When Desis Go To KOREA For The First Time

If you want to compete with the locals, your first stop should be a Korean hair salon. Show them a picture of the style you want, and they'll tell you if they can do it. Be prepared for a full treatment, as they might point out things like dandruff. My haircut cost 4000 rupees (~$46.30), and while my friend thought it looked like a 'gurl' or a 'triangle,' I was told it was a 'Korean look.'

Head to Gangnam and find the iconic Gangnam Style hands monument. The song plays on loop from a YouTube screen, and people from all over the world come here to dance. There's usually a line, so be ready to show off your moves quickly!

Near the North Korean border, you'll find a theme park playing songs, which is quite unexpected given the tense situation. You can get very close to the border, even seeing North Korea's 'fake village' with abandoned houses and no electricity. Video recording isn't allowed right at the border, but you can spend a few seconds looking across. We even joked about getting North Korean currency for a 'paan.'

Visit a famous color analysis studio to find out which colors suit you best. They'll analyze your face to determine your 'best grade' and tell you which colors to avoid. For example, my best color was 'whiteness color,' and black was my worst, even though it's my favorite. They also told me silver doesn't suit me, despite me wearing silver shoes and jewelry. It cost 6000 rupees (~$69.42) and left me wondering what 'cool mute' color even means.

Take a cable car up to N Seoul Tower, not just for the view, but to place a 'lock of love.' The area is filled with these locks. I suggest using a strong 'Mahavir lock' like the ones used for safes, maybe even three for throuples, for a 'lifetime love' that even Money Heist can't break. Just be careful, as some locks look like their love has rotted.

South Korea has restaurants designed for introverts, with no people, no employees, and no counter. You order from a machine, get a receipt with a number, and your food appears in a hidden box. We got a 'rice burger' with two omelettes, which was essentially a bun made of rice. It's an interesting experience, but don't expect to ask for extra ketchup or complain about the cheese being less.

Visit a self-serve ramen shop where you can buy, cook, and eat instant noodles on the spot. The noodles are arranged like books, categorized by mild, medium, and hot. You can add toppings like boiled eggs and cheese. They have automatic ramen-making machines that dispense the correct amount of water based on a barcode scan, and even microwaves. Just don't try to add Fanta or Sting to your noodles, like my friend did!

To get free entry into Gyeongbokgung Palace, rent and wear traditional Korean clothes (hanbok). It's a win-win: you save money on the 3000 Won ticket and get great photos. We paid 40,000 Won for our hanboks, only to find out the ticket was just 3000 Won, so we got scammed! Despite the heat and multiple layers, it's a fun experience. You can even hire a Hindi-speaking guide, though ours wasn't very knowledgeable.

For BTS fans, visit the old Big Hit Entertainment building where the group first trained and started their journey. The walls are covered in messages from fans. Then, head to Hyuga Cafe, which used to be their dorm room. You can imagine them making tea and eating 'bhujia' there. It's another spot filled with fan messages.

For a traditional experience, book a Korean hanok room. Be prepared: there's no bed, you sleep on mattresses on the floor, just like at grandma's house when there are too many guests. The pillows are hard, filled with rice. You'll need to follow AI instructions to make your bed. It's a five-star price for a very basic setup, but it's a unique cultural stay. I ended up spending most of my last day outside because of it!