A Lunar New Year Escape to Seoul
I don’t know about you, but 2025 hasn’t exactly started with a bang for me. It’s been a heavy few months, weighed down by grief and a longing for escape. And what better way to escape than through travel? For as long as I can remember, Lunar New Year (or Chinese New Year) in Singapore has always felt like the perfect opportunity to pack my bags and leave. The string of public holidays makes it ideal, but there’s always been this unspoken obligation to stay—to gather with distant family and relatives, the ones I only see once a year, only to have the same conversations over and over again. So this year, I did something a little selfish, and put a distance of 4,669 kilometers (or 2,903 miles, if you prefer) between me and my worries.
Why Seoul?
When planning our trip, a group of former colleagues-turned-friends and their partners (my husband had to stay behind to manage the Lunar New Year festivities in Singapore) faced a geographical and cultural puzzle. We needed a destination close enough for a short getaway, yet one where Lunar New Year celebrations wouldn't disrupt our plans. This ruled out China and Vietnam. Recent trips to Bali and Japan by some in the group further narrowed our options.
While I had previously explored Seoul and Jeju, this would be a fresh experience for the rest of the group. They were eager to discover the source of Korea's undeniable influence on pop culture, cuisine, and skincare. And with reasonable flight prices, Seoul became the clear choice. Let's not forget the incredible octopus bibimbap on Korean Air as well.
Filling Our Days
Travelling with a group of five might sound like a logistical challenge, but our crew was refreshingly laid-back. None of us were rigid about plans or schedules. Our only preparation? A shared Google Map dotted with intriguing spots we’d saved for inspiration. Each day, we’d loosely map out a route and see what we could fit in, letting the city guide us.
Of course, we hit the classic Seoul must-dos: wandering through bustling markets, marvelling at the grandeur of ancient palaces, and hopping between Instagram-worthy cafes. Inspired by Culinary Wars, we made it our mission to eat at least five meals a day, whether we were hungry or not. With five of us, we had the perfect sampling squad to try everything from piping hot hotteok that burn the roof of your mouth, to comforting noodle soups and KBBQ that left your clothes smelling like everything but the kitchen sink. When you’re averaging 20,000 steps a day in the middle of a freezing Seoul winter, calories don’t count, right?
But we also wanted to see a different side of the city. That's where the DMZ tour came in – our only pre-booked excursion, a window into a different chapter of Korea's history, courtesy of Klook.
DMZ Day Tour
The DMZ tour we booked felt a lot like what most Singaporeans would recognise as a Chan Brothers-style group tour—early morning rendezvous, a large bus filled with about 40 people, and a full day of planned activities. I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting such a big group, but it’s how they keep the tour affordable. As someone who doesn’t mind traveling with strangers, I didn’t mind the setup at all. If you’re not set on a private tour (which can be significantly pricier), these group tours are a great way to explore without breaking the bank.
But what truly made this tour unforgettable was our guide, Paul, who brought history to life through personal stories, weaving tales of his own family tree into the broader narrative of Korea’s past and present. It felt like watching one of those K-dramas that shift between timelines (think Pachinko), showing how actions from the past ripple into the present. And let’s not forget—the conflict between North and South Korea is still very much alive, which made Paul’s storytelling all the more poignant and relevant.
When my friends and I reflected on our trip back at our Airbnb, the DMZ tour emerged as a standout highlight. It wasn’t just the history or the sights—it was the way the experience shifted our perspectives. For many of us, it redefined what a guided tour could be: not just a checklist of attractions, but a deeply personal and educational journey.
Unexpected Fun At a Makkeoli Bar
One of the unexpected highlights of our trip was a visit to Mr. Ahn’s Craft Makgeolli, a charming makgeolli bar my husband had been eager to check out since our last visit to Seoul. This time, we made sure to secure a reservation a few nights in advance—highly recommended, especially on weekends when the place gets busy.
The bar was a relatively short but chilly 20-minute walk from our Airbnb in Itaewon. Be warned, though: the terrain is hilly, and you’ll find yourself navigating steep slopes along the way. That said, I love how walkable Seoul is, even at night. In the busier parts of the city, it felt safe to wander around as a group, though, as always, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings.
From the outside, the bar is unassuming, tucked away among a row of shops. Its entrance is so tiny that if you walk too quickly, you might miss it entirely. But step inside, and you’re transported into a dimly lit, almost upscale space that made our casual group feel a tad underdressed. The host, dressed in a sharp suit, led us to our cozy corner table, where we were greeted by an extensive menu of Korean alcohols. Naturally, we felt a little overwhelmed.
Enter Jake (at least, I think that was his name), our server for the evening. He was quite the character—eccentric, with a service style that some might call stiff. To us, it was deadpan comedic gold. The bar offered a huge variety of alcohols we’d never heard of, and we had no idea where to start. Every time we asked a question about a particular drink, Jake would disappear and return with a sample for us to taste. It became a running joke—ask a question, get a drink. The moral of the story? Never ask, never know. Don’t be shy, folks!
We ended up staying longer, and drinking more than we’d planned. Even the one guy in our group who doesn’t usually drink alcohol had a blast sampling the unique flavours throughout the night. By the time we left, we were thoroughly warmed for our walk back.
Pounding Pavements
One of the best ways to truly experience a city is by walking its streets, and Seoul is a dream destination for explorers on foot. Thanks to its highly efficient public transport system and walkability, we covered a lot of ground during our trip—literally. If you don’t have mobility issues, I highly recommend ditching the taxis and subways (at least some of the time) and letting your feet guide you, as you never know what you might stumble upon.
One day, we decided to visit Seoul Forest Park. On paper, it was supposed to take us no more than 40 minutes to get there from our starting point. But as we wandered through the streets, 40 minutes easily turned into two hours—and then four—as we kept stopping at every interesting shop, cafe, and alleyway that caught our eye. When we finally arrived at Seoul Forest Park, we were greeted by a magical winter wonderland. A blanket of snow covered the ground, blurring the boundaries of pavement and grassland. Dogs ran freely, playing catch with their owners. Now, If that’s not heaven, I don’t know what is.
We spent another hour or two wandering through the park, engaging in a friendly snowball-throwing competition (who could make the best snowball and throw it the farthest?) and admiring the resident deer. It was serene, picturesque, and exactly the kind of escape I needed.
We visited in late January and early February 2025, a time when heavy snowfall warnings were in full swing. While the locals might not have been thrilled about the weather, we, as tourists, were absolutely delighted. Sure, the bone-chilling temperatures (I’m a tropical girl at heart) made exploring equal parts fun and, well, painful. Walking an obscene number of steps a day felt manageable—until the wind hit our faces and froze us mid-step. But the snowscape transformed Seoul into a completely different world compared to my last visit in autumn, when golden hues dominated the scenery. This time, the city felt quieter, softer, and almost otherworldly under its snowy blanket.
To parents from tropical countries (like me!) whose kids are begging for a wintery holiday without breaking the bank, I highly recommend Seoul in February. It’s affordable, family-friendly, and offers a magical winter experience that’s hard to beat.
Looking back, I’m so glad this little escape turned out to be so much fun. It reminded me that you don’t need to have every detail planned to enjoy a trip. Sometimes, all it takes is good company, a willingness to look past a Google review, and the courage to let the day take you where it wants. After all, the best adventures are often the ones you don’t see coming.
