If you want to experience the “real” Seoul that most tourists miss, you need to head to the area between Chungmuro and Euljiro for the best Chungmuro Grilled Fish. This is where the city’s industrial past meets its trendy present. As a Seoul native, I have a specific sanctuary I visit whenever I crave the … Read more
Last Saturday, around 4 PM, I finished some work in Dongdaemun. The weather was just too perfect to go straight home, so I started walking along the Cheonggyecheon Stream with a friend toward some Ikseon-dong Hanok Cafes to grab a sweet dessert and a solid cup of coffee. The place was buzzing with life—couples on … Read more
If you are looking for the best Seoul night route, “What’s a real night out like for someone living in Seoul?” I get this question a lot. Honestly, we don’t always go to fancy rooftops. Two days ago, after a long day, I just wanted two things: something spicy to sweat out the stress and … Read more
The best Gukbap in Seoul is more than just a meal; for me, it’s a bowl of memories and strength. Back in my grad school days, I spent countless nights buried in research, often feeling exhausted and drained. During those long, grueling days, my ultimate sanctuary was the small Soondaeguk (Korean blood sausage soup) shop … Read more
Growing up in Seoul, Seoul Forest was practically my backyard. I still remember the smell of the damp earth and the sound of my sneakers crunching on fallen leaves while running toward the giant ginkgo trees for a family picnic. Back then, it was just a quiet neighborhood escape, but seeing it transform for the … Read more
When you travel to Seoul, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of fancy restaurants in Myeongdong or the trendy cafes of Seongsu. But if you want to find the best local lunch in Seoul and know what truly fuels this city, you have to follow the office workers during the frantic lunch hour. … Read more
Phone charging in Seoul was the only thing on my mind last winter when my phone suddenly died in a freezing alley in Ikseon-dong. I was supposed to meet a friend at a hidden cafe, and without my map, I was literally lost in a maze of traditional Hanok houses. My screen went black, and … Read more
Seoul Drone Light Show 2026 is something you have to see in person to understand. I still remember the first time I saw the drones over the Han River last year. I was just sitting on the grass with a convenience store beer, not expecting much, when suddenly the entire sky changed. It wasn’t just … Read more
While walking through the colorful main street of the Dongdaemun Toy Market, it’s easy to get distracted by the latest trendy dolls and shiny new toys. But if you take a step further into the inner alleyways, you’ll find the entrance to Ggum-dong-san Dongsim Shopping Center. It’s an open-style space where you can naturally walk … Read more
I can still smell the mix of new plastic and cardboard boxes from when my mom used to bring me here as a reward for a good report card. Growing up in Seoul, Dongdaemun Toy Market (or Changsin-dong Stationery Street) was basically the center of my universe. Even now, seeing that giant gorilla at the … Read more