Back when I was traveling the world, things looked a lot different. Travelers would go out, explore, then blog about it—offering a fresh perspective from the road. Would-be travelers? They’d devour those posts and follow those footsteps to the T. Fast forward to now, and those same itineraries are getting recycled into “exclusive” travel packages. What’s worse? Some tour operators selling them have never even been to the places they’re promoting. Wild, right? And yet—people still buy them.
Now, no shade—okay, maybe just a little—but this kind of travel? It’s boring. It’s predictable. And worst of all, it’s disconnected from what’s actually happening on the ground. If I were planning a trip to Korea today? I wouldn’t go near those so-called travel agencies or cookie-cutter tour operators. I’d go straight to the source—the all-knowing, ever-roaming, ridiculously in-the-know Korean tour guide. These guides are out there every single day, boots on the ground, soaking up the latest vibes. And in Korea, that matters. Because things change fast. What’s trending today could be totally out next week. That’s what makes Korea electric. It’s alive, evolving, always just one alleyway away from surprising you.
Here’s a quick story: back when I was a guide (yeah, it’s been a minute), every itinerary I got from companies had Insadong on it. Every. Single. Time. Now, don’t get me wrong—Insadong is great. But tour companies were packing tourists in so tight, there was no room for discovery. Meanwhile, right across the street, this little gem of a neighborhood called Ikseondong was blooming. It was funky, fresh, full of hidden cafés and boutiques—and totally ignored. Why? Because the companies weren’t listening to the guides. And the guides weren’t pushing back—too risky. No guide wants to lose a gig by going rogue. Fast forward to now? Ikseondong is on everyone’s list. But the lesson sticks: if you want to experience today’s Korea, not last year’s version of it, you need someone who actually lives it.
So if I were planning a trip today, here’s what I’d do:
👉 Skip the middleman.
👉 Go to our site.
👉 Message a Korean tour guide directly.
And ask them just three things:
- Why would you be a great guide for me?
- What’s hot in Korea right now—what are people loving?
- Are you free when I’m visiting?
Bonus tip: tell them who you are and why you’re coming. It warms things up and makes the whole interaction less business, more personal. That way, when you meet in person, it feels more like meeting a friend than hiring a service. Trust me—this is how you’ll unlock the real Korea. And if you have questions before jumping in, just shoot us an email via the contact page. See you soon. Or better yet—see you in Korea.