If I asked you to picture an exotic country, you'd probably go with something like Australia or Japan. But after this exclusive list by Bored Panda, you'll probably consider South Korea one too.
To show how unique this country really is, we put together a collection of pictures that vividly illustrate its everyday life. We're talking solar-powered benches with USB and wireless charging, onion-flavored cereal, and pretty much everything else you can find there.
Continue scrolling to check out the images and the conversation I had with Hammer and Guillaume, A Fun Couple from Hong Kong and France respectively, who have been traveling the world and documenting their adventures on their blog and Instagram.
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Running Out Of Children Due To The Low Birth Rates, A School In South Korea Is Opening Their Doors And Allowing Illiterate Grandmothers To Enrol, So They Can Also Learn To Read
This Care Package The South Korean Government Sent Me While I’m In Quarantine Day 2
Translated letter that was attached to the package: “For people who are currently suffering from the Corona-19 virus, we send our regards and sympathy. We (the food ministry?) is sending this “environment-friendly health package” constructed with environment-friendly crops. We hope this helps you get energy for your daily routine. Furthermore, we hope you get well soon to return to your daily life. You can do it! Fight it! Go South Korea!”
This country in East Asia makes up about 45 percent of the Korean Peninsula and faces North Korea across a demilitarized zone (DMZ) that's 2.5 miles (4 km) wide. The DMZ was established by the terms of the 1953 armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War (1950–53) and runs for about 150 miles (240 km).
"We have been calling South Korea our home for 3.5 years now," A Fun Couple told Bored Panda. "What we liked about the idea of moving here was that this country is still not on most people's bucket list when traveling to Asia. Many travelers would rather prioritize neighboring countries such as Japan, China or Hong Kong when visiting the continent."
However, according to Hammer and Guillaume, South Korea has been making a name for itself over the last few years, with the K-phenomenon on the cultural side and large companies such as Samsung and LG on the business side.
"We were excited but also curious to live in a country that continues to develop fast yet remains a bit unknown to the Western world."
Pink Explosion In Jeju City, Jeju Island, South Korea
Korean Ktx Trains Play “Healing Broadcasts” Where They Just Show Newborn Puppies Rolling Around For Five Minutes
Airports In Seoul Provide A Map To Your Gate On The Back Of Your Boarding Pass
This needs to be at every airport. I tend to find airports a labyrinth with hard to find gates.
One aspect that really impressed the couple once they came to this country was the strong sense of solidarity amongst Koreans. "An aspect that's really astonishing and will help you understand what we mean by that is the gold collecting campaign."
"In 1998, South Korea was about $304 billion in debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As a national sacrifice, 3.5 million Koreans donated their gold to the government to repay part of the debt. About 227 tons of gold were donated voluntarily during that event. Impressive, right?!"
"This sense of solidarity can be felt in everyday life in Korea. For example, during the pandemic, people were very supportive of each other. Koreans made a joint effort to keep social distancing rules and wear masks at all times. This is also why South Korea was seen as a benchmark when managing the COVID crisis in its early stage."
Took These In The Same Spot Over The Past Year. Korea’s Four Seasons: Yeouido
Glad To See My Favorite Tree Standing Healthy After This Year's Numerous Typhoons And Landslides, South Korea
This Subway Car In Seoul Has A Mini Library
Of course, settling in another culture takes time. Hammer and Guillaume said the 'work hard, play hard' concept was probably the trickiest thing to adjust to.
"Koreans are very hard working. The maximum number of working hours per week recently changed from 63 to 52, but it's still a lot. Although the work-life balance got better over the last few years, working overtime (and not being paid for it) is still pretty common."
"It is also very common to go out with colleagues multiple times a week after work and have dinner and drinks until late at night. We definitely had to cut down on our sleeping hours, but it's a lot of fun to live and work in South Korea!"
Apartment Complex In Korea Being Painted, So The Painters Shrouded All The Cars In The Parking Lot To Protect From Splatter
Starbucks In Seoul Offering Used Coffee Grounds For Gardening
Just Received This At My Door! S. Korea Gives Out Food Rations To People In Quarantine
I heard about this. Good for people that can't get groceries home delivered or have no one to take care of them. Great job! Wish all local governments globally did this.
This Hand-Painted Underside Of A Temple Roof In Korea
"Since there are much fewer expats in South Korea than other Asian countries we've lived in, things are not always fully catered to foreigners. Opening a bank account, getting a local driver's license, getting a phone plan, using different apps; these things weren't always easy," A Fun Couple said.
"Besides there is still a language barrier and most of the documents are rarely translated into English. However, we've noticed that it has become easier for a foreigner to go about their daily life than when we arrived here 3.5 years ago. So we hope that this trend will continue in the future as well!"
I Get To Walk Through This Everyday On My Way Home From Work
This Sign Is Not For A Cat Crossing. It Means "Caution: Cat Is Around"
This 2D Café We Visited In Seoul
🎶Take.... on... meeee..... *take on me* Take.... me... onnnnnnnn.... 🎶
Modern Korea Built Around Historic Korea (Seoul)
During their time in South Korea, A Fun Couple discovered a beautiful country, full of contrasts between the modern and the traditional, amazing natural landscapes, and exciting cities like Seoul and Busan.
"South Koreans are very welcoming and positive-minded people. We met so many great people here and made very good friends. Therefore, we highly recommend South Korea as an expat destination. We started our blog so that more people can realize how great this place is and that they should add this destination to their bucket list!"
Small Restaurant In The Snow, Seoul, South Korea
Solar Powered Benches Here In Seoul, South Korea. Complete With USB And Wireless Charging Docks
Bukhansan Yesterday
"Root Bench" Is A Public Installation By Architect Yong Ju Lee In Hangang Art Park, South Korea
South Korea Puts Traffic Lights On The Ground So That People Who're Looking At Their Phones Can Still See The Light
This Ice Lolly I Bought In Korea Has A Little Tray To Prevent It From Melting All Over Your Hands
Korea Is So Beautiful
An Old Pine Tree, Daedunsan, South Korea
Every Half Kilometer They Have A Resting Place Made For Pedestrians In This Korean City Ansan
There is a lot of park-like things integrated throughout cities. I love it.
Chips Organized Into A Rainbow In Korea
This Latte Art From A Cafe In Seoul, South Korea
South Korea Isn't Joking When Battling Covid-19
I'm Staying In Korea Right Now And Apparently There Is A TV Channel Dedicated To Dogs, As In Programming For Dogs
This Here Is The Entrance Of The Club Chroma In Seoul, South Korea By MVRDV Architecture, Which Is Said To Be The Largest Nightclub In The World
Daegaksa Temple Near Jongmyo Shrine In Seoul
Well, That's One Way To Encourage People To Use The Stairs
Escalator Sanitizer In South Korea
Self Cleaning Roads In South Korea
Supermarkets In Korea Offer Toilet Paper Samples For You To Test
Please say the customers aren't testing them on their heinies in there...
Cakes Sold In South Korea Usually Come With Free Candles And Matches Hidden In The Plastic Cake Knife
No, not usually. Sometimes that is. Usually, you only get a free plastic knife, but the rest depends on the shops individually. In bakeries they will, however, ask you if you need candles and how many, these are free and come with a free match as well. Unless you bought the fancy ones separately. Still, you'd get a free match to light them.
Traditional Korean Architecture
In Korea, They Have Single Person Karaoke Booths On The Train
The Wavy Building Called The GT Tower In Seoul, South Korea
Pump Toothpaste In South Korea. One Pump Is The Perfect Amount For A Toothbrush
Found Totoro On The Side Of The Road
Look in the background around the bush and you can see some sootballs 😉
These Helpful Robots That Wander Incheon Airport, Seoul, That You Can Use To Check Flight Information
This Library In Seoul, South Korea
Automatic Ramen Dispenser In Korea
"1,000 Doors" Building In South Korea
They Have A Sauron’s Tower In Seoul
Cherry Blossom Themed Coca Cola Bottles In South Korea
South Korea Now Has Walk-Through Covid-19 Test Booths
Gloves that touch everyone right by their mouths, seems a great way to spread anything