Seoul’s Trend Mecca: Sinsa-dong & Hapjeong-dong
Photo credit: Hapjeong-dong Mecenatpolis
If you like killing two birds with one stone, we
recommend you to head out to Sinsa-dong and Hapjeong-dong to
do some sightseeing and relaxing in one place! These so called “hip
places” are two of the hottest neighborhoods in town, loved by both
locals and international visitors, as they represent the latest trends
in fashion and dining.
Representing both north and south sides
of the Hangang River
(Gangnam literally means “south of the river”) – Sinsa-dong in the
south and Hapjeong-dong in the north - the two were not originally
intended to be fashion streets. However, they slowly earned their
reputations thanks to continual innovative designs and catchy urban
concepts. They transformed old, worn-down factory buildings into cool,
vintage shops and gallery-like spaces, causing the area to be
re-branded.
This characteristic also appeals to top celebrities, who frequent Sinsa-dong and Hapjeong-dong to stay on top of recent fads.
Style yourself up at Sinsa-dong, the celebrity playground
Garosu-gil, an upscale street of Sinsa-dong
in the Gangnam area, literally means “tree-lined street.” As its name
implies, the gingko trees that line the street turn golden yellow every
fall, and that’s on top of the thousands of visitors walking the street
every day. In addition to its natural
side, it is particularly known for dozens of charmingly decorated
coffee shops and
designer stores.
Previously, the area was occupied by
individual artists and designers, bringing much of the eccentric flair
which has attracted large companies to test their products.
As a result, the former, quieter atmosphere
has retreated to Serosu-gil, a new area formed a few streets back from
the main drag of Garosu-gil. Interestingly, Serosu-gil Street is now
more heavily visited by shoppers and celebs who like to hunt for unique
items.
In addition to shopping, various
restaurants, drug stores, beauty shops and art exhibitors also find
their way in here in order to better meet customers’ standards and
tastes, even adjusting their marketing strategies based on feedback
received from Garosu-gil and Serosu-gil shoppers.
The most popular area in Garosu-gil is the stretch from Sinsa Station (Subway Line 3) to Hyeondae High School.
More often than not, Serosu-gil offers items
that are handmade and particularly unique. Trendy buyers and tourists
who like to browse through the latest items come here to get a good
bargain.
Serosu-gil Street houses establishments that
serve exceptional dishes as well, all worth your time. The road is
narrower than Garosu-gil, hence the name Serosu-gil (se meaning
“narrow” or “tight”), and thus exploring this cozy area is not only
fun but also good for getting a filling meal. Some say that the name
came from the word meaning “complex,” as the roads criss-cross north
and south as well as east and west. Despite this, there are plenty of
road signs to keep you from getting lost.
How to get to Garosu-gil & Serosu-gil
- Sinsa Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 8
- Walk straight from the exit (east) until you come to the third side street, about 250 m from the station.
This is the main street of Garosu-gil. - Serosu-gil is located in back alleys of Garosu-gil.
Take a breather between your shopping at Hapjeong’s Café Street!
The area of Hapjeong-dong is a perfect
place to find some trendy respite amidst the busy urban environment of
Seoul. Just west of Hapjeong Station is a neighborhood lined with
coffee shops that have unique and interesting designs
and great coffee. On top of the many coffee shops among these
streets, you can also find quaint, modern restaurants, both fast food
and regular dining, as well as cultural and art spaces for visiting
enthusiasts.
Rich with individual tastes and styles,
the streets Hapjeong-dong are laden with dining establishments, bars,
Spanish-style wine bars, European and Japanese bakeries, and vintage
coffee shops. As you peruse through the streets and see all the shops,
you’ll really be able to feel the vibe and atmosphere created by the
citizens and entrepreneurs of the neighborhood.
Attractions near Hapjeong-dong
Jeoldusan Martyrs Grounds
Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine, located in the vicinity
of Hapjeong Station, literally means “headless mountain.” During the
later years of the Joseon Dynasty, about 170 Catholics, who had been
persecuted in Korea, were beheaded at this place for their Catholic
beliefs, hence the name. Currently, the site is home to the Jeoldusan
Church and the Catholic Memorial Hall. The site is located about 300
meters southwest of exit 7 at Hapjeong Station.
Shoppers’ heaven, Mecenatpolis
Mecanatpolis Mall, directly connected to
Hapjeong Station, contains popular fashion brands, restaurants, a
performance stage and a movie theater. With three levels spanning about
400 meters each, it is a great place to do some shopping all while
getting in a light walk. The unique and modern design of the structure
makes it easy to enjoy the natural environment and get a much-needed
break from the busy city.
Also, given that it’s an outdoor
mall, you can see the sky from almost wherever you are in the mall,
and the central square and Mecena Garden are great places to meet up
with friends or to let one’s children play. There’s even a small park
just outside of the building, so you can get some delicious brunch then
let it settle in a nice, natural setting. The stores at Mecenatpolis
include Gap, Uniqlo, a trendy spa, as well as Korea’s Laura Ashley
flagship store, a brand known for home styling and fashion.
YG Entertainment Headquarters
The area of Hapjeong-dong is also home to large
and small entertainment companies. One of the office buildings for YG
Entertainment, which is known for idol group BigBang and actor Cha
Seung-won, is located here, attracting a lot of young visitors wanting
to see where their favorite stars work. If you come straight out of
exit 8 at Hapjeong Station, you can find the YG Entertainment building
about 400 meters west of the station, near the river.
How to get to Hapjeong-dong Café Street
- Hapjeong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 4, 5, or 6
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