Let me just say it loud and clear: I’m not a thief. Again, I am not a thief!   

But if South Korea ever told me “take anything you want, no Wahala,” I’m emptying my metaphorical Ghana-Must-Go (Sorry if you are not Nigerian or Ghanian). Because there are certain things in that country that just need to be imported wholesale. Not the K-dramas this time, but the everyday magic.

So yes, this is a list of what I’d steal ‘borrow permanently’ from Korea if I could.

Convenience Stores That Actually Do the Job  

Korean convenience stores are not just for emergency gum and pure water. They are real-life lifesavers. You can get hot meals, full skincare routines, late-night snacks, and even sit down to eat, all at 3 am without fear. If I could carry a convenience store or mart back home, I would. No jokes. I just want to be able to microwave a cheesy rice bowl at midnight and eat it with chopsticks under fluorescent lighting like I’m in a K-Drama montage.

Cafes That Are Basically Art Installations  

Korean cafes are not just coffee shops. They are vibes. You walk in and suddenly feel like the main character in a K-Drama. Flower-themed cafes, book cafes, cat cafes, minimal aesthetic cafes, you name it, they’ve done it. If I ever see one of those “drink coffee and journal your pain” cafes unattended, I’m taking it. Nigeria and Nigerians deserve to know the joy of a cappuccino in a space so pretty you feel bad blinking.

Transport That Makes You Feel Rich Even When You’re Broke  

Korea’s public transport is so efficient it feels fake. The buses have heating under the seats. The subways are always on time. Everything is clean and quiet. People actually queue up like civilized humans (Lagos bus stops, I am looking at you). Imagine that. Let me just take one subway line to Lagos. Just one. No generator needed. Just clean trains, soft music, and a voice that says “next station is…” without anyone shouting (driver owa).

The Sweet Silence of Minding Your Business  

Nobody is sizing you up in Korea (at least not to your face). You want to wear neon green socks with sandals? Fine. Cry in public? Go ahead. Record a vlog? Nobody bats an eye. That respectful silence hits differently. I would absolutely steal this whole attitude and sprinkle it in Nigerian danfo buses and family WhatsApp groups. We could all use a little more “face your front/ mind the business that pays you” energy.

Aesthetics   

Why is everything so fine in Korea? Phone booths, public toilets, street signs, even their bank ATMs have lighting like a K-Drama close-up. It’s giving main character energy on every corner. If I could steal just one thing here, it would be that commitment to making everything pretty.  

Look, I know stealing is bad. But if Korea ever turned its back for one second, I’d grab these five things and run faster than a K-pop idol avoiding dating rumors. What about you? What would you steal if no one were watching?