About the traveler

Travel became my way
of breaking free.

From a research career in South Korea to a global adventure across 38 countries and counting.

At Widforss Point in the Grand Canyon
Widforss Point · Grand Canyon
Me at the Widforss Point in Grand Canyon

Welcome to HDND travel blog! I’m a traveler from South Korea who has explored 38 countries and counting. This blog is where I share my passion for discovering the world and provide practical tips, personal stories, and inspiration for fellow wanderers.

My journey as a traveler has been shaped by a blend of some experiences. I’ve always loved the idea of travel, even though I’d never considered myself particularly adventurous. Beyond sipping a beer or watching a movie, travel has been the one thing that excites me. It’s my way of breaking free from routine.

In 2019, after starting my first job, I planned to visit one or two new countries each year. However, the pandemic disrupted these plans, as strict social distancing in Korea confined life to work and home for over a year. International travel felt like a distant dream, and I spent nearly three years in a rigid manufacturing-based work environment, longing for something more meaningful.

Me at the pier in Rovinj, Croatia.

When international travel finally reopened in the summer of 2022, I seized the opportunity to visit Croatia and Slovenia. The joy and freedom I felt reignited my passion for seeing the world and reminded me what true happiness felt like. That journey became the turning point that inspired me to pursue a life of travel.

In the spring of 2023, just as I was leaving my twenties, I decided to leave my job as a researcher and embark on a global adventure. This blog is a reflection of that decision—an archive of my adventures, a resource for fellow travelers, and a space where I celebrate the joys of discovery.

Here, you’ll find a mix of travel guides, itineraries, personal reflections, and tips based on my firsthand experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first trip, I hope my stories inspire you to dream big and see the world your way.

Thank you for visiting my blog, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you!

HDND travel

All around the world

At the pier in Rovinj, Croatia
Rovinj · Croatia