Weekend in Seoul, South Korea

Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, is captivating with its irresistible blend of rich history, modern innovation and cultural treasures. In this short post, I will share a few images from the Seongsu, Myeongdong, Gangnam, Namdaemun and Hongdae areas of Seoul, each offering unique perspectives on this vibrant city..

GFX100S II 110mm ISO-160 1/350sec f/2

I had been to Seoul once more than 10 years ago. It had been far too long and I was looking forward to this short weekend trip. Seoul was just how I remembered it, but even more so. From its traditional palaces to its sleek skyscrapers, the city exuded an energy that drew me right back in.

Seongsu – Retro Cool Vibes

One of the highlights of my time in Seongsu was exploring what were once factories and are now on-trend K-Fashion boutiques. One store we visited, Musinsa had a queue to get on the queue. After queuing for 10 minutes, we reached the front and were instructed to enter our contact information into an iPad, which then put us into the real queue, which was an astonishing 90 minutes long!

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/56sec f/8
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/42sec f/8

There are several flagship stores from global brands such as Nike and Adidas and all the K-Cosmetics you could ever want from companies like BBIA and Olive and Young. The area is fascinating to walk around, and I absolutely love when cities restore old buildings into these beautiful boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars. This area provides a unique shopping experience like no other city and gives a totally different feeling to the other popular districts that I will cover next.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-250 1/42sec f/8
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-320 1/42sec f/8

Myeongdong – A Feast for the Senses

If Seongsu was Seoul’s retro cool vibe, Myeongdong Street Market felt like its pulsating soul. Famous for its dazzling array of food stalls, shops and bustling crowds, Myeongdong offered me a sensory overload that was both exhilarating and unforgettable.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-80 1/42sec f/5.6
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/3000sec f/1.7

Myeongdong introduces tourists to the world of Korean street food. I couldn’t resist trying skewered meats sizzling over open flames, sweet treats like hotteok (pancakes filled with syrup and nuts) and tteokbokki, spicy rice cakes smothered in a fiery red sauce. Each bite was an adventure and the vibrant energy of the market made the experience even more exciting.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-320 1/42sec f/8
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-800 1/42sec f/11
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/125sec f/2.8

I was intrigued to find a Kodak store in the heart of this area. The store was inundated with customers buying everything except for film. The store appears to be a licensing deal and plays on Kodak’s vivid colours. If there had been less people, I would have bought a Kodak hat in an iconic hue. I would love to see more of these stores around Asia and help bring back the Kodak brand.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-250 1/125sec f/2.8
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/56sec f/5

Seoul is a city of intense economic consumption (to the point where it may be hurting the economy rather than helping it) and this is very apparent in this area. Beyond its culinary charm, Myeongdong turned out to be a shopper’s paradise. As a beauty enthusiast, I spent hours exploring cosmetic shops offering exclusive Korean skincare products; it was impossible to leave without indulging in a little retail therapy.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/42sec f/5.6
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/125sec f/4

When the sun set, Myeongdong transformed into a glowing spectacle. Neon signs, music-filled streets and the festive atmosphere created the perfect backdrop for soaking up Seoul’s vibrant energy after a day of exploration and made for many great photo opportunities.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/300sec f/1.7
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/140sec f/5.6

Gangnam – Seoul’s Glamorous Playground

No visit to Seoul would have been complete without exploring Gangnam, the district that gained international fame thanks to the hit song “Gangnam Style.” Beyond the glitz and glamour, Gangnam welcomed me to a hub of innovation, luxury and modernity.

X100VI 23mm ISO-800 1/20sec f/2.8

The restaurants in Gangnam catered to every palate. From traditional Korean barbecue to exquisite international cuisine, the options were endless. I couldn’t miss the quintessential Gangnam experience of enjoying grilled pork belly (samgyeopsal) paired with crisp lettuce wraps and spicy sides. We went to a Korean BBQ place aptly named Korean Beef Gangnam and had some of the best beef in the world.

No visit to Korea is complete without improving our appearance. I had conducted extensive research on which cosmetic boutiques to visit and decided on Alive Clinic in Gangnam. I got Ultherapy, Thermage 5, Botox and Juvelook treatments completed in less than two hours. The service was outstanding and the price, while not inexpensive, was reasonable for the A+ service provided. I left Alive Clinic looking a few years younger than I went in.

X100VI 23mm ISO-250 1/38sec f/2.8

Namdaemun Market – Where the Locals Eat

Namdaemun Market, a bustling maze of stalls and shops, proved to be a sensory delight during my visit to Seoul. As one of the oldest traditional markets in Korea, its vibrant energy drew me in immediately. Vendors enthusiastically offered everything from fresh produce to cooked meals. I couldn’t resist coming back twice for the freshly made steamed buns with pork inside, while marveling at the sheer variety of wares.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-200 1/125sec f/1.7
X100VI 23mm ISO-250 1/34sec f/5.6

The atmosphere was lively and chaotic, yet it possessed a charm that made wandering its alleys a memorable cultural experience. Namdaemun Market felt like a living, breathing tapestry of Seoul’s history and modern hustle, where tradition and commerce seamlessly merged. Compared to the Myeongdong Street Market, Namdaemun was much more local with better pricing and higher quality food. However, it was no less busy so make sure to be ready move quickly and be decisive!

After a long day, prior to returning to the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun, we would stop at Sooeul Bar for a night cap. One three nights, we experienced outstanding cocktails, a welcoming environment and a very fun local crowd. We ended up trading WhatsApp with several other customers and got great recommendations of where to eat in Seoul.

Lovely drink at Sooeul Bar; X100VI 23mm ISO-640 1/34sec f/2

For camera enthusiasts, this area is a dream come true. There is a small city block where every ground floor store is a vintage camera store. We saw incredibely beautiful cameras on display, up to and including rare Leica and Mamiya cameras worth tens of thousands of dollars. We went into one of the shops and were greeted with a warm smile. The staff genuinely loved cameras and we had a great time looking at some rare machinery.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/850sec f/1.7
X100VI 23mm ISO-250 1/200sec f/2
X100VI 23mm ISO-250 1/100sec f/5.6
X100VI 23mm ISO-250 1/120sec f/5.6
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/240sec f/8

Hongdae Street – Youthful Energy

Hongdae Street is a vibrant hub of creativity and youthful energy, renowned for its eclectic mix of art, music, fashion and nightlife. Centred around Hongik University, the area naturally draws an artistic crowd, infusing the streets with a lively, bohemian atmosphere. The walls of Hongdae are adorned with colourful murals and graffiti, showcasing the talent and rebellious spirit of South Korea’s youth. Whether you are strolling through the main avenues or exploring the winding alleyways, the district exudes artistic expression that is energizing.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/210sec f/8

Beyond its artistic allure, Hongdae is a shopper’s paradise, offering everything from trendy fashion boutiques to quirky thrift stores. The clothing here often reflects the avant-garde K-Pop style embraced by the area’s young inhabitants. I am far too old for this style, but it was fun to see the source of where it all begins. The numerous coffee shops that dot the neighbourhood provide the perfect retreat for visitors looking to soak up the ambiance.

GFX100S II 55mm ISO-80 1/220sec f/8
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/280sec f/8
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/110sec f/8
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-640 1/42sec f/22
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/500sec f/8
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-160 1/180sec f/8
GFX100S II 55mm ISO-800 1/18sec f/5.6

Equipment Used

For this trip, I tried to minimize the carry weight and brought only the following:

All images were edited using Capture One Pro.

GFX100S II 110mm ISO-500 1/85sec f/8

Conclusion

Seoul is a city of contrasts where ancient traditions coexist harmoniously with modern trends. Seongsu, Myeongdong Street Market,  Gangnam and Namdaemun each offered me unique insights into what makes Seoul so special. From the historic factories turned boutiques in Seongsu to the lively streets of Myeongdong, the sophisticated vibes of Gangnam, and the local delicacies in Namdaemun, these neighborhoods showcased the diversity and vibrancy of the Korean capital.

This trip was only four days long so we could cover only a small part of this amazing city. I would highly recommend setting aside more time as it is easy to get around using Uber or the metro and has many wonderful and walkable neighborhoods to explore. The culinary scene is extraordinary and there is an extensive list of cutting-edge cocktail bars to explore. Seoul has it all, history, modernity, excellent food, innovative K-Cosmetic and K-Fashion products and an energy that pulls you right in. I cannot wait to go back!


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2 thoughts on “Weekend in Seoul, South Korea”

  1. Your Seoul snapshots and stories are fantastic — I love how you captured each neighbourhood’s vibe, from Seongsu’s retro boutiques to Hongdae’s artistic energy. Makes me want to plan a return visit right away!
    – Thomas | tourcostadelsol.com

  2. I was in Seoul at the end of May for about 7 days and i really loved the Namdaemun Market, so many photo opportunities; it’s incredible the amount of shops and street food sellers.
    Seoul is very easy to visit with a great public transportation network and nice to walk around too.

    Nice pics and writing as always!
    Thanks!

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