Hi, I’m Woogie!
I’m the person behind Korea Trip Picks, a travel guide for anyone planning a trip to South Korea. My Korean name is Cheonwook, but my friends from abroad call me Woogie.
I was born and raised in Suwon, just south of Seoul, and I still live here today. Whenever a friend tells me they’re visiting Korea, I end up sending them a long list of places to go, things to eat, and mistakes to avoid. This blog is that list, shared with everyone.
What you will find on Korea Trip Picks
- Korea travel tips: airport transport, entry rules, apps, money, and what to know before you land
- Day trips beyond Seoul: starting with my hometown Suwon and the rest of Gyeonggi-do
- Local picks: places, food, and music I genuinely love and would recommend to a friend
- Seoul guides: neighborhoods, things to do, and where to stay
- Seasonal guides: when to visit and what to do in every season
Who am I?
Suwon is home to Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 1790s under King Jeongjo. I grew up with those fortress walls as part of everyday life, and my favorite spot is still Janganmun, the grand north gate.
Because I actually live here, I can visit the places I write about, check what has changed, and share the small details that are hard to find in English: which bus to take, what to order, and when to go to skip the crowds.
A few fun facts
- I’m a big coffee lover. On weekends you’ll usually find me at a friend’s café in Haenggung-dong, right next to Hwaseong Haenggung Palace.
- I play futsal now and then, and I’m always up for hunting down great local restaurants with friends.
- My go-to order at Suwon Chicken Street is ban-ban: half fried, half sweet and spicy yangnyeom.
- I love recommending music as much as places, so expect a Korea travel playlist here someday.
Some favorites
- Suwon Day Trip from Seoul: A Local’s Guide to Hwaseong Fortress
- How to Get from Incheon Airport to Seoul
- K-ETA 2027: Do You Need One for Korea?
More about me and Korea Trip Picks
Can I ask you a question about my Korea trip?
Of course. Send me a message through the Contact page and I will do my best to help. I can’t make bookings for you, but I’m happy to point you in the right direction.
Can I request a guide?
Yes, please! If there’s a place or topic you want me to cover, let me know. Reader questions are some of my favorite things to write about.
How do you keep your guides up to date?
Prices, hours, and rules in Korea change often. I check official sources when I write each guide and update posts when things change. The date at the top of each post shows when it was last updated.
Do you use affiliate links?
Some posts include affiliate links, which help keep this site running at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I would suggest to a friend. You can read more on my Affiliate Disclosure page.
Enjoy Korea!
— Woogie
