Korea, Republic of in May

Spring (March-May) brings cherry blossoms and perfect weather. But everyone knows this - expect crowds at Yeouido Park and higher hotel prices. The sweet spot is late April when flowers bloom but tourist season hasn't peaked. Fall (September-November) might be even better. Seoul's mountains turn red and gold, temperatures hit the 60s-70s, and you can actually get photos without crowds. October's particularly gorgeous - just pack layers. Summer's brutal. July and August bring 90-degree heat with 80% humidity. Plus monsoon season dumps rain for weeks. Skip it unless you love sweating through your clothes. Winter's cold but manageable if you're prepared. Seoul gets snow, temperatures drop to the 20s, but indoor heating is excellent. Plus winter's when you really appreciate Korean hot pot culture. Just avoid the first week of February - everything shuts down for Lunar New Year.