Embracing the Path of the Warrior: A Day in the Life of a Korean Monk
In a world teeming with distractions and relentless pace, finding inner peace and purpose can seem like an elusive dream. But what if you could step into the shoes—or rather, the sandals—of a Korean warrior monk for just a day? This is not just about meditation and tranquility; it’s about harnessing the discipline, strength, and resilience that defines the unique monastic lifestyle.
Join me on an enthralling journey as I immerse myself in the spiritual and physical rigor of this ancient practice. From dawn’s first light to the tranquil evening stillness, I’ll step into the vibrant traditions that have shaped Korean culture for centuries—experiencing the daily rituals, meditation routines, and the profound connection to nature that guide these monks on their path.
In this episode, I’ll share moments of revelation, challenges that push the limits of both body and spirit, and the rich tapestry of life as a warrior monk. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a curious soul longing for a moment of stillness amidst the chaos, this experience promises insights that transcend borders and beckon the adventurer within.
So, ready your mind and spirit as we embark on this transformative quest—because today, I became a Korean warrior monk.
Watch the video by Itchy Boots
Video “I became a Korean WARRIOR MONK for a day 🇰🇷 | S8, EP166” was uploaded on 10/21/2026 to Youtube Channel Itchy Boots




































Be sure to try Bi Bim Bap if you're still there. So delicious! 😋
Good morning, just want to ask when are you going to the Philippines 😊
It is so good to see you so happy, Noraly! There were some places where you really seemed to be stressed out…. Regarding the tombs… the just look like Celtic tombs from Ireland and Scotland from roughly the same time. Very interesting! On another note…. what an utter tragedy Korea is. There is lovely South Korea on the one side. And a prison North Korea on the other side where people are starving. They didn't even leave comments here, as far as I am aware. North Korea must be hell to live in.
Noraly your hair is getting long and thank you for another great video have a good one
I must say this is the South Korea that I love…. so Peaceful. Nit the cities . I'd live there anyway. Thank you Noraley❤
The Nedtherlannds has a night shift !
This is beautiful ❤. I'm watching ypu from my hospital bed after a collision on my motorcycle 🏍. Thank you this utter brilliance Noraly
Keeping me going.. Best wishes Lynda Milne 😊❤
The scenery is like the South Brazil. Interesting!
Beautiful Country
16:34 .. loved the bridge, music, and background colors .. surreal !!! I always "Like" 🙂
Wonderful – video and country.
These videos bring me a sense of peace and distraction for a little bit from the stress of not being able to find a job and actually getting hired, (which ofc means the struggle of having a food in the fridge as air with a side of sir isn’t exactly a meal) thank you for the amazing videos .
(I’ve been watching since I think Afghanistan)
My heartfelt gratitude to you for showing us a rare & quaint side of S. Korea in the face of the fact that the vast majority of Y.Tubers displays only big cities such as Seoul & Busan. Glad you prefer S. Korea to China where you had been constantly checked by polices. Moreover, thanks for briefly disclosing an ancient history of Silla Dynasty in connection w/ those serene & tranquil temple surroundings including the tomb. Pls stay safe & healthy wherever you visit!,,,,From the USA,,,,(10/21/26)
You don't normally see thatched roofs in such northern latitudes. I'm sure it gets quite cold and quite a bit of snow in South Korea during the winter. The roofs must be hardy enough to withstand all that snow and be able to insulate the inside of the houses. Apparently it does the job or otherwise they wouldn't use them.
Loved seeing the sun-mo-do demonstration, and thank you for the explanation. I find the whole idea of warrior Buddhist monks fascinating, given that we generally associate Buddhist monks with being peaceful and abstaining from all kinds of violence. Of course, there's a long history of warrior monks in Japan as well, and in China the Shao-lin monks also train in the martial arts. As you mentioned, "do" (pronounced "doh") means way, and comes from the Chinese word "Tao" which also means "the way." Years ago when I was much younger I lived for two years in a Japanese Buddhist temple in a neighborhood in Los Angeles and took vows as a novitiate. I was given a Japanese Buddhist name: Ho-So-Do, which translates as "follower of the great path/way." …. I can see how those exercises you did on the mat would be quite physically beneficial. Thank you for showing them to us, and your editing with that percussive music was perfect! 🙂
I also found the burial mounds fascinating. Interestingly, Buddhist stupas were originally burial mounds that over time took on religious/spiritual significance. So it makes sense that these burial mounds are in the same shape as the base of the Buddhist stupas one sees all across Asia. Just yesterday, I read this in the Lonely Planet guide for India: "The hemispheric mounds known as stupas have been central to Buddhist worship since the sixth century BC, when Buddha himself modelled the first prototype. Asked by one of his disciples for a symbol to help disseminate his teachings after his death, Buddha took his beegging bowl, teaching staff and length of cloth — his only worldy possessions — and arranged them into the form of a stupa, using the cloth as a base, the upturned bowl as the dome and the stick as the projecting finial, or spire. Originally, stupas were simple burial mounds, but as the religion spread, the basic components multiplied and became imbued with sybolic significance. The main dome, or anda — reresenting the "divince axis" linking heaven and earth — grew larger, while the wooden railings or vedikas, surrounding it were replaced by massive stone ones." Well, there's more, but this clearly gives a brief explanation on the origins of the stupa and their links to burial mounds.
These Korean videos are turning out to be real revelations and I am thoroughly enjoying them! Thank you, as always, for sharing your journey across the world . . .
What a beautiful counry specialy the countryside, Those shops at the end you will find a lot of in the cities of Japan. Groetjes uit een herfstachtig Nederland. Hou het veilig.
Noraly, how did you arrange to stop all traffic when your on the road? Talk about having influence in high places. LOL
WOW…Beautiful Village 🥰🥰
Great video again, Itchy, but we all know that you can not improve on perfection. You're a professional and deserve 3.42 million followers. Stay Safe Itchy👍❤
Amazing and Lovely place!!!! Beautiful houses; beautiful everything!!!
Some of those woods looked like where they filmed that new Korean movie 'Hope', and those Pagodas like the Japanese one in the city park where I live. Those burial mounds are smaller than the Native American ones in North America. 👍
Such a great country
Brilliant Noraly. Your videos just get better and better.
This is an extremely interesting country and beautiful. I am enjoying the relaxed environment also.
I wonder how they mow the grass on those tombs!
Thanks for sharing 👍 😊
When was the last time Noraly got stuck in the mud? I think it has been a long time.
Loved this video ❤
What an amazing region. Great scenery and great travelling!
I'm surprised you could do the upside down crab. More flexible than me at that age
Looks like song and dance class at a social gathering place called a monastery. Ha seems like you got kicked out of the monastery, filming? . I smell religious like cults because to the popular trendy followings.
So much we don't know about our world… thank you for sharing all these fascinating experiences with us!
Excelente tus videos son muy educativos
It looks beautiful!
Un fuerte abrazo desde Bogotá Colombia
Me encantan tus vídeos mucha suerte en tus viajes
Why don't you put audio with translations in all languages on YouTube?
Wow how beautiful and tranquil was the village you passed through , I'm really enjoying this leg of your journey Noraly.
When you receive such a beautiful breakfast is it common courtesy to eat everything they put before you?
좋은 추억 많이 만들고 가세요 ~~ ^^
Hi Noraly, again one fantastic episode from you, very interesting about the the monks.
Take care 🙌🙌🔥🔥🔥🔥
한국을 여행해주셔서 정말감사합니다. 다이나믹한 뭔가를 찾으실지 모르겟지만 안정적이고 아기자기한 예쁜곳들이 많습니다. 강원도 평창 육백마지기라는곳에 오르면 저멀리 모든산들을 전망할수있고 바닷가로난 도로를 따라 전국을 여행하기도합니다. 맛난 바다음식도많고 한국의 전통요리 또한 넘쳐나는 한국입니다. 부디 떠나시기전에 많은것을 경험하셧으면 좋겟습니다. 언제나 당신의 건강과 안전을위해 기도합니다 😅😅
My military tour to Korea was in 1992-93 for 13 months in Itaewon Seoul Korea. My job was to travel to the mountain tops for AFKN radio and TV. I had a Koran man in his 60's that went everywhere with me, Mr SUN. He took me to so many places outside the city to eat. We would leave the Camp and drive over two hours sometimes. Mr Sun was a retired Koran Major and we sometimes had lunch in Rock Army Camps. The Food was always good and spicy.
I worked four 10 hour shifts so always had a 3 day weekend to travel. I had a used Suzuki GS425 motorcycle and could get thru traffic OK. Sometimes the Police would try to stop me because of the motorcycle but when found out I was US Military they let me go on with my ride.
Recently a number of things about South Korea have crossed my path in addition to your videos, and I get a very good vibe from the people and the place, somewhere that I've never really thought much about before (I'm in the UK). Obviously there are some similarities to Japan, but South Korea feels much more human-scale and less intense somehow. Maybe, at least in architechtural terms, it has something to do with the terrain: you can't really plaster mountains with giant, soul-crushing concrete tower blocks.