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Joined 2026
Hayoung Y.
Available Areas
Seoul (Living), Gyeonggi
Languages
English, Korean (Native)
Response Time
1 hour on average
Availability Updated
1 day ago
About Tour Guide Hayoung Y.
Hi, I’m Hayoung. You can also call me Iris.
I have always been drawn to things that feel different, so I want to make your trip less typical, more personal, and closer to the local side of Korea.
I’m a licensed local guide based in Seoul, with a young, trendy, and stylish perspective on Korea. I love introducing both the classic side of Seoul, such as palaces, history, and culture, and the modern local side, including fashion, cafés, beauty, food, hidden spots, and current trends.
Before becoming a guide, I worked as a travel blogger and majored in fashion design. This background helps me create tours with a good sense of storytelling, photo spots, style, and practical travel tips. I also have my own curated list of more than 1,000 restaurants & beautiful spots, so I can recommend food & sightseeing spots based on your taste, budget, mood, and travel style.
I can also create custom tours based on your interests, whether you want modern Seoul, palace tours, fashion and shopping, local food, Korean nature, or even remote hidden destinations beyond Seoul. (especially NATURE) More than anything, I truly love travel and meeting people from around the world. My goal is to make you feel comfortable and excited, like exploring Korea with a local friend who also happens to be a professional guide.
Let’s explore Korea together and make your trip unforgettable!
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
Capture Your Retro Seoul: Palace & Hanok Photo Walk with a Vintage Camera
If you want to remember your trip to Korea in a trendy, retro, and personal way, this tour is for you. We will explore Seoul’s palace, hanok alley, café, and beautiful local photo spots at a relaxed pace. I will share simple cultural stories and capture your natural travel moments with my vintage digital camera. I'm good at capturing natural and memorable travel moments. Please check my sample photos to see if this style matches what you are looking for.
Capture Your Retro Seoul: Palace & Hanok Photo Walk with a Vintage Camera
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Seoul Vintage Hunt: Dongmyo Flea Market, Toy Street & Local Food
What if you could complete a fashion look in Seoul with just $10? This tour is a vintage hunt in Dongmyo, one of Seoul’s most unique second-hand markets, where you can find vintage clothes, watches, accessories, and random old items. Dongmyo flea market is full of stylish local seniors, street vendors, and unexpected fashion moments. Find cool vintage pieces and take photos like Dongmyo’s local hipsters. We will also visit nearby Toy and Stationery Street and try affordable local street foods.
Seoul Vintage Hunt: Dongmyo Flea Market, Toy Street & Local Food
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Seoul Night View Like a Local: Easy Hike & Late-Night Food
This tour is a relaxed local night out for travelers who want to see the Seoul most tourists miss. We will take a short evening hike to the Mt. Achasan viewpoint, a local route loved by Seoul residents. The round-trip walk takes about 1.5 hours, with night views of eastern Seoul, including Lotte World Tower. After the hike, we can enjoy Korean fried chicken, late-night food, or a casual drink like locals.
Seoul Night View Like a Local: Easy Hike & Late-Night Food
Reviews
Yen chi H.
“private day tour”
Hayyoung was incredibly knowledgeable and showed me the hidden spots of Seoul. She answered every question with patience. I felt like exploring with a friend who just happens to know everything about the place.
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Hayoung Y.
Thank you for your kind review, yen chi! I really enjoyed talking with you, and I was happy to share so much about Korea with you. I hope you have finished your long trip well, and see you again next time!
Alva B.
“Family friendly Seoul tour ”
We had such a wonderful experience on our family-friendly tour of Seoul with Hayoung! She was incredibly kind, patient, and welcoming throughout the entire experience. We loved visiting the toy market and the royal palace, and she made the tour enjoyable and engaging for everyone in our family. What made the experience especially memorable was how wonderful she was with my nephew. He is naturally shy and doesn’t usually warm up to people easily, but he absolutely loved spending time with Hayoung! Seeing him feel so comfortable and happy around her meant so much to us. Hayoung went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt included and had a great time. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would highly recommend her to anyone visiting Seoul, especially families with children. Thank you, Hayoung, for making our time in Seoul so special!
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Hayoung Y.
Thank you so much for leaving such a warm review, Alva. I had a really great time with your family too. I will never forget the little cuty dinosaur for the rest of my life!! I hope you made happy memories in Korea and hope we can meet again somewhere in the world!
Angie L.
“Great time!”
We had an amazing day with her. She showed us so much we wouldn’t have seen on our own. She was friendly and we enjoyed the conversation. She gave us great tips for the rest of our trip as well.
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Hayoung Y.
Thank you for your kind review, Angie! I had such a wonderful time with you and your family. I feel so lucky that we got to meet and spend such a beautiful day together. Enjoy the rest of your time in Korea, and hope to see you again!
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Peter P.
Hello! My name is Peter, and I’m a licensed tour guide based in South Korea. I specialize in sharing Korea’s rich history, culture, and hidden gems with travelers from all around the world. With a mix of storytelling, humor, and local insight, I aim to make each tour not just informative, but truly memorable. Whether you're visiting royal palaces, scenic hiking trails, foodie spots, or modern neighborhoods, I’ll help you see Korea through the eyes of a local. Let’s explore together and have some fun along the way!
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Kwan J.
Hello, and welcome to Korea! My name is Kwan, and I have been an authorized tour guide with the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) since 2019. My tour programs are designed to provide you with authentic and meaningful experiences of Korea, focusing on its rich culture, history, and traditions rather than fleeting trends. If you're looking for a leisurely and relaxed itinerary filled with captivating stories about our heritage and people, I am the guide for you! Additionally, I bring over 13 years of experience delivering exceptional service to VIP clients during my tenure at Cartier, the world-renowned jewelry brand. With this background, I ensure that your journey will be marked by an unparalleled level of care and attention.
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Steve L.
Hi, I'm Steve, a licensed Korean tour guide. I've spent seven years guiding international travelers through Korea—and a lifetime watching this remarkable country change. I was born in the late 1950s and grew up watching Korea transform from a struggling postwar nation into the dynamic, modern country you see today. So when I share stories about Korea's transformation, I'm not just talking about history I've read in books. Much of it is part of my own life. Before becoming a guide, I worked as a television producer and later served as the CEO of a local government cultural agency. My career took me across Korea, allowing me to discover its diverse regions, traditions, and people. I've also lived in the United States for a year and traveled to more than 15 countries. These experiences have helped me understand different cultures and connect naturally with international visitors. Whether we're exploring Seoul's royal palaces, visiting the DMZ, discovering local neighborhoods, or traveling beyond Seoul, I believe a great tour is about more than seeing famous places. It's about understanding the stories behind them. My tours are private, relaxed, and tailored to your interests and pace. **My goal is simple: to help you discover not just what Korea looks like, but what makes Korea the country it is today.** I'd love to show you my Korea.
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