I started writing this blog entry just before New Year’s Day but hadn’t found the time to reread and edit it for posting. Anyway, I really like 2024. There were more ups than in previous years, and there were big life plot twists I hadn’t experienced since the pandemic. I felt happier and more at peace.
Here are some of my 2024 TMIs!
Before 2024 ended, my cousin asked me for a link of my blog post on my Spring in Korea trip. That’s when I realized I didn’t even bother blogging about that trip at all.
 |
| Last year’s spring trip to Korea was so much fun that I sometimes feel guilty for not writing about it more. |
Maybe 2024 was the year I almost let go of blogging. But then, people still ask for links to my Korean visa application tips or seasonal travel guides, like visiting Korea in spring or autumn. Surprisingly, I still get work-related offers because of this page!
Still, I won’t promise to update it more frequently in 2025—it’s getting embarrassing to say that every year, lol. Instead, I’ll focus on documenting my life in ways that feel right in the moment, whatever platform that may be. For that one trip without a blog post, I just sent my cousin the link to my Instagram Reel! Hopefully, it was as helpful as one of my detailed blog posts. I wonder where 2025 will take me when it comes to documenting my life?
Highlights of 2024
One of the highlights of my year was starting a collection outside of K-pop!
While I still love buying K-pop albums, light sticks, and official merch, the Pop Mart craze really got to me this year! The thrill of finally checking out a rare item at SRP during an online drop, receiving boxes of new deliveries, pulling the tab to open those glossy boxes, and squeezing the foil packs in hopes of pulling my prio—it’s such an exciting experience! That’s why I always tell my friends I avoid new hobbies because once I’m in, I’m all in!
 |
| I got featured in Business Insider as a Labubu collector—haha! I never thought my collecting would be feature-worthy. It reminds me of when I got into Korean dramas and started visiting their filming locations—news sites were reaching out to feature my story. That’s when I realized that when I get into something, I really, really get into it. |
 |
| My first Pop Mart unboxing experience was after a Korean class when I stopped by Rockwell and spotted a Care Bears keyring at Fully Booked. Second pic: Just a few of my Pop Mart plush pendants! |
This year, I attended around 24 concerts and fan meetings, most of which I paid for out of my own pocket! While I’m always grateful when I’m assigned to cover events for other websites, attending a show purely for fun—without any work pressure—is an entirely different kind of joy. I can fangirl freely without worrying about taking notes for an article or posting updates in real-time.
My 2024 Concerts and Fan Meetings!
A More Balanced Job
Work-wise, 2024 brought significant changes. I quit some jobs to give myself room to breathe, while some businesses I worked with chose to manage their own social media. This shift gave me more time to focus on creating personal content—I’ve posted more Reels this year than ever before! It also gave me the flexibility to travel more comfortably, allowing me to finish work before heading out, and then catch up with work again in the evenings. I’m truly grateful for the setup I had in 2024.
Travel Highlights
This year, I traveled to Korea three times! On one of those trips, I gifted my mom a birthday vacation with me. It was a dream come true to see her happy and show her around my favorite country. In April, we also had a local family trip to celebrate my dad’s 70th birthday. Seeing my parents enjoy traveling is one of my greatest joys, and I hope I can afford to do this more often.
 |
| I had fun showing Korea to my mom, and it's a dream as a daughter to be able to pay for her trip |
 |
| During dad's 70th birthday in Boracay, we surprised him with this sand castle art with his name, just in time for sunset. He loves it :) |
Another memorable part of 2024 was attending a Korean language school for about THREE months. I scheduled it during the summer, knowing I wouldn’t be traveling much during those months. It was super challenging because it had been a long time since I was in a classroom setting, and the sessions were quite regular—twice a week. I think I even gained weight during this time because I was stress-eating while juggling school and work. At one point, it even overlapped with the bi-annual event I co-organize! It was chaotic, but also fulfilling.
 |
| Despite the challenges, I learned so much during this free program and met a lot of amazing people along the way. It was super rewarding when we graduated, made all the efforts worthwhile! |
A core memory from 2024 was being invited to the MAMA Awards—a prestigious K-pop event I never imagined attending! The email invite came on the last day of my Korea trip with Mom while we were having brunch at Starbucks. Honestly, I felt like the universe gave me back everything I had spent on that trip. Do you believe in karma? I can't help but believe in it as I’ve experienced it many times. Doing good from the heart always seems to return tenfold.
 |
| I remember at the start of the year going outside Byeon Woo Seok's fan meeting venue here in Manila coz I wasn't able to secure tickets, and ending the year watching his MAMA performance up close and live! |
 |
| What a dream: To travel 2x with mom this year, and also having the same Kpop travel project with Paxie! |
For 2025, I wish to spend more time with my friends, just like I did in 2024. With our new hangout spot, the Beachhouse cafe in Kapitolyo, we have more opportunities to catch up in person. I also hope to create more core memories with my family through travel and fun activities. Moreover, I wish to take on more projects that align with my interests and experience more surprise trips for brand collaborations. I pray that my clients' businesses continue to thrive and that I can work with them for another year. Most importantly, I pray that everyone around me stays healthy so we can fully enjoy all that life has to offer.
 |
| What a dream: Saw Byeon Woo Seok and Han So Hee at the Incheon Airport during my summer in Korea trip |
 |
| Some of my fave 2024 brand collabs: With American Tourister and Miniso BT21! |
 |
| Truly enjoyed all my solo travels last year! |
 |
| One of our hangouts at the Beachhouse cafe! |
 |
| December BU with our team, our second event last 2024! |
0 Comments
Your turn! Always excited to read your comments! :)