Hongdae
홍대
About
On Hongdae Street, the hangout of young people, a wide array of stores—fashion, beauty, living goods, books, and stationery—along with designer brands, select shops, bookstores, cafes, and restaurants line the area. It also boasts famous alleys such as Walkable Street, where busking and dance performances never cease, the mural street along Wausan-ro 22-gil behind Hongik University's main gate, and the Hongdae club street connected to Sangsu Station. Visitors here don't just stop at buying or appreciating something; they don't hesitate to showcase and introduce things they've made themselves. Many art markets led by spirited artists originated in Hongdae, including the Hongdae Art Market flea market held every Saturday at Hongik Children's Park in front of Hongik University's main gate, and the Hongdae Hope Market on Sundays. Beyond shopping and dining, there's a commercial district that satisfies viewing performances or exhibitions, and it's a neighborhood always brimming with youth, trends, sensibility, and dynamism lurking everywhere. By day, colorful shops reveal their distinct personalities, and the deep, alluring nightlife that draws people in is also why young people consistently visit and linger. From Hongik Univ. Station Exit 3 toward Donggyo-dong Samgeori is Yeonnam-dong. Once known as the Yeonnam-dong driver's restaurant street, lined with 24-hour eateries for taxi drivers, it's now replaced by unique shops, cafes, and restaurants. Every alley is packed with excellent restaurants serving Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine, as well as Thai, Italian, French, and other international dishes. Along the green Gyeongui Line Forest Path (Yentral Park), new stores that spark curiosity continue to appear. While alleys around Seogyo-dong, connecting Hongik Univ. Station to Hapjeong, Sangsu, and Gwangheungchang Stations, hide quaint little shops, the emerging hotspots stretching from Hongik Univ. Station to Yeonnam-dong and Yeonhui-dong feature a row of sophisticated, trendy, and exotically atmospheric stores. Starting a walk in Yeonnam-dong from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 3, strolling through Gyeongui Line Forest Park, then veering slightly toward Donggyo-dong brings you to Yeonhui-dong. Meanwhile, from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 7, the Gyeongui Line Book Street begins, and following it leads to Sinchon Station on subway line 2. Between Gyeongui Line Book Street and Sanullim Small Theater, there's a park, and around it, both sides of the road are lined with various shops selling books, stationery, and trinkets. A different way to enjoy the Gyeongui Line Forest and Gyeongui Line Book Street area is by riding Seoul's public bicycle, Ttareungyi. For reference, bike rental stations are located at Hongik Univ. Station Exits 2, 3, 6, and 8.
