🌏✨ K-Quest: Test Your K-Culture Knowledge! ✨🌏 Think you’re a true K-Culture fan? 🇰🇷💫 Put your knowledge to the test with our fun and interactive challenge~ K-Quest! From K-Food to K-Drama 🎬, K-Pop 🎶 to K-Travel, show us how much you really know about Korea and stand a chance to win amazing prizes! 🎁 🔥 How to join: 1️⃣ Follow KTO Malaysia on Instagram (KTO_Malaysia) or Facebook (KTOMalaysia) 2️⃣ Like this post ❤️ and answer all 4 questions in the comments below. 3️⃣ Tag two friends and include #KQuestwithKTO in your comment! 🏆 Prizes up for grabs: 🥇 KyoChon RM200 Voucher × 5 winners 🥈 KyoChon RM100 Voucher × 10 winners 🎁 KTO K-Pop Gift Box × 5 winners 📅 Contest Period : 23 – 29 October 2025 📢 Winner Announcement: 5 November 2025 Are you ready to conquer the K-Quest and prove your K-Culture knowledge? Let’s go! 💪 #KQuestwithKTO #KTO_Malaysia #VisitKorea Campaign A: K-Quest: Test Your K-Culture Knowledge Contest Terms and Conditions 1. The 'K-Quest: Test Your K-Culture Knowledge' Contest (the “Contest”) will run from 23 Oct to 29 Oct 2025 (7 Days) . 2. The Organiser reserves the right to amend the contest period at any time without prior notice. 3. Korea Tourism Organization Malaysia (the “Organiser”) reserves the right to disqualify any Participants without notice at any point of the Contest or after should he/she be found to have not fulfilled the prerequisites of the Contest prior to participation. 4. To participate in the Contest, participants (the “Participants”) must be residing in Malaysia during the contest period. 5. For contest entry on Instagram and Facebook, participants need to comment the correct answer for each question (4 Questions) in the comment section below. Like the SNS post and Follow KTO Malaysia on Instagram (KTO_Malaysia) or Facebook (KTOMalaysia), Tag two (2) friends, and use the hashtags #KQuestwithKTO in the comment section. Participants must keep their Instagram and Facebook account public for submission viewing. 6. Each participant may submit multiple entries. However, each participant is only entitled to win one prize. 7. The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify, at its sole and absolute discretion, the eligibility of any participant and/or revoke or forfeit any prizes at any stage of the Contest if: • Entries submitted are incomplete or fail to fulfill any of the Terms and Conditions stipulated herein • There is a violation of any applicable laws or regulations. • For any reason whatsoever the Organiser has reason to believe that a participant has attempted to undermine the operation of the Contest in any way whatsoever, including but not limited to fraud, cheating or deception. 8. The contest will end on 29 October 2025, at 11:59 PM , and winners will be selected from participants who have fulfilled all contest criteria, through a random selection process. Winners will be announced on 5 November 2025 via Social media (Instagram or Facebook) and contacted through Direct Message. 9. A total of Twenty (20) winners (the ""Winners"") will be selected based on the lucky draw and follow KTO rules. Among them, Ten (10) winners will be selected from each platform, Instagram and Facebook, to receive the following prizes (the “Prizes”:- • Kyochon (RM200) - 5 Winner (IG -3, FB -2) • Kyochon (RM100) - 10 Winner (IG -4, FB -6) • KTO K-Pop gift box - 5 Winner (IG -3, FB -2) 10. In order to respond to the participants’ entries or fulfill the contest mechanics, it may be necessary to ask for personal information such as the Participant’s name, contact number, and email address details. 11. In the event that the Organiser is unable to contact a winner within 2 day working days from the date of the Instagram Direct Message, the Organiser reserves the right to select another winner based on the judging criteria. 12. The Organiser’s decision on matters relating to the Contest (including, but not limited to the selection of the Winners) shall be final and absolute. No discussion, correspondence, enquiry, appeal or challenge by any of the participants in respect of any decision of the Organiser shall be entertained. 13. The Winners can pick up prizes at Korea Plaza , Ground Floor, Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur from 10 November- 21 November 2025, 10 am - 6 pm on weekdays, except for Public Holidays. Winners are to refer to KTO Malaysia's instagram page for any updates in operating hours. All unclaimed prizes will be forfeited. 14. The Organisers will not be held responsible for the loss or damage of the prizes. 15. Prizes are strictly non-negotiable, non-transferable, non-exchangeable and non-refundable. No cash alternative is available. 16. By taking part in this Contest, the Participant understands and accepts without condition that the Organiser may elect to use the Customer’s personal information and artwork for marketing purposes in a manner that deems fit whilst according to the Customer’s privacy or confidentiality with the highest priority. 17. The Organiser, shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including but not limited to loss of opportunities and any indirect or consequential losses) or personal injury suffered or sustained by any participant in connection with or arising from participation in the Contest. 18. The Terms and Conditions of the Contest shall be construed, governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Malaysia. 19. The Organiser may, with or without prior notice, terminate any of the rights granted by these Terms and Conditions. Any changes are effective immediately upon posting to the Organiser's website and release of notice of the such change. 20. The Organiser reserves the right to cancel, suspend or amend the rules and prizes of the contest without prior notice. Any changes will be posted either on the Organiser’s Website or in the Terms and Conditions.

Experience All Four Seasons in Seoul: From Golden Autumns to Snowy Winters! 🍁❄️🌸☀️ Travel writer Wahida Asrani invites you to experience the beauty of Seoul through all four seasons! Whether it’s your first time or your sixteenth, every visit feels brand new, thanks to the city’s ever-changing landscapes and seasonal charms. 🍂 Autumn steals the show with fiery red and golden leaves that need no photo filter. Stroll through Seoul Forest, Nami Island, or Gyeongbokgung Palace and let the crisp air and ginkgo-lined streets take your breath away. 🌸 Spring blooms in pastel pinks, where cherry blossoms light up the city. Enjoy picnics by the Han River, sip matcha under blooming trees in Yeonnam-dong, or join local festivals at Seokchon Lake and Yeouido. ☀️ Summer brings sunshine and outdoor fun — from café hopping to night cycling by the Han River’s rainbow fountain. Just don’t forget your sunscreen! ❄️ Winter transforms Seoul into a snowy wonderland. Even if you’re not into skiing, you can still marvel at the snow in nearby resorts like Yongpyong or Pyeongchang, or catch a light snowfall right in the city. Wahida reminds us that each season in Seoul tells a different story, and you’ll want to live them all. So, which one will you experience first? ✨ 👉 Ready to discover your favourite season in Seoul? Read more of Wahida’s travel tales! ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Travelling to any four-season countries may be a big dream for many of us, especially those who have never had the chance to do so. In Malaysia, since we somehow have 'summer all year long' with some monsoon seasons, experiencing a different season such as autumn or winter would be a great experience. If you haven’t done so, perhaps you can start by experiencing your favourite season in Seoul! In my earlier article, I did highlight that Seoul could be one of the best destinations to explore the beauty of four seasons – winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Without having to spend more than 10 hours on a flight to a winter country (let’s say if you would like to experience snow), you can just head to Seoul or any cities in South Korea because, firstly, it’s nearer to our country, and secondly, I personally feel your travel experience won’t be that costly (unless you enjoy a lavish style of holiday). For returning visitors, if you have only experienced one or two seasons in Seoul, maybe one day you can try visiting the city again in different seasons. Would that be much different? Yes, although you can still go back to all the spots you’ve visited before, you’ll experience different vibes there (and of course, the most obvious aspect is the weather!). For me, all four seasons in Seoul hold a special place in my heart. Of course, I do have my favourite season too, but I have to admit that the other three seasons I experienced before gave me different kinds of feels, which I think are still very fun to explore. Let’s start off with my favourite season: autumn. Beautiful yellow and red leaves will mesmerise you with Seoul’s autumn view The beauty of autumn foliage As far as I can remember, I’ve experienced autumn in Seoul three times. However, the best one was last year, as I could truly enjoy the stunning view of the autumn foliage. Many travellers love the autumn season in Korea so much because, let me be frank, you don’t even need to filter your photos! The background colours alone can make you stand out. Of course, that’s not the only reason. What I love most about autumn in Seoul is that, besides the beautiful views, the weather is that perfect kind of chilly - not too cold and definitely not too warm either. However, let me tell you one thing – yes, you can rely on the weather forecast and also the season predictions, but at times, it will happen the other way around. Well, that’s why the name is “forecast.” In 2018, I went to Seoul with my mom during the autumn period, which, when I looked up the forecast a week before flying, was the right time to enjoy the view. However, the 3-day stay was full of rain, mostly the whole day, hence we couldn’t spot much fall foliage in Seoul. Don’t worry much about this, because there are other things that you can enjoy throughout autumn. If time permits, you can travel out of Seoul for at least a day tour to areas such as Jeonju to experience the foliage there. But do check the daily forecast too, because it can help you to rearrange your itinerary on the spot. So what else can you do in autumn? A lot, of course. Besides visiting scenic places like Seoul Forest, Haneul Park, Namsan Park, Nami Island, and Gyeongbokgung Palace (just to name a few), you can always go to other famous tourist spots as well, because this is the most ideal season to roam around Seoul due to its nice weather. Many spots are Instagrammable throughout this period (if you arrive in Seoul right during the fall season). I love seeing the yellowish golden ginkgo leaves on the streets in many areas in Seoul throughout this season. If you would like to experience autumn, you may check the right dates from early October to mid-November before the temperature starts to drop as it transitions into winter. Cherry blossom in spring Is the spring season suitable for those who are not into flowers? Definitely, yes! This is another season that I feel can be quite “challenging” at times because you might either arrive in Seoul too early to enjoy the cherry blossoms, or the peak bloom may already be over. Spring in South Korea usually starts in March and lasts until May or even early June. However, cherry blossom season ends quite quickly. Once it blooms, it can last for around two weeks (but similar to autumn foliage, strong rain can shorten the duration too). Cherry blossoms are stunning when they start to bloom, and you can see them everywhere around the city or just a few hours' drive to the outskirts. It's also one of the best seasons to have a picnic at the Han River As of the time of writing, I just came back from my cherry blossom trip in Seoul, which was in early April. A week before my trip, Seoul experienced snow again, which made me quite worried whether the cherry blossoms would be pushed to the following week because of that. Yes, when I reached Seoul, it had started blooming but not yet at full bloom. Seokchon Lake started blooming at that time with slight pink and white flowers, and the view was still stunning! With the temperature around 11 to 18 degrees Celsius, I would say that’s one of the best weather conditions to visit places around the city where you can see flowers here and there. Try visiting any cafes, especially around Yeonnam-dong, as many of them offer beautiful cherry blossom views. And this is another favourite activity of mine during spring (and also summer), which is having a picnic at the Han River. I would normally rent picnic items from a rental shop near the Han River area, buy my favourite hot matcha latte and odeng , and enjoy the sunset view. Also, do not forget to check out some cherry blossom festivals (which are normally held on certain dates to celebrate the start of the blooming period), such as at Seokchon Lake and Yeouido. If you don't mind travelling out of Seoul, you can also visit the famous Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, which is about a 4-hour drive from Seoul. As I mentioned earlier for the autumn season, one great thing about being in Seoul is that you can always check out places for a day trip to fully enjoy any of your favourite seasons, which can be just a few hours away from Seoul. And for those who may be late for the cherry blossoms, don’t worry because springtime isn’t over yet. There are other beautiful spring flowers that you can enjoy too, such as azaleas and tulips, until it’s time for summer to take over. Soak in the sunny summer Some of my friends did ask me, “Will Seoul feel like Malaysia during summer?” For me, the answer can be both yes and no. I experienced the “hottest” summer in Seoul when I was there once in August, where the temperature was above 35 degrees Celsius with some heatwave warnings too. I can’t deny that it can be so hot and humid at times, which can be way beyond what we normally experience year-round in Malaysia. Soak in the sunny summer with outdoor activities such as cafe hunting and cycling! Many spots in Seoul will also have summer activities going on You may experience slight dry heat first, perhaps in early June, and the temperature may rise afterwards with some heavy downpours at the end of June or in late August. I can’t say much on this because different years may experience different summer conditions. The advice is the same as my earlier points: always check the weather forecast if you would like to travel during summer. For me, so far I enjoy the summer weather in early June. The temperature can be similar to Malaysia, but it’s quite windy, and at night, you can still feel a little bit of chilly weather at times. There are some rainfalls too in the beginning of summer, but so far, it’s bearable for me. During my summer trips (if it is not raining and the weather is not too hot), I would normally cycle at Han River, enjoy the magnificent moonlight rainbow fountain show at the Banpo Bridge River (don’t miss this activity! Do refer to the Korea Tourism Organization website and social media pages for the show schedule), and perhaps next time, I would try to attend some summer concerts as well. Just make sure to keep hydrated and apply your sunscreen, and then you are good to enjoy Seoul! Snowy winter (though it may be extremely cold!) For snow lovers, winter is definitely the best season for you! In fact, I personally recommend those who have never experienced winter to try visiting Seoul at least once. However, bear in mind that this is the season for layering your clothes – that means you’ll need winter jackets or windbreakers (depending on the temperature), thermal wear, waterproof boots, winter accessories such as gloves and scarves, and heat packs to warm your hands. Winter in Seoul is no joke, though. The temperature can drop as low as -20 degrees Celsius. Don't worry if you are not into skiing or snowboarding. You can still enjoy the snowy winter view either around Seoul or in places outside the city that you can visit on a day tour! January is always my favourite month to experience winter. I think it's because I’ve always been lucky in this month, where it usually snows whenever I’m in Seoul. Although it may just be light snow, I wouldn’t mind anyway. Some travelers may miss the snowfall because, of course, snow doesn’t fall every day. I personally prefer to check the snow forecast just one or two days before reaching Seoul because I find it’s more accurate than checking one or two weeks earlier. However, worry not. For those who may not have the chance to enjoy snowy moments in Seoul, you can still visit ski resorts just a few hours away, whether by taking KTX trains, buses, or even driving. Yongpyong, Alpensia, Elysian, Vivaldi, and High1 are some of the famous ski resorts in South Korea, popular not just among travelers but also Koreans. Most people go there for skiing and snowboarding once the ski resorts open their slopes, usually around late November. Don’t worry if you’re not into these activities as you can still enjoy the beautiful snowy views. Whenever I have a chance to visit Korea during winter, I make sure to visit my favourite Yongpyong Ski Resort. I’ve tried snowboarding only once. Other than that, I just ride a cable car to Balwangsan Mountain or visit the animal forest, Anifore. You can also check out the Pyeongchang Ice Fishing Festival and the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival for ice fishing activities. During my recent winter trip early this year, I got the chance to visit another interesting area, Pocheon, where I visited places like Baegun Ice Valley and the beautiful ‘pink’ Herb Island. You can also visit the frozen Sanjung Lake, where you can cycle and walk on it. Its duck sledding is famous too! At least you can enjoy a different winter experience, and I tell you, it’s worth the 2-hour journey from Seoul. So, for first-time travelers, which season would you like to experience on your first trip to Seoul? Or for those returning, are there any seasons you haven’t covered so far? Although this article highlights what you can enjoy in Seoul or areas that are easily accessible just a few hours from the city during these seasons, there are more areas you can visit. Besides Seoul, Busan, and Jeju, which are the usual favourites among travelers, there are many 'hidden gems' in South Korea that would be best to visit during certain seasons, which I’d also love to explore more soon 🙂. *During her 16th visit to Seoul recently, the writer signed up for a kayaking session across the Han River to view the sunset. It was an interesting activity she discovered through the Internet and had been looking forward to, as the spring weather during her trip was nice. However, Seoul’s weather was a bit unpredictable at the time, and the kayak session was cancelled due to the windy and foggy weather around the Han River area. She hopes she will be able to join again one day so that she can share her experience of crossing the Han River by kayaking! *Kawan-Kawan, if you'd like to share your own Korea travel stories, we'd love to hear from you! Drop us an email at marketing.ktokl@gmail.com