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Notes on Korea from a Korean office worker

Your Korea trip,
one bite at a time.

From entry rules and the subway to map apps, skincare hauls and concert tickets. The latest from Korea with a check date on every article, plus a Q&A forum for travelers.

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Bite-size notes (latest)

Written from the desk of an office worker in Seoul, starting with what we checked.

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TransportIncheon Airport to Seoul: AREX, bus or taxi, how Koreans pick (Updated Nov 12, 2026)Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX all-stop ₩4,750, Express ₩13,000, limousine 6001 ₩17,000 or a metered taxi. Pick by hotel area, from official pages.Check12/11ShoppingDaiso Korea: what Koreans buy most, all ₩500 to ₩5,000 (Updated Nov 11, 2026)Everything at Daiso Korea costs ₩500 to ₩5,000. What Koreans buy most per the Daiso Mall sales ranking, Myeongdong opening hours and the tax refund rules.Check11/11BeautyKorea's clinic tax refund has ended, skincare still qualifies (Updated Nov 11, 2026)The VAT refund on cosmetic procedures in Korea ended Dec 31, 2025. The shopping tax refund on skincare still works: conditions, limits and what you get back.Check11/11

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PrepCheck11/11Korea weather in December: how cold it gets, what Koreans wear (Updated Nov 11, 2026)Seoul in December averages −3.4°C to 4.2°C with about 6 snow days. Official numbers for 4 cities, the 2026 outlook and the 4-layer way Koreans dress.Bite-size summary
  • December in Seoul averages −3.4°C in the morning and 4.2°C in the afternoon, with about 6 snow days. Busan and Jeju rarely drop below freezing (KMA normals, 1991–2020).
  • KMA's outlook (Oct 23, 2026): December 2026 has a 50% chance of being warmer than normal because of a strong El Niño. Still pack for sub-zero mornings.
  • Koreans wear 4 layers: thermal underwear, a sweater, a padded jacket, then scarf, gloves, hat and hand warmers.
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SangOffice worker (finance) | Writer at bitesizekoreaAt the office on weekdays, out checking things in person on weekends.

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Seven topics, each with the basics and the latest changes.

01Before you goEntry rules, weather, money, eSIMs and what to pack.1 article →02Getting aroundAirport to the city, subway, buses, T-money cards and taxis.1 article →03Must-have appsMaps, translation, taxis, food delivery: the apps Koreans actually use.1 article →04Neighborhoods and itinerariesSeoul, Busan, Jeju, day-by-day plans and the best season for each.Coming soon →05ShoppingOlive Young, Daiso, souvenirs and how the tax refund works.1 article →06Beauty and clinicsKorean skincare, skin clinics and the rules that changed.1 article →07K-CultureDrama locations, K-pop concert tickets, festivals and what is trending.Coming soon →

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Information you can plan a trip on.

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  • Checked from inside Korea

    We read the official notices and local news in Korean ourselves, then sum them up in plain English.

  • Every article has a check date

    Prices, opening hours and entry rules change. Each article shows when its facts were last checked.

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