Visitors from Australia to South Korea rose 11% in the year to August 2025, with 2024 visits up 41% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The popularity is driven partly by cultural phenomena like the animated film KPop Demon Hunters.
Sydney couple Sam Colling and Brandon Price visited Seoul, exploring its design, café, and beauty scenes.
They praised Korea’s creative energy, friendly people, and versatile city life, saying they could even live there.
Colling highlighted the food, enjoying tteokbokki, chimaek, Korean pancakes, and even convenience store meals.
They were especially impressed by the variety and accessibility of Korean fried chicken.