Real Korea with Flo

After years of driving across South Korea, I've realized that highway rest stops aren't just places to take a break - they're parr of the journey. Because of my job, I've spent years driving all over South Korea. I've probably stopped at most of highway rest stops, and honestly, I've lost count. If anyone has never driven in Korea before, here's something they should know. Highway rest stops are only found on Korea's expressways, and in my experience, we'll usually come across one every 25 to 35 kilometers. That means we never have to worry too much about finding a restroom, food, or fuel during a long drive. Things were very different ten or fifteen years ago. Back then, a rest stop was simply a place to use the restroom, grab a quick snack, and continue driving. Today, it's a completely different experience. To me, Korean highway rest stops have become small destinations of their own. They're places where I can relax, eat something good, st...

At Naksansa Temple, Gangwon-do Naksansa Temple: Where the Sea Meets the Mountains My home is Hanam, a city just outside Seoul. The Han River flows through my city, and I love walking along it.  But sometimes, a river isn't enough. When life feels overwhelming or my mind becomes too crowded, I find myself craving the sea. I want the ocean breeze to wash over me, and I want to stand in front of a horizon so endless that it reminds me how small I really am. Somehow, that always helps me let go of the things I've been carrying. So I drive east. At the end of that drive, there's one place I almost always visit— Naksansa Temple . I've been here so many times that I've honestly lost count. What keeps bringing me back isn't just the beautiful temple. It's the perfect harmony of the sea, the mountains, and the temple itself. The sound of the waves, the bamboo swaying in the wind, the gentle ringing of temple bells, the steady rhythm of the wooden moktak, and even th...