Korea Invites U

Video yang aku kongsikan ini sebenarnya ialah submission bagi pertandingan “Korea Invites U” yang dianjurkan oleh Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism dan Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) pada Mac hingga April 2024 yang lepas.

Aku sekadar mencuba nasib dan memandangkan banyak memori semasa bercuti di sana pada 2012 sehingga 2016, aku rasa ia sesuatu yang menyeronokkan untuk berkongsi kenangan tersebut.

Walaupun nasib tidak menyebelahi aku, tapi menyediakan bahan, menyunting video ini sangat mengujakan kerana aku dapat melihat dan mengimbas semula keseronokkan bercuti di bumi kimchi tersebut kira-kira belasan tahun yang lalu. Bila dah ada video ni, aku rasa macam sayang pula kalau tidak dikongsikan untuk tatapan bersama.

Jadi, jika korang ada peluang untuk berkunjung ke South Korea, jangan lepaskan peluang untuk merasai pengalaman yang menarik di sana.

Dan berikut ialah catatan pengalaman aku bagi pertandingan tersebut. Anyway, cuba lagi next time, Omaq. Fighting!!!

And those yang dalam video ni, thanks for the memory. ☺️☺️☺️

Soul-Searching Seoul: A Journey of Love and Longing for South Korea

First of all, you should select me as the winner because I live my life as “a Korean” even though I don’t really speak the language or look like one! Most of the time, I cook Korean food like jjigae, tteobokki, ssam or gimbab. Gochugaru, gochujang and doenjang are my main ingredients that should be at home. I even make my own kimchi, geotjeori or danmuji. While my pronunciations are all over the place, I enjoy listening to K-pop songs and I am particularly fond of Korean variety shows. Recently, I’ve been captivated by NanaTour with Seventeen to Italy. 

Shall we throwback a little bit? Well, my fascination with Korea began in 2010 when I first watched 2PM’s Color on a late-night show on national television. 

The music resonated with me, sparking my interest in all things Korean, and thus I embarked on my ‘Seoul’ searching journey. After two years of planning and study, I finally had the opportunity to set my foot in Seoul. Despite being a first-time visitor, I was proud to act as a tour guide for my friends during our trip in September 2012, where we explored Seoul, Nami Island and Busan. 

My love for Seoul only grew stronger in the following years, with annual visits in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Each trip felt like returning home, or as we say in Malay, “balik kampung”. Specially memorable was my first experience of winter and snow in 2013. In addition to exploring Seoul, I ventured to Yongpyong Ski Resort with my ‘chingus’, marveling at the breathtaking snowy mountains. It was an unforgettable experience. 

During my time in Seoul, I cherished the vibrant city atmosphere, particularly enjoying my stay at Namsan Guesthouse, located near Namsan Hill. I relished my morning walks in the cold weather to Namsan Hill, reveling in the scenic views while sipping on my hot drink. 

My daily activity was going to cafes, enjoying my hot latte, sitting beside the window, and if lady luck was on my side, snowfall added a touch of romance to my day. It was perfect! For lunch and dinner, I never missed my favorite halal ‘galchi jorimʼ served at Busanjip Myeongdong. 

If given the opportunity to revisit South Korea, I really want to bring my mom. Witnessing the cherry blossoms in bloom would be a dream come true, as I have yet to experience the spring season there. Visiting the beauty of Jeju Island is also on my wishlist. 

I will never keep this travel diary to myself. And definitely, I will share my experiences on social media, especially on my travel vlog on YouTube and my travel blog at omaralattas.com. All my previous travel experiences, including to South Korea, are shared there. 

I wish to go back to this beautiful land again. However, due to COVID, financial constraints and the weakening Malaysian Ringgit, I have to hold this plan first. But my passion for Seoul remains unwavering, and I eagerly anticipate the day I can return to this beautiful land. 

As the saying goes, “I left my soul in Seoul,” and South Korea holds a special place in my heart. 

p/s: Norkiah… ada baiknya juga aku tak terpilih sebab aku nampak lalu kat FYP Tiktok aku, depa kena masuk Kpop dancing class kat sana! Hahahaha.. Tidak la wehhh.. Dah tua-tua buang tebiat je kalau buat camtu. Hahahahaha..

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