Meeting Mr Kim

Jen quit her high-pressure job and followed her musician boyfriend to South Korea. But life in Seoul was lonely and bewildering. Desperate to connect with Korean life, she set off to discover Buddhist temples, strangers’ homes and forest-covered mountains, where people’s kindness and tradition left her with a new set of values.

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The world knows more about secret North Korea than the free society of the South. As a peace summit heralded a new era for a country divided for 50 years, Jennifer Barclay searched for the spirit of South Korea, discovering a land full of passion, tradition and spirituality, good humour and great food.



Jen quit her high-pressure job and followed her musician boyfriend to South Korea, where his band had a contract to play funk at a luxury hotel. But life in Seoul was lonely and bewildering. Desperate to connect with Korean life and the people, she said goodbye to the capital and set off alone to explore the country. With patience and determination she found her way to ancient tombs and Buddhist temples, strangers’ homes and forest-covered mountains, where people’s kindness and pride in their culture began to work magic. They were on a mission to ensure she left with happy memories – and perhaps a new set of values.