XO, Kitty is officially returning for a second season. The sensational spin-off of “To All the Boys I've Loved Before” follows the main character, Kitty’s journey to South Korea to reunite with her long-distance boyfriend. The series made headlines topping the Netflix chart for TV shows in 49 countries, becoming one of the global top 2 TV shows. Set primarily in Seoul, XO, Kitty features scenic locations in Seoul, including Gangnam, Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, and Jongno. K-pop titles sweeping global charts are also featured as the soundtrack, including songs by Blackpink, Seventeen, and Twice playing throughout the series. With the show gaining popularity, more fans are picking up interest in traveling to Seoul. In this edition, we dive into the travel destinations featured in XO, Kitty, that takes viewers of all ages back to their teenage days.
Must-Visit Seoul Destinations:
Myeongdong, N Seoul Tower, DDP
Every city has a must-visit itinerary for tourists, and Myeongdong is one of them. In XO, Kitty, Myeongdong is where Kitty and Yuri first encounter each other. Myeongdong is a shopping mecca with a comprehensive collection of department stores, designer brands, local stores, and street stalls. Located at the epicenter of Seoul, Myeongdong is a great place to stop before heading to another location. Primarily known for shopping, Myeongdong also offers plenty to eat. Try tasting tonkatsu (port cutlet) and kalguksu (noodle soup), some of the signature dishes in Myeongdong as well as the food from street stalls filling the streets of Myeongdong.
N Seoul Tower is the city’s landmark, where you can get a 360-degree panoramic view of the beautiful city. N Seoul Tower, being the very place where Kitty and Dae's love blossomed in XO, Kitty, has become a cherished romantic destination for couples. The iconic "Love Locks" are also a well-known attraction at N Seoul Tower. When a couple fastens a padlock with an avowal of love, the love is believed to come true, making N Seoul Tower a go-to place for couples. Seoul’s nightscape from the N Seoul Tower is another spectacle, so don’t miss the stunning view.
XO, Kitty features a plethora of fascinating locations in Seoul. One is DDP, where the welcome party at KISS, the international school Kitty enrolled in, occurred. DDP serves as the venue for different events in dramas and reality, including fashion shows, exhibitions, and conferences. Once renowned for its elegant curved lines and unique architecture, the cultural complex is now the perfect spot to immerse yourself in K-culture. Take a deep dive into these special locations during your trip to Seoul. Who knows? You might run into your destined love just like the hero of a drama or get to see a fancy event at DDP.
Myeongdong
N Seoul Tower
DDP
Travel is always an exciting adventure, even if it is a school-organized group tour. Field trips and school excursions are always thrilling as we expect something exciting to happen at any moment. Magical moments await, like in XO, Kitty; You may get to know someone else’s secret or befriend someone you didn’t like. Check out some of the common field trip destinations in Seoul.
Beloved Field Trip Destinations:
Gyeongbokgung Palace & The National Folk Museum of Korea
Gyeongbokgung Palace and The National Folk Museum of Korea, both popular tourist destinations in Seoul, are common field trip destinations for Koreans.
Built during the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest among the royal palaces in the country. To the north stands Bugaksan Mountain, and facing out from Gwanghwamun Gate, the main entrance of the Palace, lies Yukjo Street (the current Sejong-ro). With a symmetric central area and an asymmetric arrangement of surrounding structures, Gyeongbokgung Palace boasts the architectural exquisiteness of change and unity, exhibiting the quintessence of highly refined royal culture. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion blends perfectly well with the surrounding nature, presenting a true spectacle at night. The nightscape is considered the best of Gyeongbokgung Palace, so you should check it out.
Located east of the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum of Korea is one of the most important museums that represents everyday life and culture in Korea. It is also Korea’s only folk museum covering the history of the daily lives of ordinary Koreans. Consisting of three permanent exhibition halls, two special exhibition halls, an archive, a museum shop, and a café, the National Folk Museum of Korea houses roughly 4,000 folklife artifacts related to Korea’s traditional way of life. Various traditional cultural events are held every week, and you can experience the traditional Korean folk culture, like buchaechum (fan dance) featured in XO, Kitty. The Step-by-Step K-Culture program is also available for foreigners who want to learn and experience Korean culture, including hanbok, tteok (rice cake), and kimjang (kimchi making).
Gyeongbokgung Palace
○Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
○Website : Click here
○Travel Tip: Admission is free for visitors wearing hanbok.
The National Folk Museum of Korea
○Address: 37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
○Operation Hours: Open every day 10:00-20:00 (Last Admission: 19:00)
○Website : Click here
A Unique Under Water Experience:
COEX Aquarium
We get excited about field trips because of all the different things we experience. Spent some time learning about Korea’s traditions and history at royal palaces? Well, now it’s time to dive into the water. An ocean is hidden amidst the jungle of high-rise buildings soaring into the skies of Gangnam-daero.
COEX Aquarium houses over 40,000 aquatic creatures and 650 species throughout the Beautiful Ocean Village and themed water tanks. COEX Aquarium is home to the biggest shark in Korea, and visitors can also see the manatee, an ultra-large rare endangered herbivore.COEX Aquarium offers many programs that enable visitors to have fun with aquatic creatures, including the shark glass bottom boat, sand art performance, in-water mermaid show, and penguin feeding. Join this exciting excursion to COEX Aquarium, an underwater tourist destination with more than 1 million annual visitors.
○Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
○Operation Hours: Open every day 10:00-20:00 (Last Admission: 19:00)
○Website : Click here
Summer Festival in Full Swing:
Lotte World
For students, amusement parks are the all-time favorite field trip destination. Amusement parks are packed with romantic or thrilling rides with exciting up-tempo songs. Colorful decorations and cuddly toys create an enjoyable atmosphere where people of all ages can have fun.
Lotte World is one of the most frequently visited places for school excursions and field trips from Seoul and other adjacent cities. It is also a top destination for romantic dates and even family outings. The adventurous and magical Lotte World Adventure has various attractions, festivals, and performances each season. Celebrating the summer season, Lotte World is currently running the City Vacance & Samba festival with exciting parades and shows every day. Another unique way to enjoy Lotte World is to borrow and wear school uniforms that will take you back to your school days and turn you into a high school teen. Lotte World has it all: Lotte World Adventure, an amusement park; Magic Island, a lake park; a shopping mall; and an ice rink. Under the glass-domed ice rink, you can ice-skate in a thrilling and romantic ambiance with different vibes during the day and at night. Lotte World has plenty to enjoy, but Lotte World Tower, standing on the other side, is another must-visit attraction to check out if you’re traveling to Seoul.
○Address: 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
○Operation Hours: Open every day 10:00-22:00
○Website : Click here
○Travel Tip: Rent and wear a Korean-style school uniform near Lotte World for an unforgettable memory.