Travel Creator Spotlight: How Antje Found a Home in South Korea

Meet Antje, a passionate traveler who left her corporate job in Germany to explore South Korea. In this interview, she shares her journey of building the "Next Stop Korea" brand, her travel insights, and tips for aspiring travel creators.

Liv Coning

Marketing Lead

Travel Creator Spotlight: How Antje Found a Home in South Korea

Aug 13 2024

Meet Antje, a passionate traveler who moved to South Korea and never looked back.

In this interview, Antje shares how she fell in love with South Korea, built her brand "Next Stop Korea," and offers insights into her travel experiences and the creation of her career as a content creator.

Hi Antje! Can you kick things off by telling us a little bit about yourself? You’re originally from Germany and now live in South Korea. How did you end up where you are now?

I studied business in Germany and worked at a large insurance company for eight years. I was fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing team, close to my family, and with fantastic friends. I genuinely loved my life, but the idea of living abroad kept lingering in my mind.

So, in 2021, I decided to quit my secure, well-paying corporate job and took a sabbatical year. I chose to go to Korea because I love the food and had only positive encounters with Koreans in Germany. I knew it was a safe country, and I was interested in studying the language, which I later did at a Korean university.

When I moved, I started Nextstopkorea on Instagram as a little diary, and unexpectedly, it grew into an amazing community. It’s been three years since I arrived, and for now, I plan to stay even longer.

"Next Stop Korea" focuses on exploring South Korea in depth. What inspired you to start this journey and share the culture, sights, and experiences of Korea with your audience?

When I first moved here, I focused on studying the language for the first few months. I basically lived at the university or in the amazing Korean study cafes. During that time, I mostly shared my experiences as a language student and expat. But after a few months, I realized I had barely seen anything of this country, so I started solo traveling.

I fell deeply in love with the country, the people, the food, and the nature. Since then, I’ve traveled to over 30 different places, both big and small. I want to share these insights and tips with others, so they can make the most of their time here!

Korean culture is rich and diverse. Can you share an experience or cultural aspect that has left a lasting impression on you?

There are so many things that have left a mark on me over the past three years, but the most lasting memory is from my very first day in Korea in November 2021. I had just said goodbye to my family and friends in Germany, had a long, exhausting flight, and was facing quarantine. I was tired, overwhelmed, and felt incredibly vulnerable.

But three encounters stood out:

A kind elderly man at the airport, who, without saying a word, helped me with my suitcase as I struggled with my documents, jacket, and backpack on my way to passport control.
A taxi driver who made a small detour to show me Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Blue House on my way to the quarantine stay, even though we had already agreed on a very low fixed fare.
A lovely online acquaintance I met just two days earlier on a language exchange app who brought me food, water, and a small gift after my Airbnb host failed to prepare the quarantine package I had paid for.

These gestures made me feel confident that I had made the right decision to come here, even on my first day. Koreans might seem a bit reserved compared to other Asian cultures, but they are always so helpful and kind.

What tips would you give to first-time travelers to Korea who want an authentic and immersive experience?

Make sure you have the right transportation card to get around, get a Korean SIM card so you can make reservations, download essential apps, and know where to stay. I’ve put all my tips in a free Basic Travel Guide on Thatch.

But my personal top tips? Learn a bit of basic Korean, try ALL the food and most importantly: make sure to leave the city at least once!

In 2023, you officially became a Content Creator for the Korea Tourism Organization and received a title. What did that award mean to you, and how has it impacted your life and work?

These ambassador programs and awards in Korea have been a real kick-starter for me. As an ambassador for the City of Seoul and the Korea Tourism Organization, I’ve been invited to amazing sponsored trips and events that I could share with my community. I’ve met incredible people, built a strong network, and grown both as a content creator and as a person.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various tourism boards, travel companies, TV broadcasting shows, and even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korean Embassy in Germany.

Any best practices for creating travel guides and services that sell?

As someone who lives here and has traveled extensively, the challenge is to start from scratch when helping others with their trips. Using a Korean transportation card is second nature to me now, but when I first arrived, I had no idea how it worked. So in my guides, I always begin with the most basic travel tips, then dive deeper by sharing hidden gems and personal recommendations.

I also regularly share my guides on Instagram using DM automation and offer a mix of personal services, free and paid guides, including some affiliate links.

What advice would you give aspiring travel creators who want to build a brand and business around their travel experiences?

Remember this quote: “Comparison is the thief of joy” (Theodore Roosevelt). Don’t compare yourself, your numbers, your growth, or your sales to others. Focus on what you enjoy, stay consistent, and keep posting. Remaining authentic is most important.