October 2024 - Seoul + Busan [BoA One's Own in Seoul]

Short 5 night trip to Korea recently for BoA's concert in Seoul! Since I've been to Seoul a couple of times, decided to take the opportunity to head to Busan for 3 days as well. We took Scoot from Singapore to Seoul, then SQ from Busan back to Singapore and it cost around $700 per person in total. 

Day 1

We took a red-eye flight and landed just after 9am, then took a taxi to Shilla Stay Samsung which is directly opposite COEX and near 2 subway lines - line 9 which goes directly to the Olympic Stadium for the concert, as well as line 2 which goes to the Seongsudong area.

It was before check-in time so we left our luggage and headed to Songpa area for lunch, and accidentally took the express train (so confusing!) so had to take the train back. I already joined the waitlist for Memiljib on catchtable but this led me to miss my turn, so we had to rejoin the waitlist which had 10 teams in front. 

 

While waiting, decided to go to Bontemps nearby to get donuts!

 

In that short time, suddenly we shot to the front of the queue and had to run back to avoid missing the turn again! Anyway, we finally got into the tiny establishment and ordered truffle potato pancake, buckwheat noodles and sous vide pork. It's fusion korean so very different from what we normally have but it was SO GOOD, esp the truffle potato pancake.  

There was still time to spare after lunch so we stopped by Cafe Sable for some coffee and dessert!

Since I bought the VIP ticket for Day 1, I could join the sound check before the concert, so we headed to the stadium pretty early. Had to collect tickets and they're pretty vigilant about preventing scalping so I even had to show my passport! The ticket is this personalised card which was sooo pretty. 

 

Since it was early, the queue to take pics with the photobooth wasn't too long. Also queued for some merch! I'm so glad I finally have the chance to use the lightstick I bought years ago. 

 

 

 

4pm was the entrance time for VIPs to watch the sound check! BoA came out in this super baggy stripy top and cargo pants. First song was LOVE which then transited into Quincy and I just about died as its one of my all time faves. Always a blast. Then Garden in the Air T_T Another one of my all time faves. Finally My Name, which was one of the first few BoA songs I knew because of Kahi but not my personal favourite. She was so cute and kept saying that we should be allowed to leave the venue haha. "What are yall gonna do here until 6pm??" She went in around 450pm so from that time till the actual concert at 6pm was napping time for me. 

Her songs were playing continuously while people streamed in, and finally at 6.10pm, she came out in this fancy princessy dress. No.1 opener, just to get it out of the way haha. 

 

Then Atlantis Princess! The guy in front of me kept shouting BO super loudly and she tsked him before singing the final kidohallae with zero instrumental haha. Then it was more dancey songs with Masayume Chasing (SO FUN), LOVE + Quincy!

 

When introducing the next song, she said it was a song that many people wanted her to sing but she's never performed live. And I was desperately hoping for Start Over because it's my favourite song from her in recent years, and then the instrumental came out and I nearly cried because it was REALLY Start Over. Like what are the chances?! Love love loved the live version. Never getting over this. Last song of first segment was The Greatest which I have to admit I'm not super familiar with. 

Band intro while she went to change, then she came back up in this outfit with a tie and a slanted hat looking very cool. More dance songs with The Shadow and Rock With You. Then Forgive Me on the center stage. Her vocals - ON POINT. Next were Hurricane Venus and Emptiness which were all super choreo heavy. And then Do The Motion ahhhh!!!! One of my fave Japanese singles from her and it's always so jazzy and cool. Finally, Valenti!! Another old all time fave. 

 

Then it was time for another costume change / break with dancer intros and Moana from Street Woman Fighter was here. 

BoA came back up in this green dress and we tried to stand up and got sat back down haha because its ballad segment now. All That Jazz first which I have to admit I couldn't recall the name of initially. Then Garden In The Air, Waiting and If You Were Here!! Some of these really old ballads which I love and never expected for her to sing again. Then Every Heart?! One of her most well known songs which I'd never have expected her to sing.

Then she told us it was the last song but it was 740pm so obviously that was not true. "Ended" with Only One vocals ver - always a treat for the ears. 

 

 

We were given banners beforehand to sing Hope when lyrics come out on the screen...and to NOT shout encore. But it took awhile so everyone was just sitting there and not moving haha but finally it came out and we sang super softly and of course she sang along backstage while getting ready for the encore. And she was like..."yall were so timid/shy" and fans were saying that the song is too high haha. 

 

Encore time! Breathe, My Name and finally Girls On Top. Putting My Name in the sound check was so weird because obviously if she didn't perform it in the main set list then we would know it's in the encore. Anyway, she did her bows and went off stage.

 

 

 

And NOW the encore shouts started. So she came back again and did Someday Somewhere which I also forgot the name of initially oops. Because it was from her freaking debut album! And she even did the super cutesy choreo omg I cannot. She was sooooooo cute. 

 

Concert ended for real so I headed to meet my parents for dinner. Wanted to eat gamjatang (pork back stew) because the dad loves it so I went to find a highly rated one and arranged to meet there but it was unfortunately closed. Luckily I found a 24h one nearby so we uber-ed there and ended up having a super humongous and satisfying dinner. We ordered the small gamjatang that was decidedly not small. Plus a plate of mandus and a bowl of rice. We wanted to get fried rice too but luckily its the kind that is fried after you're done with the soup so it wasn't served initially, because we definitely couldn't have finished it. So full but so good.

 

 

Finally, heading to the hotel!

 

 

Day 2

Went out a little late because I went for a morning 10k at the gym and wow their treadmills all have a personal TV to watch shows!

Started the day proper with cafe hopping at Seongsudong. We reached Cafe Onion around 10am and omg it was a madhouse inside. Initially the queue was inside and subsequently the staff made people queue outside which was much less chaotic. The cafe itself is huge but half the seats are upstairs and it was kinda sunny. Luckily we managed to get indoor seats eventually. I was picking stuff and mostly copying what other people were taking heh. There was this Mt Fuji looking thing which is like a vanilla cake with a ton of icing sugar on top...and disaster struck when the Singaporean in front of us turned and his huge backpack knocked my item over. Luckily there was a staff next to us so she helped to change it. We also got the pistachio croissant and some fig dessert. Plus a flat white and choco latte which they branded as best in town. Honestly, food and drinks were okay but not worth the wait imo. 

 

 

 

 

Walked around to buy stuff at Daiso before heading to Herge bakery to takeaway a croffle, financier and basil scone. Scones seem to be an in thing now, and this was super yummy!

 

 

 

 

And then to Rain Report Croissant. Suuuper aesthetic cafe with an indoor garden and waterfall feature outside, with the seats arranged in amphitheatre style. The desserts were super aesthetic as well. We got the ribbon croissant with oreo cream which was nice, and the rainbow croissant which was 'storm smoke' and kinda savoury and unorthodox. I didn't quite like it but the parents enjoyed it. Black sesame latte was amazing!!

Walked towards the super busy shopping street and saw a massive line for shio pan haha. Another in thing which I'm not a huge fan of. Visited Nudake for the aesthetics and was fully intending to buy something to try but all the food looked so unappetising. I only really wanted to try the microcroissants but it was a bit dumb to only order that so I decided to just head to the stadium. 

 

 

Collected my ticket for Day 2, took some pics and was on my way. 

Different view today - L1 and on the right side. Further away but better view of the choreo and formations. 

 

She did the exact same set list as the previous day. I could anticipate when to film now since I knew what was coming up, but I didn't anticipate her forgetting the lyrics to Garden In The Air hahah. And she ended the song with I'm Sorry~ so cute! Right after that was the audience interaction part so she was explaining that the lyrics were right in front of her but she was so immersed in singing that she couldn't see it. And she said at least it shows its all live haha. Tbh I think sometimes fans like it even more when mistakes are made since it makes the performance special. And of course, live vocals are always the best. I'm still amazed at her ability to sing and dance live for over 2 hours on her own. She does have some backtrack for the dance songs but it's still live. 

 

 

 

Encore time!

 

 

She was also goofing around with the dancers during the encore which was super cute. Since it's the second and final day for Seoul, fans kept saying dashihae (do it again). And she was like "Yall have to work tomorrow!!" Fans: i'll resign!! LMAO. 

 

 

 

My lightstick was running out of battery by the end of the second con though haha luckily it barely managed to last. And after the second encore, fans just refused to move and kept shouting until the staff had to chase everyone out.

 

I was on my way to the station but suddenly realised I left my specs behind so had to head back. It wasn't at the lost and found booth initially and they were pretty reluctant to check again but luckily one staff acceded and they went to search around my seat and found it. Whew! Hurried over to Sinsadong to have KBBQ at the famous Ggupdang. It's on the Michelin guide so very popular and luckily my parents joined the queue earlier so I managed to eat straightaway. The BBQ was okay but the standouts for me were the soybean paste stew and the truffle chappagetti! 

Day 3

Started the day with breakfast at Four Stones Coffee Roasters just behind our hotel. We ordered the yoghurt + granola, fig scone and egg tomato ham sandwich plus coffee. Really yummy and affordable! And it's a HUGE space too. 

Took an Uber to Seoul station and was super stressed by the traffic but thankfully made it in time for our KTX train to Busan. 3h journey which was fairly comfortable, then took forever to find the pick up spot for the Uber before we were finally on our way to Seomyeon to check into Lotte Hotel Busan! 

Checked into a very large and spacious room.

First thing on the itinerary was to try milmyeon (buckwheat noodles) at the street nearby. Had the mul milmyeon, bibim milmyeon and dumplings. Yummm. 

 

Weather was pretty bad so we mostly stayed indoors shopping. Went to Samjung tower and chanced upon an optical shop and ended up each getting an item because specs are sooo cheap. I made a new pair (with lens) for less than 70 bucks! Next stop was Seomyeon underground shopping mall where I bought more clothes. 

Had our fill of shopping, so headed to Gwangalli beach to see the famous bridge lit up at night. Also managed to catch the light show!

 

Walked over to Millac the Market which was a very hipster mall with a DJ playing music and people chilling on the steps. 

It was still rainy so we took an uber to Pungcheonman at Haeundae to have grilled eel! They have their own farm with unlimited fresh veggies which was right up my alley. Also, fish for a change after so much pork the previous days. We were so amused when the server rearranged the fish back in the original shape after grilling it haha. We also ordered the doenjang jjigae and the eel stew which were amazing!!

 

 

 

Decided to brave the rain and take public transport back, but we didn't realise there was a completely sheltered way back from Seomyeon station to our hotel so we got horribly drenched.

Day 4

The weather forecast was rainy as well and I originally planned to visit the beaches, but decided to swap the itinerary and do Nampo instead. Though that meant I had to skip Jagalchi market since it's closed on the third Tuesday of the month.

Started the day at a cafe called Caffeinated which was one of the very few cafes open in the morning.  Korea's breakfast places are like rice + stews, while cafes mostly open late. The brunch platter was pretty average, but the french toast was super eggy and satisfying!

Walked past the Busan Tower.

Happened to pass by the Busan modern and contemporary history museum so went in for a quick tour since it was free admission and to escape the rain. It was small but gave a quick and interesting run through about Busan's role during the Japanese occupation and citizen demonstrations.

 

 

The sky cleared up around noon, so we decided to head to Gamcheon Cultural Village before the weather turned bad again. Took a million photos with the colourful houses and all the pretty murals and photo spots. I don't know why Little Prince became a mascot of the place but it's very smart to have a theme and generate tons of money from it.

  

 

 

There were so many pretty souvenirs so I bought a couple of magnets. Also stopped by Gamcheon bakery to get the moon bread which is apparently a THING.

Dropped by Coffee It House for desserts and coffee with a gorgeous view. 

 

Headed back to the city and wanted to visit the Boso Book Street but strangely most of the stores were closed. 

It was raining again so we quickly went to Gukje market to take shelter. Tried Sinchang toast which was simple but yummy. And did some market shopping! 

Next stop was BIFF street/square to try more street food. The ssiat hotteok is soo sinful but so good. 

 

Popped by a bookstore and ended up getting some presents. Then walked a long way underground to Lotte Mart at Gwangbok to buy the whole store haha. Spent over a hundred bucks buying every flavour of HBAF nuts and other snacks. 

And then we walked back to the market area for more street food for dinner. Tried the famous 10won pancake as well as chicken skewers, fish cake and tuna kimbap. The Kkangtong night market started at 7.30pm officially and we saw the owners pushing in their carts which was so interesting! Ended up getting some grilled prawns to add to my salad for a diy prawn salad. 

We were back early so that I could run! The fitness club was super fancy. They have a whole reception area and staff to help in the locker rooms as well. Though I didn't need it since I brought all my gear and went straight to the gym - which was huge and had like over 10 treadmills, each fitted with a tv as well. There's also a sauna in the fitness club, though I didn't have a chance to try it.

Day 5

Last day in Busan! So glad we swapped the itinerary as the weather was amazing! 

First stop of the day was Haedong Yonggungsa Temple by the sea. Luckily we went early because the whole place was packed when we were leaving. Amazing views but unfortunately the temple itself was undergoing renovations so it was covered by a blue tarp.

 

 

 

 

 

Checked out the Lotte Premium Outlet which was a short walk away.

Then continued on our journey to Gukbo Seaweed Soup to try the famous soup. Each person had to order one dish, so we had the boneless flounder seaweed soup, abalone + pollack seaweed soup and abalone porridge. Plus a gazillion side dishes. Seaweed overload but so yummy. 

 

Walked over to Cafe Yoon which was just 10min away to enjoy amazing desserts with gorgeous sea views. The special yoon coffee which was iced latte with earl grey syrup was surprisingly good. 

 

Continued walking to Songjeong beach and wanted to take the beach train from Songjeong to the Daritdol observatory but there weren't tickets until 4pm....so we ended up walking instead. The walk took about 30min but it was along the coast so it was very enjoyable.

 

 

Another short walk to Cheongsapo and luckily managed to buy tickets for the beach train this time to get to Mipo station to visit Haeundae beach. It was around sunset so the views were absolutely gorgeous! 

 

After our fill of beaches, headed to the Haeundae market and got this tiny free ice cream sample haha. 

Walked around the shopping area and happened to see Osulloc so had to stop and get some matcha biscuits for my sister and earl grey biscuits for ourselves. 

Continuing our cafe hopping, headed to Haeridangil cafe st to visit Duplit, our second cafe of the day. We ordered a corn einspanner which was surprisingly good (also very sweet) and pudding cheesecake. 

Took the train from Haeundae to Centum City Mall, though we skipped Spaland since our hotel has a sauna.

Finally, to our last dinner stop - Ssangdungi pork & rice soup. We ordered two bowls intending to share (no way could we finish 3 bowls of rice), and they ended up giving an extra bowl as "service"! This is one of the must-try foods in Busan and it's simple but hearty. I love the culture of wrapping meat in vegetables to make ssam as it makes the meal so veggie filled haha.

 

Headed back to Seomyeon where I intended to return to one of the stores at the underground mall to buy more clothes. Unfortunately, I got a bit lost and the shop was closed by the time we reached. I wasn't done with my cafe hopping because we still had to go to Jeonpo cafe street. Walked past the super bustling Seomyeon youth street which was so happening at 10pm.

Arrived at Vintage38 on Jeonpo Cafe Street, our third cafe of the day! It opens till 2am and is a super pretty and aesthetically decorated cafe with all the vintage items. Ended up ordering a choc financier, injeolmi & mugwort cake and ice cream latte. We were taking a risk with the mugwort cake (over chocolate) and were very pleasantly surprised by how yummy it was. 

 

And that's the last of our adventures. Woke up super early the next day to check out, head to the airport and take an early 7.40am flight back to Sg. Short but super fulfilling trip!