Annyeonghaseyo! Discovering heritage, coming of age, and all the daebak moments of COMCO Mundo Awaydays in Korea
The COMCO Awaydays just got better and better as we embarked on another unforgettable experience in the Land of the Morning Calm, South Korea!
Building on the success of our Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 event last September which was in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization – Manila (KTO), featuring interactive winter-themed activities, as well as the growing presence of Korean brands in our client portfolio, the agency felt it was a perfect time to finally immerse ourselves in the country’s fusion of rich history and innovation.
As a team with members including myself who consume a lot of Hallyu content (Kdrama, Kpop, and the like), visiting Korea is definitely a dream come true. It felt surreal to finally step into the ambient coffee shops, iconic destinations, trendy stores, and picturesque backdrops that I had only ever admired on screen. The best part? We visited Korea at the tail end of its winter season! Just the perfect time to wander and eat without breaking a sweat.
What made it more special, aside from experiencing the chilly weather, is that we explored it together with a bigger team to celebrate the company milestones, and of course, spark and cultivate creativity within us as a communications agency.
COMCO surely made the most of our five-day trip as we headed right away to the IG-worthy Eobi Ice Valley, more than an hour away from Incheon Airport. Bundled up in our thickest winter jackets and boots, we were left in awe of the stunning frozen falls and ice walls.
Next on our list was the iconic Nami Island, a familiar sight in many Korean dramas like Endless Love: Winter Sonata, where we had to take a quick ferry ride from the city. Personally, it’s one of the highlights in our itinerary with its tall maple trees that complete the atmosphere of the place, not to mention the stores and coffee shops where you can take a rest after the stroll.
What better place to immerse ourselves in the world of sageuk than within the centuries-old palace walls? Feeling more recharged and energized to take on our full-packed second day, COMCO visited the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace. The team took countless photos of us wearing hanbok, Korea’s traditional attire, adding a touch of magic to our experience as young ladies, noble masters, and royalty for a day. The National Palace Museum of Korea likewise showcased the fascinating and eventful history of Korea centuries back.
As if the palace wasn’t enough of a historical journey, we made our way to Bukchon Hanok Village, a charming neighborhood with well-preserved hanoks or Korean traditional houses nestled between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces. We made sure to also drop by the Namsan Tower where some Korean drama scenes were filmed, featuring the panoramic city view of Seoul from the top.
After roaming around the romantic Namsan Tower, we took a rest and watched the breathtaking sunset at the famous Nodeoul Island, the filming location of the popular K-drama Start-Up. We capped the night by grilling samgyeopsal (Korean barbecue) and drinking soju near the Han River.
Our third day was in contrast to the second one as we dedicated it to exploring the vibrant city of Seoul. We kicked off our day at the HiKR Ground, an interactive tourist attraction conceptualized by KTO. The five-story playground offers the best of Korea’s entertainment, art, and tourism scene. It was then followed by a quick, chilly stroll through the K-Star Road before we headed to the famous Starfield Library located in the COEX Mall.
We spent the rest of our afternoon at the Lotte World Adventure; however, we didn’t get to experience the outdoor rides due to the rain. Besides, it was a national holiday hence the theme park was jampacked. Nonetheless, we seized the day by splurging on Korean beauty products, K-pop merch, and other pasalubongs on the busy streets of Myeongdong where we also indulged in a variety of Korean street food and best buys.
Moving away from the city landscape, the team traveled to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on our fourth day. It’s a 250-km-long, 4-km-wide strip of land that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea, known for its historical significance with remnants from the Korean War.
Apart from the educational tour, the most memorable part of this heavily restricted itinerary was the actual experience of going through the 1.6 km-long Third Infiltration Tunnel, discovered in 1978 and is believed to have been dug by North Koreans for potential invasion or espionage. However, photography is not allowed in most parts of DMZ but tourists are given the opportunity to walk through the said tunnel and take a glimpse of North Korea from the Dora Observatory.
Though the rest of the afternoon was rather chillier due to the rain back in Seoul, we took group shots and enjoyed coffee breaks at the filming locations of Vincenzo and Itaewon Class. We then warmed up with the delectable tteokbokki hotpot buffet that hit the spot perfectly.
As K-pop stans, we couldn’t pass up the chance to visit the HYBE building on our last day. While we didn’t catch a glimpse of any idols, we did get to see where our hard-earned money goes! Just kidding. After a quick photo stop, we went straight to the gigantic National Museum of Korea to immerse ourselves further in its rich and diverse culture and history, wherein one of the most iconic parts is the Seated Buddha. Lastly, we dropped by the Korea Broadcasting Station (KBS) where we had a photo opportunity at the largest and oldest broadcasting station.
COMCO Awaydays in Korea is truly an unforgettable experience. If given the chance, I would be willing to go back and explore more of its beauty. This place offered us more than what we expected, presenting its well-preserved history and dynamic modern life—proof that we can innovate and advance in other fields like technology and entertainment without losing sight of our cultural roots.
Ultimately, this much-needed awayday with the team provides everyone with an opportunity to cultivate our team dynamics, foster relationships, and collaborate better—all while immersing ourselves in the rich culture of Korea. By our shared experiences, we will return to work rejuvenated and inspired to share more meaningful stories through our craft.
And as Koreans would say, Annyeong!👋