Whenever I watch a Kdrama, I feel an urge to travel.  Mostly to South Korea – but any interesting destination will do.  Someplace with impressive landscapes, unique architecture and teaming with diverse people, food and culture.  As a Kdrama lover and blogger, I like to stay connected to that community/world even when I travel.  As a result, I have found a number of tips that help me do just that. Here are my 8 travel tips for the Kdrama lover.

1) Plan Your Kdrama Downloads

Whether making a short journey or a long one, downloading Kdramas to watch is at the top of my prep list.  I like to mix it up – older Kdramas that I can binge with episodes of Kdramas that are currently airing.   I also mix genres and themes, knowing that for long flights, 6-8 hours of any one type of show may be too much for me.  For example, on a recent international trip, I downloaded the last eight episodes of Tomorrow, a show featuring episodes with some dark themes.   Tomorrow is difficult to binge, so I included episodes of Flex X Cop and the classic Ghost Doctor for a nice mix.  It’s also good to have backup downloads on multiple devices.  I downloaded shows to both my Ipad and phone just in case a power situation arose or when it was more convenient to use one over the other.

Netflix and Disney/Hulu downloads are very reliable.  I’ve had issues downloading content from Prime that doesn’t work later and without Viki Premium, I don’t have the downloading feature.  While you’re at it, don’t forget to download a few of your favorite Kdrama playlists or soundtracks to listen to when cellular or wi-fi is not available.

2) Take Multiple Listening Devices

Not all listening devices are created equal.  Maybe there is a multi-purpose listening device that can fit all situations but even then, it has to be charged at some point.  I take at least two with me on trips – a good set of noise cancelling headphones and a pair of earbuds.  For headphones, I have the Sony WH1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Over-the-ear Headphones which are easy to use, have a long batter life and are decent at blocking out noise on airplanes.   I also use them when I’m watching my Kdramas before going to bed.

Otherwise, the earbuds come in handy when I’m sitting in the airport or in situations where I still need to hear things around me or can’t carry the bulky headphones.  I use them for listening to Kdrama/Kpop music, Instagram Reels, YouTube and on the go Korean lessons.  If I have more time but my headphones are not available, I’ll use them to watch a Kdrama as well.  As an option, something like the SHOKZ OpenFit Earbuds are available that provide even more ability to hear sounds around you.  With two devices, one can always be charging while using the other.

3) Compression Socks for Long Flights are Key

Speaking of watching Kdramas on flights, that can mean a lot of sitting.  And a lot of sitting can lead to swelling in the legs.  In the olden days, compression socks were nasty, ugly tight stocking worn by my Great Aunt Ruth.  I’ve never liked compressions socks but after not wearing them on a trip back from Europe and experiencing swelling from my knees to my ankles, I knew I needed to do something.

I’ve worn Bombas ankle length socks for years and find them to be some of the most comfortable socks for everyday use.  When I saw that Bombas makes compression socks, I ordered a pair for my next international trip.  They turned out to be the perfect sock in comfort, weight and compression.  I will be ordering more.  My other tip related to this is to take a flask/canteen on a plane and fill it with water every time water and/or ice is offered.  That way you never run out of water to stay hydrated.

4) Use Those Airline Airport Lounges

I always thought Airline lounges at the airport were for people with boo koo frequent flyer miles, business/first class travelers or – I don’t know – famous people. But on a recent international trip, my husband and I used a couple of vouchers from our credit card to spend a five-hour layover at the United lounge in the international terminal as LAX.  Best decision ever!  Free food, yummy cookies, nice seating, great place to chill and watch a few downloaded Kdramas between flights.  As ticketed United passengers, we could also have paid around $60 per person to spend those five hours there without vouchers. For a significant layover, we would do it in a heartbeat.  But it’s worth checking to see if your credit card provides vouchers for free.

5) Download Ongoing Shows Even with Active Wi-Fi

Having active Wi-Fi during my trip or portions of my trip means that I can keep up with current episodes of Kdramas.  As a person who writes a blog on Kdramas, I check Facebook and Instagram regularly and don’t like it when social media spoils a show I’m watching.  But Wi-Fi may not be consistently available when I travel.  And, even when it is, the speed can be unreliable.  As a result, I’ve learned to download new episodes whenever I can while traveling.

There can be a few gotchas, however.  In certain regions, shows that air on Hulu in the US might show up on Disney+ in other areas so be sure to have the Disney+ App downloaded to your device just in case.  The airing of current episodes can also be tricky given time zone differences.  It’s important to know when KST or Korean Standard Time is relative to the time zone you are in so that you know when a new episode will be available.  Especially if you are trying to time downloads around certain days.  For example, a show that airs on Monday, may not be available until your Tuesday.

6) Find a Multi-use Charging Station

What good is all of the tech I take on travel if I don’t have a convenient way to keep it all charged?  How will I check out the latest on Soompi or Dramabeans?  I’m not quit to the point where I have found one charging solution that fits all but there are a few options for multi-use charing stations that I like.  The first is this 3-in-1 foldable magnetic charger dock for apple devices which charges your iPhone, Apple watch and current generation air pods as well.  Besides the three in one charging feature, it is nice and compact.  It plugs into a USB or plug which, for international travel, requires a converter.

For non-Apple devices, this Anker Wall Charger is a great choice with its many USB outlets which can charge those headphones or other devices.  I still carry a cord and brick for charging in airports and on planes, though.

7) The Travel Wedge Pillow I Didn’t Know I Needed

Just like at home, I like to wind down when I travel by watching a Kdrama before going to bed.  As I’ve gotten older, the need to sleep with my head elevated has become important but can be difficult to do while traveling.  I found this BLABOK inflatable wedge pillow on Amazon and decided to give it a try.  The compressed weight isn’t bad and it packed well in my suitcase.

But the true test would be use. It turned out to be a breeze to inflate with the provided sleeve (no blowing necessary) and even easier to deflate.  For comfort, I found it best to not inflate it all the way.  It’s very comfortable both for sleeping and for use when sitting up and watching Kdramas. I do wonder what the people cleaning my room make of it but maybe they see people bringing their own pillows all the time?

8) Leave the Laptop at Home

As tempted as I am to travel with my Surface laptop, it is the one piece of tech I leave at home.  I’m able to stream Kdramas on my iPad and phone, check social media and YouTube.  I can even check the stats of my website. If I were more iPad savvy, I could probably write up blog posts on it but when I travel, I prefer using a retirement gift I received – the Wave Rocketbook.

My Rocketbook is so used that it may be time for another one, but it has the advantage of allowing me to compose my thoughts through pen (with erasable ink) and paper.  I easily fill up a notebook with potential posts during a trip, then snap pictures of the pages and upload them using the Rocket app.  This saves a lot of time vs trying to transcribe my scribble – though I admit I end up doing some of that too. Once everything is safely on my computer, I erase the entire Rocketbook in the microwave.  I like to imagine that I look cool sitting out by the pool writing in my notebook. Do people wonder if I’m journaling or maybe writing the next Pulitzer Prize winning novel?  It’s a bit old school, but kind of new school at the same time.

Bonus – A Travel Map

While not a travel tip per se, I want to share one other favorite retirement gift – this Wooden Map of the World from Enjoy the Wood.  It’s so exciting when we come home from a new destination and get to “plant” a flag in that country, state or territory.  Australia and New Zealand just made our map!  I’m still waiting to push that little pin into the part of the map representing South Korea.  Soon….

Wrap up on 8 Travel Tips for the Kdrama Lover

As great as it is to keep up with Kdramas and Kdrama news while traveling, don’t forget that it is still travel – maybe even a vacation – so enjoy the experience of being in a different place.