It is amazing how time flies\u2014I can\u2019t 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\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n
. 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u201cpinch-me\u201d moment, as the crisp, cool air was something I hadn\u2019t experienced since my trip to the U.S. back in 2004. Busan reminded me a bit of Cebu, but with a refreshing seaside chill. \u201cI was layered up in double shirts and a jacket for the first time\u2014and surprisingly, I didn\u2019t break a sweat all day!<\/p>\n One thing that hit me immediately about South Korea? The absolute obsession with coffee! You can\u2019t walk down a single street without running into at least three or four unique cafes. Whether it\u2019s the chilly weather or just the fast-paced lifestyle, grabbing a cup seems to be the national pastime.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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!<\/p>\n Watch our Busan trip<\/strong><\/p>\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thekevinpableo.wordpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/648774503_10162475149817874_7844523289224409728_n.jpg?w=768\")
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