Photo: ‘Common Ground’ Mall
However, the district serves just more than that. Also often referred as Kondae, it provides a chance to see for oneself the fast-changing trends of Korea in all sectors, including fashion, beauty, dining, and more. Hop on a trip to Kondae, the rising hot place among youngsters today!
Common Ground - Shops Packed with Energetic Personality
Common Ground, an eye-catching and large blue
building, is the world’s biggest and Korea’s first pop-up container
shopping mall. The place is garnering so much attention that the number
of visitors exceeded a million in just
100 days since its opening, and has become the new landmark of
the Kondae area. Unique and trendy small
brands, new designers’ shops, and editorial shops pack the
mall, adding to the enthusiasm of
the lively youngsters.
On the central square (also known as Market Ground), the weekend market is held with different themes. In addition, it is the venue of diverse events such as exhibitions and performances, thereby playing its role as a cultural space.
On the central square (also known as Market Ground), the weekend market is held with different themes. In addition, it is the venue of diverse events such as exhibitions and performances, thereby playing its role as a cultural space.
Star City Mall & Rodeo Street - One Stop Venue for Fashionistas
Star City Mall is a multi-shopping complex that
houses a department store, superstore, movie theater, large-scale
bookstore, along with a wide array of fashion boutiques and
restaurants. In
particular, there are many well-known franchise restaurants in
the complex, so you can find a satisfying dining experience wherever
you choose to go. The back street of Common Ground leads to Rodeo
Street, which is flanked by various brands
of fashion and sports shops, as well as, restaurants. It is an
exceedingly fun experience to scour through alleys after alleys of
roadside shops and tasty restaurants.
- Star City Mall
- ☞ Address: 262, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
- ☞ Website: www.starctmall.com (Korean only)
- ☞ Directions: Konkuk Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 7). The mall is directly connected through underground passage.
- ☞ Operating hours: 10:00-23:00 (the hour varies by stores)
- Rodeo Street
- ☞ Address: 200, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
- ☞ Website: www.common-ground.co.kr (Korean only)
- ☞ Directions: Konkuk Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 7), Exit 6. Walk for about 250m.
- ☞ Operating hours: 11:00-22:00 (Bars & pubs 11:00-02:00)
Kondae Taste Street - A Mecca for Your Taste Buds
Kondae Taste Street is filled with restaurants
serving a diverse assortment of foods that are popular in Korea. Dining
choices range from all-time favorite Korean dishes, such as samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) and galbi
(grilled beef ribs), to exotic Western cuisines. You can also find
trendy dessert cafés that have recently gained huge popularity. Many of
the restaurants and bars stay open
till late night, so the street remains illuminated until
dawn.
- ☞ Address: Hwayangdong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
- ☞ Directions: Konkuk Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 7), Exit 2. Walk for about 30m.
Norunsan Golmok Market & Yeongdonggyo Golmok Market
– Traditional Markets in Urban Areas
Now it’s time for a look around the heartwarming traditional markets hidden in the golmok
(golmok means small streets in Korean), instead of the high-end
shopping malls. Located about 10 minutes’ walking distance from Konkuk
University Station are Norunsan Golmok Market and Yeongdonggyo Golmok
Market, where you can purchase food as well as variety
of inexpensive household items.
Savory snacks sold at reasonable prices lure travelers to try them and before you know, you will find yourself feeling full as you try one snack after another. Visitors are advised to bring cash as cards are not always accepted here.
Savory snacks sold at reasonable prices lure travelers to try them and before you know, you will find yourself feeling full as you try one snack after another. Visitors are advised to bring cash as cards are not always accepted here.
- ☞ Address:
Norunsan Golmok Market - 491, Ttukseom-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Yeongdonggyo Golmok Market – Behind Norunsan Golmok Market - ☞ Directions: Konkuk Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 7), Exit 5. Walk for about 900m.
Ttukseom Hangang Park - Free Sightseeing along Hangang River
About a 15-minute walk or a one station ride on the subway from Konkuk University Station will take you to Ttukseom Hangang Park,
an ideal place to take in the gorgeous view of the Hangang River. The
park serves as a resting place for the citizens of Seoul. On weekdays
or weeknights, many visitors flock to the park to enjoy a
leisure picnic. Bicycle rentals are available year round and the park
opens an outdoor swimming pool in the summer and an ice skating rink in
the winter.
The exquisitely unique structure that stands out even from a distance is a cultural complex called Jabeolle or J-Bug. It has become the symbol of Ttukseom Hangang Park and visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hangang River, which is both a getaway spot and a residential site for Seoulites. The cultural complex also offers a variety of culture and art events free of charge.
The exquisitely unique structure that stands out even from a distance is a cultural complex called Jabeolle or J-Bug. It has become the symbol of Ttukseom Hangang Park and visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hangang River, which is both a getaway spot and a residential site for Seoulites. The cultural complex also offers a variety of culture and art events free of charge.
- ☞ Address: 428, Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
- ☞ Directions: Ttukseom Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 7), Exit 3
Children’s Grand Park - An Encounter with Nature in Downtown
Children’s Grand Park
is where you can experience a wide stretch of nature in the
downtown. Visitors will be amazed to find out what they can
enjoy, free of charge.
The park has a well-kept botanical garden and zoo, along with
its picturesque scenery. The botanical garden features some 290 species
of greenhouse plants and over 70 species of wild flowers, while the
zoo is home to more than 4,100 animals of 95 different species,
including elephants, tigers, and meerkats. The rides within the park
are available at additional costs. Seoul Children’s Museum
is also a must-visit attraction for visitors with children as it
offers a range of hands-on activities and fun educational programs.
- ☞ Address: 216, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
- ☞ Website: www.sisul.or.kr (Korean, English)
- ☞ Directions: Children's Grand Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 7), Exit 1.
- ☞ Operating hours: 05:00~22:00 (Zoo 09:00-17:00 / Botanical Garden 09:00-18:00)
- ☞ Admission: Free
More Info
- ☞ Directions (Seoul Station → Konkuk Univ. Station)
By Subway (Total travel time: approx. 25 min.):
From Seoul Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 4, Gyeongui, AREX), get on board in Seoul Subway Line 4 and get off at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 4, 5) → Transfer to Subway Line 2 and get off Konkuk Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2) - ☞ Seoul Metro: www.seoulmetro.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
- ☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
* This column was last updated in September
2015, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here.
We advise you to check details from the official websites before
visiting.
<Last updated on September 10, 2015>
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