Busan
A plentiful serving of mountains, beaches and kimchi.
.jpg)
Set against a backdrop of beaches, mountains, and rivers, it is a hub for both commerce and leisure in the region.
Has everything required for an excellent summer destination if you plan on making the most from the beaches and mountains. Not enough to warrant flying exclusively for.
Has everything required for an excellent summer destination if you plan on making the most from the beaches and mountains. Not enough to warrant flying exclusively for.
Has everything required for an excellent summer destination if you plan on making the most from the beaches and mountains. Not enough to warrant flying exclusively for.
Has everything required for an excellent summer destination if you plan on making the most from the beaches and mountains. Not enough to warrant flying exclusively for.
I always try to visit at least one city other than the capital to get a better feel for the realities of daily life in that nation.
Situated 325 km away from Seoul, on the country's southern coastline, Busan seemed like the ideal destination to glimpse another aspect of South Korean life.
I found there to be a much broader selection of apartments and hotels at competitive prices compared to Seoul.
I stayed at the Urbanstay Yeonsan, a national apart-hotel style chain, with well-priced, modern apartments. I'd definitely stay with them again, but I would opt for their location in Seomyeon where you are closer to more amenities.
For a prolonged stay during the peak midsummer season, a popular domestic holiday period, try to book your accommodation as far in advance as possible.
Alongside the two WeWork locations in the city centre, there are a number of independent operators with options dispersed around other neighbourhoods.
There's no shortage of coffee shops that would make for suitable workspaces with locaitons like DAUNT coffee offering dedicated workspace areas.
International chain stores like Starbucks in the central districts can often be found open late into the evening.
On every level, prices were in line with what you would expect in Seoul. The big difference was accommodation, where more affordable options within the centre could be found more easily.
Day-to-day expenses compare favourably with what you would expect to pay in Western Europe, with eating out representing particularly good value.
While lacking some of the intensity of the nation’s capital, there’s still a lot happening in Busan, which is a large city with various urban hubs. There are plenty of dining and drinking options, along with cultural attractions, although the overall intensity is somewhat diminished due to their dispersion across what is a huge city.
Korean Standard Time is +9 hours ahead of GMT, making it 7 hours ahead of CET during the summer months. In relative terms to other destinations in Asia, this is +2 hours on Bangkok and +1 on Kuala Lumpur.
I had already been working in the region for the three months previous, so it wasn't a huge change in working hours, but it's right at the edge of where you would class an acceptable working time whilst not impacting your daily schedule.
It may not appear so at first, but Busan is an enormous metropolitan area. I'd suggest staying close to one of the main hubs to get the most out of it.
I found myself making heavy use of the metro, so being in close proximity to a station would be beneficial throughout your stay.
Conveniently located next to the metro station, this was my preference between the two locations WeWork has within Busan. The third floor has the main lounge area for All Access members, with additional seating on another four floors above.
All the standard WeWork amenities are present, and there's a highly enjoyable futuristic massage chair available in the Wellness room. Being in the heart of Seomyeon, there's no shortage of places to eat and drink within a five-minute walk.
I spent an afternoon at the WeWork in the BIFC, and while it's a nice space, its location isn't as convenient, with not as many food and drink outlets in the immediate vicinity.
The F-1-D visa would allow individuals to stay in Korea for one year with the opportunity to extend for another year. Extension of stay would be handled by the local immigration office in South Korea.
To be eligible, you must be a remote worker employed by a foreign company, earning at least double South Korea's gross national income per capita from the previous year, which was around $64,000 for 2023.
Additionally, you must have worked in your current industry for at least one year, provide proof of health insurance, and have a clean criminal record. Accepted applicants can be accompanied by their spouse and children under 18 without additional visas.
A settlement populated by Korean War refugees in the 1950s, Gamcheon became a densely populated hillside area with a labyrinth of narrow streets winding up the slope overlooking the port.
In 2009, the Government initiated a public art renovation to transform the area into a cultural hub. Art students, professional artists, and residents maintained, repaired, and decorated the village with art installations, painting the houses in vibrant pastel hues.
An ideal place to explore for a few hours on foot, easily accessible via several metro stations.
Early May saw a mix of perfect late-spring days and some miserable winter weather. I didn't see anyone brave the beach or the sea, but for hiking, the weather conditions were perfect.
If looking for a full summer experience, arriving after June would be best advised.
If you are looking for a summer destination to combine time on the beach and in the mountains, there's enough on offer for a month-long stay. Otherwise, one week felt sufficient.
Compared to Seoul, there were noticeably fewer foreigners within the city. There was a noticeable number of day tours and cruise ship visitors that could be spotted near some of the popular sites, but tourism seemed markedly lower than in the capital.
There was little evidence of a distinct remote work community in the city. At each of the WeWork locations I visited, I was the only foreigner appearing to be working from there on any given day.