Today started off with something completely unexpected and, honestly, really exciting. In the morning, after we all got ready to leave the hotel, we suddenly received a text from Dr. Yun saying we were now part of a scavenger hunt. Instead of giving us a normal itinerary for the day, he told us that we had to find him somewhere in Seoul using clues he would send us through pictures. The challenge was that we had to figure out the locations ourselves and rely on Korean public transportation, such as the subway and buses, to get there.
The first clue we received was a picture of him in Jogyesa Temple. We quickly figured out where it was and took the subway to get there. By now, using the subway system was becoming much easier, and I was honestly impressed once again by how organized and efficient everything was. Even though the stations were busy, it never felt confusing because everything was labeled clearly and easy to follow.
When we finally reached the temple, it was absolutely beautiful. The area felt both very peaceful and vibrant. There were colorful lanterns hanging everywhere, and the atmosphere felt so calming despite being in the middle of a busy city.
After exploring for a while, we received the next clue from Dr. Yun, and this time he was at the National Museum of Korea. To get there, we decided to take the bus instead of the subway. I honestly really enjoyed using the buses in Korea because they were extremely efficient and easy to navigate, especially with the help of the Naver Maps app. The transportation system here makes getting around the city feel very accessible and convenient, even for visitors.
Eventually, we arrived at the museum and found Dr. Yun there. The museum itself was huge and incredibly impressive. Since it was Children’s Day in Korea, many families and kids were visiting, making the atmosphere feel very lively and energetic. Inside the museum, we explored different exhibits and learned more about Korean history and culture. After walking around for a while, we ate lunch at the museum cafeteria before heading to our next activity.
One of my favorite experiences of the entire day was definitely the K-pop dance class. This was honestly such a memorable moment for me because I have always wanted to dance to K-pop in a real dance studio, and getting to do it in Korea made it feel even more special. During the class, we learned choreography to a BTS song called “Swim,” and it was so much fun. The instructor was really nice, energetic, and encouraging, which made the experience even better. By the end of the class, I felt really fulfilled and happy because it was something I had always wanted to try.
Overall, today was an amazing day filled with exploration, adventure, and fun. I loved how interactive and independent the scavenger hunt made the day feel because it pushed us to explore the city and navigate transportation on our own. One thing that continues to impress me about Korea is how accessible and advanced everything is, especially the transportation and mapping systems. With apps and public transportation working so efficiently together, it feels very easy to get around and discover new places. Today was definitely another unforgettable day in Korea, and I am excited to continue experiencing more of the culture and city in the coming days.