11 Days DIY Seoul-lid Trip: Itinerary and Expenses (Seoul, South Korea 2014)

Seoul. Seoul. Seoul. This trip happened in August 2014, me and my friends went on DIY travel instead of booking it via a travel agency. The best part about doing it DIY is you have a FREEDOM, but it requires a lot a research especially if it will be your first time in the country. 

Seoul-id Trip Day 4.2: Gyeongbokgung

August 17, 2014
2:00PM KST

From Euljiro-Sam Ga Station (Blue Line), we transferred to the Orange Line and went down on Gyeongbokgung Station, From the station's name you can already tell our next stop. :) 

Seoul-id Trip Day 4.1: Hongdae + Myeongdong

August 17, 2014
10:00AM KST

Quiet Hongdae Streets, cold morning, empty bottles. I was alone, enjoying the morning walk, feeling the cold, calm breeze... Footsteps were barely heard. "Ah, it's just me Seoul", I said to myself. I loved the silence, loved it to the point I wasn't minding the rain's drizzling. 

Seoul-id Trip 3.2: Myeongdong + Namsan Tower

August 16, 2014
3:30PM

Myeongdong screams shopping and shopping we must! We split ourselves into two groups, Me & Lyka went first to Lotte Young while Kekx, Gi, Lulur and Vlad went around Myeongdong. We agreed to meet at the area in front of Lotte Young around 5pm or 6pm to go to Namsan Tower together.

Bang Bang Bang Giveaway: THEY [MADE] IT!

July 12-18, 2015

WHO [MADE] IT? Days went by with that question hanging in our minds. Yes, including me, because I wasn't really sure who to choose because all entries were really amazing! Daebak! I really felt the love you guys have for Bigbang. :')

I don't want to keep this introduction long, but I'll use this part to thank all those who joined my giveaway. All of your entries are so precious to me, if only I could give you all tickets, I would. Thank you for your never ending patience :) Lastly, I would also like to thank those who helped me spread the word by Re-Tweeting or Sharing my posts re:giveaway. :)

So, without further ado, I'd like to present to you the winners of the Bang Bang Bang Giveaway! We can truly say that: THEY [MADE] IT!

Seoul-id Trip Day 3.1: Yeolbong, Hongdae

August 16, 2014
1:30PM

It was already Day 3 in Seoul and I still haven't had a proper meal. I'm already missing the usual rice and viand meal back in the Philippines. Hahaha! It's past lunch time by the time we went out to eat (this is the first of many overslept series in Seoul, btw)

BANG BANG BANG GIVEAWAY!

June 14, 2015
12:00AM

Hello VIPs, as promised here are the mechanics for the giveaway :) Before anything else, I'd like to introduce myself, I'm Bea Angulo and I became a VIP last August 2013. Most of you might be wondering where the hell I came from, hahaha! I usually attend heavy metal / rock concerts like Pulp Summer Slam. (That's why most of my friends were shocked that I was into Bigbang.hehehe)

While I was reading tweets when the announcement of tickets to Bigbang Made in Manila were made, I read that some fans were disappointed that it was too expensive and that they will be #TeamBahay again. Naalala ko yung dati nung student ako, hahaha! (lakas makatanda nung line) I used to be always #TeamBahay din because my parents won't let me watch concerts, that's why I usually save my baon just to watch concerts during that time... So now that I'm working, I want to share the happiness to my fellow VIPs instead of flying to Singapore and watch Bigbang there also.

Enough of my introduction, haha I know you've been waiting for this already!

Seoul-id Trip Day 7.3: AND.Here Cafe

August 20, 2014
7:30PM

After our Suwon trip, our next destination that day was And.Here Cafe! The cafe is owned by Seungri, kyaaaaa! I'm writing this post a year after the trip, the time of Bigbang's [A] comeback, and I saw a post that TOP was born near Suwon. Omo, if only I knew about this info a year ago. The exact location according to Taeyang during MCD prerecording was Suji-gu in Yongin-si. 

We went down Hyehwa Station and took exit 2. It was a 10-15 minutes walk from the station to the cafe. It's a good thing that the weather that night was great, it was a little cold for a summer season and it wasn't also raining that night. We had our pictures taken outside first...

The place was big and it even has a 2nd floor. I was shocked when I saw a familiar face in the cashier. It was Seungri's sister, Hana! I did not took a photo of her because I want to respect her privacy. I think she also manages the cafe.

While waiting for our orders we saw some fans came in and tried to taka picture of Seungri's sister, that's why she went back to the kitchen. Us? We took a picture of ourselves, hahaha! We became vain when we arrived in Seoul, kkkkkk.

Seoul-lid Trip Day 5.3: YG Building + Hongdae

August 18, 2014
8:00PM

It was still raining when we arrived at Hapjeong Station. The directions we were following instructed us to take Exit 8. But that night or month, exit 8 was under construction that's why we took Exit 7 instead and just crossed the highway. (Taking Exit 9 takes you straight to Mecenatpolis, by the way).

The signs we were looking for are SK Gas Station and Nampyong Hotel. While walking pass the 2nd SK Gas Station we spotted a Gyeran Bbang (Egg Bread) seller! We bought one bread each, this yummy snack is pretty cheap and only costs 1,000₩ (Php 40). I wasn't able to take photos while walking because the rain fall is getting heavier (must get to YG asap!!!).

*photo cr: kekxified.tumblr.com*

The walk from the 2nd SK Gas Station to Nampyong Hotel takes about 3-5 minutes (but because it was night time already and the place was really quiet, we felt that the walk was longer, haha). Once you see Nampyong Hotel, turn right. Remember not to go straight because you'll go to Han River and it's a highway already.

We took a right turn after seeing Nampyong Hotel and within 50 m, we already saw YG building!!! Everything in Seoul is surreal! Hahaha! I felt close to Tabi even if I know he's not inside. hehe We saw few fangirls, mostly Japanese, waiting outside the building. I think they're waiting for Ikon or Winner members.

Seoul-lid Trip Day 2: YG Family Concert 2014

August 15, 2014
6:00AM

*WARNING: This post is photo heavy. HAHAHA!*

"Kwon Jiyong, Dong Youngbae, Choi Seunghyun, Kang Daesung, Lee Seunghyun, VIP, Oorin BIGBANG!!!" I was memorizing the fanchant as soon as I woke up. 

When we booked our flight to South Korea, there were no announcements yet regarding the date of YG Family concert in Seoul, I think we got lucky and I almost fainted (medyo OA sorry, haha) when I saw this announcement few months before our flight.

Seoul-lid Trip 1.3: Dongdaemun Design Plaza + My Love From The Star Exhibit

August 14, 2014
6:00PM

Wow! Dongdaemun Design Plaza's (DDP) is really beautiful. The photos I took, doesn't even do any justice, *insert Cheon Song-yi's voice* sorry *okay say it again* sorry, hahaha!

Seoul-id Trip Day 1.2: Hongdae + Myeongdong

Augusr 14, 2014
12:00PM KST

Hongdae, Seoul greeted us with a rainy afternoon and we were dying from hunger already... 

Seoul-lid Trip Day 1.1: Arrival in South Korea

August 14, 2014
9:00AMKST (haha, kumi-kst talaga)

Touchdown Incheon, South Korea(SK)! Still can't believe that we're at SK already. Every footstep feels unreal (I'm not kidding!) The airport that I only used to see in the news and k-dramas, I'm finally here! haha!

Seoul-lid Trip Day 1.0: Flying to South Korea

August 14, 2014.
12:00 Midnight

Pack, unpack, repeat. Major cramming! The battle with my needs and wants start to sink in. On my right side, I can hear my mom telling me yo take away this, take away that. While on my left, it was my dad who kept on reminding me on what to only bring.

HOW TO APPLY: Korean Visa [Philippine Passport - Freelancer]

Notes: 
- If you're applying via travel agency, no need to read this. HAHAHA!
- This March 2015, the Embassy announced new requirements in applying for a Korean Visa, please visit this site.

*I posted an updated blog about Korean Visa Application, please click HERE, this is one talks about the March 2015 requirements as well as the updated application form.* 

BIGBANG. KOREAN SKINCARE. BLOCK B. KOREAN FOOD. Just a few reasons why I wanted to go to South Korea, but it's not that easy because as a Philippine Passport holder, it requires me to present a Korean Visa every visit. I'm no expert when it comes to this matter, but I'd just like to share my experience when I applied for a South Korean visa on my own.