Today started a little slower — we finally got to sleep in! Oddly enough, it left me feeling groggier than usual, but after getting up and moving, the day picked up. We hopped on the bus to a Taekwondo class, which was something completely new for me. I don’t have much experience with martial arts, but it was still a fun and energizing session. I even got to kick through a board, which was way more satisfying than I expected! Sadly, we didn’t get to keep the gi, but the memory of it will stay with me.

After class, we took the subway to revisit a familiar sight — the large statue we saw on our very first day. This time, instead of heading into the palace, we made our way toward Seoul City Hall. The greenery surrounding the building was stunning — beautifully landscaped and surprisingly peaceful for such a central location. Inside, there’s even a small robot café, and I really appreciated how much effort the space puts into sustainability and recycling initiatives. The building itself is a mix of old and new; the original Seoul City Hall was built in 1925 during the Japanese occupation and has since been transformed into a modern cultural complex, while the current City Hall, completed in 2012, is an eco-friendly structure with innovative technology throughout. The history of the site is literally written on the walls — paired with interactive displays that bring the city’s story to life. We didn’t get to see the mayor (apparently, he was in a meeting), but hey, maybe next time!

One more subway ride later, and we found ourselves back in Myeongdong for another round of shopping and dinner. I didn’t buy much this time, but I did grab some skincare products and a bag of wasabi almonds — whoever came up with that deserves an award. For dinner, we had another traditional Korean spread, and honestly, it might’ve been my favorite meal yet. I don’t know what they did to that bulgogi, but it was fantastic. I’m definitely excited to see what tomorrow brings!