The Most Unique Tour you can Take! - Thank You Shawn! - This was our last tour my girlfriend and I took on our trip to Korea and it was an absolutely incredible experience. Shawn gives incredible insights on burial traditions and commonalities between Korean culture and others throughout the world. The views from the cemetery are also top notch as you get to see the beautiful Korean countryside. Shawn was personable and friendly making us feel comfortable and answering any questions we had. I would easily book another tour with Shawn as he was the best tour guide we had on our trip. Thank you so much for an awesome tour Shawn!

This is the best tour ever! You'r guide will take you to places out of every tourist scope. Make sure your friends are good with - This tour is the best if you are intersted in korean traditions, a bit of history and in general whatever afterlife brings.... Do koreans know? Do western people people know?...and who is right? Hahah You will get a glimpse into korean traditions, I guess most of koreans do not even now.

Unique Korean folkloric experience! - This is really unique experience to go on. Although most travelers stay within the heart of Seoul, if you want to do something off the beaten path, I would strongly recommend this Cemetery tour. You won't find this information in any Korean guide travel books. It's a really unique tour which won't be replicated by any to the big time mainstream tour operators. You'll visit a cemetery you've never off, on the outskirts of the city, and really learn and get a better sense of Korean burial traditions and folklore surrounding it. Shawn has a wealth of knowledge on this and will point out details that I really think no one else could. Strongly recommended if you are looking for something unique to do, and/or are sick of visiting the palaces in Seoul. There is some uphill and downhill walking, but Shawn made sure I wasn't left behind on the tour.

Outstanding! - It is a fantastic hiking tour about a topic that isn't often covered (if at all) in Korean media. I've lived in Korea for 10 years, but I still learned so much about Korea's traditions surrounding burial and how the dead are cared for. The hike was moderate and well worth it for the views once you reach the top of the cemetery. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring extra water and a snack just in case.

I didn’t know Korean cemeteries were that fascinating😮 - My wife and I loved this tour. This was hands down the most interesting tour we’ve done in Korea. Shawn brings you deep into the Goyang/Paju cemetery territory. He surprises you with unknown tidbits, information about burial history and traditions, ghost lore (yes, it can be spooky), breathtaking cemetery sceneries, and much more! The fun starts before the start of the tour, a hop on the local bus and a walk through the countryside, something one likely wouldn’t experience in Korea. Before the end of the tour, we walked through the dark forest with headlights, and it was the perfect end of a cemetery tour. Shawn is also very professional and cares about everyone’s safety.

Funeral Rituals, Folklore, Great Food. Loved it! - Shawn was our guide on this wonderful tour. Shawn brings you to the cemetery in his home village, so it's a trek to get there. Shawn picks you up at a subway station in Seoul (public transportation is the way to go there, I never take public transportation in my hometown) and then you bus out to his home village of Goyang. You walk to the cemetery from the bus stop, getting a tour along the way. Korean cemeteries are on hillsides, so be prepared to walk uphill. Wear comfortable, loose clothing, walking or hiking shoes, and bring a pack with snacks, water, and rain gear. This is a trek if you are a fat, middle aged (borderline old) guy, but totally worth it. I do tours of Victorian cemeteries in the US, Shawn's ability to engage guests and tell stories is amazing. He is passionate and knowledgeable, and truly wants to share his passion with you. When we hiked back down the mountain, Shawn took us to his favorite restaurant. This was not included in the price of the tour, but was a traditional Korean buffet (Korean grandma food, cooked by Korean grandmas) whose name basically translates to Korean Food Taxi Driver Food Buffet. If the cabbies eat there, you know it's great! I totally recommend this tour!

Two thumbs UP! - The Walk Among The Grave Tour was fun! It was a great way to see Korea outside of the fancy Seoul city. I've learned so much during the tour, some similarities with our burial rites back home, and the reasons, which I didn't even know! The hike was a little tough and tiring at times, but that was also because I went for a hike the day before. Aside from that, it was manageable. Towards the end of the hike, we were hiking in the dark, Shawn, the guide, prepared head lamps, so we don't have to worry about that. I've never hike at night, so it was a great experience. Would recommend this tour if you like hiking and learning/seeing new things besides the glitz and glamour of Korea (K-everything).

Exploration of Lesser Known Korean Culture and Counteyside - This was a great hiking tour through the foothills north of Seoul. Shawn our guide did a great job of setting up and explaining the history of the area and delving into the customs and traditions of Korean burial traditions. I greatly appreciated the email at the end covering all we had discussed so we could focus on learning in the moment and contextualizong the experience. Would recommend this to anyone wanting a nice outing into the Korean countryside, those interested in Korean burial traditions, or anyone wanting to explore a less discuss part of Korean culture.

Look no further for a unique experience in Korea! - This is my second tour with Dark Side of Seoul/ZenKimchi and It did not disappoint. Shawn's expert knowledge of Korean funeral rights and folk traditions and how these traditions are changing in modern Korea makes the tour unique and enriches your understanding of Korean culture. I would recommend this tour for anyone looking to learn about a part of Korean culture that many people don't get the chance to experience or for anyone who is death and ghost stories.

Highly recommend for those with interest in Korean culture & folklore - This tour is a lovely opportunity to get outside of the city and learn about aspects of Korean culture that aren’t as readily accessible to visitors. Shawn is so knowledgeable about Korean culture and folklore and was a wonderful host. The hike is very manageable but there are a couple steep bits so shoes with good traction are important. It was especially beautiful being on the mountain side this time of year with the changing leaves and we had a gorgeous sunset. This has been one of my highlights of my trip and I would recommend to anyone interested in Korean folklore and getting out in nature.