Activities Guide | HONGDAE

How much do you know about Hongdae? Lots of people miss out on the fun because they don't know about the lesser-known activities when they visit Hongdae!

Hongdae is Seoul's most youthful business district, and there is much more to this place than just shopping. We have organized the itineraries for Hongdae. It would be a good idea to refer to this blog when you plan your trip to Hongdae!

Hongdae Itinerary

1. Coconut Box Hongdae

Address: 서울 마포구 홍익로3길 20
20 Hongikro3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Hours: Every day 11:00 - 22:00

Coconut Box has been taking over Korean social media by storm. The Bali-themed play lounge not only has a charming interior, but it's also a place where you can experience various activities! There is an NFT experience hall, a large ball pool, a media exhibition hall, and a VR experience zone!

Make unforgettable memories in this marvelous space with your friends and family. The vacation spot-themed interior is definitely insta-worthy!

Coconut Box Hongdae

2. Shopping

Hongdae Shopping Map

The first itinerary for Hongdae is shopping. Hongdae is where most young people gather in Seoul and feel most comfortable. It is easy to find cheap and good clothes here.

Every day, no matter day or night, the streets are filled with people, which makes the street lively. In addition to the large apparel and cosmetic brands, you can find small shops that meet the needs of trendy young people.

If you are interested in fashion trends you cannot miss out on Hongdae shopping. In the afternoon, you will see the most fashionable street in Seoul. Clothes are very novel and often offer seasonal discounts.

3. Noraebang (Singing Room)

Noraebang (Singing Room) is a special culture in Korea. There are many noraebangs in all areas of Korea. The most popular style is the coin-noraebang, where you can enjoy singing in a small box at a cheap price.

There are lots of noraebangs in Hongdae. Whenever I visit Hongdae with my friends, we head straight to noraebang after we finish our dinner.

However, the coin-noraebang in Hongdae is expensive compared to other areas of Seoul. In Hongdae, you can sing just 2 songs for ₩1,000, while in other areas you can get 3, or even 4 songs for ₩1,000.

In Korean noraembangs, you can find all K-POPs you like, but you will have to search for them in Korean. It is better to learn your favorite song names in Korean before you visit Korean noraebang. It will be a fun experience for all of you song lovers!

4. Photo Studio

Because there are so many young people here, there are lots of interesting business opportunities here, providing a fun experience for the young people.

One activity you must experience is the ID photo studio. You can use your time efficiently. 1. Get make-up and hair done 2. take ID photo 3. go shopping 4. take the photos home. You have no wasted time this way.

Another activity would be to have a couple photoshoot with loved ones.

Hongdae business district covers a large area and there are studios where you can take pictures in retro styles, such as retro wedding photos, <Reply 1988> style, old school uniform style, and so on.

You can experience all this in Hongdae.

It might be not too special for locals to take wedding photos like this, but it would be a marvelous experience for foreign friends. If you want to have an unusual experience in Korea, take your loved ones to Hongdae and take special pictures.

5. Fashion Trends

This first itinerary was Hongdae shopping, but there is more than just shopping for clothes and cosmetics. Hongdae is a place where the newest fashion gathers, featuring K-POP and Korean culture. If you are looking for street brands and new fashion, this is another reason why you must come visit Hongdae.

O!Oi, NERDY, CHARM'S, 87MM, and much more. There are many designer brands coming in different styles, sizes, and fashion. Looking for hidden gems in Hongdae streets is a fun activity.

Different from cheap clothes, these street brands are relatively expensive, but they are fashion brands you can relate with your favorite stars. Many online storefronts are also located in Hongdae.

When celebrities wear new arrivals on TV shows, everyone would search on the internet, and these street brands have always been a hot topic online. It is really easy to find and buy these fashion items in the Hongdae district. Next time you visit Hongdae don't miss out on them!

6. Hongdae Cafe

With a little more than a year of experience in Seoul, I can say that Hongdae is the number one place to find beautiful cafes in Seoul.

Hongdae has its business district from Hongdae Station, Seongsu-dong, and Hapjeong, and there are lots and lots of exquisite cafes. If you just look up for cafes in INSTAGRAM, you will find beautiful photos taken in these cafes.

In addition to beauty, they come in different styles; natural, cute, hot, and so much more. You can post on your SNS with photos that show your character.

7. Healing Cafe

If you want to find cafes with more features, you can look for animal cafes in Hongdae that will provide healing time for you. Keep in mind that even though all the animals here are well tamed, you have to be careful not to harm the animals or yourself.

Unlike other countries, there are many "animal cafes" in Korea, where they have dogs, cats, raccoons, and even foxes. In Hongdae streets, you will find various types of animal cafes, which will make your trip more rich and colorful.

There are coffee shops that have collaborated with other brands, such as Doremi Cafe, Harry Potter Cafe, and Lego Cafe(unfortunately, it was destroyed by the Hongdae fire).

These cafes provide different type of healing from animal cafes, which touches your precious memories. If you are trying to visit cafes with special features, you can come to these cafes to rest your body and mind a little bit.

You can tell from the pictures, they are full of childhood memories. There are not just cafes in the vicinity of Hongdae but also many other cafes hidden in the alleys. Discover your favorite cafe in Hongdae!

8. Hongdae Club

If you are in Hongdae you can't miss out on the famous Hongdae nightlife. In addition to popular bars, you must have heard of the Hongdae clubs.

Located in the downtown area of Hongdae streets, NB club, owned by the YG company is the most famous club in Hongdae. Although, YG was involved in lots of troubles the popularity of the club is still high, but you don't know how they will manage later on.

SOURCE@NB If you pay for either NB1, or NB2 you can enjoy the night in both clubs. Because the owner of the club is YG, the main music style is hip hop. If you are familiar with pop music, the music will meet your preference. You might want to check this place out.

SOURCE@NB Another famous club in Hongdae is M2, which is owned by SM. This club is popular among foreign tourists, and young locals too.

SOURCE@M2 They take care of their SNS pretty well, and M2 still has an edge over other clubs. Some people say that the visuals of the people here are relatively high, just like SM.

Korean clubs like to throw papers in the air to create an illusion of raining money, which is a nice feeling. But, when I think of M2, all I can think of is a long line of people waiting outside just to enter the club.

SOURCE@M2 Recommending you to visit the clubs in Hongdae, but I have to remind you to take care of personal safety. Although many Korean clubs are safe, you should take care of your belongings, and try not to get into any hassle. 8. Hongdae Bar

If you don't like the crowded and loud atmosphere of clubs there are nice bars in Hongdae as well. You can drink up until very late. Hongdae bars not only sell alcohol but serve special and delicious dishes along with it.

Having general cocktails, or soju and rice wine is more suitable for chatting with your friends compared to the loud atmosphere of clubs.

In addition to drinking, the foods are the focus of Hongdae bars. From Hongdae to Seongsu and Hapjeong there are plenty of great bars for you to choose from.

9. Souvenirs

You can find everything from DIY souvenirs to stationery and postcards designed by local artists in Hongdae. They make perfect souvenirs and gifts to take home!

We hope that you can enjoy a fulfilling day in Hongdae! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com! You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!