world within reach

I am currently suffering from the post-vacation blues, I miss waking up in Seoul, walking to HOLLYS COFFEE that’s located behind my apartment. Sitting in the cafe and enjoying my extremely delicious red velvet latte in the morning. and how I miss having tuna kimbab for breakfast. all i can say is that I MISS SEOUL :”(

http://www.magisto.com/embed/LFpEKlASHjNuWxtiCzE?l=vem&o=w&c=b

Other things that I miss from Seoul are their streets and some of the amazing places that I went.

1. MYEONGDONG

I’ve mentioned this place like a hundred times. Every time I go to Seoul I always visit this place. So I won’t write much about myeongdong, because you can read everything about this place from my previous posts.

2. HONGDAE

Well it’s the same as myeongdong, Hongdae is one of the places that I always visit every time I come to Seoul. The place was quite happening with a lot of indie art and unique handmade items being sold at individual stalls. However, in this post I’m going to tell you a little bit more details about Hongdae and what to do while you’re there. I already wrote some of it in my previous posts, so now I’m just gonna write about the new places that I visited.

• STYLE NANDA

Style nanda is a korean brand that is not just popular in south korea, but also in overseas. You can check their instagram @stylenanda_korea. Their style is very unique and fashion forward. They are famous for their make up line called the “3 Concept Eyes” or 3CE. So we visited their flagship store in Hongdae. It was huge. You can’t take any pictures of the store tho, photography is not allowed. However, inside the store there’s a photobooth and you can take pictures there for free.

• LUXURY KARAOKE (NOREBANG)

Luxury karaoke or Su norebang is a famous karaoke place in Hongdae. From outside the building, you can see people singing and dancing inside the room. We we’re attracted by their advertisement that said “2.000 won/person for one hour”. Which is a total lie. We ended up paying around 5.000 won/ person for one hour because the room costs 25.000 won/ hour. We thought that the room will be fun and cute just like what it looks like from the outside, but when we entered our room it was just an empty room with white walls, 1 big sofa and 2 small chairs, a mini stage with lights, and 1 medium sized tv. Which I think looks like a room in the basement. Not satisfied at all. So maybe if you’re planning to go to this “norebang”,you can request which room you want first. We went on a saturday night, so the place was a bit busy. Try visiting on weekdays.

• INSSUM CLUB

Probably one of the worst club I’ve ever been to. hahaha. well its mainly because I hate trance music. After our night out from the karaoke, we saw this club right in front, the line was a bit long, and there’s a sign saying “free flow tequila for ladies”, entrance was only 10.000 WON, around $7. So my friends was like “LETS LINE UP” hahaha. It’s true that the tequila is free flow, but the club is rather small, so it’s very tight, and they’re playing trance ALL NIGHT! some of my friends were enjoying it, so if you don’t mind listening to trance music all night, this place is really not that bad.

• NOISE BASEMENT CLUB

This is the famous club that rumored to be owned by YG or one of the YG’s artists. We went on a friday night, because people said that friday night means “club day” in Seoul hahaha. So we are kinda curious and just want to know how the club looks like. We arrived at 12am and there was a long line outside. There are 2 NBs, there’s NB1 and NB2. People were all lining up to get to NB2, so we also lined up there. The entrace fee was 15.000 won or $15 include 1st drink. Eventho it was a hip hop club but they’re also playing RnB and electro tracks. The best thing about our night is when the DJ was playing some of the YG artist’s songs such as taeyang, epik high and g-dragon. Epic moment for me. hahaha. But still 97% of the songs were american songs.

The club opened until 6am. but beware of the drunk korean guys in a club, they are just annoying and flirty.

• TEDDY PARK’s TWOSOME STUDIO

Twosome Coffee+Studio is a cafe franchise by Teddy Park, the main producer of YG entertainment. Different with other Twosome Place in Seoul, the design of the one in Hongdae is all black and kinda had a hip hop vibe. Both Big Bang and 2NE1 had been here before to support Teddy. You can not only enjoy the delicious dessert and coffee, and also enjoy the environment that’s so YG.

• OCTOPUS RESTAURANT

Unfortunately I forgot the name of the restaurant. But you can find this restaurant not very far from taco bell. You should order the octopus and noodle menu! whoaaa!!! seriuosly, it tasted amazing!

• ÅLAND

A-land is the korean urban outfitters. It is a popular select shop that introduces new designers’ brands. The shop has clothes, fashion accessories, and stationery items and offers a wide range of styles. Presents a variety of fashion cultures to people as a multi-brand store with new fashion designers.

3. GAROSUGIL

My favorite street!!! It was my first visit and I loved it. Garosugil is a little area within Sinsa-dong in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The street is very classy and is quiet similar to some of the streets in L.A. This street is popular with tourists and Koreans because of its various themed cafes and western restaurants. It is also a very trendy area where celebrities are seen shopping and hanging out. Whether you’re by yourself, with a small group of friends, or a date, I highly recommend Garosu-gil in Gangnam. Save some money and an afternoon to walk down this beautiful street, I promise you won’t regret it!

4. CAKESHOP

Cakeshop is a name of club located in Itaewon area. Cakeshop is a mid-sized venue with a playful, industrial decor.  People say that this club is really popular among korean hip hop artists. The club keeps a very hip crowd of Koreans that are going out strictly to hear good music and have a smashing time. This place is one of the places that I really want to visit, because my friend said that GARY from Running Man goes here often. Too bad we didn’t meet him :”(

5. APGUJEONG RODEO STREET

Apgujeong is one of the most popular areas in Seoul for shopping and hanging out. Stores here carry everything from luxury brands to discounted items. There are also a lot of established dermatology and plastic surgery clinics, and numerous hair salons. Rodeo Street has many cafes that make for great vantage points to watch the stream of stylish passerbys. Celebrity sightings are not uncommon. The first time I went to this street, I met WINNER (YG’s newest group), they were crossing the street and was heading to a salon nearby. And also the second time I went there, at the same salon, I saw one of the wonder girls members. I guess celebrities go to that salon quiet often.

6. K-LIVE

For all the k-pop lovers! this place is a must visit! I am a huge big bang fan I was so happy when I watch their (hologram) concert. Eventho it’s only a hologram concert, but it’s still a good experience. And also they’re selling lots of YG merchandise there. Klive will be open from 2 pm to 11 pm., and is closed every Monday. It costs around 27.000 won / $27 for tourists. However, if you’re planning to go to Everland. you can get a free show inside Everland.

Gd’s car from the concert

7. EVERLAND

Everland is the largest theme park in Korea, and it also includes a water park and a zoo for patrons to enjoy. One of the things I definitely wanted to see was Koshik, the talking elephant, a huge thing on my to-do list. Since Everland is a theme park, I was looking forward to riding some of the rides. I can’t say I was excited exactly, mostly because they scare me pretty well. My friends rode the T-Express train, but I am not riding that thing. hahaha. The T-Express is South Korea’s first and longest wooden roller coaster. The T-Express is the 6th longest wooden coaster in the world at 1,779 mlong. It is also the steepest, with the first drop inclined at 77 degrees. The drop is 57 meters ranking in at 7^th in the world. It is also the fastest coaster in Asia at 200 kilometers per hour, making it the worlds 8^th fastest. I ride the other roller coaster instead, the one that appeared in Running man, It is called the Rolling-X Train. It’s a super-fast roller coaster with two 360° loops and two corkscrews, perfect for anyone who loves a good and enjoyable roller coaster ride. ‘Let’s Twist’ is also an exciting ride that people who love a thrilling experience will enjoy because it is turning in all different directions.

We also went to their zoo. I found myself unexpectedly happy going through their small zoo. I saw Koshik the talking elephant there and also “samba” the lion that appeared on Running Man episode 141.

The decoration in Everland was beautiful, it feels like christmas already.

koshik the talking elephant

8. DONGDAEMUN DESIGN PLAZA

Next is the dongdaemun design plaza or DDP. I can’t seem to find the perfect word to describe this place. hmmm AWESOME… AMAZING… SUPERB… ASTONISHING.. STUNNING.. BREATHTAKING.. I just purely LOVE it ! Dongdaemun Design Plaza or DDP is designed by the award-winning architect Zaha Hadid, and was just inaugurated on March 21, 2014. The plaza has been described as looking like a spaceship .. and I can’t deny this … Design-related shows and conferences, exhibits and gatherings are usually held here. This place is the venue for F/W Seoul Fashion Week this year. This place is a must visit! I would love to go here again :”(

Well I think that’s all. If there’s anything you wanna know more about you can just drop me a message.

Happy traveling!

Xoxo,

L.