Last but not least, the hallway to door entrance!

 You will need to take off your shoes here and put it nicely on the shelf!

THE END OF MY HASUKJIB TOUR YO! :D

Another good thing about hasukjib is that if anything happens to your room/in the house, just ring the ahjumma and she will help you with the problem!

However, this is a shared house so sometimes your housemates might be a bit noisy at ungodly hours etc...AND most of the hasukjib owners only speak korean (without any online website) so it may be hard for foreigners!

Do take these into consideration when you're choosing your accommodation in Seoul! 

Woori bank account @ Yonsei University

It's actually pretty easy to open a bank account in Korea (for foreigners). 

(Well, it's much easier than what I thought, maybe because I did it in the Yonsei branch itself)

You will need to bring your passport and Yonsei University student ID. (Yeap, only these 2 are required)

When I first entered the bank, I was given 2 forms to fill along with a sample on how to fill the forms correctly and also a queue number. 

This was the sample given. 

They highlighted the parts where you have to fill up and sign, other than that just leave it blank will do. 

It only took me 5 minutes to fill up completely and then you just gotta wait until your turn. 

The process of opening a bank account usually take like 10 minutes where they will photostat your passport and student ID, and then give you a passbook. 

But, for people who would like to do online shopping, remember to ask for debit card account and internet banking! 

And this will take so much longer than just opening a bank account. 

You are required to enter a 4-digit card PIN and then 6-digit PIN for internet banking.

Don't worry, the staff will guide you through! :D

In the end, you will get a piece of paper (acknowledging about your internet banking stuff), a debit card, a security card and a passbook!

Security card, debit card and passbook! 

Just follow the steps here and then you will be able to use internet banking right away yo! :D 

And now, YOU ARE READY TO DO ONLINE SHOPPING IN KOREA!!! :D 

Btw, you will need your alien registration card too (for certificate issuance)! 

[Travel tips] How to survive in Korea?

How to travel around Korea if you have no clue at all about korean language?

If you're going to tourist hotspots, definitely no worries because there are tourist helpers who can speak fluent English, Chinese or even Japanese walking around in places like Myeongdong.

If you're lost or you want to find any shop within that area, don't hesitate to approach them.

Trust me, they know the area very well, is like walking around their houses. LOL

If you're too shy to ask them for help (well, they don't bite), there are a few awesome apps available in play store or apple app store.

1. Translation app: Korean - English Translator
It can be translated into Korean directly by just talking to it in English and vice versa!
Recently I found a super useful translator which is LINE! :D
You just gotta add ENG-KOR translator official account and then type in whatever you want to translate and send!

Easy to use right? I personally think that LINE translates better than google translator (just saying)

2. Subway map: MetroidHD
You can select your subway location and destination, then it will show you the best path (shortest and minimum transfer path) as well as the departure and arrival time!
They also show you the arrival time at any selected subway station (which is awesome), so that you don't have to run like a crazy person in the subway station to find out that the train has left.

Let's say I'm travelling to Myeondong from Hongik University (Line 2)

This app will show you the total distance, stops, fare and also estimated arrival time!

3. Google map or Naver map 

It looks pretty cool swiping your smart phone while walking (actually feeling terrified of getting lost, but must act cool a bit)

At least it's better than holding a mega physical map that will always end up looking like a trash in the bag.

All my korean friends told me that Naver map works better in korea, so if you know how to read hangul, Naver map is a better choice yo!

Some of these apps can function offline, but some requires internet connection. 

So it's extremely important to be able to connect to internet!!! 

How to live without internet? Facebook?! Instagram?! Twitter?!

Click here to know more!

Last but not least, definitely do some homework before you go, including the direction to the shop.

I usually plan my trip according to the areas.

For example, I list down all the recommendations in a particular area and decide my schedule later, depending on my mood. That's the beauty of a free and easy trip where you don't have a fixed and tight schedule on where to go and what to do.

Travel/holiday is about relax, not being stressed out like ''Omg I should have been doing this or been to that place at this time, why am i still stuck here?''

Don'r afraid to get lost.

Just follow the flow.

Continue walking and eventually you will find your way.
Body language communicates pretty well too.

ENJOY.

Don't lose connection with the world when you're travelling.

Generation Y just can't live without Facebook-ing, Twitter-ing, Instagram-ing and Whatsapp-ing!

 Especially the insta-worth moment! For example, meeting the girls generation? (the insta photo will definitely make your friends jealoussss!)

There are several options available for tourist to be connected to the internet in Korea. (I only tried one of the options and was pretty satisfied with it!)

Option 1 is more suitable if you are travelling with 4 to 6 people which is renting a WiFi egg!

Usually a WiFi egg can connect up to 5 devices concurrently (depending on the plan/Telco you choose)
Rental fee is usually 5000krw - 8000krw per day with unlimited data
You can pick up the device at the airport or they can send it to your hotel.

Pros: cheap (shared by the users), portable, easy to use
Cons: cannot call people in Korea, battery life is limited (usually up to 8 hours only), internet connection may be slowed if many users are connected at the same time, requires deposit (it may be troublesome if you do not have credit card)

So, for solo travellers, this may not be the best option.

Option 2 is Olleh WiFi Prepaid.

You can choose to pay for 1 hour (1100krw) or 24 hours (3300krw)
You can purchase it in most of the convenient stores in Korea (sometimes the staff will give you that blank stare as they are not very familiar with this)

It is super easy to use!
Just connect to Olleh WiFi and then register with the pin written on the WiFi Prepaid receipt.
Tadaaa! You can now connect to any olleh WiFi!

Pros: For people who don't need internet everyday during the stay in korea, not so expensive
Cons: it can be expensive if you accumulate, you have to purchase it on a daily basis, Olleh WiFi is technically not everywhere (but most of the places do have Olleh WiFi coverage)

 Option 3 is EG sim card (the best option for tourists.No joke.)

This method suits people who stay more than 5 days or longer as it will be cheaper than renting a WiFi egg and you get to call people (if needed)

If you're purchasing it offline (at the convenience store), it costs 30000krw (24000krw will be reloaded into your account and 6000krw is the price of the sim card)

 25500krw if purchase online (20000krw will be reloaded into your account and 5500krw is the price for the sim card)

You will want to check out the type of sim card your phone requires because there are 2 different prices for the sim card.

Micro sim: 5500krw

Nano sim: 9900krw

You can choose to pick up at places located in the airport itself.
The places is listed here

I have seen a lot of people encounter problems such as can't access to the olleh wifi etc as they are required to activate the account themselves.

So I highly recommend you to get the sim card directly from premium travel center!

The staffs there are so nice, oh and they can speak mandarin too, so no worries if you dont understand korean.

They will help you with all the activation procedures, all the way until you're able to connect to the internet using data. If you have any problem, you can always go back there and they will settle it for you.

They are just so nice! I didn't get my sim card from there, but at that point of time I was so lost that i didnt know who should i ask. I wasn't even sure if the number was still usable, so i went there and they actually helped me to check.

Premium travel centre is located at Seoul station.

Just take the escalator to basement level 2 then you will see it on your right.

If you purchase 500MB (11000krw) or 1GB (16500krw) data, you can connect to Olleh WiFi for freeee!!!

To activate your olleh wifi, you will need to register your details to the network management system and then change the settings on your phone. (I didn't know that, so i relied solely on my data on my first day in Korea)

It is actually very easy!!

Just follow these steps, then you can always connect to the olleh wifi!

In order to connect to the free olleh wi-fi after purchase offline or online, you will have to request your device details information so that we will register yours info to the network management system.

< After purchase offline >
Requests Procedures is as below.  
Step 1 : Open the browser 

Step 2 : Visit our website: http:// www.egsimcard.co.kr

Step 3 : Tap  My account > Check Phone Number

(1) Enter phone number on the sim card envelope.

(2) Scroll down to the trouble shoot wireless problem.

(3) Enter last 3 digits serial no. on the sim card label.(Extract letter “F”) 

Step 4 : Fill in the application form.
(1) Enter IMEi and Wi-Fi Mac address and phone model name

(2) Tap the Register button

Step 5: We will register your device details information requested that you requested above within business hours below. And it is processing time only less than 10 minutes.

Step 6: Reboots your phone if the procedures is completed.

* If connected to the network signal and then reboots your phone, 
   you may get some message or pop-up and so on and   

   system will send an email to you if the registration successful. 

(For more information, visit EG Sim Card FAQ)

How to connect to Olleh Wifi?

For android, tap to connect to the OllehWifi (WITHOUT LOCK!!!)
PS: If you are re-using your EG sim card, you will need to register your WiFi Mac Address again after you have purchased the data (500MB or 1GB) in order to connect to OllehWiFi!
Tadaaaa! You should be able to connect to OllehWifi now!

The connection is usually stronger near subway (be it underground subway or above ground)

This is the reason why you always see koreans surfing net or loading video in subway!
Now, you can be like a korean too! :p

[Flight + Accommodation] 10 days Seoul trip

What do you need for a 10 days trip to Seoul? 

Firstly, seek out for the cheapest flight ticket to Seoul! 

There are several flight comparison sites available on the net such as Wego and skyscanner. With them, you can easily compare the prices of flight ticket to Seoul.

Another easier way is to check out Airasia! You can always follow their Facebook for latest update and also their best deal or promotion! *yay to airasia*

They had free seat promotion at the end of last month (22nd - 28th June) where you only need as low as RM700 to RM800 for a return ticket to Korea! 

OMG It's soooooooo CHEAP!

Remember, getting the cheapest flight ticket = saving RM500 to 600 of your travel cost!

Next, is to get yourself a place to stay.

So far, the best accommodation site I've used is airbnb referral 

*okay, maybe because that is the only site i use so far* 

If you're travelling with a few friends (4 - 6people), you can easily get a super duper nice apartment or loft at around RM300++ in MYEONGDONG!

Oh, let me tell you the famous districts that you may want to consider.

1. Myeongdong aka the shopping paradise for every girl (including me), it is also the famous tourist spot, so the accommodations tend to be a lil bit pricier. *well, you save the transportation cost*

2. Gangnam aka high class area and fangirl/fanboy area. Most of the entertainment companies such as SM entertainment, FNC and cube entertainment are located in Gangnam.

If you have a lil bit more budget for your accommodation, you can choose to stay around Apgujeong or Garosugil (They have a 5-floors forever 21). 

3. Hongdae aka youngster and university students hot spot (clubbing hotspot too). There are several top ranking university in Korea located around here (Ehwa women university and Yonsei university) *smart and smoking hot university students yo*

Since the shops are mainly targeting university students, the accommodations/costs will be cheaper than Myeondong as well as Gangnam.
There are plenty of hostels here that offer cheap accommodation *wink wink*

I stayed at Nara's place for a day when I was travelling to Seoul alone

*Im a lone ranger yo*

Here's the link: Nanu guesthouse

The host and also the guests were super friendly!

*We actually played drinking game until 6am even tho I had to catch my flight later*

You can choose any of the area depending on what you want to do more during your trip!

PS: I highly not encourage you to switch place in between your trip, unless you don't mind rearranging and moving your heavy luggage from one place to another. Oh and the people who will stare at you and your luggage in the subway.

After booking for your flight and accommodation