An unexpected learning getaway (Pt.2, a happening & peaceful rally)
Something I had only ever seen on social media and the news, now finally unfolding right in front of me—and I even got to be part of it as an observer!
For those who missed or would like to dive in my intro, here’s my part 1.
This getaway was something I had planned for myself, & for the first time in 2024 (finally I used my own money to buy the airline tickets, all this while were from worktrips) —even more so than my October 2023 trip to Taiwan with my mum, where I was still hauling my laptop for work—I left my laptop behind this time. TBH, even during packing, I kept thinking: Should I bring it? Should I not?
But this time, I made a promise to myself: this trip was about getaway completely from work. No emails, no replying to work-related WhatsApp —just pure freedom. As I stepped into the airport, there was no looming pressure to file a story, no stress over interview sources or deadlines. I could actually breathe. (Yes it is totally relieved!)
However, as some people say: You can’t run away from your career as a journalist! The curiosity to uncover the truth, the constant thirst for knowledge, and the drive to understand issues from every angle—it’s all a part of who I am.
No matter how much I try to set it aside, it always finds its way back to me, even during my supposed ‘off days’. It’s like journalism has woven itself into the very fabric of my being—both a blessing and a curse that I can’t seem to shake. (haha sounds scary when I use the word ‘curse’) . That’s why I found a lot of ‘treasure’ during this trip!
December 14, 10am (GMT+9), Mapo-Gu, Seoul
I caught the 11:15 am bus from the Express Bus Terminal. I left my hostel around 10 am and took the subway, which was just a 5-minute walk away. However, I almost ended up being late because, when I arrived at the station, I discovered it was actually an underground shopping mall! To make things more confusing, the subway line I took was divided into express and normal trains.
I panicked for a moment but, luckily, I managed to find the platform just in 5 min before departure and boarded the bus. What a close call! (I already prepared to get another bus ticket by sacrificing this 1 if I missed out).
There is a lot of thoughts about their transportation system which I found quite impressive and systematic. This part I will definitely deep dive into another special part.
December 14, 2.15pm (GMT+9), Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal
The bus journey took around 3 hours to reach the destination, giving me plenty of time to reflect on why I chose Gyeongju again. Back in 2016, my initial plan was to head to Jeju Island from Busan, but something about Gyeongju drew me in. It wasn’t as widely known as Seoul or Busan, & its charm lay in its heritage, small-town vibe, & the absence of towering skyscrapers. (It is totally an ideal place for those who want to escape from busy city).
What captivated me the most was the calm, unhurried atmosphere. Here, life seemed to move at its own rhythm, slow & serene. (Although for me it’s still freezing to walk under the sunny day after get down from the bus). There’s something so comforting about a place that doesn’t try to overwhelm you but instead quietly welcomes you, and Gyeongju is exactly that kind of place.
In ancient times, Gyeongju （庆州） served as the capital of the Silla （新罗） Kingdom, one of the 3 ancient Korean kingdoms (the other 2 being Goguryeo （高句gou 丽 & Baekje 百济). The city is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, boasting landmarks like Donggung Palace, the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, and Woljeonggyo Bridge. With countless tombs dotting the landscape—though they looked less vibrant in winter compared to the lush yellow and green hues I saw during my summer visit—it still carried a sense of timeless beauty.
For photography and OOTD lovers, Gyeongju is definitely the place to flood your social media feed with breathtaking shots. (But this time i’m not taking lots of pictures hahaha…)
After arriving, I opened my Naver app for navigation (Google Maps is unavailable in South Korea due to safety reasons) & saw that my accommodation was about a 25-mins walk from the bus terminal. (not so far for me). The journey didn’t bother me at all, as the scenic beauty of the tombs along the way was enough to keep me enchanted.
As I walked, soaking in the calm yet historic vibes of the town, a faint noise caught my curiosity from afar. The closer I got, the more the scene began to unfold—hey some police cars and its officers were on duty, then a small group of people sitting on the ground, holding blue-red posters covered in Hangul. I couldn’t read the text, but the scene felt charged with purpose, like something important was happening. What I did was using my Google Translate lens to translate whatever words that appeared in front of me.
Then, I noticed a live screen showing a broadcast from the National Assembly in Seoul. “Hey, this must have something to do with an important decision about President Yoon’s status”. My instincts were right! After texting Jeong Soo to confirm, she explained that they were awaiting the results of the impeachment vote against Yoon Suk-Yeol’s presidency.
Before coming to South Korea, I had read about the dramatic events following the late-night announcement of martial law and how life seemed to move on once it was lifted just a few hours later. But the scars of that night were far from forgotten. Many locals were furious, gathering outside the National Assembly weekly to voice their anger. It reminded me of our chaotic Parliament of Malaysia (so many monkey drama during the sittings) except this was on an entirely different scale—sleepless nights filled with protests, chants, and determination to hold their president, Yoon Suk-Yeol, accountable.
I was standing there, surrounded by the echoes of outrage from the people, I couldn’t suppress my journalistic instincts. (Even it’s too cold to pull out my gloves to take some nice photographs, I still did that). The energy was so palpable—older folks dressed in elaborate costumes, chanting slogans with fiery passion, and waving banners that I could only assume demanded the president step down. (and I can feel their aura as an outsider who can’t read and understand Korean)
As the minutes ticked by, the crowd swelled, spilling onto the open space in front of the Royal Tomb of King Naemul. The big screens broadcasting updates from the National Assembly kept everyone on edge. (And I was wondering, today is Saturday and their Parliament are still sitting!). I glanced at my watch—it was around 3pm and below -3c. It was too cold until I decided to head to my accommodation to drop off my bag and warm up before returning to the venue, which was just a 10 mins walk away.
After checking in, I took a moment to rest in the cozy lobby of the hostel. The host and a few tenants were gathered in front of the TV, their eyes glued to the news about the impeachment vote. Curious, I joined them and discreetly snapped a few pictures. To my surprise, they noticed and seemed genuinely surprised that I was following the news.
Their excitement was contagious. Although I couldn’t understand their rapid conversations in Korean, their reactions said it all—nervous anticipation, hope, and bursts of joy. I decided to share in their moment by saying, ‘Chukgahaeyo’ (congratulations in Korean) and their faces lit up with happiness, then turned to thank me, speaking in heavily accented English, “You know about this… even outside South Korea?!” I said ‘Yes I followed it!’. It was actually a beautiful reminder of how moments like these language barriers and bring people together.
I returned to the venue of the peaceful rally by 10 mins-foot, and the crowd had grown even larger, with more people arriving to distribute hot drinks and snacks. I had read before about how South Koreans take care of one another during winter rallies, ensuring no one freezes in the cold. And now, I was part of them!
The rally felt more like a fiesta, with everyone holding K-pop light sticks that lit up the atmosphere behind the sunset. Young people were singing along with the hosts on stage, creating an electrifying energy (It’s like sitting in an open live concert!). While I was soaking in the excitement, a young man approached me, speaking in Korean, and kindly offered me a mat to sit on. I realised I had been sitting directly on the cold ground and, feeling touched by his gesture, replied, "Aneyo, Gwenchaneyo" (It's okay…) (Hahaha it really works when I picked up some Korean words through Kdramas). Despite realising I was a foreigner when I replied to them in English, they welcomed me warmly and their faces lit up with genuine excitement, even from behind their thick winter coats when I congratulate them. What a beautiful and heartwarming experience this was for me!
SOME THOUGHTS AFTER THE RALLY
It took me about a week to finish writing this post (and there are still some posts I’ve yet to write—this one happens to be the next part of it, so many thoughts hahaha..). As I’m writing this, I came across the latest updates from South Korea: the National Assembly released a heartfelt thank-you message to its citizens for defending democracy during the tumultuous events that unfolded from the Dec 3 martial law to the Dec 14 impeachment.
Before that, there was the tragic Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport, which claimed the lives of over 170 people—a heartbreaking and somber moment for the nation. And if that wasn’t enough, I was left stunned again upon hearing about the impeachment of their acting president, Han Duck-Soo, through the National Assembly.
It’s like one shocking event after another, piling on top of each other. Deep down, I couldn’t help but think: What a whirlwind of chaos and happenings in South Korea! This nation is truly going through an extraordinary time, and I can’t stop marveling at how resilient its people are amidst all this turmoil.
However, I was deeply impressed during my recent trip to South Korea, where I witnessed firsthand how the power of the people can overturn policymakers' decisions. The street rallies I observed were not chaotic but filled with kindness, joy, and a sense of celebration for their victory. It was truly inspiring to see how the people stood together for what they believed in. (and it’s like a big carnival to celebrate their victory!). To my surprise, they left the venue without trash on the floor!
That said, I did experience a bit of culture shock—especially when speaking to some elderlies. I found myself struggling to remember the difference between formal and informal Korean greetings (I had completely forgotten!) and navigating language barriers with those who didn’t speak English. Despite these challenges, this trip taught me so much, especially when I compared it to my visit here 9 years ago. Back then, I was just a tourist, focused on taking as many OOTD shots and scenic pictures as possible to fill my social media feed and chase likes.
But this time, my mindset was completely different. I came here seeking peace, meaningful experiences, and opportunities to learn—not just about the country, but about its people, culture, and the resilience of its citizens. I wanted this trip to be a journey of personal growth, one where I could reconnect with local friends and truly immerse myself in their way of life. And it turned out to be just that—an experience that I’ll cherish forever.
Will have another post after this, but let me wish you all Happy New Year 2025!!!