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With Love, Sam


Hey guys!

I will be sharing with you our trip last March 13 to 20, 2017 along with a few useful tips that might come in handy if you plan to visit South Korea! I know, it's been months already but I just started so, my apologies!

I admit that this trip isn't the most budget-friendly but compared to our Japan trip last year, this was relatively cheaper. I was in-charge of this trip so I booked our tickets, accommodation, itinerary, etc. I posted our itinerary here as well so if you want to check it out, click here. It's not one hundred percent accurate or is that the original one I made for the family but we do have a tendency to be unpredictable so we did have a few changes. If you want to see the original one just e-mail me at: stephhmendoza@gmail.com.


Where did we stay?
Living room - Kitchen side
Photo taken from Airbnb
I booked us a place via Airbnb. For some reason, I didn't bother to take a picture of the place we stayed in but what you see is pretty much what you get. My whole family and I loved the place and the host was extremely nice. She even helped us find cheaper tickets for Everland and was the one who booked our vans. If you have a family of 12+ and you're thinking of traveling to South Korea, this is the place to be. Aside from the spacious design of the apartment, the location is definitely one of its strengths. It's situated in Hongdae Shopping Street, also known as one of the best shopping areas in South Korea! And there's also a coffee shop and a restaurant below. Although the restaurant is quite expensive (42,000 KRW per order of squid!), there are loads of restaurants to choose from near the place! You are also a minute away from a convenience store and the tourist police just in case of an emergency or if you are in need of directions. It is also conveniently near bus stations and subway stations. The only minor downside is that the apartment is situated on the third floor and there is no elevator so if you plan to bring heavy luggage, you might want to rethink that unless you have someone to help you get it up.

[ D/C! 3BR+2Bath☆Center of Hongdae☆Free WiFi Egg 홍대 ]

Where did we go?

Closest encounter with a giraffe at Everland!

The first destination on our list was the Everland theme park in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. With the help of Miss Jiyeon, our host in Airbnb, we got the tickets at a cheaper price. Instead of purchasing the tickets at 41,000 KRW, we got it for only 29,000 KRW each! We did have a few funny moments such as arriving an hour before the theme park opened (with a temperature of -4 degrees Celsius!) and the fact that there was a problem at the entrance and we couldn't scan one ticket so I was left behind at the gate frantically trying to find the unscanned code!

If you have kids with you, Everland is really a great place to go to. Although it is far away from the city (more like near the border of North and South!), the kids will definitely love the zoo because they get to see animals up close and there are plenty of rides to go through, even though some attractions are in Korean, for kids and kids at heart! Our favorite ride was the T-Express. I dare you guys to look it up and see for yourself - or better yet, go to Everland and try it for yourself! It is definitely not for the faint of heart. I would also recommend that you try their Bulgogi Bread and Han-ga-ram.

I randomly discovered this on our way to the Aquarium and so we couldn't help ourselves!


An obligatory selfie with the famous love locks!
The next place we went to was COEX. We never got a chance to go around the mall that much just because we arrived after lunch (I never got to visit the huge library!) but we did have a great time at the COEX Aquarium, especially the kiddos. It was huge and it literally took us five hours to go around (I guess for some people it will only take you two-three hours but we had a lot of breaks haha!). After the aquarium, we decided to split up and went to N Seoul Tower using the Oreumi elevator and cable car! Although it was already at night, it was still a sight to behold! And the cold weather just made me remember Jun Pyo waiting for Jan Di or Shim Cheong getting into an accident to meet with Joon Jae (both revolve around Lee Min Ho lol!).


Tourist-y photo with the adorable ice cream from Milky Bee!
We also went to Myeongdong for some shopping time! Since Myeongdong is known for selling tons and tons of makeup and skincare products, I just couldn't resist buying a couple of face masks and the best nose strips from Holika Holika! We also went around M Plaza and Shinsegae Department Store. Unfortunately, we weren't able to go around Lotte Department Store (even though I wanted to go there so badly) because we spent a lot of time in other stores and we had kids with us. I didn't regret it though because the moment we got back on the street, people were already setting up to sell food! And of course I had to taste each one haha! If you're looking for a decent restaurant, I suggest the Myeongdong Kyoja! Majority of items in their menu are noodles but it's delicious and the ajummas are super nice!

Can you find me? I bet you won't hahaha!
If you've seen our itinerary, you would know that we went to Dongdaemun twice. The first time we went, the family decided to split up and some went somewhere else then they instantly regretted not going there so we went again for the second time because they couldn't go without me guiding them (haha!) I also bought tons of makeup from DOOTA Duty Free then went around the different shopping malls. If you're planning to go here, you will definitely enjoy it! Shopping malls from left to right that are open until midnight? Yes please!

How lucky am I that the only available table was near Song Joong Ki??! Lol.


Staying in Hongdae means that experiencing the night life is a definitely a must! You get to see how lively the street gets with tons of people selling clothes, shoes, bags, etc.! Not to mention, the delicious restaurants and food stalls lined up trying to catch your attention. My cousins and I decided to slip out after our second day in Dongdaemun and tried a barbecue place not too far from home. Of course, the night won't be complete without a few bottles of beer and soju! We also tried out a few food stalls across the restaurant afterwards (lol hindi naman kami patay-gutom noh?).





Our last destination was the Gyeongbukgong Palace. This is one of the most recommended palaces to visit but we never got the chance to go around because we left the house pretty late. You can even rent a hanbok that you can wear for 3 to 4 hours around the area. We also went around to look for a restaurant to eat but majority of the recommended restaurants were closed (yikes!) but we did get to see the beautiful sunset!


Tips:


This post is long enough so let me just give you a few tips if you plan to travel to South Korea in the most budget-friendly way!
  1. Stay tuned for seat sales. This is the one of the most cost-efficient way to save more money while traveling. Subscribe to the different airlines so you'll receive an e-mail whenever they're going to have a seat sale or, better yet, join their loyalty programs and earn points so you can travel for free next time!
  2. Make sure that you do your research. Choose the best location to find a hotel and still accessible to the destinations you want to visit (especially the airport!). If you're in-charge of creating the itinerary, choose places that would suit you and your companions best.
  3. Make sure that you check the weather in advance for your dates and plan your OOTDs just so you won't overpack or underpack.
  4. If you plan to bring home food as pasalubong, shop at grocery stores. Not convenience stores. They tend to be a little pricier than actual grocery stores in malls. You're lucky if you have one near your place but if not, ask or search on Google.
  5. If you are going to theme parks or other destinations that would need you to pay for entrance fees, don't book in the actual website. Try searching for cheap entrance fee tickets through tour websites or go as far as asking help from your Airbnb host or hotel receptionist.
  6. If you plan to use their subways or bus, opt to buy a T-Money card which can be bought in convenience stores. It's also reloadable and can be refunded in any subway station. You also have to remember that you have to swipe your card twice, especially on the bus! Once when you enter and another before you get down or else you might run out of money in your card!
  7. If you plan to go shopping, search for the best places to get the cheapest prices. Sometimes what you see in Myeongdong can be cheaper in DOOTA Duty Free (just remember to bring your passport with you), some items that you see in Hongdae might be cheaper in Namdaemun. Read the reviews from TripAdvisor or from blogs to make sure that you won't waste time going to a place that won't satisfy you or your travel companions.
  8. Make sure you have mobile data or a wifi pack with you at all times. It will come in handy if you get lost or if you need to find something and they can't understand you. It will also be helpful to download apps such as Google Maps, Seoul Bus and Seoul Subway/Subway Korea.
That's basically it! Don't forget to have fun and record your experiences. It might come in handy to other people or to you in the future!

Hey there! Did you find this article useful? Feel free to share this with your friends and family by clicking one of the share buttons below. If you have any suggestions/comments, leave a comment below. If you want to collaborate, send me an e-mail at withlovesamblog@gmail.com. Kamsahamnida!


June 30, 2017 No comments
Image result for bride of the water god kdrama poster

Daebak! We will be able to watch the upcoming TvN drama here in the Philippines! 

I was actually planning to tune in on July 3 to really see if I can get a glimpse of the series before I blogged about it but fortunate enough, while I was scanning for something interesting on televison, a five second teaser of the drama appeared on TvN along with a small banner on the upper right side! Nakaka-excite na!

If you have seen my previous post (K-Dramas Worth Bingewatching), you might have seen a few details that I posted about Nam Joo Hyuk's latest project. I wasn't able to confirm it back then so I am bringing you an update and what to expect from this new drama.

Image result for bride of the water god manhwa

TvN's The Bride of the Water God is said to be a spin-off of the manhwa written by Yoon Mi Kyung since the original setting was in ancient China and the characters wore the Hanfu, a traditional Chinese clothing. As we can all see from the teaser trailers, the drama used more modern elements such as clothing, setting, etc. It tells a story of the Habaek (water god) who falls in love with Soah, a girl from the village that was offered to the god in exchange of rain to end the devastating drought. The god then brought Soah to his water palace and their new life begins. Not much information has been released about the adaptation but according to Asian Wiki, Soah/So-A will be a psychiatrist!

Here is the list of actors that are confirmed to star in the new drama:

Nam Joo Hyuk as the Habaek
Shin Se Kyung as Yoon So-A
Lim Ju Hwan as Hoo Ye
Krystal as Mo Ra
Gong Myung as Bi Ryum

It has also been reported that Kang Ha Neul (The Heirs, Scarlet Heart Ryeo) and Yang Dong Geun (Missing Nine, The Three Musketeers) will make an appearance in the drama.

Catch The Bride of the Water God on TvN (Channel 160 - Cignal), Tuesdays and Wednesdays at  9:45 PM


Hey there! Did you find this article useful? Feel free to share this with your friends and family by clicking one of the share buttons below. If you have any suggestions/comments, leave a comment below. If you want to collaborate, send me an e-mail at withlovesamblog@gmail.com. Kamsahamnida!
June 21, 2017 2 comments
Image result for park shin hye bench

SOMEONE PINCH ME! Park Shin Hye is REALLY coming back here in the Philippines!



The first time I found out that PSH is the new BENCH/ ambassador was when my mom and I were on our way to Sagada on May 22. We passed by the billboards along EDSA and I almost squealed inside the bus full of sleeping people! I quickly turned my mobile data on and did a thorough search for a sign that she was coming back but sadly, there wasn't any news yet. I'm so happy to say that after what felt like forever, there is a confirmed date!

For those who don't know her, Park Shin Hye is a famous actress from South Korea. She first debuted as a female lead character in a music video and was chosen to play as a younger Han Jung Seo on Stairway to Heaven the same year. You might have also seen her on Miracle in Cell No. 7 (guys, if you haven't seen this movie, I very much recommend it!). She is best known for her roles as Ko Mi Nyeo/Ko Mi Nam in 'You're Beautiful',  Lee Kyu Won in 'Heartstrings', Cha Eun Sang in 'The Heirs' (with Lee Min Ho and Kim Ji Won), Choi In Ha in 'Pinocchio' (with Lee Jong Suk Oppa!), and Hye Jung in 'Doctors'. She has also won various awards from 2011 to 2016 such as Most Popular Actress, Ten Star Award, Excellent Actress, and so on. (Asian Wiki)

If you follow PSH social media, you know that she just finished her 'Flower of Angel' tour in Hong Kong and I am so happy that she is extending it to the Philippines! After all, the behind the scenes and fan photos I've seen going around were super nakakainggit!!

I can't wait to see what she has in store for her Filipino fans! Will she sing a Filipino song like the last time she was here? Will she act scenes from her dramas and prepare a cute meal like what she did in Hong Kong?


If you want to avail a ticket to Shin Hye's fan meeting and concert, you just have to shop at any BENCH/ stores worth:

PHP 500.00 (Upper Box)
PHP 950.00 (Lower Box)
PHP 1,800.00 (Patron)

** must be single receipt **

Promo available in selected branches only.
*branches in Cebu and Davao included
*airfare/transportation not included
Promo duration: June 16 to July 23, 2017
per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 8387 series of 2017

Head to the nearest BENCH/ store while tickets are still available! See you guys there!

To stay updated with the latest news about Park Shin Hye, follow her on Instagram or Park Shin Hye Philippines' Facebook and Twitter accounts.



Hey there! Did you find this article useful? Feel free to share this with your friends and family by clicking one of the share buttons below. If you have any suggestions/comments, leave a comment below. If you want to collaborate, send me an e-mail at withlovesamblog@gmail.com. Kamsahamnida!
June 19, 2017 No comments


June 18, 2017 No comments

Hello, everyone!


I'll be sharing with you our actual itinerary when we went to South Korea. I decided not to put it in the same post just so you can have a better look at it. I hope you find this useful if you plan to go there. I already posted about our trip so check it out here!


March 13, 2017 (Monday)

0710 hrs                     ETD NAIA Terminal 3
1210 hrs                     ETA Incheon International Airport
1400 hrs                     Check-in at Holiday House, Hongdae
1430 hrs                     Late lunch at Hongdae Shopping Street
1530 hrs (onwards)    Go around Hongdae Shopping Street

March 14, 2017 (Tuesday)
0700 hrs                     Van pick-up
1000 hrs                     Everland
2200 hrs                     Check-in

March 15, 2017 (Wednesday)
1100 hrs                     COEX Mall
1200 hrs                     Lunch
1330 hrs                     COEX Aquarium
1630 hrs                     Early Dinner
1730 hrs                     COEX Mall
1830 hrs                     Namsan Oreumi Elevator
1900 hrs                     N Seoul Tower
2300 hrs                     Holiday House

March 16, 2017 (Thursday)
1100 hrs                     Myeongdong
1130 hrs                     Lunch at Myeongdong Kyoja
1230 hrs                     Go around Myeongdong
1830 hrs                     Hongdae
(onwards)                   Hongdae Shopping Street

March 17, 2017 (Friday)
1200 hrs                     Dongdaemun Market
1210 hrs                     Lunch
1300 hrs                     DOOTA Duty Free
1930 hrs                     Hongdae
(onwards)                   Hongdae Shopping Street

March 18, 2017 (Saturday)
1100 hrs                     Dongdaemun Design Plaza
1110 hrs                     Early Lunch
1230 hrs                     Dongdaemun/Cheonggyecheon
1900 hrs                     Hongdae
(onwards)                   Hongdae Shopping Street

March 19, 2017 (Sunday)
1300 hrs                     Gyeongbukgong Palace
1500 hrs                     Late Lunch
1800 hrs                     Hongdae
(onwards)                   Hongdae Shopping Street

March 20, 2017 (Monday)
0630 hrs                     Check-out
0830 hrs                     Incheon International Airport
1210 hrs                     ETD
1630 hrs                     ETA NAIA Terminal 3

NOTE: This itinerary was not the original one that I created for our family trip but this is how we ended up spending our trip due to unforseen circumstances. It can be quite a hassle especially when you're with 12 people who has different preferences but we had a great time and we're looking forward to going back!



Hey there! Did you find this article useful? Feel free to share this with your friends and family by clicking one of the share buttons below. If you have any suggestions/comments, leave a comment below. If you want to collaborate, send me an e-mail at withlovesamblog@gmail.com. Kamsahamnida!

June 15, 2017 No comments
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