Tap into 'Sin' While in Seoul

There’s no place for sin like Seoul. The capital of South Korea is enormous, and there’s always a lot happening. The bars stay open incredibly late, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that doesn’t have plenty of action at 3 a.m. Drink a bit of the local liquor, soju, and you’ll be well on your way to a debauched experience.

So, get some cheap tickets to Seoul, and start planning your seven deadly sins in this awesome city:

1. Greed: Seoul is a great destination for shopping! For men, suits are an absolute must: they are inexpensive, of high quality and tailored to fit you. Pick up a bunch. Also, many of the shops cut deals early in the day – some luck comes with making the first sale. If you’re first in line, this will cut your way. Also, inclement weather makes haggling easier.

2. Pride: The war on the Korean peninsula has technically never ended, which means military matters always get some degree of priority in South Korea. Given what the country’s soldiers endure through training (tough stuff, to say the least), it’s easy to understand how this would be a local source of pride. Visit the War Memorial of Korea (and attendant museum) to see why.

3. Sloth: Let the Seoul treat you well while you do nothing at all! Visit the Dragonhill Spa and spend some time in a jjimjilbang (bathhouse and sauna). Get a massage and a facial while you’re there, and let every stress in your life melt away.

4. Envy: Live like the elite with a meal at the Shilla Hotel’s Parkview restaurant (where I had my first full meal in Seoul, oh so long ago). Make sure you get a seat with a view – you won’t regret it! Sit back, and soak in the conspicuous luxury around you.

5. Gluttony:  I still have a certain fondness for a hot dog stand in Tongduchon, about an hour outside Seoul by train, but I suspect it isn’t there any longer. Nonetheless, my love of Korean street food is still strong. Instead of going upscale (which is easy to do in one of the largest cities in the world), walk the streets and pick up some yaki mandu from one of the vendors. I suggest pairing this with fries – it’s the perfect combination. Eat a lot of it (I sure did!).

6. Lust: When I was stationed in South Korea (15 years ago, it pains me to admit), Itaewon was the big draw, with a sizeable portion of the neighborhood seemingly dedicated to satisfying the appetites of soldiers living nearby at Yongsan. For real fun, though, head over to Ehwa Women’s University (on the #2 line). You’ll find plenty of opportunity, but it’s up to you to close the deal!

7. Wrath: Book a tour to the most dangerous border in the world. The DMZ, which separates North Korea and South Korea, is only 35 miles from Seoul, but you can’t get there on your own. Make the necessary arrangements, though. You won’t want to miss this! While you tour Panmunjom, you’ll even come face-to-face with North Korean soldiers – fortunately, they’ll be outside the building you’re in.

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