SFO → ICN · Nov 12–24, 2026 · Seoul · Jeju · Busan · Gyeongju

Han & Bo in Korea

Han · beauty leadFree skin scan, K-beauty haul
Bo · driver & gymDrives Jeju, protein, gym gear
Day player · map zooms to each day
Space play / pause · ← → change day · tap a stop to zoom
🏨 Drag the hotel pin to your exact hotel
🏯 Sightseeing🍜 Food🛍️ Shopping✨ Activity⭐ Must-do🚆 Transport🏨 Hotel
Shopping · tap to check off

What to buy & how much fits

Weights are estimates. Set the spare kg each of you has after packing (one 23 kg / 50 lb checked bag each, ~14 kg used on the way out → ~9 kg free).

From local news and traveler reports

Safety & scams

Korea is very safe for violent crime. The real risks for visitors are overcharging, taxis, crowds and the mountain. Emergency: police 112, ambulance 119, Korea Travel Hotline 1330 (English), US Embassy after-hours 02-397-4114.

Act nowBookings that sell out

  • Hallasan Seongpanak for Nov 18: open now at visithalla.jeju.go.kr.
  • Secret Garden for Nov 14: Nov 7, 5 PM Pacific.
  • Sky Capsule for Nov 20: ~2 weeks ahead.

Sources: Hallasan, Secret Garden, Sky Capsule

CommonTaxi overcharging

  • 2026 cases: ₩690,000 airport ride in Seoul, ₩80,000 Haeundae–Gwangalli in Busan.
  • Use Kakao T, check the meter, never accept a hand-typed fare.
  • Report with the QR code inside licensed taxis or call 1330.

Source: The Star, Jul 2026

CommonMarket & food prices

  • Gwangjang (Seoul), Jagalchi (Busan), Olle Market (Jeju) all had 2025 rip-off scandals.
  • Check posted prices; ask the rate for "market price" seafood before it's cut.
  • Jeju black pork: check the cut isn't mostly fat.

Sources: Korea Times, JoongAng, Korea Times

SeriousHallasan in winter

  • Near-freezing, wind, possible ice: microspikes, gloves, layers, 2 L water, food.
  • Seongpanak entry closes 11:30; leave the summit by 13:30.
  • Turn back if weather turns; rangers enforce cutoffs.

Source: Kyungbuk Maeil, Sept 2026 (Korean)

Be awareCrowds & rallies

  • Gwanghwamun/City Hall host frequent weekend rallies and big events; stations can close.
  • Itaewon: remember the 2022 crowd crush; avoid packed alleys.
  • US Embassy advises keeping clear of large gatherings.

Source: OSAC / US Embassy Seoul

Be awareShopping & bookings

  • Pharmacy "free skin scans" lead to sales: compare with Olive Young prices.
  • Myeongdong is the overpricing hotspot; buy at Olive Young/brand stores.
  • Busan 2026: hotels cancelling and relisting at higher prices. Reconfirm bookings a week out.

Sources: Kyunghyang, JoongAng, The Star

Yelp has few reviews in Korea. For restaurants, Naver Map reviews (use the 🇰🇷 button, Chrome can translate) and Google Maps reviews are much more complete.

Getting it home

Carry-back rules

Liquids go in checked bags

  • Carry-on liquids max 100 ml each, 1 L bag.
  • Sunscreens, toners, creams → checked suitcase, in zip bags.
  • Tape caps on pumps and droppers.

Protein & food

  • Protein powder: checked bag (big powders get extra screening in carry-on).
  • Sealed snacks, tea, chocolate are fine; declare food on the CBP form.
  • No meat products (jerky, chicken-breast snacks, meat-flavor ramen).

Money

  • Show passport at checkout for the instant tax refund at Olive Young, Daiso, dept stores.
  • US duty-free allowance: $800 per person. Keep receipts together.
  • ICN duty-free liquids come in a sealed bag; keep it sealed until SFO.

Space savers

  • Ditch shoe boxes; stuff socks inside sneakers.
  • Sheet masks pack flat along the suitcase walls.
  • Buy a foldable duffel at Namdaemun/Daiso if a meter goes red.

Driving in Jeju (Bo)

  • Passport + IDP + US license at the Lotte counter.
  • Use Naver Map or Kakao Navi; Google Maps has no driving directions in Korea.
  • Many speed cameras; limits often 60–80 km/h.

Domestic flights

  • Jeju flights often allow only 15 kg checked on low-cost carriers.
  • Do the big shopping after Jeju (Seoul, Nov 22–24) when possible.
  • Weigh both bags Nov 23 night.

Built from the trip doc (Bo's calendar). Times, drive times and pin positions are approximate; hotels are suggested bases until you drag them to your bookings. Sunrise in Jeju ~7:10, sunset in Seoul ~17:20 mid-November. Paid skin-consult option: Klook pharmacist skin analysis, Myeongdong.