Heewon (Julia) Kim

Hiya, i'm still newish to couch surfing, tried it a couple of times and met some amazing people! It was really cool to meet local people, get insider tips on where to eat, learn what it's like to actually live in the country, meet their families etc.

I was born in South Korea, went to nz when i was 3-4 and grew up there.
I'm a culture mix- part kiwi, still have the Asian in me.

I love traveling, diving, photography, trekking, rock climbing, cg illustration.

I love trying local food. Always have a list of 15-20 food items to try when i go to a new country. Love dessert. Looove coffee. Also love beer/wine if there's anything local to try.
You are much more likely to find me in good local coffee spots or breweries over tourist sites.

------------update 30/10/19--------------

Been traveling around for a year now.

I'm traveling down the Balkans overland to Turkey, Georgia, then will find a way to the -Stan countries in central Asia.

My travel style:
-nature, trekking, outdoor activities, diving
-love learning about history from local people rather than museums/ tourist sites. My attention span is too short for museums.
-i dont like big tourist sites with hoards of tourist groups in big buses.
-i'm a budget traveler, don't mind eating and sleeping on the cheap, take public transport, but if there is something i want to do/eat i go for it. I try to keep a balance and remind myself that i'm traveling to experience, not to be stingy.

I enjoy traveling by myself and can enjoy a nice view alone etc but also love opportunities to meet people. A lot of my special moments were made more by people than where i was.

I used to think cs could be a bit awkward as i usually dont like feeling in debt to someone or feeling like i'm taking advantage. I'm usually more comfortable being on the giving end (to people i get along with) rather than receiving.
Then i tried CS alone for the first time in Jordan and met some amazing people and felt like it could be a whole new way to travel. Was quite an eye opener and had some amazing moments. Also met some other really cool couch surfers and traveled around together for a while.

I like learning about different cultures and different personalities. I think i'm pretty easy and open minded. Definitely not fussy. I can sleep anywhere, having been in hostels most my trip.
I clean up after myself, am punctual.

I like chilling out, going for walks and getting lost, doing things as they come rather than planning everything out. I often don't know where i'll be in the next few days, or it changes anyway and i love it. I like things simple, don't like overthinking or complicating things.
I like to enjoy life, stay curious, worry less as things usually work out one way or another.

I get along with honest people, people who are direct. I also get along with fellow geeks.
I respect people who are respectful of differences- different cultures, personalities, backgrounds, preferences.
I'm not religious but respect others beliefs and don't mind hearing about it as long as it is not enforced on me.

I enjoy good art and music and dancing, though i'm not particularly educated in any of these.

Instagram heewon4919

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To learn about local culture/customs, food, etc. Meet cool people and hang out.

Interests

-i'm a geek, love boardgames, arts and crafts, Miyazaki Hayao films.
-i like outdoor activities like trekking, scuba diving, rock climbing
-i like all new experiences, usually will say yes to anything unless it negatively affects someone else
-i love trying local food everywhere i go!

• photography
• movies
• board games
• traveling
• rock climbing
• trekking
• diving
• illustration
• computer graphics

Music, Movies, and Books

-i like a good movie- drama genre, touching/thoughtful ones, as well as horror (not gore), chickflicks, stupid comedies. Depends on the mood. I also like artsy films, Marvel series. Pretty much any genre as long as it's good.
-Same with music, i have periods where im fixated on particular genres- recently Latin american, then Ghilbi piano music, now Korean hiphop.

Few favourite movies i can think of:
-John Q
-Big fish
-what we do in the shadowa
-fault in our stars
-lala land
-the notebook
-like crazy
-the sea inside
-seven
-silver linings of a playbook
-The conjuring series
-all Miyazaki Hayao films
-annihilation
-avatar, 300, inception, hangover

Fav tv programmes:
-breaking bad!!
-miranda

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Quitting my job and traveling around the world

Teach, Learn, Share

-would love to practise spanish! I travelled around South/central america for 5 months so speak a little.
-could help practise English/Korean
-i'm always happy to share travel stories or tips, if it is something you want to hear.
I don't like blabbering on about my travels when it doesn't resonate with others.
-if i can source Korean ingredients, i can cook Korean for you, teach you how to make a few dishes
-i can tell you about culture/life in Korea and nz.

What I Can Share with Hosts

When i'm back in nz:
-i can show hosts around Auckland city/North shore area
-if it is a weekend and I'm not working, could do trips to Rotorua/puhoi/Goat island/Muriwai/Bethells beach/Waiheke island etc
-if you are a beer/wine/coffee lover, could help with that :) Nz has some amazing coffee.

If you want travel tips on somewhere i have been, could give good tips/itineraries/food recommendations.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United States, Venezuela, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand, South Korea