Travel Diaries: My Kpop Obsession Turned Me Into A Globetrotter

January 14, 2016

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  I’ve always considered myself a simple girl.  I don’t like splurging on things just because they’re branded.  I don’t have a night life because my work takes a chunk of my time.  However, I am a certified Kpop fanatic.

  Being 35 and still single, my mantra in life is to follow whatever makes me happy, and anything and everything Kpop does that to me.

  From my love affair with Hansik (Korean food) to my fascination with Kpop groups, most especially Super Junior.

  I am a wanderer, and even though I’ve been to different countries, whenever my budget allows me too, and even worked and lived in some, my passion for travelling has never been this intense until I discovered the world of Hallyu.

  I started following Super Junior when I was still in college.  But then I don’t really have the money to spend on my whims.  So I promised myself that when I start earning my own money, I will not deprive myself any longer.

  My first-ever Super Junior concert was in Singapore.  The lion-city has always been my refuge.  Whenever I feel like I needed to be away from work and from everybody, I just pack my bags and look for the cheapest flight to SG.

  So it was definitely a treat for me to watch my idols for the first time in the city that I loved the most.  After the concert, I just walked aimlessly at the streets of Bugis.  I thought to myself, this is the feeling of having to fulfill your dream.

  I even forgot to pay homage to the Merlion that time because I was too wrapped up with the idea of finally seeing the boys.

  Two years after that, my friends encouraged me that we should watch the boys perform in South Korea.  They told me that as a fangirl, it is a must to see your idols perform in their own land.  Besides, we’ve always wanted to go to Korea, and this was the perfect opportunity.

  I was already packed and ready to go, months before my departure date.  I brushed up my little knowledge of the Korean language and made sure that I didn’t forget my charger, extra camera and all the essentials.

  My trip to Seoul was a blast.  We saved big time by renting a dorm-like place.  The owner was so nice, and the location was perfect for fangirls like us.  You know when you watch Korean dramas, wherein the lead actress had to drag her suitcase in what seemed to be an endless flight of stairs? I’ve experienced that.  Our place maybe nice, but it was located in a steep area that I had to drag my bag, and sometimes myself every time.

  The smell of meat being grilled, and street vendors welcomed me with open arms. Every day I stuffed myself with Tteokbokki and blood sausage.  Street food in Seoul is relatively cheap. That’s why me and my friends stayed away from fancy restaurants and just settled on hole in the wall type of eateries.  Very typical Korean dramas.

  I was there for 5 days. And even though the concert was for three days, I decided that one night would be enough to see my boys and the rest I spent being a tourist.

  Good thing I have a Korean friend who toured me around Seoul.  We went to museums, the famous Gyeongbukgong Palace, Myeongdong (shopping district), dined and drink at Garosugil, and shopped some more at Apgujeong.

  I wasn’t able to visit the N tower and Everland.  But I enjoyed COEX immensely. Special mention is Grill5 Taco, since I interacted with Super Junior Lee Donghae’s mother and brother. (Well, he was the cashier and the mom was entertaining the customers)

  Early in 2015, before two of my bias enlisted for the army, as a sub-unit they held a Japan tour.  Amid the difficulties in finding cheap flights and worried that our Japanese visas won’t get approved in time, we bought our concert tickets and booked a decent apartment in Osaka.

  

  Japan was never in my bucket list.  I thought that Japanese are aloof and there is nothing to see there. I was so wrong.

  The people are one of the nicest in the world.  I arrived a day earlier than my friends so I had time to explore Osaka.  It was cherry blossoms that time, and my landlord gave me a booklet filled with discounts and places I should try out.

  He even forced me to visit one of the temples nearby, for good luck.

  My first on the list was Dotobori, since it was just a few blocks away from where we were staying.  The place is massive.  I mean, shops, restaurants line up the streets.  It looks crowded, but not suffocating.

  I took a gazillion of selfies with my selfie stick.  Good thing it’s an Asian country and locals just shrugged me off whenever I bring out my selfie stick.

  

  I ate Takoyaki (ball-shaped Japanese snack made with diced octopus), Okonomiyaki, Taiyaki, Japanese cheesecake, bebikasutera, and ramen-bowls and bowls of ramen.  I can’t really say that food is cheap in Japan, well, nothing really is.  But, since it was my first time visiting the country, I opted to satisfy my stomach rather than go shopping.

  I got lost several times, and each time a local approached me,  they will direct me to the right subway, or exit.

  I really don’t know if I will be able to find time, nor the disposition to visit Seoul and Japan if not for my love for Super Junior. I am grateful that because of them, I am able to see bits and pieces of the world.

  I told you, I’m just a simple girl, with a big heart for Kpop!

  Rita from Pampanga

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