Seoul's little plan
Tsung
18 hours ago
This time in Seoul, it honestly felt really great. I mainly came to carry out a little personal plan, vision correction. I’d been thinking about it for ages and finally did it, it truly feels like a brand-new view, I should’ve done it sooner.
For the first and second nights I stayed at a jjimjilbang, 330 TWD per night and it’s sorted, scrub, sauna, sleep, and even if you sleep until noon nobody rushes you out, a great option for weekends. For the first two or three days I was around Dongdaemun and Dongmyo, clothes and socks here are seriously cheap, especially on weekends when there are tons of street stalls where one item is under 100 TWD. At the flea market, some secondhand clothes are even cheaper, you can find pieces for 1,000 to 2,000 Korean won. These days I also ran into a local pro-US, anti-China march, it was really lively. Korea is a lot like Taiwan, you’ll find both pro-China and anti-China views, different angles and different positions, just respect each other and be tolerant.
After that, I mostly stayed in the Gangnam area, and the whole neighborhood genuinely felt comfortable. Every day I was like a local office worker, walking with them around the office buildings and eating buffet meals at their cafeterias, affordable and good value. What impressed me most was the streetscape greenery project along Gangnam-daero. Walking between modern glass curtain-wall buildings, it didn’t feel oppressive at all. The planting along the street has clear layers and structure, from the way the street trees are pruned to the small corner-space designs, it all shows a strong sense of aesthetics. Watching office workers weave through it, wrapped in all that refined greenery even in a fast-paced routine, you can really feel the city’s soft power in beautification. It’s also the kind of delicate street scenery you don’t see as often in Taipei or Taichung.
Using one free day, I took a 1.5-hour ride to the DMZ. This trip was honestly the most unforgettable part of these days. Heading there from downtown Seoul felt like traveling from a modern metropolis straight into a sealed line of history. I joined a guided tour and stayed overnight in a small town, so it wasn’t just a quick stop, I could actually chat and have a proper conversation with my guesthouse owner. Talking about North and South Korea, you realize that what’s international news to us is their real, everyday life. Seeing the underground tunnels and the observatory, with North Korea right on the other side, that visual impact and the sense of pressure from the space, it truly showed what “a brand-new view” means. I had so many thoughts, it left a very deep impression.
After that, I spent about half a day each day visiting some sights around Seoul, and every place was memorable. While strolling around Seolleung, I felt amazed that such a quiet royal tomb could be hidden in the city center, that slightly surreal mix of old and new is really interesting. Then I went to the Hangang River to take a cruise and see the night view, feeling the breeze and watching the riverside lights reflect on the water, it’s just as romantic as a K-drama, it really makes you want to zone out there all night.
I also went to Gwanghwamun Gate to watch the guard changing ceremony, the solemnity of that traditional ritual was spot on. And of course, you can’t skip shopping. Dongdaemun’s trendy vibe is totally different from Namdaemun, which is full of everyday energy and sells literally everything, each has its own charm. Another place I think is worth visiting is the flea market. A lot of secondhand items are super cheap, like a 2,000 Korean won top or a 5,000 Korean won pair of shoes. They sell plenty of everyday stuff too, and the prices are really tempting.
Starfield Library, seeing that huge book wall in person is truly mind-blowing. Even though it’s crowded, the spatial aesthetics are definitely worth making a special trip for, and checking in for photos.
The most unique thing was going to watch horse racing. The intense, fast-paced tension on site and the crowd’s cheers create a totally different kind of experience. Tickets are cheap, but you get a whole afternoon of adrenaline in return. After visiting all these places, I got to see a very different side of Seoul, quiet history, ultra-modern bustle, and the lively everyday life of locals. Every stop made this “little plan” of mine feel more complete. Even though I’d been to some of them before, seeing them again in person still felt special, and especially, their spatial design is really beautiful, surprises everywhere.
On the last night, I also made a special trip to watch Korean pro baseball, the Doosan Bears vs the Samsung Lions. The weekday crowd honestly shocked me, it must’ve been about 95% full. Besides the cheer squad support being similar to Taiwan, there were lots of differences. Their infrastructure and transit are really strong, and the way they cheer, with the whole crowd doing lights and singing together, felt like a concert. If you get the chance, it’s really worth experiencing. Outfield tickets are only 10,000 Korean won, about 220 TWD, next time I come, I’ll probably plan it again.
#Seoul #DMZ #Gangnam area #street aesthetics #brand-new view #Samsung Lions #Doosan Bears
