Taste of South Korea

  Hello, history dreamers and palace romance lovers! It’s Bitna. In our last crispy food adventure, we tasted the viral, sweet-and-savory short-rib flavored chicken from the movies at the bustling Suwon Fried Chicken Street . Today, we are heading right back inside the grand stone embrace of the fortress walls to explore a place filled with royal secrets, deep family love, and beautiful evening lights. Welcome to Hwaseong Haenggung Palace (화성행궁) ! While Seoul is famous for its "Five Grand Palaces," Hwaseong Haenggung is a completely different kind of royal treasure. It is a Haenggung —a temporary palace where the King and the royal family would stay when traveling outside the capital. Among all the temporary palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty, this is the absolute largest, most majestic, and beautifully designed complex in South Korea. Let's step through the front gates and uncover its magical story! filial-piety: The House of a King’s Deepest Love Built in 1789 by K...

  Hello, history adventurers and panoramic sunset seekers! It’s Bitna.  In our last journey, we stood at the historic and electric center of Seoul, tracing the footsteps of KPop Demon Hunters and the historic full-group comeback stage of BTS at Gwanghwamun Square . Today, we are taking a short, scenic journey just south of Seoul to explore a grand architectural masterpiece that showcases the absolute pinnacle of traditional Korean engineering and royal philosophy. Welcome to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (수원화성) ! Built between 1794 and 1796 by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty, this massive fortress stretches over 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) . It was built not only to protect the city but also to honor the King's deep filial piety toward his late father. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 , it is famous for blending advanced Western military architecture with Eastern philosophy. Let’s head out on the ultimate royal day-trip! 🧱 Walking the Dragon’s Back: The Scenic ...