Hongdae: Where the Cool Kids Hang Out

Hongdae is home to Hongik University and is filled with street performers (kids dancing and singing to their favorite K-pop), shopping, unique cafe’s, norebangs (Korean karaoke), and more. Walk along Eoulmadag-ro in the late afternoon and evening and you’ll be sure to spot some great street performances. It’s considered the area in Seoul where anything goes, crazy fashion, hipsters and artists, who in South Korea are definitely social outliers. It is much more casual than Ganghnam or other high end hip areas.

Getting to Hongdae

Hop on the subway, get off at Hongdae Station, and head out exit 9. It’s usually very busy in the subway, but once you get outside… it’s still packed. Taxis are also common forms of transportation around Seoul.

Be Entertained

The coolest thing about Hongdae is the abundance of street performances. I’m talking singing, dancing, art and anything else.

There is a specific area a few blocks from the subway with performance areas where you’ll see Korean kids in matching clothes doing coordinated dances to music blasting from their speakers, and wannabe K-Pop artists singing, with guitars, keyboards, I think I’ve even seen a magician.

Go Shopping

While Seoul is a huge shopping destination in itself, Hongdae is the shopping mecca. As you exit the subway station, follow the crowds further south and you’ll find yourself on Hongdae Shopping Street. Everything you can think of and some things you can’t. It’s not like a typical touristy shopping area, no one is hawking things, but the area is full of big and little shops. You can find H&M, Uniqlo, Innisfree and all the beauty, fashion, cutesy and useful things you could ever want.

On Saturday afternoons between March and November, check out local makers and artisans at the Hongdae Free Market at Hongdae Culture Park (홍익문화공원). 

Play at a Cafe

Hongdae is home to some of the most unique animal and other cafes in Seoul. Which is saying a lot because Seoul has some very unique cafes! Check out my Seoul’s Theme Cafes post about the Meerkat, Sheep and Lego Cafes all in Hongdae!

Eat Street Food

Streets food in Korea is deeeelicious! Cheap, tasty and ready to eat, find all the Korean food staples at the food carts that line the streets in Hongdae, especially after a late night out dancing and partying at the many bars and clubs in Hongdae.

There are plenty of restaurants in the area, but you could easily do a street cart hop in this area. You probably won’t recognize what their serving but take a peek at what other people are eating, point at what looks interesting and eat it! I recommend tteokbokki, fried squid, any of the fried options and really anything else they’re selling. 

See Live Music

There are a ton of live music clubs and bars in the area.

Hongdae also hosts the Live Club Day where you can get a bracelet and see music at 10 different venues in the area. Enjoy reggae music, ska, cover music, rock, and urban trip-hop beats. Just pick a place and go.

Play Arcades

Koreans love their games. You’ll see claw games, VR clubs, and arcades in almost every Seoul neighborhood. Hongdae is home to Zzang Games, a 3-story arcade with all the games you’d ever want to play. From dancing pads, basketball hoops, darts, and all the other arcade games of yore, you can spend hours in there playing.

Just Wander

As you walk from place to place in Hongdae, look around and stop off at anything that tickles your fancy. Definitely go to Hongdae for gifts for either you or someone else, you’re sure to find something there.

When I lived in Seoul, I would head to Hongdae Saturday mornings or afternoons to enjoy the vibrant energy and be entertained by the street performers. I love the energy. It’s a very cool area and is a must-stop place if you’re in Seoul.