Alone In Korea

Hongdae: Seoul’s Playground

Hongdae (홍대) is one of Seoul’s most vibrant and energetic neighborhoods, known for its indie music scene, street performances, and creative culture. The name "Hongdae" comes from the nearby Hongik University (Hongik Daehakgyo, 홍익대학교), which is famous for its art and design programs. This artistic influence has shaped the area into a hub for young creatives, musicians, and trendsetters.

Originally a quiet residential district, Hongdae started transforming in the 1990s as indie musicians and underground artists set up clubs and cafes. n Hongdae, you can enjoy Street Performances & Dance Battles, explore the exciting Nightlife & Clubs, shop for trendy items at Shopping & Fashion spots, visit quirky Themed Cafés, and dive into the vibrant K-Street Culture.

Our favorite - Shopping Spots

Hongdae is one of the best places to go shopping

Vintage

Vintage Santa (19 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Root Hongdae (162-15 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Clothes

Playground (132 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Understar (358-54 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Miig wech (358-113, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Cosmetics

Olive Young
Innis Free (12 Yanghwa-ro 18-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Etude House (26 Hongik-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Shoes

ABC (17, Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Chakhan Shoes (25 Wausan-ro 29ba-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Our favorite - Food Spots

There are many good Restaurants to find and explore

Pizza and Co

Rosso1924 (29 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Delicatessen (19, Tojeong-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, (Photo)

Korean

Hongdae Dakgalbi (31-10 Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Saemaeul Sikdang (144 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Brunch & Breakfast

Urban Plant (3 Dongmak-ro 4-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Thanks Oat (68 Seongmisan-ro 23-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Steak & Japanese

July13 (411-9 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul
Baeksojeong (51 Dongmak-ro 7-gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Our favorite - Cafes & Desserts

You can just walk around and find many good Cafes, without having to search first.

Cafes

W:on Cofffee (20-9 Jandari-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Debunk (30 Seongji 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Cafe Skön (Seongmisan-ro, 172, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Goodies

Pink Crepe 팬케익 (136-1 Eoulmadang-ro, 서교동 Mapo-gu, Seoul)
No Bad Vibes Cookie (AK PLAZA Hongdae 1F)

Themed Cafes

Colline (45-1 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Thanks nature (10 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Roof cat me (162-15, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Vegan

Veganique (52-35 Ewhayeodae-gil, Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul)

Grain Seoul (53 Yeonhui-ro 11ga-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul) - vegan options available

Drawings & Photobooth's

You won't even have to search, you'll find them just by walking around.

Photobooths

Life Four Cuts (156 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Photoism Box (169-14, Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Haru Film (121 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Photostudios

Verification Photo Rekodideu (153-18 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Susanghan Hongdae Photostudio (96 B1, Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

Drawings

Acorn Caricature (382-29 Yeonnam-dong Mapo-gu Seoul)