Today was one of our longest days full of unforgettable moments, starting with a peaceful morning at the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Our DMZ tour took us through one of the most heavily guarded borders in the world, where the tension between North and South Korea is still very present. One of the most eye-opening moments was our visit to Tunnel 3. This tunnel, dug by North Korean soldiers, stretches around 400 meters underground and was part of a larger plan to launch surprise attacks on Seoul. So far, four tunnels have been discovered, but it’s believed that many more still exist, hidden beneath the surface. Walking through the tunnel gave us a chilling perspective on how close conflict has come to the South and how critical it was that these tunnels were discovered in time to prevent disaster.

After leaving the DMZ, the tone of the day shifted completely. We headed to the Gocheok Sky Dome, home of the Kiwoom Heroes, for a KBO League baseball game. The energy in the stadium was unreal. Fans for each team sat on opposite sides and brought constant energy to the game—singing, cheering, and waving flags with every pitch. It was way more intense and lively than what I’m used to back home.

The game itself was just as exciting as the crowd. It went into extra innings, and in the top of the 11th, the Samsung Lions pulled ahead for good. It was the perfect cap to a day that showed us both the complex history and the vibrant culture of South Korea.