Seoul(Gwangjin-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Korea's first pop-up store built with shipping containers, Common Ground is approximately 5300 square meters in scale, made up of 200 large containers and is capable of transforming into different structures or moving into different places.Mega-sized mainstream brands are hard to spot in the common ground. Instead, new and trendy mid-sized shops by up-and-coming new designers and editorial shops can be found here.On the central square of the ground market, a weekend market is held with different themes. In addition, various events such as exhibitions and performances continue to entertain the shoppers while playing its role as a cultural space. On its 3rd floor terrace, famous restaurants sprawl along the sides of the alley. If you feel like having a light snack, you can also pop down to the food trucks on the market ground that offers an exotic gastronomic dining experience.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Art Sonje Center is an art complex which was built in 1998. It has a short history but is famous for exhibiting high-quality artwork. As an art complex, in addition to regular art exhibitions, movies, dance & music performances and plays are also shown here. On the B1 floor there is an art hall with a capacity for 250 people. Exquisite lightning and audiovisual system equipment are used for showing movies, performances and symposiums. At the art hall, many reviews on movies of the dramatic lives of artists are shown. Other events range from international concerts to project exhibitions of German filmmakers. If you want to relax, head to the traditional Korean house hall, Hanokgwan on the 1st floor. It boasts the unique architecture of modernized traditional Korean style. It is surrounded by bamboo, making it just the place for visitors to rest. It is also used as an exhibition space from time to time. Near Art Sonje Center are Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insa-dong. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located in Buam-dong in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Jeo Jip is a store specializing in chopsticks, a dining utensil commonly used not only in Korea, China, and Japan but also all over Asia and has long been made from hard materials such as metal, horn, and wood. Culturally, the shape and material of chopsticks are also known to vary depending on the status of the user, and more various materials were added to make interesting chopsticks in the modern times. Chopsticks are often used together with spoons. Chopstick specialty store Jeojip makes and sells chopsticks and spoons made of Korean traditional materials, patterns, and colors. Located atop the Buam-dong hill, the white-walled store displays neat arrays of chopsticks and spoons. Jeojip chopsticks are basically Korean lacquered types, but the designs, materials, lengths, and colors vary. Displayed on the right side of the store entrance is a gorgeous Korean traditional table set with chopsticks and spoons. Chopsticks are sold individually, but sets are more in demand. The store additionally sells spoon rests, cups, and plates, and gift wrapping is available.


Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

The 63 City in Yeouido stands 264 meters above sea level and is considered one of Seoul’s most well known landmarks. The 60th floor ‘Sky Deck’ of the 63 City Building has been newly remodeled into the ‘Sky Art Museum’, offering a place for art exhibitions, magic shows, and various cultural experiences. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Hangang River through the observatory’s large windows.To get to the 63 Building, take Subway Line 1 to Daebang Station Exity #6 or take Subway Line 5 to either Yeouido Station Exit #5 or Yeouinaru Station Exit #4. The Sky Art Museum is located on the 60th floor and tickets are available at the museum ticket booth.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Clue mainly offers fashion jewelry accessories made of gemstones and crystals, popular among women. The store has a unique interior design and is equipped with an extensive lighting system. It boasts gemstone accessories at inexpensive prices, attracting many loyal female customers.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Loved by fans from all over Asia, Super Junior has been an A-list K-pop star for almost a decade now. A lesser known fact about the group is that the charming and witty member Kim Hee-chul has refined interest in food. One of the restaurants in Seoul that he has recommended is Solbin Superdog located in the Apgujeong Rodeo Street. On the menu are tacos, hot dogs and rice bowls. The foodie K-pop singer’s favorite menu item is the spicy dog, which is extremely hot yet highly addictive. The signature dish is the galbi (grilled beef ribs) rice, which comes with nachos, sour cream, jalapeño peppers and vegetables.  


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Opened in 1981, the Universal Arts Center is a performing art theater that has been contributing to the development of Korean performing arts for the last 30 years.The 4-story grand theater has a classical exterior and seats up to 1,200 people. Past performances include musicals such as ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and ‘Nonsense,’ and the opera, ‘Yi Sun Shin.' The Paeksang Arts Awards, a supermodel competition, and international conferences have been held at the center as well.The Universal Arts Center is supporting ‘Art Korea’ to promote East-West cultural exchange. It is recognized as a Korean Culture and Arts Center and a Center for International Cultural Exchange.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Opened in 1981, this diminutive restaurant has been attracting customers with its mouthwatering ramyeon noodles for more than 20 years. The restaurant’s unique ramyeon recipe includes an ultra-spicy broth with lots of red pepper seasoning, chewy noodles, egg, and bean sprouts. Even Koreans, who are used to eating spicy kimchi, sometimes shed tears while eating this fare. Besides the food, the ambience is fun, with interesting messages written by customers attached to the ceiling and the walls. The restaurant has created its own jargon that is recognized only by regular customers: ramyeon is called ppal-gye-tteok (spicy red soup with egg and rice cake), and yellow pickled radish is called pineapple, to name a few of the coined terms. The menu board lists the price of ramyeon as W30,000 confusing first-time visitors. But don’t panic: an extra zero (0) was just added for fun! TIP: (1) Take some souvenir pictures using the walls and the ceiling as a background (2) Try putting some cold rice in your ramyeon for an interesting, less spicy taste.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Serving a varied menu featuring grilled beef, haejangguk (a spicy soup), and shabu shabu, Saebyeokjip is open 24 hours and is often crowded with people. The ddarogukbap (a kind of soup made with meat, coagulated ox blood, and bean sprouts) tastes great and is the recommended remedy for curing a hangover. An order of yukhoe bibimbap (white rice topped with garnished raw beef) includes a bowl of seonjitguk (soup made with coagulated ox blood). The shabu shabu is quite satisfactory for the price, so it is popular. The restaurant is packed in the morning, with people sobering up, and in the evening, with people who come for the grilled meat.  


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Su Ji Kim Lunch Box Art offers classes to learn how to make art lunchboxes with Su Ji herself. Come and learn how to present food articstically in lunch boxes and the secret recipes that go into Su Ji’s own art lunch boxes that are so popular among Korean stars. There are various cooking programs for international visitors as well.