For those unfamiliar with Busan, we have put together a Top 10 Things to Do in Busan list to give you a glimpse of some of the many charms of Busan and to introduce you to what awaits you in South Korea’s second largest city.

If you’re tossing between Seoul and Busan, and wondering how different Busan is compared to Seoul, then this post is for you.

Busan emits a vibe that is different to that of Seoul – it is less rushed and has a much more laid-back feel. The cost of living is also much more affordable than that of Seoul, and the weather is definitely more well-balanced.

To put it simply, Busan, much like the Miami of South Korea, is a beach town and quite relaxed. Seoul, on the other hand, is one of the world’s busiest cities and goes at a nonstop pace. But then again, Seoul and Busan are VERY different, each with their own distinct vibe, it’s really quite difficult to compare.

We reckon though that the diagram below gives a good idea of the comparison between Seoul and Busan:

If you haven’t already heard of our recent announcement, Lexis Korea is expanding and we’re opening a new campus in Busan next month! We hope you’re all as excited as we are in exploring South Korea’s cultural capital.

Busan is packed full of things to do all year round! ‘Dynamic Busan’ – there’s a reason as to why this second largest city in South Korea is given this slogan. Busan is packed with exciting attractions; there are lots to do, see and eat here in this incredible city.

Check out our Top 10 Things to Do in Busan.

1. Get on the Busan City Tour Bus

The Busan City Tour Bus offers a budget tour that takes you around the city, allowing you to get around and see as many attractions as you can within a day. The tour is the quickest, simplest and most convenient way to explore Busan particularly for first-timers. The tour by its double-decker bus, covers most of the tourist attractions that you’d find on your guidebook.

Best of all, with the daily pass, you get to hop on and off any Loop Tour for a day, stopping at attractions that interest you. There’s even the double decker night view tour that will allow you to enjoy the romantic Busan port and night scenery surrounding skyscrapers. This tour is also very affordable, ranging between KRW5,000-15,000 per adult, depending on the type of pass you opt for. The service is closed on Mondays so you might want to plan your tour accordingly. You may find more information here.

2. Lounge by Haeundae Beach or get on one of the many water leisure sports

Being the most famous beach in Busan, we’re sure Haeundae Beach requires no further introduction. Stretching roughly 1.5km long, Haeundae Beach with its beautiful coastline, is the perfect vacation spot especially during summer.

During the hot summer months from late July to early August, many flock to Haeundae for a swim, to participate in water sports or simply for a dip to cool down from the scorching heat. There are also lots of restaurants and cafes in Haeundae so one would be spoilt for choice. Haeundae is also home to many festivals and events.

3. Scrunch white fine sand between your feet at Gwangalli Beach and enjoy some of the freshest seafood at the pojangmacha stall lining the beachfront

Gwangalli Beach, sometimes known as Gwangan Beach, is 1.4km long and located to the west of Haeundae Beach. It is famous for its fine sand and crystal clear water. During weekends, there are various cultural events, musical and street performances on the beach, as well as events, activities and water sports particularly in summer.

There are also lots of restaurants, café and shopping options in the area, drawing many young tourists. Around the corner, they have fresh seafood available for sale. Get your seafood, then head to one of the many Gwangalli open air street stalls or better known as ‘pojangmacha’ (orange tents road stalls that you see in K-dramas!) lining the beachfront. They offer an authentic atmosphere whilst you enjoy your seafood freshly served!

4. Enjoy the night views of the Diamond Bridge

Gwangandaegyo Bridge, also widely known as the Diamond Bridge, offers a majestic beauty when combined with nearby attractions during the day and a romantic atmosphere at night, attracting many residents and tourists. The Diamond Bridge is dubbed so for resembling a glittering diamond necklace, gleaming magnificently at visitors from afar.

The mesmerizing night view is the reason why many visit in the evening to take in the bright lights of Gwangandaegyo Bridge, stretching across the horizon. The nightly LED light show, which are set to popular K-pop tunes is not to be missed. Shows will run for five minutes at 8 and 10 pm from Sunday to Thursday and at 8, 9 and 10 pm from Friday to Saturday.

A little tip, Bongusudae Peak on Mount Hwangnyeonsan boasts some of the most spectacular night views of Busan, and it is only a short 15-20 minutes’ walk from Gwangalli Beach.

5. Explore Gamcheon Culture Village

The Gamcheon Culture Village is lively, colourful and filled with craft shops, little alleys and lots of street art. Facing the sea, this village also offers a great view on the hillside. Get your walking shoes ready though as it is quite a hike but we assure you, this quaint and picturesque village is worth the walk. It is one of the places which in today’s term is, very Instagram-worthy, so don’t forget your selfie-stick. 😉

There is an information counter where you can buy the map of the village in several languages for KRW2,000. On the map, there are also a few checkpoints where you can collect stamps – which you can take as a guidance for where to go in the village. If you’re a wanderer though, don’t be afraid to just explore and get lost around the village. You never know; some beautiful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost. 🙂

It will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to walk around the village. If you need a little break from all the walking and hiking, there are also many little cafes in the village where you can stop by for a cup of coffee.

It would also important to note that there are local residents still living in this village so we would suggest being quiet and respectful of the residents and their privacy.  

6. Find inner peace at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Whilst most temples are located in the mountains, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is a uniquely designed sanctuary located on the shoreline of Busan’s north-eastern coast. There’s no better place to seek some inner peace than to visit the beautiful temple and be delighted by the view of the sea and calming sounds of waves.

The view from Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is stunning, and it is especially popular for its enchanting sunrise during New Year’s Day where locals flock to greet the first sunrise of the year as they make a wish for the year ahead.

7. Take in the scenic view of Taejongdae Park 

Located approximately 50 minutes away from Busan Station, Taejongdae is one of the top highly recommended “must see” attraction. Its beautiful seascape and scenic rocky seaside cliffs has left many in awe. The view from the observatory deck is amazing, and the lighthouse along the coast, which was said to welcome its visitor with a spectacular, serene view if you’re up to making your way up its long flights of stairs, is not to be missed as well.

You may opt to either trek your way around, or take the tram shuttle service. If you’re going to walk it, make sure you’re in comfortable shoe wear. Take a hike along the gentle trails, make your way down the seaside cliffs and allow the vast open sea in different shades of blue to greet you. There is even a small market selling seafood, mostly clam tents for those keen to get their hands on incredibly fresh seafood! Engage all your senses and leave feeling well refreshed; take in the smell of the ocean, the mesmerising coastal views as you dig into fresh seafood! What more can one ask for, hey?

8. Party your night away at Seomyeon

Seomyeon is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Busan, as this place is usually filled with young people looking to have a good time, particularly during the weekends. The character of Seomyeon, is very much like a mix of Gangnam, Hongdae and Myeongdong packed into one.

This neighbourhood bustles with life all day long. There are heaps to do during the day but Seomyeon really comes to live at night as there are lots of entertainment, cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs there. The atmosphere at Seomyeon is distinctive and energetic, it is the most ‘downtown’ area in Busan, so if you want to loosen up a bit, Seomyeon is the place to be.

9. Indulge in the freshest seafood in Korea’s largest fish market

Jagalchi Fish Market is the largest seafood market in South Korea and it boost itself in providing the freshest seafood you can get in Busan. There are rows and rows of stalls selling live and dried fishes by female merchants, known to the locals as ‘ahjummas’. What most patrons usually do is to pick the fresh seafood downstairs, before heading to the restaurant upstairs where the food will be served.

And last but not least…

10. Study the Korean language ‘FAST & FUN’ at Lexis Busan!!! 😉

Whilst you could probably get by in South Korea without speaking Korean and resort to pointing at pictures when ordering your food, you’ll get so much more out of your trip if you can communicate with the locals. As Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

Learning Korean during your trip will definitely enrich your travel experience in South Korea and enable you to establish cross-cultural friendships! Not only will the knowledge of the language the locals speak result in warm smiles and better hospitality, it might bring you opportunities that you’d never thought could befall you.

Here at Lexis Korea, we welcome students from more than 30 different countries each year, you’ll get to meet students from other parts of the globe, and also local Korean students who are studying English with us.

Studying with Lexis Korea not only enables you to learn the Korean language, but also learn about the various different cultures. We also offer weekly activities allowing students the chance to explore both the modern and traditional attractions of South Korea and at the same time learn about our culture and history.

Plus, if you’re not already convinced, research also shows that learning a new language also boosts your brain power!! Memory improvement, longer attention span, and a reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline, are just a few of the known positive effects of speaking two or more languages.

If you’ve always wanted to learn the Korean language, then hesitate no more, that’s what we’re here for. 😉

If you’re looking for a new and unique experience, come join us at Lexis Busan!!

*APPLY HERE*

We look forward to creating memorable experiences with you in the coastal city of Busan! 🙂

Lexis Korea is pleased to announce the opening of our second Korean language school, in the beachside city of Busan this coming 24th July, 2017!

Busan is a vibrant and dynamic city, famed for its stunning stretches of beaches. With a population of approximately 3.5 million people, Korea’s second largest city is a bustling metropolis with world-class resorts, a vibrant merchant culture, and all the excitement that you would expect from Korea’s cultural capital!

Busan has so much to offer; just minutes from the bustling downtown area you can lounge on one of Asia’s finest beaches, explore the wilds of Korea’s national parks, get lost in the world’s largest department store, find inner peace meditating in a temple, and enjoy the fresh seafood in the largest fish market in Korea.

Student’s choose Busan as a study destination for the laid-back vibe, the very affordable cost of living, a the year-round welcoming climate.  While Seoul is the business capital of Korea, Busan is where Koreans come to have fun!

Busan proudly claims the status of ‘ Korea’s Cultural Capital, with many international events such as the Busan International Film Festival, Busan Fireworks Festival, Haeundae Sand Festival taking place each year.

But life in Busan is all about the ocean,  with stunning coastlines and a range of water leisure sports that includes banana boating, jet skis and even a 200m long water slide into the ocean.

Of course, if one is eager to escape the frantic pace of city life and opt for a more relaxing summer holiday, just unwinding and lazing by the beach, we assure you that Busan would not disappoint. Known as the “Miami of South Korea”, Busan is the most popular summer holiday destination in Korea and has something to offer everyone!

Lexis Korea Busan campus will be located right in the heart of Seomyeon – the downtown, and central commercial hub of Busan. It’s an ideal place for shopping, food and entertainment.

Lexis Busan fills the entire 6th floor of the landmark DS Tower, located right opposite popular Jeonpo Cafe Street, home to the uniquely Korean take on the ‘hipster culture’.

Seomyeon, much like the Gangnam of Seoul, is bustling with life all day long….and long into the night.  Busan’s best shopping deals are to be found in Seomyeon Underground Shopping Center and the streets of Seomyeon are filled with cafes, bars, and restaurants that offer delicious and inexpensive food which naturally attracts many young people.

Here at Lexis Korea, our mission has always been to offer the best Korean language study experience possible; and now we’re taking it one step further with the opening of our Lexis Busan campus! You may find our updated fees list here.

We invite you to experience Busan whilst studying the Korean language with us! We’re offering an early bird opening promotion – 50% off tuition fees for new students who enrol before August 31st, 2017! No minimum number of weeks required. Exclusive at Lexis Busan only.

So what are you waiting for? APPLY HERE! 😉

Last week we had a student from Netherlands by the name Martijn who started at Lexis Korea in our very first absolute beginner level, known as the Korean Foundation level and completed all the way through to our final level, which is the Advanced level.

Martijn first joined us in December 2015 for 6 months, then returned again in October 2016 for 7 months. He studied with us for a total of 13 months.

During the time that Martijn was studying with us, he put in a lot of effort and studied really hard. We’re proud to have a student like you, Martijn. He memorizes vocabulary very well, so much so that his classmates often nickname him “the walking dictionary”.

Congratulations Martijn for completing our Intensive Korean course! Well done and we hope to see you again in the near future. 🙂

“저는 Foundation부터 Advanced 까지 렉시스에서 공부했던 마르테인입니다. 렉시스에 두회 왔습니다. 첫번째는 2015년 12월으로부터 6게월 동안공부하고 두번째는 2016년 10월 부터 7게월 동안 공부했습니다.

처음에는 한글만 읽을 수 있을정도로 할수 없었지만 지금은 한국대표적인 상을 받았던 소솔’ 채식주의사’를 독서합니다.

렉시스에서 공부했던 시간은 정말 재미있었습나다. Foundation부터Intermediate까지는 반친구랑 친구를 많이 만들었고 선생님들도 너무 잘 갈쳤습니다.

Upper-intermediate부터는 반친구들 많이 없어서 좀 외로웠습니다. 하지만 선생님덕분 좋은 시간을 보내고 한국어실력이 많이 늘었습니다.

한국어를 렉시스에서 공부해서 후회가 없습니다!”

Thank you for choosing us, and we hope you had a great time here at Lexis Korea. 🙂

Last Friday, we visited Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄김치간) located in Insadong so our students can learn about the origin and history of Korea’s most traditional and signature dish – kimchi. Our students were educated on the different types of kimchi available according to season and region, as well as the nutritional benefits that kimchi offers.

They also offer Kimchi making class so you get to get your hands on learning the actual kimchi making process, which was very eye-opening for our students.

There is a professional kimchi making instructor who took us on a step-by-step process of making kimchi.

It was an eye-opening experience for our students who had so much fun learning about the kimchi making students, and actually trying it out for themselves; mixing the different ingredients together, and rolling the spices into the cabbage.

After we were done with making the kimchi, our students were given individual storage containers and they got to take home with them the kimchi that they made. Best souvenir to bring home, we reckon! 

Whilst some may find kimchi to be spicy and salty considering that it is a fermented dish, what do you think? Does kimchi suit your taste? If you too love kimchi like we do, this kimchi making class is highly recommended for those who would love to learn more about Korean’s most traditional dish.

**********

Pada Jumaat lepas, bersama dengan beberapa pelajar-pelajar kami,  kami melawat ke Muzium Kimchikan untuk belajar tentang proses membuat kimchi dan menghadiri kelas kebudayaan membuat kimchi.

Jika anda suka makanan Korea, wajib untuk tahu apa itu kimchi dan lebih baik lagi kalau belajar proses untuk membuat hidangan tradisional Korea ini.

Di Lexis Korea, selain daripada kelas-kelas yang kami tawarkan, kami juga menganjurkan aktiviti kebudayaan untuk membolehkan pelajar-pelajar kami peluang untuk mengetahui lebih lanjut tentang budaya Korea.

Pelajar-pelajar kami diberikan resepi membuat kimchi yang senang dan sedap. Ramuan membuat kimchi disediakan di sekolah dan cara membuat kimchi dijelaskan langkah demi langkah oleh pengajar.

Pelajar-pelajar kami masing-masing sibuk dan teruja! Selepas siap, hasil kimchinya dibungkus dan pelajar-pelajar dapat membawa pulang kimchi mereka sebagai cenderamata.

Kami percaya pengalaman terbaik untuk pelajar-pelajar kami adalah untuk belajar bahasa Korea sambil belajar sejarah dan budaya Korea.

Jika anda berminat untuk belajar Bahasa Korea langsung di Korea Selatan, anda boleh mengambil kesempatan ini untuk menggunakan promosi kami – maklumat lanjut terdapat pada post ini.

Sekian, terima kasih! Kamsahamida.

Are you looking to undertake the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Exam? Here at Lexis Korea, we offer TOPIK Exam Preparation Course to help you achieve your goals!

Our TOPIK Exam Preparation Course is designed to help non-native Korean speakers who are preparing for the test, as well as to prepare them for living, working or undertaking further studies in a Korean-speaking environment.

At Lexis Korea, you will;

• Be taught by a dedicated and experienced TOPIK exam preparation teacher,
• Improve your reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, speaking and listening skills,
• Take practice mock tests using past exam papers, with answer quides and thorough feedback from your teacher,
• Improve your Korean language whilst working towards an internationally recognised qualification.

We provide classes for all levels for TOPIK I (level 1-2) and TOPIK II (level 3-6).

In order to undertake TOPIK 1 level classes with us, you will need to be at least at Elementary to Pre-Intermediate level.

As for our TOPIK II classes, if your goal is to achieve grades between level 3 and 4, students will be required to be between Pre-Intermediate to Intermediate level.

For the advanced grades between level 5 and 6, it would be recommended for students to be within the Upper Intermediate to Advanced level.

Our TOPIK Preparation Course runs from:

• Morning Core Class 9am to 12.15pm, Monday to Friday
• TOPIK Focused Class 1.15pm to 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday

The fees for our TOPIK Preparation Classes are similar to that of the Intensive Korean 25 course as highlighted below:

If you need some guidance in preparation for the exam,  look no further, our experienced instructors here at Lexis Korea will be able to assist you.

If you have any further questions about our TOPIK Preparation Class, please contact us via email at info@lexiskorea.com.

As we run a weekly curriculum, every Friday we have students who would wrap up their studies with us. We would pass on our Student Survey form to finishing students to get their feedback on their experience here with us.

Josefine really enjoyed her stay with us and had a lot to say about her class and teacher:

“I really liked my teacher’s teaching style. I liked that my teacher asked about differences in culture regarding the countries the student come from.”

Josefine also further shared:

“I already studied at Lexis Korea last year and learned a lot. That’s why I returned this year during my spring break. I had a lot of fun again and met really nice people. I enjoyed my time in Korea a lot and hope that I’ll be able to come back again soon.”

Our Taiwanese student, Wei-Ju who completed her course at Elementary level, left her feedback in Korean:

렉시스 코리아에 와서 좋은 선생님이랑 같이 공부 할 수 있어서 너무 행복해요. 렉시스 코리아 직원들이 너무 친절해요. 렉시스 수업이 끝난 후에 활동이 너무 많아서 재미있었어요. Meet up 하고 Student Night 이 있기 때문에 다른 나라 학생들과 만날 수 잇꼬 같이 이야기 하고 놀을 수 있어서 너무 행복해요.

We are pleased to know that you had such a positive Korean language study experience with us. In her feedback above, she went on to say that she is glad to have been able to come to Lexis Korea and study with a good teacher. She even said that the staff members at Lexis Korea are so kind. Wei-Ju also liked that we offered lots of different and fun activities. Amongst the many activities that we run, she liked Lexis Meet Up and Student Night activity the most as she was able to meet students from other countries.

Thank you for your kind feedback, Wei-Ju. We will work hard to keep providing our students with the best possible experience! 🙂

When asked about her experience in general, here’s what Lise had to say:

“My experience here was very good. School didn’t stop too late so I had time to visit and the activities suggested were very interesting. The location of the school is very nice too, making it easy to take the subway.”

Baptiste from France studied with us for 5 weeks and left his feedback in French as below:

When asked what did you like most about your class, he responded with:

• Les professeurs à l’écoute et gentille.
• La methodologie du cours.
• L’organisation.

We also ask our students to share both positive and negative aspects of their teachers, but we always receive only positive feedback and this time, it is no different.

• Disponible & à l’écoute (referring to how our teachers are always willing to help and listen to what our students have to say)
• Souriante (smiling)
• Joyeuse (bright)
• Gentille (kind)

As we implement a Korean language only rule in class, we often wonder how our students cope with this rule. Here’s what Baptiste has to say:

Même si c’est difficile de tout comprendre, cela permet de progresser plus rapidement. Une bonne règle. (Even though it’s difficult to understand everything, it makes you progress faster! Good rule!)

And finally, with his overall experience, Baptiste we’re glad you had a good experience.

C’était une très bonne expérience. J’ai découvert la Corée du sud de la meilleure façon. Je reviendrai. (Avec un autre logement) C’était génial! 감사합니다 🙂

A big THANK YOU to all our students for such positive feedback! It is with your constant support and motivation that keeps us all going. Here at Lexis Korea we pride ourselves in providing exceptional service, and to receive such kind words from our students makes a huge difference so thank you.

Of course, there are times when we also receive constructive feedback and we really appreciate that so we can further improve and provide our students with the best possible experience.