In July 2013, I arrived in Seoul full of hope and ready for a new beginning. I had just joined a new company and was about to start a completely new chapter of my life, an opportunity that doesn’t come very often. Incheon Airport greeted me after a red-eye flight. I had moved to new countries before, so landing in a foreign place wasn’t new to me, but something about Korea felt different. Incheon Airport looked very clean and modern, yet it felt somewhat cold and unfriendly. It was very different from the Southeast Asian airports I was used to. No one was hassling me for a ride, and everyone seemed to have a plan as they rushed in their own way.
Looking back, that moment of uncertainty marked the beginning of a journey. Little did I know that this journey would be full of discovery, adjustment, and unexpected challenges. These experiences shaped both my career and my personal identity in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
This blog is about my life in Korea and what it’s like living in Korea as a foreigner, unexpected joys, cultural surprises, and lessons learned along the way. I hope you can relate to some of my experiences and find comfort or insight along the way.