This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we step through Namdaemun – Seoul’s south gate and a living symbol of the city’s moral and historical blueprint. From the 2008 fire to the 2013 restoration, we explore what “authenticity” really means when a nation rebuilds its heritage. Then we dive into the heartbeat next door: Namdaemun Market’s alleys, legends, and unforgettable comfort food.

This week on Arirang Travel Diaries, we’re heading to Gwanghwamun, the front gate of a dynasty in the very heart of Seoul. From royal palaces and political drama to winter lights and late-night hangover soup, we’ll peel back the many layers of this iconic square. Lace up your walking shoes, grab a warm drink, and join us at the Gate of Illuminating Transformation.

Welcome to Arirang Travel Diaries, where we explore everyday Seoul behind the headlines. Today, we’re stepping out of the studio and into our own backyard: Seocho-gu, Nambu Bus Terminal, and the Arirang Tower. From K-dramas and concert halls to hidden royal tombs and late-night noodles, this is the Seoul we actually live and work in.

Changgyeonggung may be the "Quiet" eastern palace, but in autumn it glows in red and gold, wrapping Seoul in history and color. In today's episode, we'll walk its courtyards and ponds, trace its surprising past as a zoo and park, and connect it to modern K-dramas and films. Whether you're planning a trip or traveling through your headphones, let's step through Honghwamun and into Changgyeonggung in autumn.

It’s Suneung day—the morning Korea holds its breath. We trace the exam’s shifting rules and rituals, from grounded flights and police escorts to sticky rice-cake superstitions and cheering squads. Then exhale with post-test hangouts and a watchlist that explains Korea’s education fever.

Autumn has painted Seoul gold, and we're heading into Changdeokgung-Joseon's most poetic palace-just in time for peak foliage. We'll walk the Secret Garden't storybook paths, trace court rituals rhrough Injeongdeon, and prime your imagination with film-and-drama scenes shot on-site. Then we'll slip out to Seosulla-gil for cozy cafes and snack stops that keep the palace mood going long after the gates close.

Folklore, urban legends, and where to feel the chills after dark. From dream visitations to school-bathroom myths, shaman streets, and Seoul’s “Gate of the Dead.” Pack curiosity, not bravado: this episode is part travel plan, part cultural decoder.

Ginkgo runway, hanok rooftops, and enough cafés to justify “just one more.” We’re walking Samcheong-dong—gallery alleys by day, City Wall glow by dusk. Bring comfy shoes and an appetite: today’s itinerary is carbs, culture, cardio.