The OurBusan Blog
Guides, stories, and local know-how from people who actually live here.
Practical neighborhood picks, honest food finds, event recaps, and community voices, written by Busan residents for the people moving, visiting, and settling in.
Featured Guide
The Day the Heavens Opened
On Korea’s National Foundation Day, an ordinary building in Oncheonjang opens a door to an older Korea: Buddhist symbols, Korean shamanism, Dangun and the meani
Latest Stories
Fresh dispatches from the community.
Where Did All the Old Things Go?
The article looks at why everyday old objects are easy to find in Europe but much less visible in Korea\. It explains this through Korea’s rapid modernization,
Why Are All Those Korean Flags Out?
Why are Korean flags suddenly lining the streets of Busan? A simple question about Liberation Day led me from Japan and 1945 to Korea’s division, North Korea —
Why Is Everyone Running?
Why do people in Korea often seem to be hurrying—even when there is apparently nowhere urgent to go? Starting with one woman’s determined twenty-metre dash in 3
Neighborhood Picks
Hyperlocal guides from people who live there.
Community Guides
Health Insurance in Korea: Where Do You Start?
Health insurance in Korea can be confusing at first. This first article in a 10-part series explains National Health Insurance, Silson and fixed-benefit insuran
Living at the Foot of Geumjeongsan
Oncheonjang aan de voet van Geumjeongsan: warmwaterbronnen met koninklijke geschiedenis, een park met gelaagd verleden en de bergen voor de deur. Mijn dagelijks
Free Surf Lesson at Songjeong Beach: Fearless Girls Launches in Busan on October 10
Free surf lesson and beach lunch at Songjeong Beach on Oct 10. Founder Defne Ezgi on how surf trips will fund free swim lessons for women.
A Shark Alert in Busan.
A shark alert on my phone sent me looking beneath Busan’s familiar coastline. From copper sharks to porpoises, squid and giant jellyfish, the sea is far busier
Chuseok Under the Full Moon
Chuseok is almost here. Along with songpyeon, family visits and a welcome break, the holiday brings some wonderful old stories. We take a friendly look at its o
Busan Eomuk: From Simple Fish Cake to Local Icon
From steaming street stalls to smart gift boxes, eomuk is unmistakably Busan. Discover the story behind this fish cake, why it is also called odeng, and how to
Business in Busan Still Starts with People
Doing business in Busan takes more than market research and a list of contacts. For international companies, understanding local context, building trust and mak
Busan has more quiet than you think
Inside ONDO's Eco Resonance, a quiet afternoon on Eulsukdo island: what it costs, what it skips, and why the calmest tour in Busan might be the most honest one.
When Autumn Starts at 32 Degrees
Autumn has officially begun in Korea. Unfortunately, nobody told the weather. On Malbok, with Busan still at 32°C, we did the logical thing: sat down with my mo
Insurance in Korea for Foreigners: Health, Car, Home
What health, car and home insurance cover in Korea, which policies foreign residents can skip, and the gaps most people miss. From 80 foreign residents.
Get To Know Busan
Whether you have lived here for 20 years or you are still recovering from an excruciating jetlag, let me invite you to my story! Here's my ensemble of chapters
How to Make Friends in Busan Faster
Learn how to make friends in Busan with practical tips for meeting people, joining communities, and building real connections as a foreigner.
English Speaking Services in Busan
Find trusted english speaking services in Busan, from clinics and legal help to housing, banking, and daily support for foreign residents.
Best Busan Events for Foreigners
Looking for Busan events for foreigners? Find the best meetups, festivals, classes, and networking spots that make local life easier.
Living in Busan as a Foreigner
Living in Busan as a foreigner gets easier when you know where to live, connect, and handle daily life with less stress and more confidence.
Busan Expat Community: How to Find Yours
Find your place in the busan expat community with practical tips for meeting people, finding events, and building real support in daily life.