Hongdae in South Korea

In this post, we'll dive into the heart of Seoul's most vibrant district, Hongdae. It's not just a visit; it's an adventure. Stick with me to the end of this post, and I guarantee you'll experience Hongdae like never before – a hundred times better!

 

Why is the name Hongdae?

Hongdae, named after the famous Hongik University, is Korea's art hub. And guess why that name?  Hongdae is the artistic center of South Korea, and you can imagine why: it's an epicenter of artistic, free-spirited vibes and fun.

Once a haven for struggling artists, Hongdae's streets now boast some of the most expensive priciest real estate in Seoul, as commercialization and gentrification push out the original businesses. But the spirit? Still alive with indie bands, art, and performers. It's a mix of the old and the new, and we're here to enjoy it all.

 

Now, let me introduce you to a few places in Hongdae!

 

Sunny's dog cafe

Imagine this: cute puppies greeting you as you walk in door. And if you're lucky, you might even become their favorite human! If you sit still, the puppies will come to you. You can interact with the puppies as you move around and the staff will be happy to tell you their names and answer your questions.

Time flies when you're playing. The staff will tell you when it's time to go outside.

Entrance $8 (=11,000 won)
Drinks $1~$3 (=1,000 won~3,000 won)
Duration 90 minutes

 

The busking area

Next, the heart of Hongdae – the busking area. From 4 pm to 10 pm, this place turns into a stage for dreamers. It's interesting because this street has an unusual layout. It used to be a railroad and then it was turned into a street. This gave us a place to busk in a large space.

You might be asked to do a survey or hang out or something like that when you walk down the street in Hongdae. If you want to refuse, just say ‘괜찮아요(Gwaenchanayo)’ and keep walking.

* 괜찮아요(Gwaenchanayo) = That's OK - which is a polite way of saying no in Korea.

 

CU's Hongdae Sangsang Branch

Are you hungry? Let's go to CU's Hongdae Sangsang Branch, also known as the Ramen Library. They sell the largest selection of ramen noodles in Korea.

When you buy ramen noodles, they give you a special container that's ready to use. You put in your noodles and soup, and the ramen maker adds hot water and boils it for you. I had '무파마(mupama)' ramen. If you're new to Korea, I recommend '신라면(shin ramyeon)', which is the most popular ramen in Korea. If you don't like spicy food, try sesame ramen, also called '참깨라면(chamkkae ramyeon)'.

Prices $2~$3 (= 2,000 won~3,000 won)

 

Zzang game

The next stop is an arcade called Zzang game. I've been going there since I was a kid.

On the second and third floors, there are lotteries and various games, and it's fun to bet with friends. There are many games with simple controls, so it's easy to have fun.

 

SU NORAEBANG

There's also a karaoke called SU NORAEBANG nearby which you can see from outside. If you like to be the center of attention, I would recommend you to go to this karaoke to sing and dance. Rumor has it that if you sing and dance here you might get cast.

 

Pop-up store

Now, let's go to the pop-up stores. if you want to see what's trending in Korea. Nowadays, several brands in Korea are organizing pretty photo zones and cool spaces to help people get to know their brand through offline experiences. Hongdae has many famous brands trying to promote their brands through pop-ups.

Recently, we've had Nerdy and Gentle Monster pop-up. Nerdy is an emerging brand in Korea, and Gentle Monster is a brand known for collaborating with various celebrities.

 

Butter shop and Artbox

For souvenir hunters, the Butter Shop and Artbox are the treasure troves. The Butter Shop sells a variety of dolls and figurines that make great souvenirs. Artbox also sells a lot of cute stuff. But be careful, your wallet will be thin if you stay here too long.

 

* Your wallet will be thin - It's a phrase often used by Koreans because it means that you've bought too much and the money in your wallet is shrinking, and when you imagine the money in your wallet shrinking, you naturally imagine your wallet getting thinner.

 

Harry Potter cafe

And last but not least, the Harry Potter Cafe. There are a lot of cool cafes in Hongdae, but today I'm going to introduce you to a very special one. It feels like you're in Hogwarts. I went there on a weekday and there weren't many people, but on the weekend it was packed. The butter drink was about $8 and it was so sweet!

 

What if you get lost?

Korea is becoming increasingly concerned with tourist amenities. Walking through the streets of Hongdae: There is a place for travelers. You can go in and ask for directions, or if you have a problem, you can go in and ask.

Also, there are people dressed in red in the middle of the street. They are the “moving tourist office” that solves tourists' problems, so don't hesitate to ask them if you have any questions. Of course, they speak very good English.

 

That's it for the Hongdae tour. In fact, Hongdae is famous for its nightclubs. Someday, I'll tell you about the nightclubs in Hongdae. I've been to all 40 clubs in Seoul. 

I'll do more posts about Korea in the future. Check out more posts on how to enjoy Korea to the fullest.

See you in the next post!

 

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