Hallyu Diary Vol.14

Hi! Today’s edition of Hallyu Diary is extra special.
Following SM Entertainment’s male trainees SMTR25, I visited Daejeon!
(SM Trainee-Led Club ❮W.O.W!❯ YouTube Link)

They may still be trainees, but their fresh energy and passion were already unmistakable.
The members, each from different cultural backgrounds, came to Daejeon as part of W.O.W! Club
to learn about Korean culture firsthand and experience the spirit of hallyu.

As a fan of K-content, how could I possibly miss the chance to join their journey?
So I spent the day exploring Daejeon from the perspective of a diehard hallyu fan.

The first place that comes to mind when we think of Daejeon is the Daejeon Expo Park!
A major landmark, it’s a science-themed park that carries on the legacy of the Daejeon Expo.
I introduced this spot in Hallyu Diary Vol. 5,
but the place felt completely new on this visit.
Back then, I took a quick look around, but today I wanted to slow down and explore every corner.
(Hallyu Diary Vol.5 Link: Hallyu In Real Life, K-Content in Daejeon)

At the park, SMTR25 played a game of “find the Kumdori mascot with their country’s flag,”
with a simple rule that whoever found their Kumdori keychain
first hidden near Hanbit Tower and rang the bell would be the winner!
I remembered how they ran around, laughing and shouting that they’d find it first,
and that prompted me to look in the same spots!
Watching them pout when they picked the “wrong” one, or teasing each other as they found
each other’s keychains made me sense their sweet energy.

After grabbing a photo under the Hanbit Tower just like the members did,
I went inside instead of passing it by like last time.
The panoramic view of Daejeon from the top was stunning!

There’s even a café inside, so I took a break there before heading over to the Kumdori House.
It was full of fun merchandise featuring Daejeon’s beloved mascot.
Among them was Kumdori Ramyeon, the city’s very first local branded product.
When I tried it, it was delicious!

Now that my belly was full, I explored a bit more of the park.
Apparently, the Expo Park transforms completely at night,
with music fountains and media façade shows
that make Daejeon’s nightscape more magical.
Though my SMTR25 fan tour took me to another stop, I’d definitely recommend
coming back at night to experience that harmony of light and music!

After the Expo Park, the next stop on my SMTR25 fan tour was the Uam Historical Park.
This park is dedicated to the philosophies of Song Si-yeol,
a great Confucian scholar from the late Joseon dynasty.
Today, it has been transformed into a cultural heritage park
with beautiful crape myrtle blossoms that bloom in the summer months.

I wandered the grounds of Uam Historical Park following in the footsteps of SMTR25 members,
watching the reflection of the buildings shimmer on the pond and taking in the peaceful scenery.
Inside a small museum, I saw Song Si-yeol’s belongings and ancient documents on display.
With every step, I could feel the presence of history lingering in the air.

At this spot, the SMTR25 members played a few mini-games.
The highlight was the calligraphy experience, where they each wrote their names in Korean.
Watching them focus then break up into laughter
during the lively calligraphy “catch mind” game was so much fun!
Experiencing tradition together and sharing that connection
has to be the true essence of hallyu.

Carrying that same energy, the members designed their own tote bags and phone grips.
The designs were so creative and full of personality, definitely what you’d expect from real artists!
You could win this special merch through the SMTR25 X KREW Instagram and Twitter event,
which I’m also signing up for!
(SMTR25 X KREW Event Instagram Link / SMTR25 X KREW Event X Link)

From Uam Historical Park, the next stop was Daejeon Jungang Market,
the largest traditional market in the central region of Korea with over 100 years of history.
Packed with a wide variety of fresh ingredients and local foods,
it is divided into organized sections like Food Street, Snack Street, and Hanbok Street,
that offer something new to see at every turn.

I headed to Snack Street to try classic K-foods like tteokbokki and gimbap.
The warm generosity of the stores combined with the lively buzz of the market made it a moment
where I could truly feel the essence of the “K-lifestyle.”

As I continued walking through the market, I came across a media street called Sky Road,
which had enormous LED screens from towering buildings
displaying videos and works of art past 6 p.m.
Seeing such cutting-edge K-content unfold right in the middle of a traditional market
perfectly captured Korea’s unique harmony between the old and the new.

After wandering around for a while, I realized that while I was full, I was craving something sweet.
So I made my way to the nearby Soje-dong Café Street.

Soje-dong was a quiet neighborhood filled with the homes of railway officials and train tracks,
but it has transformed into a trendy spot lined with stylish cafés and charming boutiques.
Beloved by the MZ generation, it has become a must-visit destination for travelers.

As I wandered around, I noticed that every street had its own unique personality,
with rustic building exteriors meshing well with the polished interior designs of the shop.
The SMTR25 members also explored the Soje-dong Café Street,
eventually stopping by a café that caught their eye to enjoy some drinks.

I couldn’t resist doing the same so I ordered a glass of juice,
and its sweet, refreshing taste brought a smile to my face.
I realized I wasn’t just on a hallyu adventure, but rather a gourmet tour of all things food!

Leaving behind the bustling streets, I followed the gentle scent of the forest.
Sangso-dong Forest Park is a beloved healing spot
where you can fully immerse yourself in nature and relax.
I felt my mind grow calmer as I walked the well-maintained forest trails and camping areas.

Across the forest, the sight of towering stone cairns immediately caught my eye.
They’re already quite famous on social media for their exotic vibe!
The SMTR25 members also built their own small stone towers here, as part of a friendly game.
Standing where they once stood, I carefully placed a stone on top and made a quiet wish.

The forest offers multiple hiking trails and even an auto-camping site,
with plenty of programs that let visitors experience nature up close.
Watching the SMTR25 members relax on the campsite lawn,
playing games from each of their cultures while enjoying the outdoors,
I thought, “This really is a place where rest and activity coexist.”

This time around, I enjoyed the crisp autumn breeze and the colorful foliage of the forest,
but I definitely wanted to come back for a camping trip.
Sleeping under the stars instead of city lights, falling asleep to the sounds of the forest,
there’s no doubt that Sangso-dong Forest Park will grant me that peaceful escape.