Cathy and Jope's Infinite Seoul List

Hello, 안녕!

Finally, a list. But before the list, a little back story. 

J and I first went to Seoul in October 2010.  Earlier that year, I watched a Korean Drama called Boys Over Flowers and to say I got obsessed is putting it mildly. A Seoul bucket list suddenly came to life and foremost on the list was to ride the cable car to N Seoul Tower to get a cup of coffee from the vending machine there, like Jun Pyo and Jan Di did. We came for the vendo coffee (they had several machines, I'm not even sure we used the right one), and in the process, we found our "home". Every year since then, whether it's planned or just out of the blue, we always find ourselves back in Seoul.

I thought a lot about how to present our favorite places, which places we actually had photos of, which places are still open and which ones have already closed down (a handful of them, sadly). I've always been drawn to neighborhoods -- how different they can be, each with its own micro culture and flavor -- so I've put together our list in the same manner. 

Please click through the images to see what each neighborhood can offer.

Let's start with our home base: Hongdae.

This is the neighborhood we stay in whenever we are in Seoul. Not only is it very central and accessible (just one train ride away from the Incheon Airport via AREX), it's hip, artsy, full of youthful exuberance. Hongdae is an abbreviation of Hongik Daehakgyo (Hongik University), one of the most prestigious arts colleges in South Korea, where this area is named after. This neighborhood is known for its trendy cafes, indie music scene, urban street art, and underground clubs.

Garosu-gil is located in the affluent neighborhood of Apgujeong. They say that during the 90s, it was the hub for young artists and budding fashion designers who eventually set up shops in the area. Popular name brands followed suit in recent years, and that movement created the vibe that is distinctively Garosu-gil. Fashionable and cool, but also warm and welcoming. The main street is lined with Ginkgo trees, a sight to behold especially during spring and fall. Be sure to check out the side streets -- this is where you'll find Garosu-gil's unique charm.

Myeong-dong is super touristy, but for good reason: it has everything you will need in one place. We stayed in Myeong-dong hotels (our favorite is Metro Hotel) during our first few trips and it was super convenient because everything is literally outside your (hotel's) doorstep. Popular for shopping and street food, and it's also near two other Seoul must-go places: the N Seoul Tower and Cheonggyecheon Stream. Even if you only have a few days to spend in Seoul, make sure to include Myeong-dong in your itinerary.

Samcheong-dong is mostly famous for the Bukchon Hanok Village: beautifully preserved traditional houses that date back to Korea's Joseon dynasty. In addition to these architectural treasures, Samcheong-dong is also home to distinctive local cafés and restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The vibe is very laid back and there's something to find in every corner. If you like artisanal and quirky shops, this will be heaven for you.

If you only have a few days in Seoul and you want to cover a lot of ground, this is a list of all the places that we think you'd enjoy visiting. It's a mix of culture, food, and shopping activities that's perfect for first timers.

You've gone to all the essential spots, bought your weight in trendy clothes and beauty products, consumed all the coffee and sweets and KBBQ you can manage and still looking for more? Here are few things that are (sort of) off the beaten track that you might want to consider.

That's it for now! We will add more stuff to this list and our wish is to go back at least once a year (hence the title of this post) so do check back every now and then for updates. 

Peace out, 행복하십쇼!