honestly it's a common hustle at convenience stores near tourist spots, especially with big bills. the card itself is 2500 for plain ones, cute ones like your bear are 5000 max. so from 50k you should've gotten back like 43k if you loaded 10k, not 6k. glad the younger guy fixed it, store managers usually do when they know they're caught

for next time the tmoney loading machines have an english button in the top right corner, you can do it all yourself without talking to anyone. also the subway station machines let you buy and load cards too, sometimes easier than a convenience store

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Glad you got it sorted. That 30,000 won was definitely not right. A standard T Money card costs 2,500 won and the special edition ones like your bear with a book are usually 5,000 won. So you should have paid maybe 7,000 won total for the card and the initial 10,000 won load, meaning change closer to 43,000 won from a 50,000 note.

For next time, you can just grab a card from the rack near the register and hand it to the clerk with your cash. They'll scan it and ask how much you want to load. Or if you want to do it yourself, most of the loading machines have an English button in the top corner. The machines are pretty straightforward.

Also, if you ever need to check your balance, just tap the card on any subway fare gate and it'll show the remaining amount on the small screen before the gate opens. No need to find a machine for that.

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yeah that was definitely a scam attempt, the basic t money card is like 2500 won and the cute ones are maybe 5-10k max. glad you went back and got it sorted, most convenience store workers here are honest but there's always one bad apple. for future reference, you can just grab a card from the little display near the register and load it at the machine yourself, no need to involve the staff

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This is a solid breakdown. I'd add that Hongdae is also great during the day if you're into the vintage and secondhand shopping scene. The main streets around Hongik University Station exit 9 have a few blocks of thrift stores and independent boutiques that most tourists miss because they're busy at night.

For families, Jamsil's Lotte World Mall has a massive aquarium and a cinema, which is a good backup if the weather turns. I've spent a whole rainy afternoon there with zero regrets, it's less chaotic than the main theme park.

One thing about the subway hours: after midnight, night buses run along major routes like the 6011 from Myeongdong to Hongdae for about $1.50. They're less frequent but reliable if you're out late.

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solid breakdown, you covered the main areas well. one thing i'd add for first-timers is that myeongdong is great for shopping but the street food is way overpriced compared to what you'll find in local spots. i'd rather hit Gwangjang Market for authentic stuff like bindaetteok and tteokbokki, it's a 10 minute subway ride and way cheaper.

for digital nomads in gangnam, the co-working spaces are solid but honestly the cafes around Sinsa-dong or Garosu-gil have better vibes and just as fast wifi. i worked from a place called Cafe de Paris near Sinsa station for a week, no issues. just avoid peak lunch hours if you need a seat.

also worth mentioning that bukchon is beautiful but the hanok guesthouses can have thin walls and early checkouts, so bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper. i stayed at one near Anguk station and could hear my neighbors sneezing at 6am. still a cool experience though, just know what you're getting into.

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honestly this is a really useful guide, i've lived in seoul for three years and you nailed the main vibes. one thing i'd add for myeongdong is that the L7 hotel has a rooftop bar with a killer view of Namsan tower, especially at sunset. it's a bit pricey for drinks but worth one round just for the photo op, and you can skip the cable car line if you're staying there.

for jamsil, the seokchon lake cherry blossom walk in spring is way less crowded than yeouido, and there's a small cafe called Cafe Sulbing right by the lake that does amazing patbingsu. it's a nice break from the theme park chaos if you have kids or just want to chill.

also if you're in hongdae and want something quieter, the area around Yeonnam-dong has a bunch of indie bookstores and craft beer spots that most tourists miss. i found a place called The Book Society that does poetry readings in english sometimes, it's a totally different side of the neighborhood

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