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Story GIANG LÊ
Photos BOOKING.COM, DREAMBLUE
The South Korean capital of Seoul is a city made for walking and exploring on foot. From luxury shopping to narrow traditional alleys, Seoul possesses a unique vibe. And for fans of K-culture, it is a must-visit dream destination, as Heritage Fashion recently discovered.
Strolling through Hongdae
Being the birthplace of K-pop, it comes as no surprise that Seoul has countless sites that celebrate idol culture. The first time I visited Seoul, I stayed in the busy tourist district of Myeongdong. This time, I chose Hongdae, a student neighborhood close to three major universities in Seoul: Hongik University (an art school that gives the area its name), Yonsei and Ewha Women’s University. It is a prime location for visitors to experience the hip, trendy, artistic and youthful sides of Seoul, and in particular, soak in everything K-pop.
Hongdae is home to countless entertainment, shopping and nightlife options spread across wide boulevards and bustling pedestrian streets.
Of all the food offerings at Hongdae, the most impressive and memorable might be chimaek, the local term for fried chicken and beer (maekju). Korean fried chicken has a delicious crispy crust made with unique seasonings and if you are a fan of K-dramas, you have very likely seen your favorite characters enjoying chimaek.
Other must-try destinations in Hongdae are the student bars and pubs, which stay open late. Gaming centers, noraebang (karaoke rooms) and photo booths are also available 24 hours a day.
For those who love to explore art and design, you can visit KT&G Sangsangmadang Hongdae on Eoulmadang-ro, near the Hongik University subway station. The building has an impressive six floors, each floor representing a specific style, with facilities including an art gallery cinema, and live performance hall. For shoppers, AK & Mall on Yanghwa-ro is well worth a visit for its anime-inspired design.
The K-pop experience
Nestled amid the streets of Hongdae is RYSE, Autograph Collection hotel, where one pair of lucky guests managed to score an “Ultimate K-pop Experience” in September. For the first time, KANGDANIEL – a famous K-pop idol – collaborated with Booking.com to create an exclusive K-pop-themed package at the hotel. The Executive Producer Suite in RYSE, Autograph Collection, was transformed into a K-pop haven influenced by KANGDANIEL’s style and curated with his personal touch, and was available for booking on Booking. com’s platform by only the fastest fingers.
I was fortunate enough to visit the suite shortly before the lucky pair of guests had their stay. I entered the room full of curiosity: how would K-pop idols rest and unwind in reality?
The suite was everything I imagined. It included a small stage that was decorated in pop- art style, allowing the guests to enjoy their very own in-suite noraebang. The kitchen was full of Korean snacks, and of course, Korean favorites like ramyeon noodles and tteokbokki (rice cakes in spicy sauce). There was also a “spicy chicken black bean ramyeon” recipe stuck on the fridge, shared by KANGDANIEL for the guests to recreate his own favorite concoction.
A highlight of the suite was the make-over station, where the lucky guests would enjoy a full head-to-toe makeover by professional makeup artists and hairstylists as part of their itinerary, with a styling and photoshoot session to follow. The artist’s merchandise, including his albums, light sticks, and tour swag – even his actual outfit from his music video SOS – were also put on display for guests to enjoy. For all K-pop fans, it is truly a once-in-a-life-time experience!
I also had a chance to attend a dance session at YN Company, a firm specialized in offering K-pop choreography lessons to people hoping to move like their favorite idols. Visitors can book individual or multiple dance sessions with YN – my session was about an hour, but the joy and memory from it has lasted so much longer.
Seoul has something for everyone – from the rich and lavish Gangnam, to the tourist street of Myeongdong, to the youthful Hongdae. If you have time, don’t miss the wonderful park running along the Han River near Hongdae. You can simply purchase a cup of instant noodles from nearby convenience stores, sit down on the grass and enjoy Seoul’s forever young energy!
There are many subway lines in the city, which make exploring Seoul easier. From Hongdae, you can easily go to Itaewon, Seoul’s busiest entertainment area. Another popular neighborhood to visit is the Insadong area, famous for modern-style handicrafts and handicraft-making classes (the most popular is stamp making), as well as cute cafes.
Vietnam Airlines offers direct flights between Hanoi/ Danang/ Nha Trang/ HCM City and Seoul, and between Hanoi/HCM City and Busan. Useful travel and ticket information may be found at Vietnamairlines.com.
