Things to do at Hongdae

Hongdae  (홍대) is a neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea located near Hongik University, after which it is named (홍대입구). It is famous for its shopping street, famous dining restaurants (맛집), night clubs, urban arts and other entertainment. It offers youthful and romantic atmosphere, underground culture. Moreover unique cafes, galleries, accessory stores, live cafés and art markets make this a popular hang-out for both local youth and foreigners.  

Hongdae an area that is always have crowd of people and excitement thanks to he cultural events, street performances, and festivals. The special streets with interesting names such as ateliers’ street, Picasso’s Street and Club Street are a fascinating place to walk around. 

How to get there

The most direct subway station is Hongik University Station ( Seoul Subway Line 2, Gyeongui-Jungang, AREX), Exit 8 or 9.

However, since Hongdae is located in Mapo-gu district there are other subway stops that are short walk away from Hongdae. They are Hapjeong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 and 6), Sangsu Station (Seoul Subway Line 6), Mangwon Station (Seoul Subway Line 6), and Sinchon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2).

During my almost 3 years of living in Seoul, all the seasons were good to visit Hongdae. Even it was a raining summer season. During the day it is a best place for shopping, meeting with friend and enjoying delicious food of restaurants there.

During the night  Hongdae can dramatically changes, the streets start filling up with party lovers and nightlife seekers. This is when many of the street performers come out and dance. This is the best time to hit different exciting clubs.

The shopping street

So, as motioned before Hondae is full of accessory stores and fashion shops of local Korean and famous brands. In Hongdae it is easy to find trendy clothes at affordable prices. From $1 cute sock stores to expensive brandy shops selling the latest trendy clothing Forever21, H&M, Zara, ABC- local boutiques and cosmetic stores as Etude House, Innisfree – Hongdae’s have it all. As you come away from Hongdae Station exit 9 and move further south, you’ll notice the shops. Also, this area  can be a good choice to buy Korean souvenirs too. There are many shops which are great for buying some traditional Korean items for the family and friends back home.

Kakao friends

There is a famous Kakao Friends main store near Hongik University Station exit 9 that is known for selling very cute characters’ cuddly toys as Ryan, Muji, Apeach, Frodo, Neo, Tube, Jay-G, Con and other home and office supplies, jewelry, stationery, kitchenware, toys. Kakao is the main messenger app used in Korea has built a whole universe around itself with unique looking characters, K-pop connections, stickers, cosmetics and accessories. At first starting as mobile emoticon characters, Kakao Friends store have gone on to set up stores offering over 2,000 products including toys, stationery, stickers, T-shirts, jewelry. The opening hours are 10:30 – 22:00.

Fine restaurants (맛집)

When you’re out and about and looking for some cool restaurants then Hondae will be the best choice. Restaurants there offer the bests in Korean and other western cuisine. The prices are great in this area cause mostly caters to students, so come hungry and after shopping with bags and enjoy having meal. It is easily to find any other good restaurant just around one of the main Hongik University Station exits. 

These are my favorite places, an Italian restaurant «Rolling Pasta»  and Takkalbi cafe. For nearly 20,000 KRW Italian restaurant offers set for couples and also for less than 4000KRW serves very tasty sangria cocktail. Also as this restaurant on the second floor the view from the windows are amazing. The address is 6, Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul.

Mural Street

I love Hongdae because of its love for art. The whole art of Hongdae street started during early 1990s when students from the university of Fine Arts at Hongik University began to decorate the streets, walls and roads around the college. This became a huge thing that in 1993 the first Street Art Festival was held by many artists from across the country. Later located right next to Hongik University, the Hongdae Mural Street appeared . It is famed for its fun murals that attract visitors from all over Seoul. If you’re a fan of contemporary art, street art, then the Hongdae Mural Street is a must see.

The interesting thing about this street that it changes so often, so one day there is a particular piece of art and then at a later date the art has been changed into something else. This area graffiti full of wall painting, installation arts and performances is totally Instagrammable and makes for great shots for amateurs and professionals alike.

Address: 360-28 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu

Hongdae area is must-go places if you’re hoping to fully experience of Korea.