How A Travel Writer Turned Neighborhood Walks in South Korea Into Stories with Charlie Usher

Send us Fan MailSeoul can look like one giant skyline from a distance, but up close it’s a patchwork of neighborhoods with their own rhythms, histories, and quiet surprises. I’m joined by writer, editor, and author Charlie Usher, whose work spans South Korea travel, cultural storytelling, and the kind of reporting that starts by simply choosing a subway stop and wandering until a place reveals itself.Charlie shares how he moved to South Korea on a whim, what shocked him early on, and why Seoul remains one of the most compelling cities for travel writing because it never sits still. We talk about his essay collection Soul Suburban and what he hopes readers take from it: a more textured view of Seoul that goes beyond the “monolithic city” stereotype. He also names specific areas that reward curious travelers, including Songbukdong and its literary feel, plus creative pockets like Yanam and Mangwon.We also go behind the scenes of travel media. Charlie reflects on his time editing Korean Air’s in-flight magazine Morning Calm, where rigorous fact-checking and serious editorial standards shaped how he reports today. From there, we dig into what he’s writing now for outlets like Milwaukee Magazine and Midwest Living, his work on DK travel guides and a Lonely Planet Seoul project, and his simple advice for PR professionals who want their pitches to land: show you know who you’re writing to.If you care about travel journalism, guidebooks, South Korea travel, or ethical storytelling built on empathy, you’ll get a lot out of this conversation. Subscribe, share this with a fellow traveler or writer, and leave a quick rating and review so more people can find the show.🔗 Connect with Charlie UsherWebsite: https://www.charles-usher.com/Instagram: @charlesreclausher