Seoul, South Korea
Have you watched Singles Inferno? I know you’ve watched Squid Games, Physical 100, and have you been listening to BTS…?!
For a deeper dive, Soulmate, Broker, My Sassy Girl, Hero, and Little Forest are 👌🏽 recs of knowledge.
The prominence of Korean culture is unavoidably addicting ~ and continues on and on and on.
Seoul is its base camp. And legit.
Gyeongin-ro 65-gil, Sprintime
Why Seoul?
Seoul is a youthful urban going-out and artsy cultural jam.
There is a manageability of conquering Seoul meaning that it’s walkable, it’s metro-able, and its highlights are in the overt and the subtle. It’s a very livable city to visit. You’ll find pockets of joy in the street food, a perfect latte, impressive artwork, and the heritage of Seoul’s historic landmarks. Korean music plays here and there, but there’s inevitable influence from America, China, and Japan.
Here are highlights, the spots, and intel from on the ground.
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Neighborhoods
For a first-time trip to Seoul Mapo-Gu which includes Hongdae, Hapjeong, and then Itaewon are three essential and yet different immersions. They’re all places to stay and continually explore for someone first venturing to Seoul. They provide an extremely particular sense of Korea as well as being gateway immersions to the country and its capital city.
Hongdae
Mapo-Gu is largely a young hip neighborhood, think petite boutiques, cute cafes, classic restaurants, and all the street styles you can imagine.
To walk through the neighborhoods of Hongdae or Hapjeong is to get a sensational experience of the enthusiasm and the changing Korea in the material realm of it. And next to the daytime in-take, the nightlife of Hongdae is also top-tier.
There is no going to sleep. Koreans have a roster of going out events that begin with dinner, continue to drinks, continue to clubbing, continue to a midnight snack, and nori-bong or karaoke, and more snacks before the event of daybreak.
While the night scene of Hongdae is robust, during the day it’s charming and scenic.
Dance & Noribong Scene
There are multi-level clubs such as supreme DJs at Madholic and a plentitude of small to large nori-bong spots where you can sing solo, with a friend, or with a larger group in this area.
Cakeshop is a delightful dance scene in this neighborhood that shouldn’t be missed out on if you like electronic music.
If you’re interested in more hands-on dancing, the One Million Dance studio houses some of Seoul, even the world’s most talented dancers. You can sign up for beginner to advanced classes at the studio.
Where to Stay? LOTTE City Hotel, Amanti Hotel
View of Seoul from Itaewon
Amanti Hotel
For something sophisticated, the Amanti Hotel in Hapjeong is a little less boisterous than the nightlife of Hongdae, but with neighboring proximity. It likewise has nice eateries, cafes, and shopping, but is quieter. This hotel has all the crisp, simple, total comfort you need.
LOTTE City Hotel
Alternatively, Myeongdung is the neighborhood out of Seoul that somewhat reflects Times Square. For an experience in the ever-bustling Myeongdong, LOTTE City Hotel is amidst the walkways of this main area’s streets.
Highlights
Leeum Museum
Leeum Museum, Itaewon
For another deep culture scene, Itaewon is it, and the cafes and restaurants are classy. People frequenting popular spots tend to dress with care.
For art mavens, Leeum Museum (Samsung Museum), is necessary to visit.
The installations incorporate impactful architectural components mixed with plays of shape with light. The installations swerve with the corporeality of humans and with that of what we surround ourselves with. It’s spectacular and a full-body immersion of space, color, shape, and light.
Leeum spiral staircase immersion
Leeum, outdoor exhibition
Kimsooja
Traditional works
Dongdaemun Design Place
An architectural delight, Dongdaemun Design Place History and Culture Park architecture by Zaha Hadid is likewise a building area that gives thought to the variation and material use of shapes. Newer to Seoul and having opened in 2014, it’s more industrial than Leeum. The rotund curves are reminiscent of the space age and provide an elevated experience walking amongst them. Its location is known for its shopping and already it’s become a landmark icon of contemporary Seoul. The market is also worth scoping and don’t miss excellent souvenirs at Doota.
Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace
For old-school architecture, Changdeokgung Palace is the second oldest palace in Seoul and was built during the Joseon Dynasty.
It was created as a private residence, an urban retreat, for the family back in the day and still seems to feature itself as this, though of course the royals are long gone. Its significance is further historical having been a pivotal spot for meetings as well as ceremonies when Japan invaded the country in the 16th century. The palace has unique coloration and design. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and juxtaposes traditional Korea within its modernizing confines. Youth and recently married will visit here for photos in traditional attire, it stands as a symbolic site of Korean heritage and is a beautiful spot within Seoul to behold.
Sejong
While Myeongdong may be Times Square-ish, Sejong is the capital mall-ish. It’s host to amazing restaurants, the square hosts expos, a regular K food festival of Korean food cart favorites, and abundant views of the mountains and the old city. Sejong, named for King Sejon, is celebrated throughout the area and many things within it.
Seonyudo’s Island Park
A little island amidst the Han River, Seonyudo Park is one of the most peaceful yet happening places throughout Seoul. With ecological restorations and lovely curation of space, it’s a breath of fresh air. With a cafe and pagoda lookouts, walking paths, and areas for repose, the vibes are high on the island.
Mullae
Mullae at nighttime is like the Shibuya alleyways of Seoul. It’s a bohemian slash industrial area that’s sectioned in between regular work areas of the city. Welders work and then you’re hit with a posh cafe. The most intriguing part of Mullae is the alley spots of K BBQ corners and retro eateries. Reminiscent of what compelled me to Shibuya’s, the streets have off-the-track bars that are around the corner and located up a little hill turn-around that’s cozy and aglow.
Insadong traditional floor seating tea house
Insadong tea tasting spot
Insadong
Immediately upon arrival to Insadong’s thoroughfare, you’ll be greeted with treats. In autumn, a cart swathed in roasting chestnuts, hot honey hotteok newly deep-fried. The streets themselves are host to a variety of culture, how else to describe it? The main street also has outdoor mall multi-stories, Ssamziegil is a highlight that hosts local craft and restaurants. Insadong is also realm to small galleries of impressiveness. Don’t miss Star Gallery, Eun, and Rho, and the handful of walk-ins in the surrounding, which include experiential calligraphy. For tea obsessors, Insadong has the best traditional tea spots of the city. It also has a seductive night scene with wine bars and small eateries, intriguing cocktail bars, and seasonal pop-ups.
Coffee 100K
100,000 coffee shops in Seoul? That’s the truth as I heard it. Seoul is repetitive with its chains, Mega, Compose, Ediya, A Twosome Place, and Paris Baguette are ubiquitous to be found block to block. However, more recently, variations in amazing locales, a taste for everyone, are dotted throughout all neighborhoods. With exceptional traditional coffees, lattes, and cappuccinos, Korea is also bold when it comes to inventing new and obscure coffee tastes. The likewise pastry game is grand. Some things are insanely sweet, but I haven’t seen such an impressive croissant game since Paris or LA.
The coffee shop on the River bridge and Avelop are top-tier atmosphere and provisions.
*Safety tip
Remember that soju is stronger than it tastes.
Seoul is a very safe city altogether daytime and nighttime alike.
