My Mini Skincare Haul from Olive Young in Myeongdong

 

During my February 2025 trip to Seoul, a visit to Olive Young in Myeongdong was a must. The store was packed with both locals and tourists, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. With endless shelves of beauty products and helpful staff ready to offer samples or suggestions, it felt like skincare heaven.

 

I ended up spending a good hour browsing and narrowing down my favourites—and here’s what came home with me.

 

 

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 (SPF50+ PA++++) Twin Pack

 

I finally got my hands on the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 (SPF50+ PA++++). This sunscreen is lightweight, non-greasy, and leaves zero white cast—perfect under makeup or on bare skin. I loved that Olive Young offered a twin pack at a great price. It’s soothing, hydrating, and honestly feels more like skincare than sunscreen.

 

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (with Mini Set)

I picked up the Banila Co Clean It Zero cleansing balm in its classic pink tub—and to my delight, it came with four tiny versions in different variants! It melts makeup like a dream and leaves my skin soft and clean without stripping it. The mini balms are perfect for travel, and I love how gentle yet effective this cleanser is, even on waterproof eyeliner.

 

CLIO Kill Cover Skin Fixer Cushion

 

 

Next, I couldn’t resist the CLIO Kill Cover Skin Fixer Cushion. It’s got incredible coverage without caking and gives my skin a semi-matte finish that still looks natural. I’ve been using it for touch-ups too—it’s lightweight, portable, and long-wearing. Definitely a new holy grail base product in my routine.

 

BRING GREEN Bamboo Hyalu Lip Essence (Squid Game Edition)

 

Okay, this was partly an impulse buy because… Squid Game edition! But the BRING GREEN Bamboo Hyalu Lip Essence turned out to be such a gem. It comes in a duo pack and is super nourishing without feeling sticky. My lips stayed soft all day, even in the cold Seoul air. Plus, the packaging is just too fun to ignore.

Tax Refund Tips for Tourists in South Korea

 

One of the perks of shopping in South Korea as a tourist is the ability to claim a VAT refund on eligible purchases. The standard VAT rate is 10%, and depending on the method of refund, you can reclaim a portion of this tax.​

To qualify for a tax refund, you must be a non-Korean resident staying in Korea for less than six months. Your purchase should be at least 15,000 KRW (about RM47) per transaction, and the total amount should not exceed 5,000,000 KRW (about RM15.5k) during your entire trip. Additionally, you must take the purchased goods out of Korea within three months from the purchase date. ​

There are two main ways to receive your tax refund: immediate refunds at participating stores or standard refunds processed at the airport upon departure.​

At Olive Young, you can enjoy an immediate tax refund at the time of purchase. Simply present your passport during checkout, and the VAT will be deducted from your total, eliminating the need for additional procedures later. ​

For purchases made at stores that do not offer immediate refunds, you can still claim your VAT back at the airport. Ensure you have the tax refund receipt provided at the time of purchase, your passport, and the purchased goods (preferably unused and in their original packaging). At the airport, visit the tax refund counter or use a self-service kiosk to process your refund. ​

Remember to check if the store participates in the tax refund program, usually indicated by a "Tax Free" or "Tax Refund" sign. By taking advantage of these refunds, you can make your shopping experience in South Korea even more rewarding.

Day 8: A Valentine’s Day to Remember — Flying from Seoul to Macau (14 February 2025)

 

From Incheon to Macau

 

Spending Valentine’s Day in the skies felt like the perfect way to start a new chapter of our adventure! 💕 We left Incheon International Airport in the morning, bound for Macau, feeling excited to swap the winter chill of Seoul for the bright lights of the casino city.

 

By the way, you may also check out my full summary post here for a day-by-day breakdown.

 

Unexpected K-Pop Encounter at Incheon International Airport!

 

What we didn’t expect? Our first encounter with an actual K-pop star airport moment! 😆 At the Air Macau check-in counter, there was a sudden flurry of excitement—journalists, fans with cameras, and airport security guards bustling around. We never found out exactly which star it was, but just experiencing the energy of a fan rush up close was thrilling!

 

 

The flight itself was about 4 hours, and surprisingly, the in-flight meal included kimchi! 😂 A little taste of Korea in the sky felt comforting as we said goodbye to Seoul.

 

 

Once we landed at Macau International Airport, figuring out how to get to Broadway Hotel was a bit confusing at first. Thankfully, we discovered the free shuttle service! The shuttle makes a loop from the airport to Galaxy Macau, then finally to Broadway Hotel. It was convenient once we figured it out, and soon enough, we were checking into our hotel, ready to start our Macau adventure.

 

Dinner at Broadway Food Street

 

For our Valentine’s dinner, we decided to skip the crowds and opt for something a bit quieter. Nestled along Broadway Food Street, we found a cosy restaurant serving Sichuan cuisine. The warm, spicy flavours of Sichuan peppercorn were perfect for the cool Macau evening. It wasn’t a fancy, candlelit dinner—but it was intimate, comforting, and exactly what we wanted after a travel-heavy day.

Exploring Macau at Night

 

After dinner, we took a leisurely evening walk from Broadway Hotel to The Venetian Macau. The night air was cool and breezy, making it such a pleasant stroll. There was a sense of quiet romance in the air, and we found ourselves just enjoying the moment, hand in hand. 💑

 

As we approached the Cotai Strip, the neon-lit skyline of Macau came to life in front of us. Bright lights, towering hotel façades, and dazzling digital billboards turned the skyline into a colourful masterpiece. The reflections danced across the water, and it felt like the whole city was alive and sparkling just for us. ✨

The Venetian itself was grand and full of life, but honestly, the simple joy of walking under the glowing Macau sky was more memorable than any attraction. It felt like the city was the perfect backdrop for our Valentine’s Day—glamorous, romantic, and just a little bit magical.

 

A Beautiful Ending to Valentine’s Day

As we ended the night, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this adventure. Here’s to many more Valentine’s Days around the world, together. 🌍💕💖

Day 7: Wrapping Up in Seoul — A Leisurely Last Day by Cheonggyecheon Stream (13 February 2025)

 

From Gyeongju to Seoul: Saying Goodbye to the Ancient City

Our morning started early as we packed up and prepared to leave Gyeongju, our home for the past few days. Before boarding the express bus, we made sure to buy some Gyeongju traditional bread—small, sweet red bean pastries that reminded me so much of Doraemon’s favourite dorayaki! It felt like the perfect edible souvenir to bring a little piece of Gyeongju back to Seoul.

 

By the way, you may also check out my full summary post here for a day-by-day breakdown.

The express bus ride back to Seoul was smooth and comfortable. I spent most of the ride quietly looking out the window, watching the rural landscapes slowly give way to the busy suburbs of Seoul. It felt bittersweet knowing we were leaving the peaceful historical vibes of Gyeongju behind.

Once we arrived at Seoul Express Bus Terminal, we made our way to the subway station to head to Dongmyo Station. Once we exited the station, I just had to take this classic tourist pose photo outside the subway station—with our luggage, of course. Hahaha!

 

Lugging our luggage past Dongmyo Flea Market, we caught glimpses of vintage treasures and bargain hunters digging through piles of clothes and knick-knacks. Finally, we arrived at Seoul N Hotel, checkedin, dropped our bags, and took a short rest to recharge for our last day in the city.

 

Strolling Along the Cheonggyecheon Stream

After a refreshing break, we decided to spend the rest of the day at one of Seoul’s most beloved spots—the Cheonggyecheon Stream. It was the perfect choice for our final day: no rushing around, just a relaxing walk to soak in the atmosphere of the city.

The stream was beautiful in the late afternoon sunlight, with gentle ripples sparkling in the light. We even spotted many pairs of mandarin ducks gracefully gliding along the water. Fun fact: mandarin ducks are a traditional symbol of love and fidelity in Korea, so it felt like a sweet little blessing to see these beautiful creatures!

 

As the sun set, the sky transformed into warm hues of orange and pink, casting a romantic glow over the stream. And when night fell, the stream became even more enchanting with the soft lights illuminating the pathways and bridges. We really took our time, just strolling and appreciating our final moments in Seoul.
 

Dinner at Gukdae Tteokbokki

For dinner, we wanted something simple and comforting, so we found our way to Gukdae Tteokbokki, a casual eatery that served street food in a cosy cafe setting.

We ordered a mix of our favorite comfort foods: soupy udon noodles, fried mandu (dumplings), sundae (Korean blood sausage), and even a plate of spaghetti for a quirky twist. 🍜🍝 Everything was hearty and satisfying—the kind of food that warms you up from the inside out. It felt like the perfect way to wrap up our last night in Seoul.

 

Early Night In

 

Since we had an early morning flight to Macau the next day, we decided to head back to the hotel and rest early. As I packed my suitcase that night, I felt a wave of emotions—grateful for all the memories we’d made in Seoul and Gyeongju, and excited for the next chapter of our journey. As our last night in Seoul came to a close, our hearts were full of gratitude for the incredible experiences so far, and with excitement and anticipation, we were ready to take off for the next adventure—Macau, here we come! ✈️

Gyeongju Day 6: Snowy Farewell to Gyeongju (12 February 2025)

 

Snowy Gyeongju Morning

We woke up to a magical winter wonderland—Gyeongju was blanketed in fresh snow, turning the ancient city into something straight out of a fairytale. The snow-covered tomb mounds looked even more surreal and majestic, their soft curves dusted in white under the pale winter light.

 

By the way, you may also check out my full summary post here for a day-by-day breakdown.

 

Of course, we couldn’t resist playing in the snow for a bit—throwing a few snowballs and soaking in the moment. It felt like Gyeongju was giving us a final, beautiful send-off before we left. After a short snow adventure, we hopped into a taxi and made our way to the Gyeongju National Museum for one last dive into history.

 

Gyeongju National Museum

Gyeongju National Museum is a treasure trove of Silla dynasty artifacts, from royal crowns and jewellery to intricate pottery and everyday tools. We spent time wandering through the exhibition halls, learning more about the life and culture of the people who once ruled this region.

 

Don’t miss the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, located outdoors in the museum grounds—it’s one of the largest and most famous bronze bells in Korea! There’s also a beautiful open courtyard that felt especially serene with the snow gently falling around us. The museum isn’t just indoors—the grounds are spacious and great for a slow winter stroll.

 

Coffee Break at Ediya Coffee on Museum Grounds

Feeling a little cold, we took a cosy coffee break at the Ediya Coffee right on the museum grounds. Nothing felt better than warming up with a hot latte while watching the snowy grounds outside the window. It gave us a quiet moment to reflect on everything we’d seen in Gyeongju so far.

 

 

Exploring the Ancient Tombs Park in Nodong-dong

 

 In addition to the well-known Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Gyeongju is home to other significant Silla-era burial sites. There are four tombs that located to the north of Taejong-ro and the east of Bonghwang-ro in the Nodong-dong neighborhood. These ancient tombs are presumed to date to the 5th to 6th centuries and belong to the kings or royal family of the Silla kingdom.

 

The four tombs consist of Bonghwangdae ("Place of the Phoenix"), Geumnyeongchong ("Tomb of the Golden Bell"), Singnichong ("Tomb of the Ornamental Shoe"), and Tomb No. 142. Among these, Bonghwangdae is the largest freestanding ancient tomb in Korea, measuring nearly 82m in diameter and 22m in height. The other three tombs were excavated during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) and revealed to be wooden chamber tombs with stone mounds.

Artifacts excavated from Geumnyeongchong Tomb include a gold crown, ornate accessories, and an earthenware figurine of a man riding a horse. In Singnichong Tomb, ornate accessories as well as a pair of gilt-bronze funerary shoes decorated with various patterns were found. In Tomb No.142, ornate artifacts including gilt-silver accessories were found.

 

 

These tombs, resembling small hills, are interspersed among the residential areas of Gyeongju, allowing visitors to experience a blend of historical exploration and local life. Unlike the more formal Daereungwon complex, the Nodong-dong tombs offer a more relaxed environment where you can walk up close to these ancient burial mounds, making them a fascinating addition to your Gyeongju itinerary. It was surreal to be able to stand right next to these enormous royal tombs and feel the weight of history.

 

Dinner at 일품소머리곰탕 (Ilpum Someoligomtang)

To end our final evening in Gyeongju, we treated ourselves to a comforting meal at Ilpum Someoligomtang restaurant. The rich, milky beef bone soup was deeply satisfying on a cold winter night, warming us from the inside out. Paired with classic Korean side dishes, it was the perfect farewell feast before heading back to Seoul!

 

 

Our last day in Gyeongju felt like a perfect farewell ❄️. The snow, the history 🏯, and the cosy moments ☕️ made it truly unforgettable. With full hearts ❤️ (and full stomachs! 🍲), we were ready to return to Seoul 🏙️ for the final stretch of our South Korea adventure. We couldn’t wait to see what Day 7 had in store! ✨