About Korea Field Notes
Korea Field Notes is an English-language guide to the practical side of visiting South Korea: getting a phone connection when you land, buying train tickets, choosing a transit card, deciding where to stay, and what things really cost.
Who runs it
The site is run by Han — a pen name — a Korean who lives in Seoul. Being a resident means two useful things for you: I use the same trains, buses, cards and apps described here in daily life, and I can read the Korean-language notices where changes are announced first. Fare changes, card rule changes and booking-system updates usually appear on Korean pages from Korail, T-money, Seoul Metro and the Seoul Metropolitan Government before (or instead of) any English page.
I use a pen name rather than my legal name. I don't claim credentials I don't have: I'm not a licensed tour guide or a travel agent, and this is not an official tourism site.
What you can expect from each guide
- An answer first. Every guide opens with a short answer and a key-facts table, so you can get what you came for in a few seconds.
- A "facts checked" date. Prices and rules in Korea change often. Each guide shows when its facts were last checked against the source.
- Sources you can click. Every guide lists its sources at the bottom, with Korean-language official pages marked so you know where a number came from.
- No invented experiences. I don't write "I tried this restaurant" or "I stayed at this hotel" unless it's true. Where a guide is based on official information rather than a visit, it says so.
What this site doesn't cover
No medical, cosmetic-surgery or dermatology advice, no immigration or legal advice beyond pointing you to the official source, and no paid placements disguised as recommendations.
How the site is funded
Some guides link to booking services (tours, tickets, eSIMs, hotels). If you book through those links the site may earn a commission, which doesn't change your price. Recommendations are not for sale. Details are in the affiliate disclosure, and the research process is in the editorial policy.
Get in touch
Spotted something out of date, or have a question a guide didn't answer? Contact page. Corrections are welcome and get fixed.
Good places to start: Practical Tips and Getting Around.