📺 The Yep & Nope of 'NCT Life: Hot&Young Seoul Trip' Variety Show

One of the main reasons why youngsters decide to visit South Korea and Seoul is obviously the K-Pop trend...seriously, when I visited it was impossible NOT to stumble into something k-pop related, whether it was a BTS merchandise store, a beauty line in collab with MONSTA X and so on...so what else can be done to take advantage of the HALLYU (Korean Wave)?

Easy, you team up with one of the rising group and make them go around the city to show tourists what they can enjoy while in 'town'! 

This is basically what this 12 episode variety show is about: 6 members of NCT, all foreigners, will show you what Seoul has to offer in terms of fun experiences and food. But...does it actually work as a touristic guide? Well, yes and no...there are some useful tips about the 'to-dos' and what to eat, but a few of these options are doable only if you're going to spend more than one week in the South Korean capital.

Besides the fact that it's hilarious to watch I think it was brilliant to make the foreigner members do this kind of variety because the view gets the best of both worlds: these guys have been living in Seoul for a long time and so they can give insiders tips while but they weren't born in South Korea so some things are new for them as well.

 Leaving that aside, here's a list of information I found useful and my thoughts about the show!

YEP

● Seoul Tower or Namsan Tower is the city's landmark and a must-visit while in Seoul. You can either take the cable car or hike up to the top and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view! I did the latter option, it took 20 minutes to arrive from the last bus stop and while it was a bit exhausting it was also nice to be into a green area after all those skyscrapers!

The 6 members take the cable car and then slip into groups of two and show all the things you can do while there.

● Seoul Pass is probably the most useful tips you can learn watching this series. The Seoul Pass is a card that allows its holder to have free or discounted admission in various places all around the city and it's also available on smartphones.

The only catch is that its validity is for only 1, 2, or 3 days, but after that period it still can be used as a transportation card.

You can find all that there's to know about Seoul Pass HERE.

● Places to eat. I actually don't care much about food when I travel, it's not my priority to taste the local cuisine or the typical dishes. But if you are the boys here give out TONS of good tips about where and what to eat during your staying and not only about Korean food but Western and Southeast Asians as well (Lucas goes eat Thai food and his mom's Thai so I guess he is reliable!).

NOPE

Out of all the things the group does, three of them are unusual for a tourist to do...Not that these activities are unnecessary, but they sure are time-consuming and don't fit all tourists, so that's why I put them into this list.

● Rafting on the Han river. It's cool and the sceneries you get to see while paddling out are breathtaking, but I think the only type of person who would do this activity is someone who already does it regularly. I think it could be replaced by a nice and relaxing walk on the riversides, where you can enjoy the atmosphere and maybe to some people watching while resting on the grass.

● SM Museum. I get it, NCT is under SM Entertainment so, of course, they have to publicize it, still, it's a place you should go to if you're really into k-pop and SM artists. I personally like EXO, but I wouldn't spend hours in the museum where you can see SM groups stage costumes and pics...obviously I don't judge the thousands of fans who go there, simply it's not appealing to me.

●Glamping of a rooftop. Of all the suggestions on where to eat, the glamping was my least favorite because it's just a trend now and even if the night view of the city is beautiful, I prefer camping on a  ground-level and in the woods.

Keep in mind that I've been only once in Seoul and for just 4 days, so I'm far from being considered an expert and these were simply my personal opinions.

Final Thoughts about the Show

It's interesting and gives some practical tips about what to do and see in Seoul, but also some uncommon alternatives to satisfy all tourists' wishes so I would also suggest it to people who are planning to go there.

If you watch it just because you're a fan, it's entertaining and gives plenty of video time to all the 6 members...If you lack content about NCT, this is your show. 

I personally loved Mark (Canadian) and Lucas (Hong Kong)! These two are overly funny and silly because they're the members who struggle the most with the Korean language...or any language. After all, I still have to understand which is Lucas's mother tongue, and they make the funniest scenes ever!

So, yeah, it was engaging and I took note about the things I want to visit and do next time I'll be in South Korea, so I guess the purpose (with me) is accomplished!

Ph: mydramalist.com & NCT Twitter page HERE