[KR; 2024] Day 2 - Solo Seoul | Hongdae \ Namdaemum \ Myeongdong \ Seongsu

Day 2

Breakfast @ Park Avenue Guest House

It was so so so yummy that I wished I could get a second serving!

 

Back to Hongdae Shopping Street

Yes, back to Hongdae Shopping Street after spending tons of time the night before. I was always very curious about k-beauty, so I booked a facial appointment at a beauty clinic!

 RE-ELE Clinic

 

RE-ELE Clinic 리엘르의원

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1ZV96kWffnxV5nmBA

I did a lot of research of the clinics in Hongdae and I decided to try this clinic which doesn't have plenty reviews on google map. I did reserve on their website beforehand and indicated what treatment I would like to do - I did some pore cleaning treatment.

 

 

I was prepared to speak in my kindergarten Korean - but they had staff that can speak Mandarin over the counter. Which was a big plus and big relief...!

 

What I didn't liked - There wasn't much privacy, everyone doing similar treatments were in this big room - like hospital ward hahahaha. And the beauticians can only speak Korean, they tried throwing simple English, but the main treatment process and steps were all explained in Korean. I'm assuming if you are going for a more complicated treatment, you probably can request for the counter staff to help with translation.

What I really liked - the treatment was painless and it did make my face glow for a long while. They did not hard-sell any packages, which really surprised me. Hence I would highly recommend this clinic and probably go back the next time too (they got my loyalty)!

So I wanted to try another k-beauty...

XEO Hair

 

XEO Hair Hongdae 제오헤어 홍대점
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ehi88LABCPPLue3u9

This wasn't the first choice salon I wanted to go - the other one was busy with customers. So I decided to just go with my other choices which was nearby.

The hairdresser couldn't really speak English, but she was very patient by communicating with me using google translate and did a lot of screenshots for me to choose what k-style I liked. No hard selling. It was comfortable - not really the hair wash - but anyway I would recommend too!

This is the end "product" of the morning - no filter no makeup:

Paik's Coffee

 

Paik's Coffee 빽다방 홍대입구점
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NGBaf62DX6a4Haew9

I wanted to try their drinks forever, and was excited to find one super near the hair salon. I ordered some peach tea and it was so delicious - better than any bubble tea out there!

 

Random shopping

There are many stores / shops at Hongdae which displays their items in boxed shelves - same designs in multiple colours. I'm not a very decisive person - so the more options I get, the more I won't purchase anything.

HiKR GROUND

 

HiKR GROUND 하이커 그라운드
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wLeucBMEkFj4Wnj38

I visited this place by chance - I wanted to go for lunch but I alighted at the wrong subway station. Do note that they closes on Monday... I went on Monday and there was practically nothing for me to see. Just a cafe at the top level where it has good views of the Cheonggyecheon (stream).

Namdaemun Market

 

Namdaemun Market 남대문시장

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/kef2cw8eK6d2keDVA

 I took a bus and head back to where I wanted to go... Namdaemum Market!

The market still looks exactly the same as before. And I wanted to search for this famous Hotteok:

Namdaemun Vegetable Hotteok 남대문 야채호떡
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6AeViwpkYu2sfseBA

The queue was super long, I think I waited for 30 minutes. But it was worth the long wait! Enjoyed every single bit of it.

Myeongdong Shopping Street

 

I took a walk from Namdaemum Market to Myeongdong.. 

 

Myeongdong Shopping Street 명동거리
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2B22zx13et1AR7US6

I was very surprised that the shopping street looks very different vibe compared to previously. In my memory this place was just filled cosmetic stores, but now it was more all-rounded with variety of stuffs.

Just like Hongdae, these type of boxed up stores are very popular in Myeongdong too:

Seongsu

I heard that it is one of the popular and rising trendy place in Seoul - where there are many cafes and pop-up stores.

 

 

Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang

Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang (Pork Bone Soup) 소문난 성수 감자탕
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cP3JJMq2VnNPzJaZ8

Had a yummy dinner with a local friend at this restaurant - I would recommend despite a short queue - go as early as you can!

 

DIOR

DIOR Seongsu 크리스찬 디올 성수
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iCzcHrAu6bvDC4ev8

Recommend to visit during evening for the pretty star at the corner of the building!

Tamburins

 

Tamburins Seongsu
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CfVPqw1GPqtPqk3G8

This whole store looks like a museum, and they were selling pretty good scent hand soap and cream!

INDIBRAND

 

INDIBRAND

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/kM5BdRRuzzSTRx169

This is one of the many small trendy clothes brand around the area - I got a shirt from them and it was quite comfortable in good material!

Cafe Onion

 

 Cafe Onion Seongsu 어니언 성수점

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fpa3swgtqMPgqBQ1A

One of the must go cafe in Seoul right now - Cafe Onion. This outlet is more of the industrial feel with all the rusty vibe with a rooftop seating.

It was really nice to chill out with a friend or two at the rooftop and just chat away into the night. It was that crowded and because it was open space, it wasn't noisy either. They retained the old factory layout, hence the steps are rather steps and uneven, and the lightnings were quite dim. But good to take a visit, overall food was great!

This wraps up the day 2 in Seoul :)