Why I Left a Piece of My Heart in Korea – KEVIN PABLEO
It is amazing how time flies—I can’t believe it is already April 2026. My mind and soul are still lingering in South Korea, even though it has been three weeks since our trip ended. It was a significant milestone for me, marking my first international travel since visiting Singapore back in April 2011. This marks the beginning of my Southeast Asian expansion, the #KPabAsiaTour, spanning 2026 and 2027. The journey began in November 2025 when we booked our flights; while my mother applied for her visa in San Francisco, I handled my application locally. I’ll admit I was nervous, as the thought of a visa denial after booking the flights was stressful, but thankfully, my approval came through in February and my excitement went through the roof. From March 8 to 15, we fully immersed ourselves in the vibrant world of Hallyu, experiencing a culture unlike any other.
. There are three primary goals for this tour: first, to indulge in as much authentic Korean cuisine as possible while avoiding fast-food chains; second, to see a Korean superstar in person: Wendy or IU at the top of my wishlist; and finally, to simply enjoy every moment.
Our adventure started in Busan, where we arrived early in the morning. One detail that immediately stood out was the immigration area; alongside the officers, they had voice machines with Filipino translations, which felt incredibly welcoming. Stepping out of the airport was a true “pinch-me” moment, as the crisp, cool air was something I hadn’t experienced since my trip to the U.S. back in 2004. Busan reminded me a bit of Cebu, but with a refreshing seaside chill. “I was layered up in double shirts and a jacket for the first time—and surprisingly, I didn’t break a sweat all day!
One thing that hit me immediately about South Korea? The absolute obsession with coffee! You can’t walk down a single street without running into at least three or four unique cafes. Whether it’s the chilly weather or just the fast-paced lifestyle, grabbing a cup seems to be the national pastime.
The city is impeccably clean, and the temperature makes it possible to walk for hours without getting tired. A major highlight was visiting the Jagalchi Market for a lobster feast after sightseeing at Busan Tower. While in Busan, we also experienced the Haeundae Blueline Park train ride, which offered an incredibly relaxing way to take in the stunning panoramic views of the coastline.
I spent the first two days of our trip diving headfirst into Korean cuisine. On the menu: plenty of tteok-bokki, fish cakes, dried squid, bibimbap, and japchae. Checking off the first goal of my Korean trip!
Watch our Busan trip
After two and a half days, we boarded the KTX bullet train to Seoul for a seamless two-hour cross-country ride. Interestingly, I found Busan’s breeze much colder than the air in the capital, but Seoul truly lives up to its reputation in other ways. The public transportation system—from subways to taxis—is world-class, and the internet speed is the fastest I’ve ever experienced, even on mobile data.
As someone deeply interested in how the industry works, the MBC Studio Tour was worth every cent of the Php13,000 fee for two. We got a behind-the-scenes look at a rehearsal for the hit series The First Man, observed a “storycon,” and saw the technical precision of their dubbing and audio control rooms.
During their rehearsal, we caught a glimpse of the series protagonist, Hahm Eun-jung. She is absolutely stunning in person! As she walked right past us, she took a moment to offer a warm greeting. Outside of acting, Eun-jung is a member of the iconic second-generation K-Pop group, T-ara.. Another check on my main goal for this trip. While walking through the Music Core theater, we saw the crew setting up the stage for an upcoming taping. The atmosphere was buzzing, and I noticed the P1Harmony logo prominently displayed on the set.. and the MBC radio station was an absolute dream for an entertainment enthusiast.
Next on the list was the famous Starfield Library. While it’s visually stunning, my experience was a bit of an ‘expectation vs. reality’ moment. I had imagined a quiet, enclosed attraction, but since it’s actually a mall atrium, it’s far from peaceful. Between the echoes of the crowd and the constant stream of people passing through, the atmosphere was a bit too chaotic for my liking.
Seoul is a city of endless energy, whether you are shopping in Myeongdong and Dongdaemun, hanging out in the vibrant districts of Hongdae and Gangnam, or catching a show at Olympic Park or in Goyang. I also made sure to visit the Seoul Museum of History, as learning about the city’s journey was fascinating; it is the perfect destination if you love the intersection of modern entertainment and rich heritage. Our week-long trip last month completely shifted my perspective.
I was really hoping to catch ILLIT live at the Handball Stadium, but tickets were completely sold-out. It was a similar story for ZEROBASEONE; they held a three-night encore at the KSPO Dome, and every single seat was already sold out! We noticed a huge number of Filipino fans who had traveled all the way there specifically for the encore shows. It was amazing to see such a strong Pinoy presence in the crowd!
To top it off, our trip ended just one week before the BTS Arirang Comeback Show at Gwanghwamun Plaza. Since I couldn’t catch the show, I made sure to grab a photo at the famous ‘BTS stairs’ in the plaza.
We also swung by the HYBE office in Yongsan, where we saw a lovely birthday tribute for Suga in the nearby park—a nice way to celebrate, since his birthday was just this past March 9.
We definitely weren’t going to pass up the chance to try authentic Samgyeopsal! It was a dream come true to visit Kim Jong Kook and Haha’s restaurant in Hongdae. At first, finding the place was a challenge; it wasn’t listed on Naver Map, and the pin on Google Maps turned out to be inaccurate. After searching for over an hour, we finally decided to look up the exact street address. As it turns out, the restaurant was actually four blocks away from the nearest subway station.
Finally arriving was such a relief! It was a fulfilling moment for two reasons: first, we hadn’t eaten since lunch and were starving just in time for dinner; and second, I was finally seeing the place in person after only knowing it through Instagram and online reviews. They specialize in grilled pork samgyupsal, and the best part is that the staff handles all the cooking for you!
The Korean people are among the kindest and most welcoming I’ve ever met, and I deeply admire how they have preserved their culture while sharing it with the global stage. Looking back, it was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. South Korea, you were truly unforgettable.
Will I go back to South Korea? Definitely! We are already considering a return trip this winter, though nothing is set in stone just yet. One of my biggest goals is to experience a live concert there someday; I’m aiming to head back and catch a show by next year. I am already looking forward to experiencing that energy all over again because, as the saying goes, Seoul is my soul.
