FMS Korea Study Trip // Highlights

Hey!

I'm back from Korea! The trip was really really awesome. I miss the atmosphere, weather, shopping and everything there. It is actually my second time in Korea! Even though it was a study trip, it really didn't feel like one (in a good way). Spent the 10 days there bonding with four lovely girls: Valencia (roomie), Clare, Constance and Isabelle. We may have angsty and bimbo moments but that makes the experience even more amazing.

I tried starting on a non-summarised version of this post but there were simply too many pictures to fit in so I decided to do a 'highlights' post. It's going to be a long post but I'll let the pictures do the talking :)

Day 0 - Changi Airport

Airport fashion with matching army green outerwears getting ready for check-in and departure

Day 1 - Incheon Airport > Seoul Station > Busan

Seoul square opposite Seoul station

Travelling on the KTX train from Seoul to Busan

Reached Busan in time for Korean BBQ dinner near some fish market

Day 2 - Hanhwa Resort > Youngsan University > Haedong Yonggungsa Temple > YSU Festival

Enjoying the morning view from Hanhwa Resort 

Outside Youngsan University

This was on one of the screens in the control room

Sea breeze by Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Looks like a family photo right? The stones are real!

Managed to catch 4-minute's performance at the Youngsan University Festival! The atmosphere was so good!

Day 3 - Dongseo University > Busan Film Studios > Kkanbu Chicken

At Dongseo University! 

The view from Dongseo University's open space. The insides look quite plain so I'm not gonna post any pictures from there

This was taken at their cafe. It can double up as a comic book library too!

Me trying to be studious again

Love this shot with my roomie, Valencia

Headed to Busan Cinema Studios. The insides were run down and I felt it needed renovation.

Went for dinner at Kkanbu Chicken and had fried chicken and beer! Perfect Korean dinner :)

Day 4: Busan International Film Festival

Valencia, Clare and I on the red carpet. Managed to watch two movies in a Korean cinema!!!

InStyle The Red Carpet at Shinsegae. Apparently it was the premiere of a drama series? There were so many people there! 

Actually melting because of the scorching sun

Day 5: Busan Tower > Kamcheon Cultural Village > Thread of Lies

Busan tower

Cute locks and acrylics on the fence in front of the Busan tower

Panorama of the view from Busan Tower

With Isabelle and Clare enjoying the view

Cute heart shaped photo place!

Walking down Kamcheon Cultural Village!

Enjoying our slushies!

Love this photo with FMS director, Ms Anita Kuan (extreme right)

Caught 'Thread of Lies' with our BIFF ticket and the guest appearance at the end

Day 6: EVERLAND!!!

Everland tickets!

Reindeer :3

Love this shot of Isabelle and the rays.

The T-express really looks dangerous 

Queueing up for the T-express!!!!

Let's Twist!

Eating ice-cream in the cold. Awesome job.

It's like Halloween Horror Night in Everland!

Cute Halloween Parade!

So unfortunately, Constance and I lost the other three of our group and we missed the fireworks because we actually went to the main entrance thinking that they would meet us there. But oh well, heard the fireworks were even better than the national day parade. Would have posted pics if I was there... Oh well, Everland was still amazing with or without the fireworks.

ALSO, I can't believe I took the T-express twice. TWICE. First time in the second row, second time in the first row!!! AT NIGHT! It was so scary at first, but the second one was so fun. I learnt to appreciate it already. LOVED IT. It was my very first time sitting right the front too. We sat all the thrilling rides, like T-express, Let's Twist, Viking ship, Rolling X-train, and Double Rock-spin (crazy ride). We didn't take the Hurricane though because we felt it wasn't thrilling enough.

Day 7: Korean Film Archive > Korean Healthfood Restaurant > Korean Academy of Film Arts > Hongdae Shopping Street!!!

Korean Film Archive

Cool stuff like being able to play and watch the actual film

Office people in Seoul. They look really photogenic here.

Had Ginseng Chicken for lunch!

Korean Academy of Film Arts: quite a small school with only 24 students

Surprisingly good shot of Valencia at the tiny balcony/smoking corner of KAFA

Went to Hongdae's Style Nanda and 3CE!!!!!

Beautiful Style Nanda

Cosmetic haul will be up soon!!!

Day 8: KBS On! > Chung-ang University > Shinchon University Shopping Street

3D glasses for concert!

Amazing piece of art outside Times Square

Gifts from Chung-ang University! They are super welcoming! No.1 university in Korea for media!

Picture with our student leader, Hyun Joo! (i think his name is spelt like that)

Picture with our other student leader, Daniel! (all the girls are spazzing about him and his charms)

See the pink girl in the middle? She's Minnhee! (not sure if I spelt it correctly)

I love Chung-ang. Great atmosphere and study environment.

Enjoyed cheap shopping at Shinchon University Street. Lovely grape candy snack!

Dinner!!! Forgot what this is called ><

Day 9: White house > Gyeongbokgung palace > Insadong > Myeongdong!!!

The view while we were visiting the White House museum place

In the museum

Love this shot. Beautiful scenery.

Love the gradient sky and how foreign this picture looks.

First and only selfie with Alvin. My groupmate from previous FMS Malacca leadership trip.

The palace is huge (duh)

Guard in beautiful costume

Constance and Isabelle having the U-shaped ice-cream at Insadong! I couldn't eat it because I was unfortunately sick.

MYEONGDONG! Every street and alley has cosmetic stores. It's heaven. 

See what I mean. It's even more crowded and filled with pushcart stores at night!

My haul post will be up real soon! I bought a shit load of stuff :D

Day 10: Kimchi School > Incheon Airport > Changi Airport

Kimchi School!

Salted cabbage with kimchi sauce (contains lots of ingredients and spices)

Wrapped my own kimchi! It will be donated to the needy :)

Hanbok <3

Foreign.

Journalism team!!!

Best shabu shabu I've ever tried. Last meal in Korea :'( 

Bibimbap with the freshest vegetables!

Would love to thank this amazing woman who was like a mother to me: Noriko! She took care of everyone so well! Especially when I was sick, she made sure she gave me the right medicine and would check on me everytime she sees me. She's so much better than the other tour guide hahaha.

Time to go :'(

Funny moments I forgot to add: 

1) All five of us alighted one stop earlier when we were on our way back to Hanhwa resort on the second day. We were practically stranded at that station and were so anxious. Now that I think about it, it's super hilarious. Luckily we managed to get onto the last train. Embarrassing part was, the whole group was waiting for us to get back. Guilty af.

2) Valencia actually spilled slushie on her hair when we were at Kamcheon Cultural Village. She was trying to catch her hat from flying away and forgot she was holding a cup of slushie. Then shit happened, and she realised her hair was covered in slushie ice. hahahaha I went to the toilet with her to wash her hair. Hilarious.

3) Making fun of the tour guide. I'm so sorry but he was really funny and we couldn't resist it. We just could not understand 3/4 of what he was saying. Hence.. ya hahaha.

4) Diamond Hotel sucks. We stayed there on day 4. There was actually a night club at the basement. Our room looked like it was used for prostitutes and their customers. The sofa was so old and the wall behind the bed looked like it had stains of c**. It was so bad and one of the beds was strategically placed directly in front of a mirror. The toilet was so bad, it was so old and creepy. It had like old ass tiles and a bath tub with a rusty bottom sink thing. The shower head was older than ever. We had to manually press the button every time we wanted the water to come out. I had the door opened while I was bathing. God, it was horrid.

Well, all good things come to an end. I really really enjoyed this trip and would definitely love to come back for the third time. I will definitely remember this trip and the awesome moments with my girls. 

My next post will be a beauty haul! Can't wait to post it up ^^!

Cheers,

Yun Rong ♔