TripAdvisor caught 2.7 million fake reviews in 2024. Those are the ones it caught.
In this first episode of the Tourist Traps series, Joe McPherson (ZenKimchi Experiences, more than 20 years in Korea) goes through the top-rated Korea attractions his guests keep calling overrated: Starfield Library and its styrofoam books, Nami Island and the fake French village bundles, DMZ tours and the Third Tunnel, and Gwangjang Market. Each comes with a better alternative, from Euljiro at night to Icheon, Korea's pottery center.
Joe also explains how Viator's Accelerate program lets operators pay for placement, what to check before booking a food tour (is the food included, and is the "surprise" live octopus?), and his rule for booking a Korea trip: Support local. Book direct.
Plan your Korea trip with people who live here.
ZenKimchi Experiences: https://zenkimchi.com
ZenKimchi Concierge (restaurant reservations, train and event tickets, airport pickup): https://concierge.zenkimchi.com
Korea events calendar: https://zenkimchi.com/events
Dark Side of Seoul podcast: https://darksideofseoul.com/podcast
Support local. Book direct.
