Explore Korea Like a Local

Annyeong, travelers! It’s Your K-Friend here! 👋

Can you believe 2026 is almost here? If you are spending the very last moments of 2025 in Seoul, you are in for a truly special treat.

The upcoming year, 2026, is the “Year of the Red Horse”. In Korean culture, the red horse symbolizes passion, dynamic energy, and progress! 🐎🔥 What better place to start this energetic year than the vibrant streets of Seoul?

In this guide, I’ll share my favorite ways to ring in 2026 like a true Seoulite. Let’s get ready to run into the new year together!

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1. The Iconic Countdown: Bosingak Bell Ringing 🔔

If Times Square has the ball drop, Seoul has the Bosingak Bell. This is the ultimate classic way to say goodbye to 2025.

• What to Expect: Historically, this bell signaled the opening and closing of the city gates. On December 31st, a huge crowd gathers to watch the bell be struck exactly 33 times at midnight. It symbolizes health, peace, and prosperity for the new year. The energy is electric, often featuring K-Pop performances and drone shows lighting up the night sky!
• Location: Bosingak Pavilion (Near Jonggak Station, Line 1). 📍
• Traveler Tips: It gets extremely crowded (thousands of people!). I recommend arriving by 10:00 PM to get a good spot. Also, it will be freezing cold, so please grab some “hot packs” (hand warmers) from a convenience store! 🔥

2. Spiritual Start: Watching the First Sunrise (Haedoji) ☀️

In Korea, it is a tradition to watch the first sunrise of 2026 and make a wish. It’s a beautiful moment of calm and reflection to start the year right.

• What to Expect: You don’t have to travel all the way to the East Coast! You can hike up a mountain in Seoul early in the morning (around 7:30 AM) to see the sun rise over the city skyline. It’s truly magical to see the city wake up under the first light of 2026.
• Location: Namsan Mountain or Maebongsan Mountain. Both offer stunning views of the Han River. 📍
• Traveler Tips: Dress in layers! The mountain air is much colder than the city ground. Bring a thermos with hot coffee or tea to keep warm while waiting for the sun. ☕

3. The Tasty Tradition: Eating Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup) 🥣

Now, here is the most fun part of Korean New Year culture. In Korea, we have a saying: “You have to eat a bowl of Tteokguk to turn one year older.”

• What to Expect: Tteokguk is a savory soup made with sliced white rice cakes (Tteok). The white color symbolizes purity and a clean start for the year, while the round shape of the rice cakes looks like ancient coins, symbolizing wealth. If you want to properly welcome 2026 in Korea, this dish is a must-eat!
• Location: You don’t need a fancy reservation. Most casual Korean restaurants (often called “Bunsik” or 24-hour diners like Gimgane) serve this. Just look for “떡국” on the menu! 📍
• Traveler Tips: If you want more flavor, try Tteok-Mandu-guk. It includes dumplings (Mandu) in the soup, which is my personal favorite combination. Yum! 🥟

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Stay Warm and Get Home Safely with K.RIDE 🚖

Here is the reality check: New Year’s Eve in Seoul is freezing cold, and after the countdown or sunrise, everyone is trying to move at the same time.

Subways might be extended, but they are incredibly crowded, and hailing a taxi on the street is almost impossible on New Year’s Day. You don’t want to start 2026 shivering in the cold, right?

I highly recommend downloading the K.RIDE app before you head out. It’s the stress-free way to ensure you get back to your warm hotel safely.

Why I love using K.RIDE on busy holidays:

• ✅ Multi-language app support: No Korean? No problem! The app works in English, Chinese, and Japanese.
• ✅ Foreign card-friendly: You don’t need Korean cash; just register your overseas credit card.
• ✅ Automatic destination translation: Just type “Myeongdong Hotel” in English, and the driver sees it in Korean.
• ✅ Fair pricing: You pay the official meter rate. No haggling or “holiday surcharges” from unauthorized drivers.

Make your first memory of 2026 a happy and comfortable one, not a struggle in the cold!

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Happy New Year! (Saehae Bok Mani Badeuseyo!) 🙇‍♀️

I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating in Seoul. Whether you are shouting the countdown, making a wish at sunrise, or eating your tasty “one year” bowl of soup, may your 2026 be filled with joy!

With K.RIDE, getting back is the easiest part of your journey. Stay warm!

Thanks for reading!
— Your K-Friend at K.RIDE ✨
See you on the road!