This is not our first time visiting Korea, so we won't be focusing on popular tourist destinations. Instead, we'll explore hidden gems and trendy spots frequented by young Koreans. If you're looking for a hip and authentic Korean experience, follow us on this journey.

Before you go, prepare your tickets, accommodation, and equipment.

  • Fly with Airasia X, a late-night flight arriving in the morning. You will arrive in Korea around 10 am. If you are energetic, you can continue your trip. As for us, we will take a nap at the hotel and then decide.
  • Stay at a hostel near Myeong-dong. We prioritize affordability and convenience. We settled on Hostel du Temps Passe. I wouldn't recommend it that much because the rooms are very narrow, and you can barely pass each other. However, everything else is okay, and the beds are comfortable.
  • Travel insurance: Buy it every time. Don't regret it.
  • Camera: It's essential. This time, we brought our Panasonic G85. We each carried one camera, one for still photos and the other for 4K video recording.

Everything is ready, let's go on a hip trip to Korea! Go go!!

Exhibition/Gallery/Cafe

Beyond palaces and landmarks, Seoul boasts a vibrant art scene with numerous galleries and museums showcasing the creative spirit of Korean and international artists. These spaces offer unique experiences for exploration, inspiration, and photography. Popular among Korean youth, these venues frequently appear on social media platforms like Instagram.

TeamLab World

TeamLab World: A Dance, Art Museum, and Playground in Seoul

TeamLab World, located within Lotte World, offers a unique blend of art, visual graphics, and lighting, creating an immersive and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. With the concept "Dance! Art Museum, Learn & Play! Future Park," TeamLab World invites guests to explore, learn, and play through various installations and exhibits.

Highlights:

  • Interactive and immersive: TeamLab World's installations respond to visitors' movements and interactions, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.
  • Educational and playful: The exhibits are designed to spark curiosity and encourage learning through play, making it an ideal destination for families with children.
  • Visually stunning: The combination of art, technology, and lighting creates a visually captivating environment that is perfect for capturing memorable photos.

Details:

  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Ticket Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
  • Location: Lotte World (B1 Floor)
  • Admission: 20,000 won
  • Metro: Jamsil Exit 4
  • Website: http://seoul.teamlabworld.com/en/

Note: This translation focuses on conveying the key information about TeamLab World in a concise and informative manner, while maintaining a formal academic style. It avoids personal pronouns, colloquialisms, and unnecessary details, while providing relevant information about the opening hours, ticket purchase, location, admission fee, and website.

D Museum

D Museum is located in an area with aesthetically pleasing buildings, including high-end condominiums, home offices, restaurants, and cafes. After getting off the bus, you must walk around "The Hill" condominium. Initially, we chose to walk towards Eungbong Park (a beautifully landscaped park on a small hill that offers a unique perspective of Seoul). We followed Google Maps, but we ended up in the middle of a condominium complex where security personnel denied us access and directed us to take an alternate route. D Museum is located on the other side of The Hill project's entrance.

D Museum is a rotating exhibition space that is a popular check-in spot for Korean youth. During our visit, the exhibition "Youth" was on display, featuring photographs of American teenagers by various photographers. The interior design also had an American theme and is likely to change according to the exhibition concept. The museum has two floors and a beverage shop at the exit where visitors can relax and play retro arcade games.

Studio Concrete

Located in the trendy Hannam-dong district, Studio Concrete Gallery is a stylishly dilapidated space that serves as a platform for independent artists and a creative collective that collaborates with brands and organizations on innovative projects. Notably, the gallery partnered with actress Song Hye Kyo for a campaign featuring a limited-edition T-shirt numbered 1-10, with Hye Kyo wearing number 10. The gallery's raw aesthetic, featuring cracked and weathered walls, provides a unique backdrop for photography.

Storage by Hyundai Card

Storage by Hyundai Card: A Hip Art Experience in Seoul

After scouring Instagram and Korean blogs for inspiration, we stumbled upon a hidden gem: Storage by Hyundai Card. This unique space offers a hip and immersive art experience, featuring installations that change regularly. During our visit, the exhibition, titled "Numen/For Use," showcased intricate rope installations.

Located on the B2 and B3 floors of the building, Storage by Hyundai Card is easily accessible via the stairs next to VINYL & PLASTIC. The current exhibition, "Numen/For Use," runs from March 24th to July 16th, 2017, and costs 3,000 won for admission. To reach the venue, take the subway to Hangangjin Station and exit 3.

Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply looking for a unique photo opportunity, Storage by Hyundai Card is definitely worth a visit.

Vinyl & Plastic by Hyundai Card

Vinyl & Plastic: A Haven for Music Lovers in the Digital Age

While Vinyl & Plastic operates as a record store, it's more accurately described as a music gallery. In an era dominated by online platforms, finding physical formats like CDs, vinyl records, and even cassette tapes has become increasingly challenging. Those who grew up in the 90s will undoubtedly understand the unique experience of listening to music in these formats. Beyond the sonic pleasure, the physical artwork and artist portraits on album covers hold sentimental value.

Vinyl & Plastic offers more than just a retail experience. It provides a space for music appreciation, offering free lessons on using vinyl record players. Customers can also enjoy a cup of coffee while listening to a diverse selection of records curated by the store.

Location:

  • Metro: Hangangjin Exit 3 (next to Storage by Hyundai Card)

Retro Cafe Trader

Retro Cafe Trader is a haven for analog-era millennials, offering a free-to-play haven of classic games. From the iconic white-and-red Famicom to the Super Nintendo and Game Boy, to the nostalgic arcade cabinets, this cafe transports you back to a bygone era. However, there's a small catch: support the friendly owners by purchasing a drink or two. For those seeking retro treasures, the cafe boasts a vast collection of affordable vintage cartridges. Step into Retro Cafe Trader and relive the golden age of gaming, where friends gathered to share their passion and swap cartridges, creating memories that define the true essence of retro joy.

  • Admission: Free
  • Metro: Nambu Bus Terminal Exit 3

Seongsu-dong

Seongsu-dong: Seoul's Industrial Chic Haven

Seongsu-dong, with its distinctive industrial brick-and-steel architecture, has earned the moniker "The Brooklyn of Seoul" among Korean bloggers. This up-and-coming district is rapidly becoming a trendy destination for young Koreans, boasting a vibrant mix of art galleries, restaurants, cafes, and stylish boutiques tucked away in its alleyways.

Originally a shoemaking district, Seongsu-dong still retains a few shoe stores amidst its trendy newcomers, creating a unique and unexpected blend. Exploring the area requires some meandering and exploration, as the shops are not concentrated in one specific zone. However, with several new establishments under construction, Seongsu-dong is poised to become a bustling hub rivaling other popular districts.

Getting there:

  • Metro: Seongsu Station Exit 3

COLUMN

CO:LUMN, the hottest cafe in the neighborhood, has transformed an old warehouse into a modern space that offers more than just food and drinks. It also serves as a gallery with rotating exhibitions. The spacious interior provides a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for hanging out. Exposed brick, concrete, steel beams, high ceilings, wooden doors, and wooden furniture blend seamlessly to create a raw and stylish ambiance. Artworks, including paintings and installations, are displayed throughout the cafe.

  • Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
  • Admission: 10,000 won (redeemable for one drink)

SU;PY

SU;PY, a trendy Korean fashion brand, is located opposite CO:LUMN. It offers a wide range of clothing and accessories for both men and women. Even if you don't intend to shop, just stopping by to take photos of the storefront and the stairs leading to the second floor is a hip experience. The store has two floors. The upper floor features a gallery that showcases the work of various artists, which changes regularly. During our visit, there was an exhibition by Ron English, a renowned American fine art artist. While his name may not be familiar to everyone, his work has likely been seen by many. His most notable works are those related to McDonald's.

Share Table D

Share D Table is a restaurant, cafe, bar, and beer bar all in one. It is a popular spot for young Koreans and is known for its delicious food and drinks. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with exposed concrete walls and has three different seating areas to choose from. Share D Table offers a variety of Asian and Western dishes, as well as a wide selection of draft beers. The owner, an American, is very friendly and welcoming and even gave us some free beer to try.

Ikseon-dong

Ikseon-dong: A Hip Neighborhood in Seoul

Ikseon-dong is a trendy neighborhood in Seoul, considered a "hot place" by Korean bloggers. This historic Hanok Village, established in the 1920s, now boasts a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafes, shops, and trendy clothing and shoe stores. Young Koreans flock to this charming area to stroll, hang out, and capture photos for social media. The atmosphere is especially lively during pleasant evenings. While the neighborhood is relatively small, it offers a plethora of inviting places to visit.

Getting there:

  • Subway: Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station, Exit 4

Hapjeong-dong

Hapjeong-dong is renowned as a "Cafe Street" due to the abundance of cafes, coffee shops, and beverage establishments in the area. The sheer number of options can be overwhelming. Our initial destination was Bau House Dog Cafe (previously reviewed in Korea Autumn EP2: >> Korea Autumn EP2). However, we arrived early and decided to explore the area for other points of interest. Our exploration proved fruitful, as we observed numerous Korean couples taking photos and enjoying the romantic atmosphere. The district also boasts a significant number of fashion boutiques and barbershops, comparable to the abundance of cafes. This concentration of businesses may be attributed to the proximity of Hapjeong-dong to Hongik University, which is only one station away.

  • Metro: Hapjeong Station Exit 3

Given the abundance of coffee shops, allow me to review just one.

Hello, stranger.

While researching for this trip, we noticed many photos of Hello, Stranger on Korean Instagram accounts. Although we didn't initially plan to visit, we stumbled upon it while exploring the area and decided to check it out to stay on trend. The interior design is warm and inviting, perfect for welcoming strangers. The sofas facing the storefront offer a comfortable spot to sip coffee and watch passersby, making for a delightful experience.

Festivals and Special Events

For those seeking unique experiences in Korea, including special festivals and events, explore the KTO website for a comprehensive guide to unforgettable Korean adventures. Discover hidden gems and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture.

During my recent trip to Korea, I had the privilege of witnessing several captivating festivals and special events. One such event was the enchanting Gyeongbokgung Palace Night.

This is not a new place, I believe many people must have been there before, Gyeongbokgung Palace. But what makes us go back there again is the opportunity to walk around the palace at night! Normally, we only go there during the day, right? Many Korean teenagers wear Hanbok to take pictures.

  • Period: April - September 2017 (Week 3 and 4 of each month)
  • Opening Hours: 19:00 - 21:30 (Ticket sales close at 20:30)
  • Admission: 3,000 won
  • Metro: Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5

In addition to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace is another palace that is open for night viewing. We did not visit this palace, but if you have the opportunity, you may want to consider adding it to your itinerary.

Project: Sweet Swans

The Sweet Swans Project is the same project as the world-famous Yellow Duck Project, but this time it features a pair of swans instead. The project was held at Seokchon Lake in April and May. Although the project has ended, we still have some lovely pictures of the swan couple to share with you.

Lotus Lantern Festival

The Lotus Lantern Festival, held from April 28th to 30th, is a significant religious event commemorating Buddha's birthday. The festival features the illumination of lotus lanterns, symbolizing purity and enlightenment. We captured the vibrant atmosphere of the festival at Jogyesa Temple and Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Jogyesa Temple

  • Subway: Anguk Station Exit 6 or Jonggak Station Exit 2

Cheonggyecheon Stream

  • Subway: Gwanhwamun Station, Exit 5

Panasonic LUMIX G85

Panasonic LUMIX G85

This trip to Korea, we brought the Panasonic LUMIX G85 camera with us for both photos and videos throughout the trip. So I would like to review it as information for those who are interested. Let's talk about the camera's appearance first. The Panasonic G85 is a mirrorless camera that looks like a DSLR camera, but it is smaller in size. It has a foldable touchscreen, making it convenient to shoot from various angles. Even though the camera is smaller, it is well-designed and fits comfortably in the hand. The weight is just right. The various adjustment buttons are separated into individual buttons, making it easy and quick to access. It is suitable for those who want to adjust the settings in detail.


The 5-axis image stabilization system in the Panasonic LUMIX G85 camera is a standout feature. It allows us to comfortably shoot at low shutter speeds, such as 1/4 or 1/8 second, even in low-light conditions. This eliminates the need to increase ISO, which can introduce noise into the image. Most of our photos at Cheonggyecheon Stream were taken at very low shutter speeds, rarely exceeding 1/20 second, yet they remained sharp and clear.

We used a dual camera system with two lenses: the LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35 F2.8 and the Panasonic Leica 12-60 F2.8-4.0. The resulting images boast vibrant colors, natural skin tones, and exceptional sharpness. The autofocus is fast even in low-light conditions, and the camera is lightweight.

The video recording capability is impressive, with 4K resolution and a dedicated microphone jack. The autofocus is also commendable for its speed. Notably, a separate button for video recording is conveniently located next to the shutter button, allowing for immediate video capture without switching modes.

This camera boasts two additional intriguing features: 4K photo mode, ideal for capturing moving images by first recording 4K video and then selecting the best frame later (demonstrated in the video), and post-focus mode, which allows you to capture a photo and then choose the focus point later.

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The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

# South Korea
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