What to See, Eat and Do in Korea (and Beyond)
Dragon Ball: Heroes Rise Asia Tour has officially landed in Seoul, and this is definitely not your average pop-up. Instead of simply displaying pieces behind glass, the exhibition takes you through some of the most iconic moments in the Dragon Ball universe with life-sized characters, recreated scenes, interactive games, photo zones and digital missions. So naturally, I had to check it out.
Pokémon Starlight Paradise has arrived at Lotte World Mall in Jamsil, featuring an impossible to miss, giant pokéball sitting right in the middle of the lawn. The ball is actually a giant dome that you can walk through. And inside is one of the most whimsical Pokémon displays I’ve seen so far. Imagine a rainbow lit pond filled with glowing Magikarp lanterns and beautiful sky projections all across the entire ceiling of the dome. Truly an immersive experience.
Cre8Cookies has been serving up the best homemade cookies in Seoul since 2016, and I should know because that’s how long I’ve been eating there. And while built they’ve built a reputation on deliciously oversized cookies, brownies, and American-style baked goodness, recently, they decided to take a step back, rebrand, and expand before reopening in a big new way.
Just a short walk from Hongdae and tucked away in Yeonnam-dong, Mariber Studio offers one of the cutest and most unique workshops I’ve come across in Seoul. Instead of browsing display cases, you’ll shape, carve, fire, polish, and finish a genuine sterling silver ring or charm that you design yourself.
If Seoul Forest wasn’t already one of my favorite places in the city, the 2026 Seoul International Garden Show cemented it. Thanks to the months long event, there are shops, events, and 167 custom-designed garden spaces. That’s 167 more reasons to visit one of the most popular places in Seoul.
The Pokémon 30th Anniversary Party is one of the main events of Pokémon Mega Festa 2026, a citywide celebration marking 30 years of Pokémon. Throughout May, Olive Young has teamed up with 61 beauty and lifestyle brands to release around 230 Pokémon-themed products and special gifts. And while you can find many of these products at any Olive Young, the biggest and most immersive location is Olive Young N Seongsu, where the Trendpot space has been turned into a giant Pokémon-themed party complete with photo zones, exclusive merchandise, and limited-edition collaborations.
If you somehow survived the original KPop Demon Hunters obsession last year, I regret to inform you that Seoul has decided to bring it back full circle. To celebrate the film’s first anniversary, the official KPop Demon Hunters One Year Anniversary POP-UP has just opened at The Hyundai Seoul, and it’s already becoming one of the busiest fandom events in the city right now.
Right now Seoul is hosting the Seoul International Garden Show. Last year it was held at Boramae Park and featured the adorable Metamong (Ditto) Garden. This year the show is being held at Seoul Forest and features 167 themed gardens, including the Pokémon Secret Forest.
Metamong Playground is basically a giant Ditto-themed universe hidden in Seongsu and the entire thing feels aggressively designed for social media in the best possible way (for the most part). Just picture purple everywhere, massive Ditto sculptures, Ditto walls, Ditto desserts, Ditto merch, Ditto chaos! In case you haven’t pieced it together, we’re pretty big on Ditto out here in Korea.
A complete guide to the Hirono pop-up in Seoul—learn about the character, the artist Lang, and what to expect at this immersive Seongsu event.
The Hangang Drone Light Show is back with 5 shows planned for the spring season starting with a BT21 themed show on April 10th. This will be kick off the Seoul Spring Festival and each session includes special performances and a mini drone show in addition to the main drone show. I’ve been to quite of few of these over the years and honestly they just keep getting better and better.
There’s a very specific moment every year in Seoul where the city blossoms. The air gets warmer. People stay outside longer. The Han River starts filling up again. And right now, that moment is happening. The Seoul Spring Festival isn’t just one event, it’s the whole city turning itself into a giant, ongoing experience. So, if you’re in Seoul right now, this is what you’re actually stepping into.
