Delicious! A Taste of Korean Cuisine

It’s no wonder so many talents travel freely between Korea and Japan. A day trip is entirely feasible. In fact, Yuko-rin only stayed for one night (laughs).

We arrived at Seoul Gimpo Airport in the evening of the first day, but the traffic to the hotel was terrible (crying). Seoul has been experiencing severe traffic congestion lately. This time, we were staying at the Walkerhill Hotel, which has a casino, and it’s quite a distance from the airport. What should have taken about an hour without traffic took us nearly two hours in the car. It felt longer than the flight from Haneda to Gimpo, and that was tough… I think my father, who is nearing 80, endured it well.

Theater is Booming in Korea!

The second day. Korea has been experiencing a theater boom for the past few years, and if it continues, it might become like Broadway. This was also my first time seeing a play in Korea, rather than a show. Several of Koki Mitani’s works are also being performed. However, I opted for a musical that would be easier to understand. I was eager to see the Korean version of the highly acclaimed 'Billy Elliot' and secured tickets. The lead role of Billy was particularly praised, and like in New York, it was performed by four child actors. We were fortunate enough to get tickets for a performance by the most popular boy. I heard he was already skilled in tap dancing, and rumors circulated that he undertook incredibly rigorous classical ballet training for this role.



My late mother visited Korea twice, and each time she bought dolls. This time, I bought two smaller ones for my mother. 'Miso' is a story-driven show, enjoyable for its songs and dances. And there was a *chogori* costume rental service at the theater, so we all tried them on. I would never wear one alone, but there’s no fear in numbers! What happens on a trip, stays on a trip! Right? (laughs)



Dinner tonight was bulgogi! Mashisoyo again! And draft makgeolli, once more! My father’s appetite was, as always, astonishing (laughs). Seoul, the city that never sleeps. We ventured out a bit to Dongdaemun. Even at midnight, it was packed with people! So energetic. And the staff went to the casino again (wonder if they won?)

Leaving Something for Next Time – Our 3-Day, 2-Night Korean Journey Concludes!

On the third day, after a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we had our final free time. The group headed to Myeongdong. The cars were still stuck in traffic… After days of overeating, bumpy rides, and the car’s heating, it must have taken a toll on my father, who, despite looking young, is 79. He felt unwell and had to get out immediately. He rested at a cafe for nearly two hours. We decided to check him into a hotel in Myeongdong so he could rest until just before our flight. I apologize to everyone for the trouble. He seemed okay after resting at the cafe, but we decided to be cautious.



While my father rested, I rushed to eat (samgyetang) and do some shopping. First, I bought the down jacket my father wanted, and then picked up cosmetics and other souvenirs. Mr. Lee Jung-kil, who guided us on the final day, is an actor active on Korean TV. He called himself a supporting actor, but many people turned to look at him on the street. He is undeniably a TV star!

Myeongdong is a vibrant street. I wished I could have walked around more leisurely, but time was up! We couldn’t get into Myeongdong Kyoja due to the incredibly long queue. My father had also recovered. Leaving more for next time, we returned to Japan safely. Overall, I truly understood why people fall for Korea on this trip. I want to go back right now! VIVA SEOUL!