Going to Seoul/Jeju end November for a week. Is it better to :

1) change wons here in malaysia
2) change some wons for petty cash, exchange rest to USD and only change to wons when in south korea

Thank you.

I think M&M already converted the RM top US$ & thereafter reqoute again in Won..RM is also not well traded in Korea. Infact the rate in KL is better for RM to Won. Otherwise, you want better rate, change to US$ 1st & thereafter to Won at the airport

Below is the receipt from Hana Bank i promised to post here earlier  

[attachmentid=2547218]
And below is my Asiana Airlines boarding pass which entitled me for the preferential exchange rate at Hana Bank. Do note that Asiana Airlines only flies to Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

[attachmentid=2547221]

That's weird. The Hana Bank branch i went to is located inside D Cube Shopping Centre in Sindorim. I stayed at Sheraton Seoul D Cube and the hotel is inside that building. So it was very convenient for me.

The first thing i asked when i walked into the branch is whether they buy foreign currency at this branch and they said yes. I was then asked what currency i wanted to sell and i answered Malaysian Ringgit. They gladly said can... can and asked me to have a seat. The branch manager also came out because the teller attending me didn't speak much English.

It is very likely the staffs at that particular Hana Bank branch you walked into has never dealt in selling or buying MYR. So they thought they can't buy MYR.
Yes. That is the preferential rate for Asiana Airlines passenger. Without the preferential rate, the rate quoted to me was 2.83. Once i took out my Asiana Airlines boarding pass and showed it to the branch manager, he said ah... Asiana boarding pass, special rate special rate 

By the way, before that i sold some of my MYR at one of the many Hana Bank foreign exchange booths at Incheon Airport. So i know that Hana Bank is one of the few Korean banks that actually buy MYR in cash. The rate quoted at their foreign exchange booth at the airport is slightly higher than their branches in downtown Seoul even with the Asiana Airlines 50% preferential rate. So it is recommended that one sells their MYR at Hana Bank in downtown Seoul.
The actual market rate is even lower. That is why they can sold me the KRW for just KRW1,000 = RM2.753. So one can imagine just how much those money changers in Malaysia can actually earn if many people buy KRW from them 

By the way, Hana Bank also can buy MYR (cash) even if you are not an Asiana Airlines passenger. Just that the rate will be higher.

That's weird. The Hana Bank branch i went to is located inside D Cube Shopping Centre in Sindorim. I stayed at Sheraton Seoul D Cube and the hotel is inside that building. So it was very convenient for me.

The first thing i asked when i walked into the branch is whether they buy foreign currency at this branch and they said yes. I was then asked what currency i wanted to sell and i answered Malaysian Ringgit. They gladly said can... can and asked me to have a seat. The branch manager also came out because the teller attending me didn't speak much English.

It is very likely the staffs at that particular Hana Bank branch you walked into has never dealt in selling or buying MYR. So they thought they can't buy MYR.
Yes. That is the preferential rate for Asiana Airlines passenger. Without the preferential rate, the rate quoted to me was 2.83. Once i took out my Asiana Airlines boarding pass and showed it to the branch manager, he said ah... Asiana boarding pass, special rate special rate 

Thanks for sharing.

If want go Korea better bring ringgit and change there.
Then if want change back to ringgit better change at Msia.

Must be a Sheraton guest ? I did not know that. I didn't even tell them i was staying upstairs. I also did not tell them i have an Asiana Airlines boarding pass initially. Anyway, going to Seoul again next year and i will try again. Hopefully i won't face any problem 

So basically you are saying that they will only buy your Malaysian Ringgit provided you are staying upstairs (Sheraton Seoul D Cube) ?
That's expensive 

LOL. Though it didn't work, it was still a good try. Anyway, this reminds me to bring the Hana Bank receipt next time i go there. Luckily i still keep that receipt with me  
Most likely they will ask you to produce your hotel key card or alternatively, they can call the hotel directly. After all, the hotel is just upstairs  
Most likely i will go in April. Will bring my grandparents along. Pretty much why we intend to go in April instead because April is not so cold anymore. But i'll drop you a PM in case i'm going early  

By the way, have you tried Shinhan Bank ?

Oh yeah, the Hana Bank and Shinhan Bank money exchange booths at Incheon definitely buy MYR. Shinhan Bank even displays MYR exchange rate on the board. The exchange rate isn't that good though without the Asiana Airlines boarding pass.

shoudl try and come at May, Then can participate in Jongmyo's yearly celebration..UNESCO certified ceremony.
Anyway, if you will be visiting earlier, just drop me email or so then .