What to See, Eat and Do in Korea (and Beyond)
If you’re planning on traveling to Korea during Chuseok (추석), don’t panic. The country doesn’t go into a complete shutdown mode. In fact, there are quite a few thing to do and enjoy over the holiday break. So if you need a few ideas, I’ve got you covered.
The Pompompurin’s Waa-ang Mandu Pop-Up (폼폼푸린의 와-앙만두) has taken over the 6th floor of Yongsan I’Park Mall’s Living Park, turning the space into an adorable little dumpling restaurant starring Pompompurin and his friends. The whole concept is based around 왕만두 (wang-mandu), those big, fluffy Korean steamed buns, and pretty much everything, from the displays to the merchandise, has been given a mandu makeover.
Pokémon Mega Festa 2026 continues here in Seoul with a gorgeous pop-up inspired by Korean minhwa (민화), or traditional folk painting, complete with Korean-inspired scenery, autumn imagery and traditional architecture. Oh and did I mention “Hanbok Pikachu”? Yes, lots and lots of hanbok wearing Pikachu just in time for Chuseok.
You probably already know that Seoul LOVES a good pop-up. But every once in a while, one comes along that feels like it was truly made for the fans. Enter Tears on a Withered Flower (시든 꽃에 눈물을). The hugely popular romance webtoon has officially taken over the Yongsan I’Park Mall’s webtoon pop-up zone.
The Seoul K-Medi Center (서울한방진흥센터) is a cultural and wellness complex dedicated to Korean traditional medicine. And on the surface I know that it doesn’t sound like the most interesting thing to put on your itinerary, but this isn’t your surface level kind of experience. The center was created to make Korean traditional medicine more accessible to the public through exhibitions, education and hands-on experiences. Rather than being simply a museum, it combines several different experiences under one roof.
The DDP Rooftop Tour is one of the most unique experiences in Seoul right now, giving visitors rare access to the rooftop of one of Korea’s most iconic buildings. Instead of just admiring the DDP from below, you get to step onto the actual structure designed by legendary architect Zaha Hadid and see Seoul from an entirely different perspective.
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.
