My first day in KOREA

He arrives in South Korea, checks into a heated two-level Airbnb, and feels depressed and unsure why he came. With only 2,000 won left, he overspends on groceries, paying 21,131 won, about $17.67, for roughly three days’ food. Near Seoul Station, he finds the gray, expensive neighborhood run-down and sees homelessness, prompting a search for somewhere better despite no refund.

Novelty-driven travel immediately reproduces disappointment, isolation, and improvised budgeting.