9 ways to have an authentic South Korean experience in Singapore: K-pop dance classes, bathhouses, costumes and more

Ladies and gents, ajoommas and ahjussis, girls and boys. With a constant influx of K-dramas, K-pop and K-everything in pop culture today, there is no doubt that the craze for all things to do with South Korea is not going away anytime soon.

And if you have been bitten by the K-bug but are carefully hoarding your precious days of leave for all sorts of revenge travel plans, worry not. There are, in fact, plenty of ways to get your K-fix right here in Singapore so you can satisfy those wanderlusty K-ravings until that well deserved vacay.

For some inspo on how to find South Korea in Singapore, why not take your cue from thespians Hong Huifang and Shane Pow, who co-star in the heartwarming dramedy Ajoomma as a K-drama obsessed mother and her well-meaning but somewhat preoccupied son.

The award-winning film, which has just premiered on Amazon Prime Video following a successful run in cinemas and a tour of film festivals, certainly captures the sense of wonder that many of us have when we experience elements of our K-obsessions in real life.

For just a little bit more of that Hallyu magic, CNA Lifestyle convinced Hong and Pow to explore Singapore in search of some Korean-themed activities.

Read on to find out how else you can experience South Korea in the Little Red Dot.

1. DRESS UP IN TRADITIONAL KOREAN COSTUMES AT KOREA PLAZA

You might be thousands of miles away from the atmospheric Gyeongbokgung Palace but don’t let this small detail kill your vibe, especially when Korea Plaza right here in Singapore has a selection of beautifully designed hanbok you can wear for a photo op.

The friendly staff will guide you through the process of wearing traditional Korean garb before you accessorise with authentic props such as fans and parasols especially for the ‘Gram.

Besides trying on traditional costumes, visitors can also take part in a wide range of Korean-themed activities that include calligraphy workshops, traditional tea ceremonies, cooking classes taught by professional chefs and screenings of the latest Korean movies and dramas.

Details here.

2. GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH YOUR FAVOURITE KOREAN CELEBRITIES

Their wax figures, to be precise. Besides Hollywood celebrities and famous public figures, Madame Tussauds Singapore also has a K-wave zone that is decorated with backdrops of beautiful pink cherry blossoms and traditional hanok buildings.

The highlight, of course, are the life-sized wax figures of popular Korean celebrities such as Suzy Bae, Lee Jong-suk and Song Seung Heon. The museum also hosts “visiting” wax figures from other locations – it is said that the figure of Crash Landing On You star Hyun Bin will be making a stop in Singapore at some point. Get ready to flash those finger hearts!

Details here.

3. PERFECT YOUR FAVOURITE K-POP MOVES

Just like Hong Huifang, you can channel your love for K-pop into motivation to burn some calories by learning the choreography to your favourite ditties. For professional training by instructors who are trained to work with beginners and experienced dancers alike, head to Tiny Studio for a few practice sessions.

Best of all, the instructors will even take song requests so go ahead and learn to groove to your top BTS or Blackpink tunes.

Details here.

4. ATTEND A K-POP CONCERT

Speaking of girl group Blackpink, there is nothing quite like the electric buzz of attending a K-pop concert and being in the company of die-hard fans who seem to know every word of every song by their idols.

Besides the chart topping Blackpink finally arriving in our area for two nights of sold out concerts in May, other upcoming concerts to look forward to include Red Velvet, BTS’ Suga, NCT Dream and EXO-SC. Bonus points if you can bust out the hand movements to your favourite songs during the concerts too.

5. LEARN TO COOK YOUR FAVOURITE KOREAN DISHES

From kimchi to bibimbap and fried chicken, food plays an important role in Korean culture – and K-dramas too. So, you can’t quite consider yourself a true blue K-lover unless you have at least tried to whip up some of these much-loved dishes.

During the classes, you will learn to prep the ingredients, cook the dishes and plate them Korean style. Plus, the instructors will also share their tips and tricks to ensure authentic flavours when you cook them for yourself.

Details here.

6. HAVE A K-FEAST AT AN AUTHENTIC KOREAN RESTAURANT

Alternatively, on days when you just feel like treating yourself, head to a K-BBQ restaurant to soak in the buzzy, bustling vibes, delicious flavours and of course, irresistible smells of a smokin’ hot barbecue.

Some of the most popular haunts among Koreans living in Singapore include Super Star K, which is known for its premium cuts of beef and pork which are grilled at the table over a charcoal fire and 2D1N Soju Bang which also has stews and fried chicken on the menu. Both restaurants are located in Tanjong Pagar aka Singapore’s “little Korea” because of its range of Korean restaurants and cafes sprinkled around the neighbourhood.

If you prefer a more high end, Gangnam style experience, snag yourself a seat at NAE:UM, one of the most talked about modern Korean restaurants in recent times. Rising chef Louis Han’s latest Front Yard Barbecue menu pays homage to the barbecue gatherings he used to have back home in Seoul.

Highlights include elevated takes on popular bbq food, like the “so bbq” dish featuring a fancy slab of MS7 wagyu beef tenderloin that is grilled over a binchotan. It is accompanied with elevated side dishes such as pickled sweet potato leaf and saengchae daikon salad. Don’t worry you will not have to do any cooking yourself, as every dish arrives at your table plated and ready to eat.

7. LEARN THE TRADITIONAL KOREAN MARTIAL ART OF TAEKWONDO

To dramatically dial up the intensity of your experience, get the adrenaline pumping with some traditional taekwondo lessons. Regarded as one of the country’s cultural treasures, the Korean national martial art is known for its fast and powerful spinning kicks, which are quite the sight to behold (once you master them, of course.)

Showing off these stunt moves are certainly cool – and may even come in handy if you ever decide to audition as a calafare for some Korean action show in the future. That said, the main ethos of martial arts is not to pick fights with others, unlike what K-dramas might imply but to learn important values such as discipline, perseverance and self-control. And for this, it is best to learn from authentic masters who have trained for years.

To get you started, some of the most well regarded taekwondo studios in Singapore include Ildo Taekwondo Academy, Singapore Taekwon-do Academy and Johan Taekwondo. That said, considering how popular this martial art is, there are actually plenty of taekwondo studios around. Before you sign up, ask about the background of your instructor and maybe take a trial class to ensure that you kick off your journey in this sport with a flying start.

Details here, here and here.

8. DESTRESS AT A KOREAN-STYLE BATHHOUSE

Rejuvenate and relax at one of the most recognisable icons of Korean culture – the traditional bathhouse, also known as a jjimjilbang. Often featured in dramas, music videos and variety and travel shows, the bathhouses offer a one of a kind experience that can be best described as wellness meets community.

This is because jjimjilbangs in Korea tend to be open for 24 hours and have communal lounges as well as food and beverage services, making them a popular spot for friends and families to hang out while indulging in some R&R.

In Singapore, there is unfortunately no dedicated jjimjilbang yet, but there are some spas and wellness centres that offer a very close approximation of the experience. Of note is Spa 1, which offers similar facilities to those found in bathhouses such as a cassia seed sauna or Himalayan salt sauna to sweat out impurities as well as hot and cold pools. These bad boys, which come in a range of temperatures from sizzling hot to ice cold, are just the ticket for loosening up tight muscles and detoxifying your body. There is also a cafe that serves vegetarian meals and snacks and refreshments when you get hungry from all this self care.

Or if you are after a late night jjimjilbang experience as seen in many Korean shows, head to the 24-hour G.spa which also offers a range of bathhouse facilities to enjoy.

More importantly, wear the cute yangmeori for added authenticity. It's basically a towel folded in the shape of a sheep’s head on your own head to absorb sweat and keep your ears cool.

Details here and here.

9. GET A CELEB-WORTHY CUT AT A KOREAN STYLE HAIR SALON

As hardcore fans already know, one of the reasons why Korean celebs always look immaculate is because they have their preferred hairstylists on speed dial. K-salons in particular are known for their trendy and innovative approach to hairstyling and are quick adopters of cutting-edge technology and products to achieve fashionable yet natural looking styles.

One of the best places in Singapore to get showbiz worthy flowing waves or textured cuts a la your favourite star is at You Are My Sunshine, an 8,000 sq ft full service hair salon in Ngee Ann City. Accentuated with plenty of indoor greenery – a popular design trend in Korea – and complete with picture perfect photo corners around the salon, you might just feel you are in a trendy beauty salon in Seoul’s Garosugil district. Naturally, the team is well-versed in the latest K-hair trends and can offer personalised advice on the best cuts and colours to achieve red carpet worthy results.

Details here.

BONUS: VISIT SINGAPORE’S OWN JEJU SPOT (SORT OF)

Last but not least, if you are hankering after wide open spaces and rejuvenating coastal scenery, much like what is found on the idyllic island of Jeju, there is surprisingly a “dupe” for that in Singapore’s concrete jungle too.

Okay so the comparison’s a bit of a stretch and it’s a bit of a hike to get there but the relatively new Changi Bay Point Park Connector offers the type of (relatively) unhindered sea views that Jeju Island is known for. For the best views, you will have to walk (or cycle) about 3km through tranquil paths, bridges and boardwalks to get right to the coastline.

Tip: The sea-facing benches are great not just for rest-stops but also photo ops that might just fool your friends into thinking you are actually in Korea!

Ajoomma is now on Amazon Prime Video, which is available for S$2.99 per month. Visit https://www.primevideo.com/ for details and how new customers can subscribe to the free 30-day trial.