Christmas in March with Lee Dong Wook and Trazy Korea

Let me start this post by saying that I have literally been on the BEST. TRAZY. TOUR. EVER. If there ever was a day more perfect, this trip would definitely count up there as one of the top ten experiences I have in Korea. Why was this tour amazing? If you are a fan of the Kdrama Goblin, it definitely felt like Christmas in March with Lee Dong Wook and Trazy Korea.

If you haven’t watched Goblin, stop reading this post and go watch it now. Shhh. Don’t argue with me. Watch it on Drama Fever. Do it now and thank me later.

For those familiar with the story, you know it centers around a 938 year old general of the Goryeo Dynasty who is betrayed by his king and left to rot in a field nameless and forgotten. Being taken pity upon from God, he is given a second chance at life. The only way he can die is if he meets the Goblin’s bride who can remove the sword in his chest and return him to ash. Enter the ever optimistic Eun Tak, an 18 year old girl who can see ghosts and in the care of her heartless extended family.

The story also centers around a nameless Grim Reaper with a mysterious past and is played by Lee Dong Wook. This handsome fella is a man of many talents because he is also the ambassador for the 2018 Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. I was totally there when the ceremony was held at Olympic Park and it was epic. As the ambassador, he had the privilege of starting the relay for the Paralympic Torch and promoting tourism to Gangwon Province.

So before we get into the nitty-gritty details, I’m gonna be real with you guys like always and let you know when the drama aired last year, I only watched the first two episodes. Yes. Gasp now. The truth is, after I broke up with my ex-boyfriend, I was so heart-broken I didn’t want to listen to Kpop, watch Kdramas or even learn Korean. I put a block on my mind to help me cope and deal with moving onto an entirely new chapter in life.

Living in Korea, you’re not immune to listening to loud music on the streets and I became tempted to download the entire album from Goblin. Once I started listening, I was like, “Heck yes. The music is amazeballs. The drama must be just as good.” I cried. I laughed. I fell in love with all the characters (especially the Goblin character). As a fan of the fantasy genre, I can safely say Goblin has taken the cake as my favorite drama and My Love From the Star has been bumped to number 2.

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The KTX

This tour started off at Cheongnyangni Station of the KTX station. We met the staff bright and early in the morning where we received a red scarf just like Eun Tak’s and a snack box featuring Lee Dong Wook’s gorgeous face.

Trazy and the KTO really know how to go above and beyond because there were welcome signs, photos from Goblin, head covers featuring Lee Dong Wook’s Christmas in March, and photo zones. There were even actors dressed as Grim Reapers to add to the dramatic effect. (I have to say this was my favorite part).

When a Grim Reaper appeared in our car, he announced his presence by playing the Goblin soundtrack on a boom box. P.s. Make sure you don’t look Grimmy in the eye or he will take your soul! We were to play games with him to win prizes. These prizes included Bandabi (the bear mascot of the of Paralympic games) and Soohorang (the tiger of the Olympic games). They were even giving out Boglegel aka Mr. Buckwheat (Eun Tak’s plush she received from Goblin).

In Korea, rock, paper, scissors literally determines everything. If you’re having an argument about what to do and how to do it, solve with rock paper scissors. When my students don’t want to do the cleaning work they play rock, paper, scissors. If you’re bored and want to have fun with a lover play rock, paper, scissors to see who gets to kiss first. You get the hang of it and some fun ideas for more shenanigans.

My partner was really good at rock paper scissors and I had to have a punishment of having stickers on my face. All was well because I won Soohorang at a Kpop song guessing game. Can you guess which songs I rocked? Good Boy by Taeyang and GD and I Will Go to You Like the First Snow by Ailee. Boom, baby.

All I can say is what a great start to the day to rock punishment stickers with Yoo In Na, Gong Yoo, Lee Dong Wook, and Go Eun and to have Soohorang as my new travel companion. Just so you know, this is the face of a very happy and victorious Gina Bear.

When we got off the train the soundtrack of Goblin was playing and promptly boarded the bus to Youngjin Beach.

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Youngjin Beach

Do you have times where you can’t even? How about when the feels overwhelm you? My fan girl heart couldn’t even at this location. Did you know that I’ve seen fangirls cry at concerts when EXO comes on? I promise I didn’t cry so let’s move on.

This was the exact spot where Eun Tak calls the Goblin and he gives her buckwheat flowers. She demands them as a birthday gift and asks the meaning to which the Goblin answers, “Lovers.” I can’t even begin to tell you how moved I was by this scene and I could already see that from day 1 he was beginning to love her.

When I tell you, the weather was perfect, it literally made me so happy and glad it was spring. I would also be lying to you if I said that I didn’t wear a tutu skirt to look like a princess and bring fake buckwheat flowers for my photo. Yours truly has an obsession with Instagram. If you’re ever in the area, please do yourself a favor and take photos here at this spot and try to call your very own Goblin.

I’m not fangirling right now, you are. But on the real, where is my Goblin?

Anmok Beach

No matter how many times I go to Gangneung, the beach there always takes my breath away. Of course, nothing compares to the beaches in Okinawa, but Gangneung’s glittering waters remind me of a home I used to have. This stretch of beach is famous for its cafe street. There are loads to choose from and many have balconies you can have your drink and watch the amazing scenery. If you walk along the beach, who know what you will find so I highly encourage it.

Lee Dong Wook Fan Meeting

Unfortunately, due to the restrictions, I couldn’t take any photos of him at the fan meeting. (Which is totally stupid imo, but no one asked my opinion on those rules….) Although I can say, you should definitely take my word when I say that he is even more gorgeous in real life. As if it was even possible. He was wearing a tan suit, white shirt, and yellow Keds. He has an official instagram account, but he doesn’t tend to take random or candid photos of himself. Dong Wook shared photos of his trips to France and Hawaii and even a sweet photo of him as a proud uncle with his nephew.

Since this fan meeting was geared more towards foreigners, there were headsets given and channels assigned to the languages of English, Chinese, and Japanese. I was even more impressed with the sign language translator they provided at the event for the group of deaf ladies who joined us. Since Trazy is awesome and hooks it up big time, I had an awesome seat in the 9th row where I could clearly see his beautiful face. #lifeisgood

Many older fans got to go up on stage, receive Woo Candy for White Day and other Olympic prizes. I’m not gonna lie I was a bit jealous because I wanted to go up and take a selfie, but we can’t have everything, now can we? 😉

At the end of the show he was so happy we were there, Dong Wook presented his fans with his photo book and his official Paralympic business cards. This was my first fan meeting and I can’t believe how awesome it was. I would totally go back and do a fan meeting with him again. Or just constantly replay my perfect day over and over. So if you love Kpop and Kdramas, then booking through Trazy’s tours is the way to go.

After the show, I was also able to meet the Governor of Gangwon. We exchanged business cards and he even gave me his Olympic pin! I felt so overwhelmed and happy.

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Paralympic Ice Hockey Game

Part of the fun of being in Korea these days is the hype over the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. During Dong Wook’s fan meeting he introduced us to the president of the Korea Tourism Association and the Governor of Gangwon Province. They were in attendance at the games as well. It was so crazy to see how many people went crazy (boys, girls, and adults) to try and snap a photo of him. His star is shining bright even a year after Goblin. I even watched little little school kids running around looking for him.

As an ambassador, I’m really glad he was fulfilling his duties and cheering on both Team Czech Republic and Team Japan. This was my first time watching a Paralympic game and while the stadium wasn’t as full as the Team America versus The Olympic Athletes from Russia game, the vibes were nothing but positive.

I’m so proud of each and every one of the players who trained so hard in order to be able to compete. I couldn’t imagine having to maneuver myself using my arms only on ice while trying to score a goal. The players were so inspiring and they really made me want to work harder for my goals in the future.

Make sure you catch a Paralympic Game and support your favorite teams. Go Team USA!

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If ever a day could have been more perfect, it was this day. Everything was executed perfectly and I was super pumped from the moment I entered the train station and received my scarf to the moment I was hugging my Lee Dong Wook photo book while snoozing on the bus ride home. The Olympics has truly been a special and life changing event for me and something I most certainly will never forget. Go forth and start making your memories and book your next Kpop or Kdrama themed tour with Trazy Korea today.