South Korea

South Korea was the first destination of the long journey in Asia that Maud and I started at the end of 2025. We both wanted a break from our routine lives in Brussels, so we decided to travel — I ended up nicknaming the trip “The Big Break”. South Korea had been on Maud’s bucket list for quite some time, while I didn’t really know what to expect. It was a great trip, and the strong culture of the country left a lasting imprint on both of us. We also met a very nice couple, Jeanne & Emeric, with whom we kept in touch later on during our big trip, and still do now that we are back in Europe.

Three weeks across South Korea in November proved to be a masterclass in transitional light. November sits right on the edge of the country’s seasons—late enough that the brilliant crimson maples are giving way to golden carpeted ground, but early enough that crisp, clear blue skies still dominate the days before deep winter sets in.

We started in Seoul, navigating the sharp contrast between centuries-old Joseon palace eaves and neon-lit street food alleys in Euljiro. Pushing north into Seoraksan, the landscape turned raw and rugged: giant granite boulders resting in clear mountain streams, sharp cold air, and towering ridges catching early morning sun.

Moving down the coast, Busan showed us its gritty, industrial soul—views from above the Yeongdo dockyards framing tugboats, ocean cranes, and sprawling container terminals against the East Sea. Just a few kilometers away, Songjeong offered a completely different speed: a quiet surf hub where low-key waves broke gently in the golden afternoon light.

Further inland, Jeonju gave us quiet hanok rooftops and golden riverbanks lined with metasequoias shedding their last leaves. We wrapped up the journey at Suncheon Bay, walking endless wooden boardwalks through massive reed beds as the sun dipped low, turning the entire wetland into a sea of swaying bronze and gold. Six stops, one fast train route, and a camera bag that barely had time to stay closed.