Hongdae

Named after Hongik University (one of the top fine arts colleges in South Korea), Hongdae in Mapo-gu easily made it on the top of my list of favorite places in Seoul. Okay, I keep saying “favorite”. How does one choose anyway? There are too many pretty places in Seoul, so you can’t blame me. BUT, this time, I’m 100% sure. Just look at my photo! Look how happy I am! Lol.

Kidding aside, what made me love Hongdae is how it’s a place where all things artsy come together. It’s known for street arts, indie music, CLOTHES, galleries, accessories, art markets and the hippest cafes! (You should know by now that Koreans are very artsy. Lol!) I’m so attached that I went here twice during my trip. You simply have to get off at Hongik University Station to get here. Can’t wait to go back!

*Lengthy post ahead!*

Apparently, pretty lighting was everywhere that week. <3

Walking is such a leisure in the streets of Korea. I’m obsessed!

Cheesy chicken! I looove Korean food but like any other country, each restaurant here is either a hit or a miss. Japan is the only exception.

Still pretty without the leaves!

Awesome street art!

Every 1m walk from one cute shop is another cute shop!

Shoe-fie with my atsi. We love white sneaks~

WITWACOMMA is Korean for Rilakkuma? For real?

A freedom of self-expression.

Spazzed out. Too many pretty clothes! I can’t!

Shoes that suit my taste! So creamy! <3

Top and bottom that I’d wear in a heartbeat. So pretty!!!

My closet needs. So me! <3

Find me~

Super cute nano blocks! I almost passed out.

When in KR! NB will always be no.1 in my heart when it comes to sneakers!

To make the experience artsier, we visited the Trick Eye Museum! And well, my mom really wanted to. I wasn’t that interested at first but I really had fun. T’was a good choice to stop by!~

Blending in.

Hallo, atsi! With our busy schedules, we couldn’t really do these kinds of things back home. I’m very glad that I got to spend some time with my atsi at 1 of my 2 favorite countries!

I honestly don’t get the point of the water being poured into a pot with holes. Lol!

Atsi, Y U PULL MY HAIR?

Circus time!

Games for couples. You will not run out of places to date in Seoul!

Haha! Got my photo taken then this happened. It’s a video of 3 me’s dancing. I laughed so hard!

I’m an eskimo!

After our fun museum adventure, I suddenly remembered that Hongdae has branches of 2 of the most popular online clothing stores in South Korea that I’d been dying to see my whole life! So I pulled my mom and sister to go and find them.

The 2 stores are none other than..

They were facing each other! Now that’s what you call taking the competition head on!

Wuhoo! Finally – Stylenanda! I think we all know what this brand is- thanks to Park Sora. It’s possibly the no.1 leading brand in the Korean online clothing industry. I remember years ago, when I didn’t have a credit card yet (lol), I was dying to buy their stuff online. It was a dream!! I strongly admire how this brand really screams Korean street fashion. The oversized shirts, the skinniest of jeans, and how the models carry them is just divine!

Somehow I was able to take photos inside without the store clerks saying anything. Hehehe! Light VS dark colors!

Scarf game is strong! Love the whole outfit!

Konichiwa! Stylenanda Purikura~

The super popular 3CE! I had tried some of their products but I was kind of underwhelmed. I’m more inclined to make-up focused beauty stores.

I have to admit, though, I personally like Chuu better because I think I can relate to their style more. Chu is more on the girlier side. Their Park Sora counterpart is Seo Sungkyung. Despite my preference for this brand, I do like Park Sora more. Hehe~

See what I mean? <3

The higher the floor, the better! These are the stuff that I like most about Chuu!

Sungkyung! <3

Now why didn’t I buy this again? *sobs*

I’d heard about this coffee shop that’s supposed to have the best coffee in Hongdae. Being a coffee addict, I had to see it and get some beans for my boyfriend. The place is called the Coffee Lab if you’re interested! It’s definitely super hip! *.*

I tried their latte but I didn’t know what to think. It was a little too milky for my preference. Not sure if my boyfriend tried it yet so I have to save my comments. Next time I visit, it’s gonna be an iced americano (feeling local lol)!

My sister was told that it’s better to experience Hongdae at night ’cause that’s when live musicians pop out! I admit, Hongdae, is more fun at night but I’m biased to sunny days because photos are better taken under natural lighting!~ I loved the music, though!

That guy has such a pretty voice! They covered a lot of western pop music in such a soft and pretty way. You can hear them while walking around in the streets- best background music ever! Hongdae is also known for clubs. Not a club-type of person so I obviously didn’t check. Haha!

This adorable flower shop set-up! <3

Cutest plant shop! Huhu!

This ends my long Hongdae post! I’m tired. Haha! I promise that the next one will be short. I took so many photos here ’cause I found too many things that made my eyes sparkle. You’ll know the feeling when you visit or at least I hope this post has already convinced you! Enjoy the rest of the week! 🙂