WELCOME TO HONGIK UNIVERSITY! see that bridge thingy in front? thats Hongik. and this is the road you’re supposed to walk at if you’re heading to the Hongdae Free Market on Saturdays. just take a right turn nearby Hongik =D.
and this is Hongdae.
Hongdae has a huge variety of clothes. but the prices here are also more expensive than at Sinchon. the buy it or regret it law cannot be applied in Korea. unless you are here for a holiday. you should go to Edae before you come here if you’re shopping for clothes because they basically sell similar clothings.
LOL at the chicken jacket. clothes in Hongdae are usually more hippie and they are certainly more expensive. but if you’re a traveller and for a design that you really like, it isn’t too bad to shop here =D.
cowboy style is the in thing now. jeans jacket especially. and I have one too! =D.
Seoul’s fashion today.
where ever you go. be it Edae, Hongdae, Sinchon, Myeongdong… they all sell Korean eye glasses. because it’s such a famous thing here. haha. but not many people actually go around wearing a pair of glasses they do not need just for fashion’s sake here.
LOOK AT THE MNM’S IPHONE CASE! so cuteeeee =D.
really too bad that I don’t have one =/.
we have watsons here too! very much like the one in KL. except they place things outside. and oh, Snyder’s Pretzels are damn cheap here. and in Daiso.
one of the shops that you absolutely must visit. sometimes I really feel that I NEED a small little digital camera so that I can take pictures of stuffs inside. because with my big and noisy camera I am always afraid that someone might scold me if I do pffft. because I’ve been scolded a few times my last trip. this time not YET.
DREAM COFFEE! the place is called Cafe Dream.
here, you can find many to nom and shop. and at night, many places to drink too!
shoes? anyone? I don’t know how girls here can strut into painful high heels and walk on HILLS here. it’s mad.
man fashion! I absolutely love the way how Seoulites dress. if you put them in average clothing, they might be pretty average but because of their awesome dressings, they suddenly turn into a hot hunk.
MORE CLOTHES!!! those clothes that are sold for 10,000won and 15,000won are labelled as vintage. haha.
I really like that dress. but buying even 1 shirt means I’ll over budget for the day. so no thanks T_T. because I am poor and stingy like that pfft.
if you like to sing. karaoke’s here are NOT TO BE MISSED. why? because the rooms (and sound quality) is awesome like mad. costs about 20,000won for an hour/room. so it’s better to go with a few others to share the bill. =D.
Luxury Su noraebang is another karaoke but I feel if I can only choose one of the two, I would choose this one. it looks more unique and pretty in a way. but if you’re wearing skirt. then go to Prince Edward =P. because Luxury Su’s rooms are see through and you might probably get up-skirted when you climb up the upper deck of the room. (YES! UPPER DECK SOUNDS FUN RIGHT?!)
I call it the butterfly building but it’s actually called SangSangMaDang. SSMD in short. here, you can find the most unique (and expensive) little things that are made so creative, it lures you to buying them.
random street art in Hongdae.
wait, what?
bloody bad people drew that “thing” there pfft.
SHIN MIN AHHHHHH <3. I absolutely love her she’s so cute T_T. I don’t watch too many dramas but that “my girlfriend is a 9 tailed fox” is pretty awesome if you ask me. funny and she’s really really pretty. the natural beauty of Korea. in the streets, it’s quite rare to see a beauty without plastic surgery here =S. it’s true. seen around 10 really pretty natural looking girls so far =D.
want to get your hair done? only trimming your hair costs 20,000won at least I heard. =S.
the famous building you shall recognize. coffee bean? no. NB2. this is where you should be if you want to witness the (crowded) Korean clubbing scene. NB stands for Noise Basement and 2 is because this is the 2nd one in the area. entrance fees is around 15,000won and 5,000won cheaper on Fridays if I am not mistaken. it is inclusive of a drink (or was it two) but you can cross over to the neighbouring (also underground) club, Harlem for free.
when I came, I thought I want to capture every single picture of TOP that I see.
but soon.
I gave up. because there are just too many. hahahah.
some restaurants in Hongdae are not as authentic but still alright. so just go to the ones with many Koreans in it haha. =D.
It’s me again~~ I see u like shopping alot, just wondering have seen this kinda clothing (in the video below where 2pm singing Bo Peep Bo Peep) around Seoul??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRLDtJ5SZyQ
I dunno even know if it’s a long-sleeve or what. FAIL ME. Enlighten me if u have any idea.
always wanted to go to Hongdae especially after I watched Running Man T______T that place is filled with lots of great restaurants!
Why does last picture looks so poor? Other pictures are clear.
When I read ur blog, I felt like going to Korea right away.. keep on writing yeah! 🙂
Oh my gosh! Korea is mad beautiful and I love place like this! Shopping paradise and love their style!!!
Hi, I’m going to Seoul in October. Would like to ask if I were to shop at Idae area, how much time should I allocate? I know is subjective but I don’t know how big is that area hehehe! After Idae I plan to shop around Hong Dae area or I should go Sin Chon?
Sorry to bother you with this.
Thanks for these updates. Now i know what to expect before i go to korea. We really need to meet if u are not busy with school in end of july.
I love Hongdae! Went there about 3 weeks ago – and totally agree with u that so far of the guys i saw in seoul definitely have some great styles going :P, went to visit Bauhaus there too :P, boy am i missing seoul now..
Gooood, you made me realize how much I miss Korea…. T_T spend there one year now it’s almost a year since I’ve left it… I want to go to Hongdae, I want to go for shopping at 이대!!!! 🙂 Love your site btw, will come back soon again ^^
Wwwaaahhhh!!!! I guess this time u enjoy a whole lot more since the last time u came!!!
your blogs are truly awesome! they really tell so much about Korea making me feel I’m already there 🙂
haven’t read all your stories though, but surely i will as I am addicted in learning their art and culture… i just wish i have time to learn Hangul as well. Fighting!
by this friday i’ll be in korea for a short stay til 23rd starting at Hongdae area, then jeju, then Itaewon (not really sure on the 3rd hehe)… Oh man, this trip is making me excited like mad! 🙂 Don’t really have “to do” plans on those places. But if by any chance that you’re not busy, is it ok if join your city walks or hang-outs instead? 🙂
Hi! I recently discovered your blog and I love reading your adventures in Korea! Will be going to Korea again this summer but with a group of girls. Need some opinion on where we should stay though. Ewha or Hongdae? I know Hongdae is the youth and clubbing scene there and Ewha is more of a shopping place? Will be staying for more than a week and I want to be able to walk around my place without feeling bored.
Ps. Am very envious of you being able to study in Korea! Wanted to go for the summer programme at Yonsei KLI but it didn’t work out, thus just a tri
Hi! I recently discovered your blog and I love reading your adventures in Korea! Will be going to Korea again this summer but with a group of girls this time. Need some opinion on where we should stay though. Ewha or Hongdae? I know Hongdae is the youth and clubbing scene there and Ewha is more of a shopping place? Will be staying for more than a week and I want to be able to walk around my place without feeling bored thus being able to explore around. However not sure about the safety as I heard there are a lot of drunks at Hongdae. Appreciate any feedback, thank you! 🙂
glad i found your blog… 🙂
do you know how much those shoes are about? i saw them on stylenanda.com they’re like 100usd++ there…
Hi,
Do u know the directions to Hongdae and Ewha shopping areas? Everyone post pictures of all the shops but i’m not sure is it far and complicated to locate after i exit from subway? Thanks
hi,glad to found your blog.my friends said it is expensive to shop at korea?beside hongdae and ewha,do you have any suggestion for cheap clothes,shoes and bags?heee.thank you.please show the direction to them please 😀
annyong 🙂 really like your blog hehe keep writing yah..
Thanks! I’m in Seoul now! Can’t wait to go shopping!!
Hi, may i know ehwa, sinchon or hongdae is more suitable for children? Mainly looking for bag and cute little things for kids.Tks!