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David a. M.

Profile Photo

In my office, enjoying Korean Green Tea in replica-mediaeval ceramics

Speaking at a remote traditional ceremony, two decades ago.

With two of my most famous books

Pausing thoughtfully during a tour

Guiding a recent tour in Seoul's Insa-dong

with the greatest international hikers of Korea's mountains, as we wrote a landmark book together.

making a donation at a restoring temple, during an exclusive tour.

with Abbot of a high remote hermitage in ancient-capital Gyeongju, while first exploring in 1982!

Thanked by Korean President Kim Dae-jung for upgrading K-Tourism in 2001-5, esp the 2002 World Cup.

Joined 2022

David a. M.

5.00 / 5

(17 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Date

People

Available Areas

Seoul (Living)

Languages

English (Native), Korean

Response Time

2 hours on average

Availability Updated

2 days ago

About Tour Guide David a. M.

I have been a Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism in Seoul, and a Tour-guide, Lecturer and Author on Traditional Cultural Sites, especially religious ones, on the high-end, for 25 years. Wrote the 1996-7 edition of Lonely Planet's KOREA guidebook!

Important

I do this full-time now, any day -- but only in Spring & Autumn.

Tours

All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!

Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

This is my standard and very popular Itinerary for this ~8 hour tour: it can be adjusted for individual preferences. Its intention is to be a fascinating orientation & overview of Seoul "old & new", with introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and customs. We can move faster and see more, or take our time and see a bit fewer sites; it's all up to your personal style. I will be telling colorful stories all along the way. You will learn so much, and in context!!

Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

FROM$455/ per group

Seoul

3 hrs 30 mins

Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

This is my most popular standard tour, perfect for any visiting Korea for a serious first look. It walks us through the best sights of Seoul's historic central downtown area, very close to each-other, while I tell the relevant colorful stories at each brief stop. It is completely flexible on the timing and number / nature of the sites visited; all depends on where I pick you up and drop you off, and just what you want to see and do. On this system I also offer a full-day version of this tour.

Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

FROM$395/ per group

Seoul

3 hrs 40 mins

Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ

I don't recommend day-trips to the DMZ -- the JSA remains off-limits due to North Korean policy, and anyway most of what you see is just barbed-wire fences and various monuments; a trip there does not give insight into North Korea nor about the 1950-53 war. The long trip driving up there & back is not worth your precious time. There is a very good alternative, which is this gigantic compound in the middle of Seoul -- a large museum of the Korean war & outdoor display of weaponry from that era.

Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ

FROM$345/ per group

Seoul

4 hours

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

This tour is a fascinating orientation & overview of the older, more traditional parts of central downtown Seoul, with further/deeper introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and religions/customs. There is a standard itinerary for this tour, but it is completely flexible on the number and nature of the sites visited. It is essentially the 2nd-half of my Full-day Intro Tour. We can move faster or slower, as you wish. I will be telling colorful stories!

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

FROM$395/ per group

Royal & Shamanic Shrines of Benevolent King Mountain

Seoul

4 hours

Royal & Shamanic Shrines of Benevolent King Mountain

Would you like to see some scenic sites that are "truly Korean" and yet quite unusual? This tour is really "off the beaten path" but is also right above downtown Seoul, on Mt. Inwang-san, Seoul's center of Shamanic practices, and a park with relics of the Joseon Dynasty's royal & spiritual-nationalist heritage. These are rarely-seen yet fascinating sites overlooking the busy modern power-centers. This unique walking-tour climbs a few steep slopes on paved paths, but it's worth it!

Royal & Shamanic Shrines of Benevolent King Mountain

FROM$445/ per group

Seoul

4 hours

Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site

Doseon-sa was founded around 1100 years ago just beneath the three main peaks of the Triple-Horns Mtn, Seoul's sacred & prominent guardian (a National Park), by one of Korea's greatest Buddhist masters. It has remained the most religiously important monastery of the Seoul area ever since always crowded with sincere Buddhists. It has several unusual features that will be pointed out and explained to your group. There is a large ancient standing Buddha statue designated as a National Treasure.

Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site

FROM$395/ per group

Seoul

8 hours

Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

This is my standard and very popular Itinerary for this ~8 hour tour: it can be adjusted for individual preferences. Its intention is to be a fascinating orientation & overview of Seoul "old & new", with introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and customs. We can move faster and see more, or take our time and see a bit fewer sites; it's all up to your personal style. I will be telling colorful stories all along the way. You will learn so much, and in context!!

Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

FROM$455/ per group

Seoul

3 hrs 30 mins

Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

This is my most popular standard tour, perfect for any visiting Korea for a serious first look. It walks us through the best sights of Seoul's historic central downtown area, very close to each-other, while I tell the relevant colorful stories at each brief stop. It is completely flexible on the timing and number / nature of the sites visited; all depends on where I pick you up and drop you off, and just what you want to see and do. On this system I also offer a full-day version of this tour.

Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

FROM$395/ per group

Seoul

3 hrs 40 mins

Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ

I don't recommend day-trips to the DMZ -- the JSA remains off-limits due to North Korean policy, and anyway most of what you see is just barbed-wire fences and various monuments; a trip there does not give insight into North Korea nor about the 1950-53 war. The long trip driving up there & back is not worth your precious time. There is a very good alternative, which is this gigantic compound in the middle of Seoul -- a large museum of the Korean war & outdoor display of weaponry from that era.

Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ

FROM$345/ per group

Seoul

4 hours

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

This tour is a fascinating orientation & overview of the older, more traditional parts of central downtown Seoul, with further/deeper introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and religions/customs. There is a standard itinerary for this tour, but it is completely flexible on the number and nature of the sites visited. It is essentially the 2nd-half of my Full-day Intro Tour. We can move faster or slower, as you wish. I will be telling colorful stories!

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

FROM$395/ per group

Seoul

4 hours

Royal & Shamanic Shrines of Benevolent King Mountain

Would you like to see some scenic sites that are "truly Korean" and yet quite unusual? This tour is really "off the beaten path" but is also right above downtown Seoul, on Mt. Inwang-san, Seoul's center of Shamanic practices, and a park with relics of the Joseon Dynasty's royal & spiritual-nationalist heritage. These are rarely-seen yet fascinating sites overlooking the busy modern power-centers. This unique walking-tour climbs a few steep slopes on paved paths, but it's worth it!

Royal & Shamanic Shrines of Benevolent King Mountain

FROM$445/ per group

Seoul

4 hours

Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site

Doseon-sa was founded around 1100 years ago just beneath the three main peaks of the Triple-Horns Mtn, Seoul's sacred & prominent guardian (a National Park), by one of Korea's greatest Buddhist masters. It has remained the most religiously important monastery of the Seoul area ever since always crowded with sincere Buddhists. It has several unusual features that will be pointed out and explained to your group. There is a large ancient standing Buddha statue designated as a National Treasure.

Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site

FROM$395/ per group

Reviews

Kerry B.

5 / 5

Sep 2, 2025

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

Sep 2, 2025

Seoul

4 hours

“Packed with information ”

What a wonderful time we had with David. The tour was packed with information about the foundations of South Korea and what has lead it to being what it is today. We saw the normal tourist stuff but it was with a personal twist. Thanks so much David see you next time

David a. M.

Thanks, Kerry! I really enjoyed showing your group around; such interested learners. I do hope you come back someday soon, for more & deeper! David

Alfonso S.

5 / 5

Jun 19, 2025

Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

Jun 19, 2025

Seoul

8 hours

“An American professor with enormous experience ”

David has been an incredible guide for our three days we stay in Seoul, where he took us through deep experiences and teachings about this incredible nation and resilience. His vast knowledge and decades residing in Korea, has given him such acknowledge that made him become a professor and writer of several books about Korean people. Don't tho k twice to hire him as your guide in Korea.

David a. M.

Thanks for the kind words, Alfonso -- I really enjoyed showing your family around! I hope that you all return to Korea someday.... :-) David

Rocío B.

5 / 5

Jun 10, 2025

Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

Jun 10, 2025

Seoul

8 hours

“All you need to know about Seul”

David was a perfect guide that answered all our questions about Seul. Took us to the nicest places and show us really special ones. We are glad Elle could be our guide! Thanks David.

David a. M.

I really enjoyed guiding your group, and am glad you got so much value out of these tours. I hope you return to Korea for more, someday! David