Performing Arts School Trip in South Korea

South Korea

8 days

Starting from £1,300

Starting from €1,470

Starting from $1,645

Speak to a specialist

On this performing arts school/university trip to Seoul, South Korea, discover Korea’s rich musical history and contemporary scene, from 17th century pansori to K-Pop, taking the West by storm today. With school visits, performances and cultural must-sees, here’s our performing arts educational tour program at a glance:

Day 1: N Seoul Tower
Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, wear a hanbok, O’Sulloc green tea, Nanta show
Day 3: musical school visit
Day 4: Secret Garden, speak to North Korean defector, royalty-themed restaurant, SM Town Coex Artium K-pop recording studios
Day 5: DMZ, Dora Observatory, Panmunjeom
Day 6: Namdaemun Market, Korean cooking class, Gangnam District, Samsung D’light exhibition, media poles
Day 7: World Taekwondo HQ demonstration, Pansori music performance, Han River cruise

Like what you see? Discover South Korea’s rich musical world in our detailed itinerary below! But remember, all our school trips are completely customisable.

*Prices based on groups of 20 students and 2 free teachers.

✓ Local tour guide in each city
✓ All accommodation costs
✓ Full board meals for the entire trip
✓ All transportation costs, including airport pick-up and drop-off
✓ All activities listed in the itinerary

✓ 1 free teacher per 10 paying students
✓ 24-hour emergency contact support during the trip
✓ Detailed pre-departure summary & briefing
✓ Full financial failure protection
✓ Public liability insurance
✓ Our trips are fully risk-assessed

Itinerary

Day 1: Go Time

Morning/Afternoon

This is it! Step off the plane at Seoul’s Incheon Airport and catch your first glimpses of South Korea on the coach to your accommodation.

After settling in and listening to a trip briefing from your guide, head for Seoul’s second-highest point, the N Seoul Tower. Soak in the incredible views over the metropolis.

Evening

Enjoy a group welcome dinner and get ready for the Learning Adventure that awaits.

Day 2: Joseon Dynasty

Morning

Start the day with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main and largest royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Explore the exquisite grounds and learn about its history, then walk to Bukchon Hanok Village. A ‘hanok’ is a traditional Korean house.

Afternoon

You’ve seen the Joseon Dynasty, now it’s time to wear it. Change into a hanbok, which literally translates to ‘Korean clothing’ but refers specifically to the traditional dress worn by both men and women during the Joseon period.

Green tea is very popular in Korea, and there’s no better place to try it than O’Sulloc in Insadong, where they offer green tea ice cream, cakes, coffee… The list is endless!

Evening

The evening means show time. Tonight, you’ll watch a hugely popular show called Nanta, a non-verbal comedy show, involving acrobatics, magic and of course a dose of audience participation.

Day 3: Musical Friends

Morning/Afternoon

It’s time to see what local life in South Korea is like! Today, you have the chance to make friends with students from a local high school. Spend the day rehearsing a number of arrangements and playing icebreaker games. Once you’ve bonded and prepared, hold a joint musical performance at the end of the day.

Day 4: Royalty & Celebrity

Morning

Set out and discover the (not so) Secret Garden behind Changdeokgung Palace. Once a private garden for the royal family, it’s now open to the public who are free to wander among the exquisite lotus ponds, pavilions, landscaped lawns and flowers. You’ll be joined by a North Korean defector, who, whilst walking you through the gardens, will share his stories about the history of the divided peninsula as well as his personal journey from North to South.

Afternoon

Take a break to feast like an emperor for lunch. Pay a visit to a restaurant fit for royalty, one that specializes in a range of dishes inspired by traditional royal recipes.

K-pop’s taking the West by storm, with BTS hitting the top spot in the British album charts. A visit to the SM Town Coex Artium gives you the chance to check out K-pop recording studios and see hologram performances from the genre’s megastars.

Day 5: DMZ

Morning/Afternoon

Today, you’re off to the DMZ, the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Take in views across the zone from the Dora Observatory and investigate the infiltration tunnel under the DMZ built by the North Koreans. Then, pay a visit to Panmunjeom, the village just North of the de facto border, where the armistice agreement that paused the Korean War was signed.

Evening

After a busy day exploring, treat your taste buds to South Korean pizza. Whilst there are more standard options, we recommend eating like the locals. It’s not quite the same as back home. Expect the unexpected: figs, snails, cream cheese… You’ve been warned!

Day 6: Cooking and Tech

Morning

First up, set off for the Namdaemun Market, the oldest and largest traditional market in South Korea. Get in amongst the hustle and bustle and scout out some ingredients for the next activity of the morning, a cooking class. Here, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Korean food and try your hand at making Korean dishes like kimchi or bibimbap.

Afternoon

After eating your delicious creations for lunch, cross the river to Gangnam District and visit Samsung D’light, an exhibition that showcases the latest technology from the electronics giant. Be sure to get to the media poles near Gangnam Station to take stunning photos to show everyone back home.

Day 7: Pansori

Morning

Head to Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters. Watch a demonstration of ‘the way of the foot and the fist’ (the literal translation of ‘taekwondo’), a martial art that originated in Korea.

Afternoon

After lunch, prepare to be captivated. Watch a performance of Pansori, a traditional genre of Korean musical storytelling with singing and drumming. ‘Chuimsae’ (audience participation) is a must, so don’t be shy! Clap and dance to show your appreciation.

Evening

It’s your last night. Embark on a scenic cruise down the Han River to the Banpo Bridge, a spectacular sight with its rainbow fountains.

Day 8: It’s Not Over!

Take your transfer to the airport, and spend the flight reflecting on your magical week. It might be home time, but it’s not over. Seoul’s soul will follow you back to the classroom…and beyond!