Matt Kelley

Matt Kelly is native of the US Pacific Northwest and is half-Korean by ethnicity. He lived in Korea for five years and has written hundreds of travel guides for Wallpaper, TimeOut, the Boston Globe and Seoul Magazine and was a host for several different variety shows on Korean radio and television.

Seoul Digital Media City of the Future

An outside modern art exhibit made with connected bubble-like stainless balls. A group of Korean high school students gathers underneath.

The Digital Media City is a state-of-the-art media entertainment cluster envisioned as a way to expand Korea’s advanced IT, human resources and entertainment industries.

Gwangjang Traditional Market in Seoul

Started back in 1905, Gwangjang Market is Seoul’s oldest traditional daily marketplace. Stop by to visit some of the 5,000 vendors justly famous for their fine silks and delicious bindaetteok pancakes!

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm in Korea

A panoramic scene of a group of sheep grazing on lush green grass at Daegwallyeong sheep farm in Korea. In the background are mountains and forests.

The Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm in Korea offers a unique experience – to be amongst hundreds of sheep in Pyeongchang County’s gorgeous Taebaeksan mountains.

G20 Seoul Summit

Looking up at a tall glass skyscraper on the left of the frame, and on the right a circular glass building, with large signs announcing the G20 summit in Seoul.

The world’s heads of state and top business leaders have arrived in Seoul for the G20 Summit. Tasked with lifting the globe out of financial crisis.

The Best Noodle Shops in Seoul

Two metal bowls, one containing noodles in a red broth, and the other with noodles, seaweed and greens, on a wooden table.

Noodles go back thousands of years in Korea, where they symbolize longevity. Let’s celebrate culinary durability with two of my favorite Seoul noodle shops.

Cruising the Hangang on a Bicycle

A view down the bicycle path along the Hangang river in Seoul, Korea.

Cruising the Hangang on a Bicycle is the perfect way to explore the nine million square meters of riverside parks along Seoul’s most iconic symbol.

Where and When to See Autumn Color in Korea

A large stone house with light green roof nestled amongst trees with their yellow, red, and orange autumnal leaves.

Autumn in South Korea means it’s possible to find spectacular shows of colorful foliage all across the peninsula. Should you wish to seek them out, here are two charts to help the amateur leaf chaser!

Hiking Seoul Fortress

Stone block wall with an arched doorway, at Seoul fortress, a roof visible in the background, and trees and blue sky behind.

Upon Seoul’s founding in 1394, a fortress was built to join the four mountains that surrounded the city. Today, hiking Seoul Fortress affords great views and makes for great exercise.

The Historic Jeong-dong Neighborhood in Seoul

On the left, a high stone wall, with a footpath in red brick running alongside. Low stools at the base of the wall, a pedestrian in the distance, and trees to the right of the frame.

Some of Seoul’s best walking streets are in the historic and verdant Jeong-dong neighborhood, site of the city’s earliest foreign churches, missionary schools and foreign legations.

Wongudan Altar in Seoul

Side by side images, to the left is a black and white historical picture showing the Wongudan Altar opposite a large building with the city in the background. On the right is a modern picture showing it as a three story building, with traditional Korean roofing, red pillars and stone steps going up, with grass in the foreground and blue sky behind.

At the turn of the 19th century, Korea’s autonomy was threatened by several world powers. Located on Seoul Plaza, the Wongudan Altar was the Temple of Heaven, a symbol of independence for Korea’s short-lived Daehan Empire.