When I first came to Korea, I was already quite fluent in Korean. Still, many Koreans would try to speak to me in English when they saw I was a foreigner. But honestly, I never felt uncomfortable. In fact, many people have complimented my Korean accent, which always makes me feel proud and welcomed. As a foreigner, you might sometimes feel like people are surprised to see you—but don’t take it to heart.😁 한국사람들이 정이 많다 (Korean people are full of warmth and kindness), and you really feel that once you start interacting with them in everyday life. Don't forget "The kindness you share with others will always return to you in some form."

Here are some everyday places that really stood out to me during my life in Korea. These places made me feel more at home and made daily tasks surprisingly easy and pleasant.

👓 Davich Optical – (다비치안경)

Let me start with this: I got my glasses in 20 minutes. Yes, 20 minutes!

In India, even the fastest service usually takes a day. But at Davich Optical’s Bangbae Branch, I had a full eye check-up, picked my frame, and got my glasses all done in less than half an hour. I was genuinely surprised—and super impressed. That’s the ppali-ppali (빨리빨리) spirit of Korea in action!

Even though the staff didn’t speak much English, they were extremely kind and guided me step-by-step using a translation app. They also helped me choose a frame that suited me well. If you’re looking for budget-friendly, high-quality glasses or lenses, I really recommend Davich. They also have multiple branches all over Seoul, making it convenient no matter where you live.

🌿Korean Medicine Clinic (진성한의원)

This clinic was a true lifesaver for my French friend. One day while we were in Seoul, she suddenly experienced severe back pain. She had already been struggling with this issue for years, and despite visiting many doctors in Paris, nothing had worked.

At Jinseong Korean Medicine Clinic, located near Naebang Station, she finally found real relief. The doctor spoke English clearly and made her feel very comfortable. She received a combination of chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, and medicinal injections, and was also given a packet of traditional Korean herbal medicine made from mushrooms and natural herbs.

I was genuinely fascinated by how ancient remedies and modern techniques were used together. After a few sessions, she felt much better and was even able to travel to Japan comfortably.

I hope you never find yourself in pain, but if you do, I really recommend searching for 한의원 (Korean medicine clinics) on Naver Map. They are easy to find all around Seoul, and many are welcoming to international patients, even if you don’t speak Korean.

📚 Kyobo Bookstore – (교보문고)

One of my favorite places to unwind and find useful things is the Kyobo Bookstore in Gangnam. When I went there looking for a course book, the staff helped me in English, and guided me to exactly what I was searching for. That small moment of support meant a lot to me.