4 fun things to do on your next trip to South Korea

South Korea is not just known as the land of K-Pop; there are local designers and musicians making waves in the scene, as well as cultural villages and artist walks. Here’s what you can do in Seoul—apart from shopping, that is.

 

You don’t need to be a K-pop fan to enjoy K-Live, the self-proclaimed “next generation of a cultural stage show.” It combines digital techniques such as hologram, augmented reality and virtual reality to create a virtual concert of K-pop megastars Big Bang, 2NE1 and the international phenomenon Psy with his Gangnam Style troops on the stage. There’s also an amazing view from the K-Live terrace of Iraqi-English starchitect Zaha Hadid’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza (see below), letting you see the building in its complete form. If you want to see even more K-stars, the newly opened Grevin Museum is full of Korean heartthrobs alongside world-famous figures like Steve Jobs and John Lennon, as well as memorable movie scenes like E.T. biking through the air. 

 

 

Built in 2006, Some Sevit, aka Floating Islands, is a complex of three illuminated structures on the Han River. The most exciting is Yevit, a giant floating LED screen playing various world-class art and orchestra performances, which you can view while sitting on breezy outdoor theater seats. You can also take a cycle ride with locals around the area, since Some Sevit sits near the Hangang (River) Cycling Trail, a handsome 80-kilometer track that winds its way along the river. Bike rental (3,000 won per hour) is easy, requiring you to show your passport at the rental station under the Banpo Bridge, where you’ll also find fountain shows from 7:30-9pm (20 minutes per show). 

 

 

Rather hang with a younger crowd? Head to Hongdae Street Market on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s full of street performances from rappers, guitarists and dance troops. On Theater Street, near Daehangno University, you’ll also find plenty of live shows hosted by independent theaters that groom young performers. (Note: Korean language skills are required to know what’s going on.) Even if you’re not into drama, this area is totally worth visiting just for the people-watching, as it’s one of the hippest spots for the young crowd to come and eat and drink. 

 

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Get To Know Korean Design & Culture

 

Dongdaemun area was once an old army compound. Now, it’s at the forefront of a new Seoul. Thanks to the opening of the iconic Dongdaemun Design Plaza in 2009, it has become the center of the city’s creative industries. Visit the Design Lab on its second floor to browse the latest work from leading Korean designers. Though futuristic in looks, the compound still preserves the history of Dongdaemun’s ruins, integrating them into the landscape architecture to become the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park museum. Entrance is free. 

 

 

 

Get some exercise, see incredible views of the modern Seoul skyline and also savor some history by dedicating half a day to walking along the Fortress Wall of Seoul, an 18.6km-long wall built during the Joseon Dynasty (13th century AD). You can easily combine the walk with visits to old settlements like Naksan Park and Ihwa Mural Village, which is now full of cheerful wall paintings from local artists.

 

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Listen To Local Music and Artists

 

Once the neighborhood of choice for foreigners living in Korea, Itaewon has now transformed into a hub for culture. Start your day exploring at Leeum Samsung Museum of Art to see its private collection dating back to 14th century A.D. On the main street, you’ll find the newly opened Music Library+Understage, a music-focused complex storing more than 10,000 vinyl records along with an archive of music magazines, including Rolling Stone’s first issue from 1967. Although visiting the museum requires you to either own or be with someone who has a local Hyundai credit card, the cafe and terrace are free to visit anytime, and often play host to aspiring local artists performing small gigs. Next to it is Series, a multi-brand shops selling neo-vintage clothes and handmade wooden furniture.

 

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Go For An Art Walk

 

Most of the city’s galleries are clustered in the old part of town around Gyeongbokgung Palace, where even the underground Gyeonbokgung Station serves as a vast public exhibition space. Top galleries include Kukje Gallery (www.kukje.org) and Hakgojae Gallery (www.hakgojae.com)—two prominent local galleries praised for driving the Korean art scene onto the global stage—as well as other contemporary art spaces Jean Gallery (www.jeanart.net), Leeahn Gallery (www.leeahngallery.com) and Gallery Simon (www.gallerysimon.com), which has a handsome cafe on the rooftop. The area is also home to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (mmca.go.kr/eng), which exhibits local films, paintings, concerts and performances. Entrance is free on Wednesday evenings. While in the area, make the time to stroll around Samcheong-dong for local crafts, arts, clothes and coffee. Don’t miss Heartist (blog.naver.com/heart_ist), a five-story fashion CSR store and space that sells lifestyle items and clothes from local designers and has a charming rooftop garden. 

 

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Essentials