SpotsJune 17, 2026
Three Friends Just Winged an Ulleungdo Summer Trip
Summary
Three 26-year-olds basically winged their way to Ulleungdo for summer vacation and it's the kind of chaos that somehow works out. They took the ITX train because it's newer than KTX, loved the spacious seats, ended up in a guesthouse with cute dishes, two rooms, board games, and a convenience store nearby. The whole vibe screams spontaneous Korean friend trip energy.
Why do we peek
This is such a Korean thing — the whole "얼렁뚱땅" (winging it but somehow making it work) approach to travel. Korean millennials love this kind of lo-fi, unplanned trip where you just pick a destination, grab a few friends, and figure it out as you go. It's the opposite of the hyper-planned group tours older generations prefer, and it's become its own travel aesthetic.
Main Story
Three 26-year-old friends basically winged a summer trip to Ulleungdo and documented the whole thing. They chose the ITX train over KTX because it's newer, loved the spacious seats, and ended up in a guesthouse that had everything — cute dishes, two rooms, board games, and a convenience store nearby. The whole vibe is peak spontaneous Korean friend-group energy.
Backstory
Ulleungdo is a remote island off Korea's east coast that's harder to get to than you'd think — you need to take a ferry from Pohang or Gangneung, and it often gets canceled due to weather. ITX trains are cheaper and more spacious than KTX but slower, and young Koreans actually prefer them for the vibe. Guesthouses in Korea often come with random perks like board games, cute kitchenware, and snacks — it's part of the charm.
FAQ
How do you get to Ulleungdo?
You have to take a ferry from either Pohang or Gangneung on the east coast. The ride takes about 3 hours, but ferries get canceled a lot because of weather, so check conditions before you book. Some people end up waiting days to get on.
What's the difference between ITX and KTX trains?
KTX is faster and more expensive, kind of like Korea's bullet train. ITX is slower but has wider seats, costs less, and runs on scenic routes. Young Koreans sometimes choose ITX for the chill vibe and the view, not just to save money.
Are guesthouses in Korea worth staying at?
Yeah, they're usually cheaper than hotels and come with random nice touches — board games, cute kitchenware, sometimes free snacks or ramen. They're more common outside Seoul and popular with young Korean travelers who want a homey vibe.
#ulleungdo #korean travel #summer vacation #itx train #guesthouse