Have you ever wondered what the word ‘대박 (Dae-bak)’ actually means when you hear it in your favorite K-dramas? Or maybe you’ve seen those incredibly aesthetic cafes in Seongsu-dong or Hongdae on your Instagram feed and thought, “I need to go there, but how do I find the hidden gems?”
If you are planning your very first trip to South Korea, or if you’ve just taken your first steps into starting a new life here in Seoul, you’ve probably realized one thing: Real Korea is so much more dynamic than what you see in textbooks!
안녕! Welcome! I am so thrilled to have you here. I’m Sam—your new local friend and certified Korean language teacher based right here in Seoul.
💡 Fun Fact: In Korea, we casually call our teachers ‘쌤 (Sam)’! So you can think of me as your personal ‘Sam’ in every sense of the word!
My Story: Why I Built This Space For You
Before becoming a certified language teacher and creative entrepreneur in Seoul, I spent years working within the fast-paced fashion industry—which is why I love the clean, minimalist, and urban aesthetics you will see all over this blog.
But more importantly, I have been exactly where you are standing right now.
I am an avid traveler who has explored over 40 countries and had the incredible opportunity to live and unpack my bags in 6 different foreign nations. Living abroad is an amazing adventure, but it comes with one massive, exhausting challenge: learning the local language and culture.
My Life Journey:
[Explored 40+ Countries] ──► [Felt the Struggles of Foreign Languages] ──► [Returning the Kindness to You]
During my toughest moments in foreign cities, it was always the patient local friends who took the time to explain real slang, guide me to non-touristy cafes, and welcome me into their culture that saved my journey.
Seoul Says is my way of paying that kindness forward to you. I want to utilize my official Korean teaching background and my insider knowledge of Seoul to be that supportive local friend for you.
What You’ll Discover at ‘Seoul Says’
To help you vibe with South Korea like a true local, I’ll be sharing high-quality, curated posts across three main categories:
1. Real Korean (살아있는 한국어)
Forget stiff, robotic textbook grammar. Here, you will learn the actual slang, text-lingo, and conversational expressions that 2030 Koreans use daily. From K-media and drama breakdowns to essential survival phrases for ordering on local delivery apps!
2. Trends & Culture (K-트렌드 & 라이프스타일)
Korean culture is constantly evolving, heavily influenced by K-pop, television dramas, and fashion. Stay updated with what’s buzzing in Seoul right now. We’ll talk about the hottest pop-up stores, art galleries, contemporary social issues, and daily news you actually care about.
3. Local Travel Tips (로컬 여행 꿀팁)
Say goodbye to crowded tourist traps and hello to hidden gems. Curated with a minimalist, urban aesthetic, I’ll share neighborhood guides, must-download apps for living in Korea, and the most aesthetic spots that locals actually frequent.
Let’s Start This Journey Together!
Starting a new chapter in a foreign country—or even just deep-diving into a new language—can be both thrilling and overwhelming. But don’t worry, you’ve got a professional local guide in your pocket now.
Whether you’re here to master conversational Korean, hunt for the perfect oat latte, or figure out how to navigate the Seoul subway system without getting lost, Seoul Says is here to listen to what you need and tell you everything you want to know.
Follow along, embrace the journey, and leave a comment below: What is your biggest question or curiosity about Korea right now?
안녕! See you in the next post!
— Your Personal Sam (쌤)