South Korea

South Korea is fast, futuristic, and wildly addictive—from K-pop and K-dramas dominating global culture to Seoul’s sleepless neighborhoods that serve up kimchi stew at 4 a.m. But beneath all that neon energy is a deep, enduring connection to tradition. This is the land of Confucian values, of hanbok-clad celebrations and centuries-old palaces hidden among skyscrapers. The concept of jeong—a deep emotional bond that connects people—is at the heart of Korean life, and you’ll feel it in every warm bowl of bibimbap and every spontaneous late-night karaoke session. Oh, and if you’re wondering where to find the fastest internet on the planet? South Korea has held that title for years.