#traveldiaries

Epizody

• 'K-Stock Market' (Feat. the movie Default) 17.07.2026 36min

  In this week's Arirang Travel Diaries, we are unfolding stock charts instead of travel maps.We’ll dive into the KOSPI—Korea's benchmark stock index—and the unique trading culture of Korea's retail investors (locally dubbed "ants"). We'll also examine the recent market shocks triggered by leveraged ETFs and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in the wake of the AI and semiconductor rally.Next, we'll connect today's investment anxieties with memories of the 1997 IMF financial crisis through the lens of the film Default. Finally, we’ll wrap things up with a highly relatable look at the everyday comfort foods of retail investors—from convenience store lunchboxes and "panic coffee" to cup noodles, fried chicken, and comforting stews.
• The Rainy Season and the Onset of Sambok Heat 10.07.2026 33min

  This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we discuss the onset of the intense summer heat, 'Sambok,' which arrives following a brief rainy season. We explore the meanings of 'Chobok,' 'Jungbok,' and 'Malbok,' and delve into Korea's summer culinary culture for restoring vitality in the sweltering heat. We then focus on the summer scenery, seasonal vegetables, and refreshing summer dishes featured in the movie 'Little Forest,' starring Kim Tae-ri. Finally, we compare two starkly different methods of surviving the summer: the piping hot Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) and the chilled Kongguksu (soybean noodle soup).
• Back to School: True Education & Nostalgic School-Gate Snacks 03.07.2026 36min

  This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we are heading back to school to mark the end of the spring semester and the start of summer vacation! We will look back at school memories—from report cards and hagwons (cram schools) to emailing professors about grades, and the nostalgic snack shops right outside the school gates. Next, we will dive into the hit Netflix series Vigilante (True Education) to examine the breakdown of teacher authority, school violence, and the ongoing debate surrounding juvenile offender laws. Finally, we will wrap up by treating ourselves to some classic comfort foods: tteokbokki, sundae (blood sausage), fried snacks, and the ultimate convenience store recipe combinations.
• JSA, Divided Brothers, Border Memories, and a Day Trip to the DMZ 26.06.2026 31min

  This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we take on the Korean War through Park Chan-wook’s JSA – a film that proves sometimes the most dangerous thing at the border isn’t a weapon, but friendship. We’ll talk about 6.25, separated families, televised reunions, and why Korea’s unfinished war still lives in memory, media, and everyday life. Then we head north of Seoul for a DMZ day trip through Imjingak, Dora Observatory, the Third Tunnel, and Paju’s surprisingly delicious borderland food scene.
• Red Devils, Dream Teams, Reply 1997, and Seoul’s World Cup Park 19.06.2026 34min

  This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we kick off a World Cup-themed journey through Korean soccer culture, from the Red Devils, street cheering, “대한민국!” chants, and chimaek to the unforgettable legacy of the 2002 World Cup. Then we look at the film Dream, before revisiting Reply 1997 and Cynthia’s memories of cheering for Korea in Tokyo’s Shin-Okubo Koreatown. Finally, we head to Sangam-dong for a travel route through Seoul World Cup Stadium, Peace Park, Haneul Park, and nearby places to eat or watch soccer.
• World Cup Cheers and the Rising Sun Flag Controversy 15.06.2026 20min

  Pueyong, the newest member of The Kulture Inc., brings a fresh perspective on Korean culture. With bright energy and infectious enthusiasm, she explores World Cup cheers and the Rising Sun Flag controversy, all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee.
• Seoul's Han River 12.06.2026 31min

  Murky Waters, River Gangsters, Merchant Dreams, and a Sunset Ride on Seoul's Han RiverThis week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we explore the river that made Seoul possible—the Han River. From Joseon-era ferries, merchants, and river gangsters to Disney+'s historical drama 탁류 (The Murky Stream), we examine a side of Korean history rarely portrayed on screen. Then we return to present-day Seoul to ride the new Han River Bus and discover how this ancient trade route is once again becoming part of daily life.
• Local Elections, Kingmakers, Honest Candidates, and Daejeon’s Campaign Crossroads 05.06.2026 31min

  This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, Korea’s June 3 local elections shift our focus to campaign trucks, city halls, local councils, and the power of the voter on the street. We look at Kingmaker, a sharp political drama about the strategist behind the candidate, and Honest Candidate, Ra Mi-ran’s comedy about a politician who suddenly cannot lie. Then we head to Daejeon, the symbolic heart of Chungcheong — Korea’s famous casting-vote region — where campaign symbolism meets gukbap, Seongsimdang bread, and old-downtown cafés.
• Chaebol Salarymen, Strikes, and Company Towns 29.05.2026 32min

  This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, Samsung’s labor talks put Korea’s office culture–wages, unions, shareholders, and all–in the spotlight. We look at On the Verge of Insanity and The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, two sharp stories about surviving corporate life. Then we head to Dongtan and Gwanggyo, where tech campuses, lake parks, cafés, and after-work dinners shape the “company town” lifestyle.
• Buddha’s Birthday, Lantern Light, and a Walk Through Jongno 22.05.2026 32min

  This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, Seoul lights up for Buddha’s Birthday with lotus lanterns, temple visits, and a long weekend made for wandering through Jongno. We explore Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring and Move to Heaven – two screen stories about karma, grief, compassion, and letting go. Then we walk from Jogyesa to Insadong and Cheonggyecheon for temple food, coffee, and lantern-lit city views.
• Family Month, Found Families, and Long Walks Through Euljiro 15.05.2026 35min

  This week, Family Month in Korea gets a little complicated. We talk carnations, unconventional movie families, and the people who become family without sharing DNA. Then we walk it off in Euljiro with ramen, retro cafés, nogari, and 20,000 steps of Seoul chaos.
• Busan, Family Introductions, and the City That Always Feels Slightly More Alive 08.05.2026 33min

  This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we head to Busan — where family introductions, sea views, and strong opinions about livability all happen in the same weekend. Expect gangster cinema, ‘90s nostalgia, Busan satoori, and enough good food to make Seoul feel briefly negotiable. Because in Busan, even a family trip can come with dialect lessons and excellent coffee.
• 태풍상사, Euljiro, Hipjiro, and the IMF-Era Heart of Seoul 04.05.2026 27min

  Euljiro: where rust, neon, and office-worker heartbreak became a vibe. This week, we’re talking Typhoon Family, IMF-era survival, and very serious noodles. Because in Hipjiro, the beer is cold and optimism usually comes with nogari.
• Misaeng, Gwanghwamun, Jongno, and the Geography of the Salaryman Soul 24.04.2026 31min

  This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we head into the fluorescent emotional battlefield of Misaeng and the office-worker heart of Gwanghwamun and Jongno. Expect awkward interns, legendary bosses, very fast lunches, and the kind of Ah-Ah (Iced-Americano) that says, “I’m coping professionally.”
• Hannam-dong: Power, Youth, Art, and Very Good Bread 17.04.2026 35min

  Hannam-dong is where Seoul puts on its best coat, serves you excellent bread, and quietly reminds you that class politics are also part of the scenery. So today: chaebol vibes, youth drama, world-class art, and enough good food to make your itinerary feel emotionally supported.
• Spring Flowers, Black Day, Another Miss Oh, Very Ordinary Couple, and Walkerhill-gil + Achasan 09.04.2026 32min

  Spring in Seoul is gorgeous, dramatic, and just a little emotionally manipulative. So today, we’re pairing cherry blossoms with Black Day, 또 오해영, one of K-cinema’s messiest breakups, and a pink-road walk at Walkerhill-gil + Achasan. Basically: flowers, feelings, fighting, and food, the full April experience.
• “ONE SPRING NIGHT” + Seokchon Lake + Walkerhill-gil 03.04.2026 32min

  Spring in Seoul: not a picnic, a night out with blossoms, lake lights, and rom-com feelings. We’re using One Spring Night (봄밤) as our blueprint for spring blossoms romance. Then we follow the petals: Seokchon Lake eats and Walkerhill-gil’s pink road under Achasan.
• “Boyfriend on Demand” + Yangjaecheon (Spring Rom-Com Edition) 27.03.2026 33min

  Seoul in late March: cherry blossoms outside, subscription romance inside. Today we’re talking Boyfriend on Demand, a rom-com where the meet-cute starts as a software trial. Then we take it to Yangjaecheon: café street, spring walks, and a date course that feels like episode credits.
• Undercover Miss Hong + Yeouido Special 20.03.2026 33min

  Today, we’re heading to Yeouido, where finance, politics, shopping, and cherry blossoms somehow all live on the same island. It’s polished by day, breezy by night, and just dramatic enough to feel like a K-drama set. So naturally, we’re pairing it with Undercover Miss Hong.
• 만약에 우리 + White Day 13.03.2026 28min

  White Day in Seoul: candy on the outside, “what if” on the inside. This week we unpack Once We Were Us—the film that made Korea text their first love. Then we take it to Seochon: sunlight, alley walks, and a date that won’t break the bank.