Travel to Seoul on your own. How to make money in South Korea. Plastic surgery and beauty

A holiday in South Korea will certainly give you vivid impressions and emotions. A combination of modern cities with skyscrapers, traditional Korean culture and architecture, picturesque national parks, beautiful beaches, flavored developed infrastructure, will make your trip to this country comfortable and memorable.

South Korea looks especially advantageous for residents Far East Russia, because it’s closer to fly here than to Moscow and the European part of the country.

I present to your attention a large useful material about traveling to South Korea, where you will learn how to get there cheaply, how to get around, where to live, what to see, and how much the trip will cost.

Koreans

Visa to South Korea: is it necessary?

Since 2014, Russians can enter the country without a visa if their stay does not exceed 60 days (but not more than 90 days a year).

Documents for visa-free entry V South Korea:

a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry
a completed migration card, which will be given to you on the plane or other transport
completed customs declaration (if there is something to declare)

Instructions for filling out a migration card

I also saw on the Internet that you need return air tickets and proof of availability Money(hotel reservations, bank certificate, cash, etc.). But they didn’t ask us anything from this list; we arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur. However, I advise you to do it just in case.

Hotel reservations can be made at Booking (select the “free cancellation” option).

How to make an air ticket reservation without payment, I wrote in detail in. Although it would be ideal if you have real return tickets.

If you plan to stay in SC longer, you will need a visa. They can be workers, students, or researchers.

How to get to South Korea cheaply?

Most convenient way to get to the country - to fly by plane, as most tourists do.

There are direct flights from Russia to South Korea from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

There are direct flights to Daegu from Khabarovsk and Vladivostok by T’Way Air and Hanh Air at a price of approximately 13-15 thousand rubles in both directions.

There are direct flights to Seoul from Vladivostok (S7, Aeroflot, Jeju Air, Korean Air), from Moscow (Aeroflot, Korean Air), from St. Petersburg (Aeroflot), from Khabarovsk (S7, Aeroflot, Asiana Airlines).

There are direct flights to Busan from Vladivostok (Aeroflot).

Most cheap way get to South Korea - catch a sale on the Korean low-cost airline Jeju Air from Vladivostok to Seoul. Once they were selling tickets for 3,000 rubles one way and 6,000 round-trip. Unfortunately, sales don't happen that often.

Airfare from Moscow

Transport in South Korea

Aircraft

The most major airlines are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, which have flights between the capital and other cities of the country, as well as between provincial cities.

Also, pay attention to Air Busan, Jeju Air, Eastar Jet, T'way Airlines, Hanh Air if you are planning to take a domestic flight.

Jeju Air counter at Jeju Airport

Prices are low, discounts are common at the beginning of the work week, but on weekends tickets are more expensive, and they sell out quickly. For example, we flew from Jeju to Busan for only 48,000 won for two (with 15 kg of luggage each).

Trains in Korea

The country also has a convenient railway system, although it does not cover all regions.

KTX High Speed Train

Trains come in three main classes:

KTX- high-speed, fly from Seoul to Busan in two and a half hours (costs 59,800 won in economy class, 83,700 won in first class)

Saemaul- stops only in large cities, the same trip costs 42,600 won.

Mugunghwa- the slowest, but still comfortable. Seoul-Busan costs 28,600 won.

If you plan to travel a lot by train, buy an unlimited KR Pass, it will be more profitable. A one-day pass costs 81,000 won, and a three-day pass costs 113,000 won.

You can buy tickets at railway stations, travel agencies, as well as on the official website of Korean railways. There you can also check the train schedule in advance.

Buses

The bus system in the country is very developed, with thousands of buses plying the roads between all major and minor cities. There is no place you can't reach.

Buses are divided into express and intersity, which often arrive at different terminals in the same city. The first ones run between the main ones big cities, the second - between smaller provincial ones. In addition, there are also varieties by class: Ilban (regular) and Udeung (superior, with three seats in a row). Night buses are usually superior with an appropriate price.

Intercity bus

VIP bus with three seats in a row

In general, the bus ride is quite comfortable, the driver makes stops every 2-3 hours, and the roads have all the infrastructure with cafes, toilets and entire shopping complexes.

As a rule, there is no need to buy tickets in advance, except on holidays and weekends. This can be done at the bus station before departure. You can view the schedule in advance at (in the upper right corner, select English language).

Bus station in Busan

Ticket vending machine

Car rental in Korea

To rent a car in Korea, you will need an international license (issued more than a year ago), and you must be over 21 years old. The road infrastructure here is well developed: you will find equipped parking lots, campsites, cafes, gas stations... The roads are chic and wide with dividing fences and multi-level interchanges.

Road infrastructure is excellent

Ferries

Ferries operate to numerous islands. We did not sail on these (more precisely, only from Jeju Island to Udo Island), but all information about schedules and prices can be found in the ports.

Ferry from Jeju Island to Udo Island

Local city transport

The best way to save money on traveling around cities is to buy a special transport T-money card. It is sold in special machines in the subway (on arrival at the airport too), or in supermarkets GS25, CU, 7-11 and costs 2000-2500 won. You can also top up your balance there. When entering and exiting the metro or bus, simply lean it against the special machine.

What is the main advantage of this card? It gives you a 100 won discount on each trip, plus the ability to travel on another mode of transport for free if you transfer within 30 minutes. Thus, it pays for itself in a day. We spent the rest of the card at a supermarket at Seoul airport before our flight.

The metro is the most convenient urban transport; there are subways in 6 largest Korean cities. The fare usually starts from 1,100 won; for long distances it is a little more expensive. We have never paid more than 1800 won for a subway.

Subway in Seoul

When is the best time to go?

The best months to visit South Korea are April, May, September and October (if you plan to actively travel around the country) and from mid-June to September (if beach holidays are your priority).

In winter, you should come only if you plan to ski in the Olympic PyeongChang and the surrounding area; it is at this time that there is snow in the mountains and all the conditions for a ski holiday.

In spring the weather here is warmer than in Russia. April is famous for cherry blossoms, it looks really incredible, and May is like summer in central Russia. However, there may be a chilly wind in the evenings, so bring sweaters.

In summer beach season opens from late June to early September. It's hot and humid. The ideal time for a beach holiday at any of the many resorts, the most famous are Jeju Island and Busan.

At the end of September-October, autumn takes its toll and the trees turn yellow-red. Best time for trekking and visiting national parks, and it’s not so hot anymore.

When is the best time to go to Korea: spring and autumn

Housing

Finding a place to stay overnight in Korea is not a problem. In any more or less tourist city you will find a large selection of accommodation from hostels to decent hotels of global chains.

If you are traveling alone, hostels are the best option. But sometimes it’s more profitable for two people to rent a hotel room.

You can book hotels on the website, which collects in one place offers from different reservation systems, such as booking.

An interesting accommodation option could be a hanok - a traditional Korean house converted into a guesthouse. You will sleep on the floor on a mattress, but the floors are heated, so the house is warm. A list of such houses throughout the country can be found here (Korean only).

Feel yourself Buddhist monk and you can spend the night in the monastery thanks to the Templestay program. More than 100 temples across the country are accessible to travelers. More details on the official program.

Tents on the beach in Busan

National parks offer the opportunity to spend the night in campsites and shelters. It’s not expensive at all, besides, there is the necessary infrastructure and amenities, and you don’t have to drag a tent from home with you :) List of campsites with prices throughout the country. Select a national park and look for the “Fee” section in the left menu.

Renting apartments from the owners will be beneficial for families with children, large companies and simply those who like to feel at home. To do this, search at

The highest prices and demand for hotels are in July, August, September on the coast and in October, November in national parks and nearby. Therefore, if you are traveling during this period, it is better to book in advance.

Breakfast is rarely included in the price, but there are still such options, it is very convenient. The staff usually speaks reasonable English, unless you go completely off the beaten path.

Holidays in South Korea: resorts and attractions

Holidays in South Korea are quite diverse. There are both beach and ski resorts, despite small size countries.

The peninsula is washed by three seas on three sides, so there is a lot to choose from among beach resorts. The most popular resort in South Korea, among both locals and tourists, is the volcanic Jeju Island. Magnificent beaches from volcanic sand, stunning landscapes and clear sea make it very popular place recreation.

On Jeju Island

Udo Island and the volcano in the distance

When to go:

You can go to South Korea all year round, but remember that the country is located in a temperate climate zone, so the seasons there are very distinct. Winter is a time for skiers, but not only. Koreans brighten up the cold with a variety of winter-themed festivals. For example, in natural park Tebaksan hosts the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival. Want to bask in the sun? Then you need to plan your trip for the summer and choose seaside resorts. At this time the temperature rises to +35C.

Sightseeing lovers should go to South Korea in the spring, from mid-March to June. At this time it is already warm, there are many sunny days, and the monsoon season has not yet arrived. Spring is the time of cherry blossoms. But autumn is also good in South Korea - bright, colorful, without precipitation until the end of September.

How to get there:

Aeroflot and Korean Air fly direct from Moscow to Seoul. The flight will take about 10 hours. The cost of a round-trip ticket is from 30,700 rubles. It will be cheaper (from RUB 26,242) to fly with a transfer in Dubai by Emirates airline or to Helsinki by Finnair. From Incheon International Airport, located 52 km from Seoul, the city can be reached by express bus or taxi.

How to get around:

South Korea is a small country, so it’s worth taking advantage of this and traveling outside the capital. Getting around is very convenient: the main cities are connected by rail, and traveling to the sound of wheels in South Korea, which values advanced technology, is very pleasant. Trains are divided into 4 types according to speed and level of comfort. The very best are the super-fast KTX. Then there are the Saemaeul express trains, the Mugunghwa high-speed train and the Thong-il passenger train.

For foreigners there are special general tickets KR Pass, which can be purchased online. This is a kind of pass for all types of trains, except the metro, with no restrictions on the number of trips. In addition, for tourists, the Haeran train runs with compartments similar to hotel rooms, restaurant and observation deck.

Very comfortable and commuter buses. They run frequently, are equipped with air conditioning, and sometimes even have free wireless Internet. Do you want complete freedom? Rent a car. Well-known rental agencies operate in South Korea, for example, AVIS. However, keep in mind that traffic in the country is on the right and in large cities it is very heavy. Road signs are written in Korean and are duplicated in English in small print.

Where to go and what to see:

The first thing that comes to mind is, of course, Seoul. The capital and the most Big City South Korea. This is where acquaintance with the country usually begins. Are you planning cultural program? Seoul is perfect for you. There are four royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty and the oldest Royal Palace Gyeongbokgung era. The spirit of the past is still felt in the palaces, and magnificent ceremonies are still held today.

You can travel back in time by walking along Insadong Street, a piece of old Seoul. There you will find many cozy cafes and tea houses, restaurants with local cuisine and traditional souvenirs.

In addition to antiquities, one of the most popular attractions among tourists is a trip to the Demilitarized Zone on the border of South and North Korea. Foreigners are allowed to climb through a secret tunnel dug 70 meters below the border. You can only enter the Demilitarized Zone with an organized tour.

But you can safely go to 4DX, a 4D cinema. It was in South Korea that the first such cinemas appeared. They are strikingly different from the 3D to which we are already accustomed: in addition to visual effects, in 4DX you can feel movement and smells, feel the wind and splashes of water.

You can easily spend a week or even more in Seoul, but the impression of South Korea will not be complete, so go to other cities, and on the way, do not deny yourself the pleasure of visiting small villages.

By the way, two historical Korean villages, founded back in the 13th-14th centuries, are even included in the list of objects World Heritage UNESCO as important monuments of Confucian culture. This is the village of Hahoe in the city of Andong (Gyeongsangnam-do province) and Yangdong in the city of Gyeongju (Gyeongsangbuk-do province). Andong is known not only as the cradle of Confucianism, but also as the home of the yangban, the Korean nobles. Some of their traditional dwellings have survived to this day and function as hotels.

The entire historical center of Gyeongju, the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom, is a UNESCO site. Survived ancient Buddhist temple Bulguksa and Cheomseongdae, the oldest observatories that have survived to this day.

Busan, the country's second largest city and also the sea capital of South Korea, is famous for its skyscrapers, and the world's largest department store located there Shinsegae Centum City will delight shopaholics.

Tired of big cities? Busan has many beautiful parks: Taejeongdae National marine park Hale, Haeundae and Gwanalli Beaches, Kumgang Park and Monnae Hot Springs. In search of peace, quiet and perhaps the meaning of life, go to Thondos Monastery, where Buddhist relics are kept.

Daegu is beautifully located in a valley surrounded by low mountains, and is a major Buddhist center with numerous temples. The main attraction and pride of Daegu is the highly revered Haeinsa Temple, in whose repository is the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist canons in East Asia. Don't miss the Chikchisa Monastery with its ancient columns and thousands of small Buddha statues.

The city of Suwon is also interesting. Hwaseong Fortress, although not very ancient (only the end of the 18th century), is very beautiful, and the Korean Folk Village is located nearby. Suwon itself enchants with its harmonious combination of new and old, this is especially noticeable on the street of restaurants, where the aroma of kalbi, grilled ribs, simply drives you crazy.

The islands deserve special attention. In the Yellow Sea lies the island of Ganghwado, and on it there are as many as 120 dolmens, ancient burial structures. There is also an altar to Tangun, the legendary founder of the nation, and other younger landmarks.

Jeju Island - popular seaside resort with a mild tropical climate. If you are into golf, then Jeju is a must. It is home to 16 golf clubs and is known as the Island of Golf, one of South Korea's most popular sports.

Are you dreaming of a winter fairy tale? For snow, skiers need to go to Yeonpyeong, Phoenix Park and Hyundai Songgu.

But the most important thing you cannot leave South Korea without are natural hot springs. An hour and a half drive from Seoul are “Asan Spavis”, open-air thermal springs - you can swim in them even in cold weather. Pamper yourself with unusual treatments such as a pool with jasmine extract or a yellow clay sauna.

Koreans themselves love to soak in hot water, but also to go down with the breeze water slide will not refuse. One of the most popular water parks, Seorak Wotopia, is located near the Seoraksan Mountains on the coast. Eastern Sea. Even if you don’t really like water activities, it’s worth a visit: Seoraksan is part of the Kumgangsan mountain range, which means “Diamond Mountains”, and is considered one of the most scenic spots in the world.

What to do:

In addition to hot springs and golf, there are other entertainments in Korea that, at the mention of which, the heart of every Korean begins to beat faster. Oddly enough, this is baseball. The favorite American pastime was so loved in the East that it became almost a national sport. If you have never been to the USA and have not seen this game, be sure to go, just study the rules in advance, otherwise it may be a bit boring.

The second is walking in the mountains. This is probably one of the secrets of Korean longevity: fresh air, physical activity and contemplation of picturesque views greatly contribute to increasing life expectancy.

What to try:

Koreans eat a lot of rice, but they also really like soups and seafood dishes. An obligatory component of the meal is kimchi, that is, pickled vegetables. Fruit is usually served for dessert, and liqueurs and makkori rice wine are popular drinks.

Koreans love to eat and take food very seriously, but fat people are rarely seen. Probably the whole point is that all dishes, according to the Koreans themselves, are extremely healthy.

What to buy:

South Korea has a lot of things that are an everyday item for locals, but exotic and a good gift for foreigners. Here you can find very beautiful pearl products, boxes inlaid with mother-of-pearl, fans, embroidery, masks, wooden and ceramic products.

The special pride of South Korea is ginseng. It is sold in different types- tea, tinctures, extracts, dried and cured ginseng, in honey, in alcohol, in syrup. There are even chocolates and candies with ginseng. Original and, as they say, useful.

(Busan): Don't be put off by the word "motel" in the name. Here you will find excellent value for money and modern comfort with a touch of Asian flavor.

Before setting off, we talked with Russian expats who now live in Korea and read a couple of blogs, but did not receive significant help, so we decided that we would study the country on our own and find answers to our questions in a practical way.

Visa, currency and language

Citizens of Russia and the CIS do not need a visa to South Korea if the period of stay does not exceed 60 days. The country's currency is the South Korean won, €1 – ₩1275.

In South Korea they don’t speak English at all, people don’t know it and don’t even try to learn it. And this applies not only to ordinary stores, but also to establishments that work directly with foreigners, for example, international Airport. Having gone through it inside and out, we found only one employee who tried to advise us with his fingers and with the help of basic words. The further you go to Busan, the less likely you are to meet at least such people.

How to get there?

The most profitable way to get to South Korea is from the countries of Southeast Asia. The cheapest flights are from China and the Philippines. You can grab tickets from ₩ 16958 to ₩ 84790 (€ 13.3 – € 66.5). We traveled by low-cost airline Air Asia from the Philippines. We bought tickets immediately when we heard about the discounts from the airline, and the ticket cost ₩ 59,353 (€ 46.5) per person. The flight lasts 3 hours 20 minutes.

In addition to Air Asia, there are 4 other airlines that most often have sales on their flights in Southeast Asia: Air Qatar, Airways Emirates, Korean Air, Cebu Pacific. Tickets from Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg) cost from ₩ 678,322 (€ 532) one way, from Siberia (Novosibirsk) from ₩ 339,161 (€ 266). It is most profitable to fly from Vladivostok: tickets can be found from ₩135,664 (€ 106) to ₩ 203,497 (€ 160). Most often, we track tickets on the Skyscanner and Aviasales websites, but during our travels we subscribed to all the mailings of Asian airlines: this gives us the opportunity to be the first to know about ticket sales for different destinations and buy them at a good price.

Incheon Airport is not located in Seoul, but nearby, on neighboring island. You can get to the city by bus for ₩ 15,262 (€ 12) or a taxi for ₩ 110,227 (€ 86), but the best option is by metro: travel from the airport to the city center will cost ₩ 8,479 (€ 6.5).

Public transport in the country is quite expensive. Bus travel costs ₩ 1,250 (€ 0.9) one way per person; with a pass, the cost will be slightly less, but on a monthly scale it is quite insignificant. On the subway, you can use a travel card or buy a card with 1 trip, the price of which includes a deposit for its safety (there are no tokens in Korea). After the trip, you can return the card to a special machine and your money will be returned to you. The cost of the trip depends on the number of stations and starts from ₩ 1250 (€ 0.9).

It is better to order a taxi in Korea through the Uber app or from a specialized company; the cost starts from 2 km - ₩ 1600 (€ 1.25), for each additional kilometer - ₩ 650 (€ 0.5). For example, a trip within 15 minutes will cost no more than ₩ 8,000 (€ 6), and a half-hour trip will cost about ₩ 15,000 (€ 12). Be prepared that if you catch a taxi on the street, the drivers will charge prices 5 or even 10 times higher. There are also frequent cases when taxi drivers, even in specialized companies, tried to inflate the price, since you are a tourist.

Traffic in the country is not very intense. Busan is calm and there are practically no traffic jams. There are traffic jams in Seoul, but they are not at all comparable to Moscow, and even less so to the big cities of other Southeast Asian countries, such as Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City.

When to go?

South Korea has distinct seasons. In spring everything blooms and you can enjoy walks under the sakura. In summer, the weather is sunny and it is a good time to visit Jeju Island and the city of Busan (the second city in Korea after Seoul). Incredible beautiful autumn with leaf fall against the backdrop of mountains and walks along national parks. Snowy winter and Seoul decorated for Christmas.

We managed to catch the real Busan autumn and Christmas Seoul. The weather in Busan is warmer than in Seoul, there is much more sun and therefore the onset of winter is not so felt. When we arrived in Seoul, the first snow fell the next morning. It was very muddy and a strong wind was blowing. It was only -2 outside, but it felt like -20. St. Petersburg residents know firsthand what it’s like. The climate is very similar.

Also, smog often comes to Korea from China. It is better not to appear on the street at this time. In 2019, there was smog for the first few weeks in January. Here is the answer to the question why Koreans constantly wear masks.

Busan

Usually we mark in advance on the map the places we want to visit and plan the route in such a way that in a day we can explore several places that are located next to each other.

If you are going to Busan for a week, then there is every chance to get to know it from all sides. And the first thing to do when exploring the city is to start with Gamcheon Culture Village(Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, 203). Gamcheon Cultural Village is the most Instagrammable place in Busan. This is concentration colorful houses and narrow streets, painted walls and amazing installations. Here you can find the location with The Little Prince, look into the Grand Budapest Hotel, take a photo with Van Gogh - and this is just the beginning. If you get hungry or want to keep a souvenir from the village, there are many street cafes and cozy restaurants on the territory, as well as cute shops where you can buy souvenirs and notebooks with your favorite Korean bands. It is better to go to the cultural village for the whole day in order to have time to visit all the locations. The place is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day. Entrance to the village is free; a fee is charged separately for entry to some sites.

In every big city there is a TV tower that is considered one of the main attractions, Busan is no exception. Busan Tower, 120 meters high, is located in a small park. Yongdusan Park(Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, 37-30). When you climb the tower, you will have a view of the entire city. More impressive sight will happen if you climb the tower in the evening, when the lights come on all over the city. Busan Tower is a favorite place for Korean lovers. According to legend, next to the entrance to the building there is secret place, where you need to hang a lock to spend your whole life with your loved one. Entry to Busan Tower costs ₩10,000 (€8) per person and includes popcorn and a drink. The tower is open from 10 to 23 daily.

After the tower, be sure to check out the largest seafood market in Asia Jagalchi Fish Market(Nampo-dong, Jung-gu). There is everything here: huge crabs the size of a 6-year-old child, meter-long squid and sea cucumbers the size of your little finger, moray eels, fish whose names you don’t know. You can not only buy seafood for yourself, but also ask them to cook it for you on the spot.

“There’s everything here: huge crabs the size of a 6-year-old child, metre-long squid and sea cucumbers the size of your little finger.”

Impressed a huge amount seafood, treat yourself to Korean street food and visit the most popular pedestrian street in Busan BIFF Square(Nampo-dong, Jung-gu). This is definitely the best place for shopping. Biff Square has many cafes, shops and small restaurants. Many of them starred Korean celebrities, so each establishment already at the entrance hangs photographs from popular TV shows or series as its own. business card. Let me remind you that in Korea they don’t speak English at all, so if you want to try street food, you have to act blindly, trusting your intuition - no one will explain to you what this or that dish is made of. If you look at the asphalt, at the very beginning of the street you will see the Korean Avenue of Stars with the imprints of famous Korean actors and filmmakers.

The nature of Korea is beautiful at almost any time of the year (except winter), but it is especially beautiful in October or April. Mountains and fallen leaves, green trees or pink sakura. Nature, in my opinion, is the main attraction of South Korea. To enjoy it in Busan, you should definitely check out the city parks: Park Taejongdae(Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu) and Igidae Park(Yongho-dong, Nam-gu). It’s impossible to single out just one, but it’s worth going there for the whole day. From here it opens beautiful view on the sea and ships, fishermen catch fish below the rocks, at the very edge of the parks there are lighthouses that you can climb into. The territory of city parks is very large, so there is even a bus running through them. In the park you can see how persimmons grow and even pick up a handful of wild berries. Admission is free 24 hours a day.

In addition to admiring nature and learning about Korean culture, be sure to visit the Shinsegae business district. Take a photo at Busan's famous skyscrapers and stroll around Shinsegae Centum City(U-dong, Haeundae-gu, 1495). This shopping mall in 2009 it was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest shopping center in the world. To be honest, we got a little lost in it and instead of exiting, we ended up on a glass bridge, from which we once again appreciated Busan at night. In the shopping center you will find stores of world brands (Gucci, Shanel, Louis Vuitton), several food court areas, saunas, spas and separate entertainment floors.

Not far from the shopping center there is one of the most beautiful bridges throughout South Korea Busan Harbor Bridge(Nam-gu). During the day it looks like the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, and in the evening it begins to shine with all the colors of the rainbow. It’s definitely worth a look, especially since next to it there is a cinema embankment, walking along which you can take photos with Spider-Man or Superman, appreciate modern installations and go to the most beautiful beach Busan Haeundae Beach(Haeundae-gu). He is “alive” at any time of the year. It's nice to walk along the beach and take great photos. Koreans here play sports, play backgammon and simply enjoy the views. There are many places to eat nearby, an artists' alley and a secret lovers' alley.

Seoul

The main modern attraction of Seoul, in my opinion, is Dongdaemun Design Plaza(Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, 281). This is a futuristic art center. Its design was developed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid. From the outside it looks like a huge spaceship, but inside it is completely snow-white. This place is a paradise for perfectionists and all lovers of minimalism. The art center hosts exhibitions, shops and cafes. And next to it is an installation of 25,500 LED roses. At night it looks very large, incredibly beautiful and romantic. The center is open every day from 10 to 19. Admission is free. Some exhibitions require a separate ticket purchase.

You should start exploring Seoul with the most popular shopping district Myeongdong Shopping Street(Jung-gu). This favorite place youth and the best place to get acquainted with modern Korean culture. Here you can try street food, go shopping, even catch a mini-concert of street musicians.

After shopping in Myeongdong, take a walk to Seoul Tower YTN Seoul Tower(Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, 105). She is considered the symbol of the city and is depicted on most postcards of Seoul. The height of the tower is 236 meters, and the views from it simply cannot be described in words. In the evening, Seoul is especially beautiful from above. You can visit the tower daily from 10 to 23, entrance ₩ 10,000 (€ 8).

Continuing your evening route around the city, include in your list of places Banpodaegyo Bridge. This is the longest fountain bridge in the world (1140 meters). In the evening the show begins and it glows with all the colors of the rainbow.

If you want to get to know the culture and traditions of South Korea better, go to a traditional village Bukchon Hanok Village(Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, 37). Korean national houses are called hanok. Walking along the alleys and looking inside the houses, you will get acquainted with the 600-year history of the country and even be able to try on hanbok - the Korean national costume.

Hidden among the modern streets of Seoul is a cafe 943 King's Cross Harry Potter cafe(Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, 417), which will immerse you in the world of magic and magic. Here you can try on the mantle of a Hogwarts student, drink a glass of butterbeer and ask the sorting hat which house you will study in. Three floors of photo locations, a souvenir shop and food all in one place. Open from 11.30 to 22.00.

Food

In Korea, a lot of attention is paid to food - Koreans have a kind of cult of food. If you watch them, you will notice that they look at photographs of food when they travel in public transport; film themselves on the phone while they eat; During the conversation they talk about food. Even their greeting “siksa haschessoe?” translated into Russian as “have you eaten yet?”

There is a lot of food in South Korea and it is varied, but they are more popular National dishes. Here is a list of the most popular.

In first place is something without which it is impossible to imagine a Korean table - this kimchi. A favorite dish of all generations. This is sauerkraut in hot red pepper, most often it is used as a side dish for the main dish or as an appetizer. The secret of kimchi is passed down from generation to generation.

The second most popular dish is bibimbap, a large bowl of rice mixed with vegetables, eggs and sauces added to them. For a spicy taste, nori seaweed, kuzhut, soybean sprouts and kimchi are added to the dish.

“Koreans look at photographs of food when traveling on public transport; film themselves on the phone while they eat; during conversation they talk about food"

Fans of meat dishes should definitely try it kalbi, bulgogi And samgyepsal. Kalbi prepared from marinated beef: pieces of meat are fried in sauce and eaten with seasonings. Bulgogi- This is sweet meat fried in sauce and served with various seasonings. Samgyepsal are cuts of pork that are fried and served along with vegetables and traditional Korean snacks. The older generation consumes all these dishes exclusively with soju (rice vodka).

Kimbap These are traditional Korean rolls. Rice and fresh vegetables wrapped in nori sheets are drizzled with sesame sauce and served as a side dish to the main dish. Koreans love meat very much, so you can often find rolls filled with beef or pork instead of the usual fish.

And for dessert, the favorite sweet delicacy of Koreans. Ttok is a pastry made from glutinous rice with a nut or fruit filling. Its taste is very specific, but it’s definitely worth trying once.

One dish in any establishment, from ordinary cafes to restaurants, costs no less than ₩ 8,500 (€ 6-7). But when ordering food, do not forget that in South Korea they serve large portions. One serving can feed two, proven!

Housing

It is better to book accommodation in Korea in advance, at least several months in advance, and preferably six months in advance. For a bed in the simplest hostel in a room for 10 people you will pay ₩ 34,000 (€ 27). Airbnb rooms and double rooms hotels cost from ₩ 59,500 (€ 47) per night.

During the trip, we decided to live in housing from different price categories to compare the pros and cons. In Busan we lived in good hotel and were able to evaluate the level of Korean service. But as I said above, English is difficult in Korea, so we assessed the level, but we had to negotiate everything through a translator. Although, towards the very end of our stay, the receptionist learned one phrase in English – “clean room”.

Service in Korea at high level. In the morning, when your room is cleaned, you will be given a new robe and a refreshing face mask along with a bottle of water. Almost every hotel includes breakfast and there is a free coffee and popcorn machine next to the reception. Everything in the rooms is very technologically advanced and clean.

In Seoul we were less fortunate. We lived in a hostel, the standard of living there is much worse. But what saved us was that the Koreans were good-natured and, even without understanding English, tried to answer our questions and help.

Before checking into the hostel, we spent the first few days in Korean saunas. What are Korean saunas (“chimchilbang”)? Most often, these are large centers where Koreans come to relax with family or friends. The so-called “sanatorium in the city.” These centers have everything: spa, steam rooms, entertainment rooms, food, etc. You can relax there and spend the night. Fixed price: ₩ 17,000 (€ 13) for 12 hours. In small areas it is a place where people come to wash and spend the night. They give you clothes to sleep, soap supplies and a key to your closet. You sleep on a yoga mat with a round pillow under your head. This pleasure costs ₩12,000 (€ 9) for 12 hours. Frequent visitors to such places are drunk Koreans and young people who did not have time to go home.

A tourist can stay in Korea without obtaining a visa for a maximum of two months. In 2020, the price of such a visa was $125 if you had a hotel reservation, and $195 if you did not have a reservation. The visa processing time is 7 working days. The price increases for urgent visa processing within 3 days.

Itaewon Foreigners Street in South Korea

If you wish to stay longer long term, Korea requires you to register with the local migration service. For long stay and additional permissions are required.

There is a visa type F-2, which is the essence of a residence permit in a form that is quite familiar to us. It turns out in several ways. The simplest is to enter into a marriage with a Korean citizen: to obtain a residence permit, you must submit certain documents, including a marriage certificate.

Sample visa to visit South Korea

For the first time, the right to long-term stay in the country is issued for three years. After the expiration of the established period, it is necessary to determine whether to extend this visa or immediately apply for an F-5 visa, which is permanent residence.

Another option for obtaining a residence permit in 2020 is quite vague - a residence permit is granted to foreigners who have lived in Korea for quite a long time and have made a significant contribution to the life of the country.

This path can be called difficult due to the fact that there are no clear criteria by which to evaluate the contribution to the development of the country.

Another method, not widespread, but still a good option. We are talking about “professional migration” or residence permit for specialists. The F-2 visa can be issued to foreigners living and working in Korea on a specific visa type (engineers, master's students, professors, etc.). To apply for a residence permit, you just need to score the required number of points out of the maximum - 120. The minimum threshold is 80 points.

This is what an ID card looks like in South Korea

No one gives a guarantee of obtaining a residence permit, but if you pass the minimum threshold, the chances increase. If you still receive this type of visa, then you will then be issued an F-5 visa, which provides the opportunity to live in the country. After a certain time, you can. The advantage of this method is that a professional who has received an F-2 visa can bring his family to Korea using the same visa.
After a year, the visa can be extended, but it is important to show that the company is profitable and provides jobs for Koreans. Otherwise, there is a high probability of visa refusal.
The advantage of this method is that in 2020 the market in the country is not saturated and there is no need to open extremely expensive production facilities; you can open, for example, an inexpensive restaurant.

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How to make money in South Korea

Hourly pay, free lunches and job market scams

In October 2016, I quit my job and decided to fulfill my childhood dream - to visit South Korea, and at the same time earn money.

Alexandra Chagai

went to live and work in South Korea

Now I work at one of the car factories and help Russians find jobs. I’ll tell you how to find a job in South Korea and avoid becoming a victim of scammers.

Moving and visa

Since 2014, between Russia and South Korea has been cancelled. visa regime. Citizens of both states have the right to stay in the countries for no more than two months.

Russians often come to South Korea as tourists and then get a job. This is illegal: a visa is required for legal employment. There are several types of such visas.

RUB 110,950

average salary in South Korea. In Russia, the average salary is almost three times lower

S-4- short-term visa, issued for long-term business trips from three to six months.

D, E, H- such visas are issued to foreigners who plan to work in the country or come for business purposes for more than two months. These same visas are issued to students and graduate students entering local universities.

F-1- family visa, it is issued to foreigners who are married to Korean citizens.

F-2- for long stays.

F-3- accompanying a relative.

F-4- issued to ethnic Koreans.

E-1, E-3, E-5- issued for scientific research.

Illegal immigrants are often cunning. For example, they receive a student visa, pay for the first months of training, and then get a job. Recently, this loophole was closed by canceling the monthly payment for studying at the university - now you will have to pay money for the entire semester at once.

Some immigrants enter into sham marriages with ethnic Koreans and receive a family visa F-1 and find employment. According to the law, you can’t work everywhere with such a visa, but employers often turn a blind eye to such things.

Recently, another method of legalization in the country has been gaining popularity among Russians: immigrants apply for political asylum and receive a visa G-1. While the application is being considered, you can legally stay in Korea. Even if it is rejected, nothing prevents you from filing an appeal and again waiting for a decision for several months while continuing to work.

I'm ethnically Korean, so I got the visa easily. F-4, with which you can live in the country indefinitely and get a job without any problems.

Who to work with

The easiest way for a foreigner to get a job is one that does not require any qualifications. At the same time, the salary will still be two to three times higher than in Russia.

They just pay more there

Our compatriots are coming to the country for high salaries: the average salary in Russia (according to Rosstat for January 2018) is 38,400 RUR, in South Korea - 2,000,000 won (110,950 RUR).

For example, a motel maid earns 1.5-1.8 million won (83,210-99,850 R) per month, while also providing toll free number for accommodation and food.

The salary of a waiter is 1.3-1.7 million won (72,115-94,305 R) per month, an agricultural worker - from 60,000 won (3,330 R) per day, a factory worker - 1.3-3.5 million won ( 72,115-194,160 R) per month, fisherman - from 80,000 won (4,440 R) per day.

4440 R

what a fisherman earns in South Korea per day

I work at one of the Hyundai car plants in the city of Ulsan, which is about three and a half hours drive from Seoul.

The city of Ulsan in South Korea looks like this. Photo: v15ben, Flickr

In total, the company has about 50 Russian-speaking employees - all visitors from Russia and the CIS countries. Hyundai factories are scattered throughout the country. Each enterprise produces a separate part: one makes rubber seals for doors, another makes plastic pistons, and a third makes seat covers. Then, in a separate production facility, it all comes together.

At large enterprises, male and female labor are clearly separated. For example, women check parts for defects and correct defects, and men work on machines: pressing parts, controlling robot welding.

How to find a job in South Korea

There are many ways, I’ll tell you about the most popular ones.

There are sites on the Internet where you can ask questions to people who are already working in Korea and ask them for help with finding a job. Russians actively help each other, often for free. We must use this enthusiasm. For example, even if you find a suitable vacancy, getting a job yourself without knowing the language is problematic. You'll have to find a translator. It is better if you already have friends in South Korea.

Through an intermediary It’s worth looking for a job if you have neither knowledge of the language nor friends. Services cost from $150. Such people often have their own vacancy databases.

150 $

cost of intermediary services in job search

For an additional fee, they will meet you at the airport, help you with paperwork and opening a bank account, renting an apartment, and so on. Throughout the entire period of work, you will have a personal life consultant in South Korea who will solve problems with insurance, pension contributions, salary delays, and more. If the job you apply for turns out to be difficult, the intermediary will find another vacancy.

This is how I got my first job, no problems arose. The only thing I would advise is not to give money in advance, but to pay for services after getting a job.

Scammers

Among the intermediaries there are also scammers who negotiate in advance with dishonest business owners. The intermediary publishes advertisements offering work even to those who do not have a visa.

When a whole group of foreigners is recruited, they are hired at “their” enterprise. Then salary delays begin, but the intermediary reassures that this happens and we have to wait a little longer.

Recently, there are more and more such cases. On social networks, victims of scammers post detailed information about such intermediaries, photographs, videos, links to vacancies, phone numbers. Therefore, if you decide to use someone’s services, then it’s worth reading communities on social networks so as not to run into a swindler.

Employment centers suitable for foreigners who know the language at least at a basic level. Some of these centers ("samushil" in Korean) help with work even for visitors who do not have a visa or registration card.

Not offered here permanent job, every day you will have to work in a new place. The earlier in the morning you get in line at the Samushil, the higher the likelihood of getting a job. Considering that the centers open at 6 am, you will have to get up early. There may be several employment centers in one city.

You can find the nearest one through a special mobile app"Cocoa Map."

The work can be very different - from packing fruit and cleaning apartments to construction. Salaries are paid daily: men receive from 80,000 won (4440 R), women - from 55,000 won (3050 R). The “samushil” takes the 10% commission for himself.

If some employer likes you, you may be offered a permanent position.

from 3050 R

you can earn money in a day through the employment center

I used the services of the centers twice, and the impressions were mixed. On the one hand, the work was not difficult. For example, I was packaging medical face masks: the masks arrive on the conveyor belt, you need to count out 10 pieces, then assemble the box and put the masks in it. On the other hand, when you get hired through “self-employment” there is no stability: today you weren’t hired and you were left without money.

When you arrive at a new place of work, pay attention to what nationalities people work there. This says a lot about the employer. According to my observations, the Chinese choose easy jobs, regardless of the salary level. If only Filipinos work, I decided for myself that the work is harmful or dirty. If there is not a single Russian, I always double-checked the employer - most likely, the work will be hard or low-paid.

There is also a rule in South Korea: don’t stand still. Having finished work early, you cannot rest unless a break is announced. You definitely need to keep yourself busy with something, like cleaning workplace. The main thing is not to stand, but to create the appearance of vigorous activity.

Interview

You will have to undergo an interview before being hired for a permanent position. The main attention will be paid to your external data, and education, for example, does not play any role. Knowledge of the language will be an advantage, but not required.

They can even refuse because of excess weight. If the choice is between a candidate of sciences and a handsome guy without an education, they will choose the second one. This is why plastic surgery is so popular in South Korea. And in the standard application form when applying for a job, there is even a column where you need to indicate your weight. There are also age restrictions - people over 45 years old will not find it easy to find a job.

At the same time, there is no need to come to the interview looking too presentable: it is better for a woman to get by with a minimum of makeup and not wear high-heeled shoes. Koreans believe that an overly well-groomed person is not suitable for physical work. Once I witnessed two girls from Russia come for an interview - both wearing denim shorts, T-shirts with bare shoulders and flip-flops. They were not hired and told not to come again.

Knowing the language is good, but it is much more important to learn local etiquette and traditions. One of my friends was fired for calling his boss with his palm turned up. This is how they call dogs in Korea. People only wave with the palm facing down.

In South Korea, serious attention is paid to sharing meals - “hwaesik”. Colleagues gather after work to eat and drink something strong. If a person older than you invites, and especially if he is a boss, then you cannot refuse.

You need to remember a variety of little things. For example, if a glass of alcohol is served, it must be taken with both hands. You also need to clink glasses while holding the drink in both hands. This is how you show your respect to the person. If you are clinking glasses with someone who is senior in position, then you should hold your glass a little lower. You should drink alcohol with your face turned to the side, and the more you drink, the more you will delight the Korean.

If you do not follow all these numerous rules, then relationships with colleagues and superiors will quickly deteriorate.

"Nunchi"

In South Korea there is such a thing as “nunchi”. This word cannot be translated into Russian. In general terms, “nunchi” is the ability to perceive non-verbal cues when communicating with other people, understand the situation and respond to it. "Nunchi" is very important in Korea.

For example, if your boss calls you, you need to speed up your pace. By doing this you show his authority and your respect. You cannot argue with your superiors, even if you are one hundred percent right. If you are being reprimanded, you cannot make eye contact, you must lower your head and listen in silence or agree with the words: “Yes. I got it".

Salary and schedule

The salary directly depends on the number of hours worked. It also depends on the shift you worked: day or night.

The minimum hourly wage is established by law and is equal to 7530 won (414 R). The working day starts at 8-9 am. After 17:30, “overtime” begins - each subsequent hour of work is paid at one and a half times the minimum rate - that is, a minimum of 11,295 won (622 R) per hour. Night shifts are also paid at one and a half rates.

414 R

The employer must pay the minimum per hour of work of the employee

If you work on weekends or holidays, hourly pay will be at double the minimum rate - 15,060 won (829 R).

Most often, night and day shifts alternate: you work day shifts for a week, night shifts for a week. If you agree with your superiors, you can work only on the day shift or only on the night shift. In the second case, you will be able to earn much more. There are enterprises that do not work at night.

Increase in wages

From January 1, 2018, the cost of an hour of work in South Korea increased by 16.4%. This is a record rate increase in the entire history of the country.

In 2017, the minimum rate was 6,470 won (356 R) per hour, now it is 7,530 won (414 R).

In January 2018, after switching to new tariffs, I earned almost 3 million won (RUR 165,000). After deducting income tax and accommodation tax (87,208 won - 4799 R), payment for housing and utilities (153,400 won - 8440 R), I was left with 2,759,392 won (151,842 R).

How much did I earn in January 2018

Day

Overtime

Night

Holidays and weekends

RUB 161,994

I started working in January 2018

Bonus systems vary from company to company. It all depends on the employer: somewhere there are all types of bonuses, and somewhere only weekly, or monthly, or only the thirteenth salary.

In South Korea, there is an “out” system: if you get a job in the first half of the month, you will receive your salary for the first 15 days only in the next month - on the 15th-17th. Then they will start paying as expected, every month.

Salaries are transferred to a bank account. In South Korea, anyone can open an account. There are banks here that do not pay attention to the client’s documents at all.

Food and insurance

The lunch break at large enterprises usually starts at 12:00 and lasts from 30 minutes to an hour. They are fed at the enterprise in the local canteen. The menu is always the same: boiled rice, soup, three or four types of salads, hot dishes.

If the working day exceeds 8 hours, then the employer can also feed employees dinner. I know that some enterprises even have an afternoon snack - they give you milk and a bun.

Healthcare is very expensive in South Korea, so I recommend having insurance, even though not all employers require it. When you officially get a job, insurance opens automatically. If you come to Korea with your family, you have the right to include all close relatives in your insurance. Your premiums depend on how much you earn and how much you pay for your home. If there is no official work, then insurance will cost 90,000 won (4952 R).

What's it like to live here

In Korea you can earn money faster than in Russia. The work is physically more demanding: in most cases, the entire working day is spent on your feet. But I never regretted my decision to move.

There is always something to do here in your free time. I used to often go to Seoul on weekends for shopping and exploring. Two days in the capital cost 320-530 thousand won (17,610-29,165 R). This amount includes accommodation, meals in restaurants, shopping, visiting a nightclub, slot machines.

from 17,610 RUR

I spend two days shopping in Seoul

In Korea pleasant climate, although there is high humidity. Autumn and winter are not as harsh as in Russia. There is a sea and many beaches, a lot of attractions. In cities, ancient palaces coexist with mirrored skyscrapers. Everything is very bright - signs, colorful buses, taxis. In addition, the country is very safe - you can safely walk around the city at two in the morning.

You can simply go for a walk in Seoul. Photo: Dickson Phua, Flickr

In Korea, everything is done for the comfort of people. For example, at the entrance to a shopping center there will definitely be a machine for wrapping a wet umbrella in cellophane so that it does not drip. In a restaurant, you can place an order and pay for it at the terminal at the entrance, and then just sit at the table and wait for everything to be brought. Moreover, they will bring you more than you asked for: you paid for one soup, and on top they will give you ten snacks for free: kimchi, radish kimchi, onions, bean paste, seaweed, pepper, lotus roots, pickled quail eggs and much more.

Koreans themselves are smiling and friendly people; they are friendly towards foreigners. Although in general, locals take a long time to get used to new people in their environment. For example, in a team, at first a newcomer will be treated coldly, but then the ice will melt and you will become part of a large family.

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