Hello! I'm Seungje, and you can call me Seung. I have a multicultural background, having lived in both South Korea and France. This has made me very open to other cultures. I've traveled to many countries across Europe, which has broadened my perspective even further.

I enjoy listening to people, which led me to work as a mental counselor in the Korean army during my military service.

I'm currently pursuing a master's degree in sustainable design at a French art school. My research focuses on how we can become more conscious of our food systems. I spent nine months in Korea learning to prepare healthy and environmentally-friendly vegetarian Buddhist cuisine from a monk. I'm also passionate about making kimchi, Jun kombucha, milk kefir, and other lacto-fermented foods. I'd be happy to share my recipes or even provide you with a mother SCOBY for Jun.

Additionally, I'm a potter who loves working on the pottery wheel. It's a meditative practice for me, and I find great joy in it.

You can also see my Insta : @seung_jesse

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I would like to meet new people and share experiences, especially through cooking and eating together. I'm eager to learn about the real local lifestyle rather than just visiting as a tourist. I'm excited to discover authentic local restaurants, pubs, and hangout spots with you!

Interests

I like traveling in new area and not only visiting, i would like to meet locals to understand more their culture and share with my knowledge.

• arts
• design
• gardening
• environmental studies
• meeting new people
• korean food
• walking around
• food design
• cooking together
• pottery making

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Chill out, bossa nova, Japanese city pop from the 80s and 90s, Korean old songs, indie music, and stylish electronic music (Daft Punk, Peggy Gou).

Movies: Films by Lee Chang-dong, dramas, La La Land, Kamome Diner, Parasite, Tampopo, Happening (Audrey Diwan).

Books: The Noma Guide to Fermentation, The Catcher in the Rye, The Stranger (Camus), Pachinko.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've traveled with my parents for three months across Europe before COVID-19 arrived. We were lucky to go when we did because we couldn't predict the pandemic. This experience taught me the importance of seizing the moment and enjoying life whenever possible.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can share my knowledge of Korean and French food and culture. I am also eager to learn about how you enjoy life in your country.

What I Can Share with Hosts

First of all, I can cook for you Korean Buddhist vegetarian food or typical Korean dishes like bulgogi, bibimbap, and kimbap. I also enjoy making French dishes like quiche Lorraine and boeuf bourguignon. As mentioned earlier, I can also share a SCOBY for Jun.

I'll share my experiences of living in South Korea and France. Having worked as a tour guide in Seoul for French speakers, I can offer advice for traveling to South Korea. I've lived in France for over six years, during which I've visited many places, and I can provide useful information for visiting France.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, South Korea