Today began with a slower, more relaxed start—something we all appreciated after the early wake-up call the day before. We enjoyed the hotel’s breakfast once again, which was a great way to ease into the day.

Our first activity was one I had been looking forward to all trip: a Taekwondo class. We started by changing into our uniforms, complete with white belts, which made the experience feel even more official. After a quick round of stretching, we jumped into basic drills where we practiced striking and kicking techniques. The session concluded with some friendly sparring and, most exciting of all, board breaking. Since I have some previous experience in martial arts (specifically karate), I was given the opportunity—along with a few others—to break the board using a side kick instead of the standard axe kick. It was an exciting and empowering experience that made me appreciate the discipline and tradition behind Taekwondo.

Afterwards, we had lunch at an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, which ended up being the highlight of my day. The food was absolutely delicious—we must’ve eaten at least 10 pounds of pork between us. The atmosphere, the flavors, and the group energy made for a truly memorable meal.

Our next stop was a tour of City Hall, which turned out to be surprisingly fascinating. The building was modern and innovative, featuring a connected public library and several vertical gardens that promote eco-friendliness. During the tour, we learned about the city’s leadership history and even got to step inside the former mayor’s office. The blend of historical and environmental elements made it a standout stop.

Dinner took us back to Myeongdong, where we enjoyed a traditional meal centered around bulgogi, a marinated beef dish that was incredibly flavorful. Accompanied by various side dishes like fish cakes and kimchi, it was a satisfying way to wind down the day—or so we thought.

After dinner, Dr. Yun surprised us with a dessert scavenger hunt. Earlier in the day, he had taken a picture of a dessert vendor and challenged us to find the man and his cart in Myeongdong. Whoever found him first would win free dessert—ice cream cones for the whole group. Fueled by sugar cravings and the spirit of competition, we sprinted through the streets, analyzing clues in the photo. We noticed a tablet playing Squid Game in the background and began targeting stands with similar decorations. Just when we thought all hope was lost, I walked past a stand and immediately recognized the tablet and theme—it was the cart. We won the challenge, and everyone got free ice cream to end the night.

Overall, Day 5 was full of fun, food, and unexpected moments. I’m incredibly grateful for these experiences and can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store.

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