Top 25 cool and unique things to do in Seoul

The DJ plays bouncy songs from the last four decades that make you want to dance. By midnight all five bartenders are filling glasses nonstop, and at least 150 guests are taking up every inch of available floor space. Perhaps the most commonly mispronounced bar in 홍대가라오케 Hodge Podge is “Hood-gee Pood-gee” to Koreans.

The monster song books are normally filled with thousands of songs in Korean and English . This is the time to drop your inhibitions and embrace your pop princess. Don’t fret if you need backup, most rooms are equipped with two microphones. If you really get into the groove, pick up one of the tambourines that come with most rooms and add a little jangle to your jingle. Copious amounts of soju brought to the room keep liquid courage on tap so you can squeal and shimmy until sunrise. At first glance and you’ll probably notice that shopping and dining are two of Seoul’s most prominent features.

Go to Olive BBQ Chicken to try our favorite; 양념순살치킨. This cute place is a bit farther off the main stretch, but has a ‘homey’ feel than the other on this list. It’s great for a small group of friends or family looking to stay together.

Enjoy reggae music, ska, cover music, rock, and urban trip-hop beats. There’s a lot to enjoy and live music is chief among them. The Opening and Closing of the Royal Palace Gates and Royal Guard Changing Ceremonies are not-to-miss events for those who are travelling in Seoul. The reenactments of the 15th century Joseon are held twice a day. After it ends, you can take a walk around beautiful Gyeongbokgung Palace. If you’re looking to find something more special, make a visit to Gyeonghoeru Pavillion which has recently opened to the public.

A small number on the monitor will indicate how many minutes you have remaining. When your time is almost up, you may notice that you suddenly have 20 or so extra minutes. This is what Koreans refer to as seo-bi-suh (taken from the English term “service”), which is essentially a product or service provided to a customer free of charge.

Seoul is full of bright neon lights and you can have one of your own after this fun class. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, design, bend, and fix wire to create a custom neon sign that you’ll love. If you’re a fan of live shows, then you have to see NANTA. NANTA is a unique and entertaining satire Korean cooking show.

Keep in mind that while authorities say the tap water is safe, no one actually drinks it. This is likely out of greater concern for the pipes it runs through than the quality of the water itself. You can buy the 2-liter bottled stuff for about a dollar at the convenience store. Assuming you’ll be doing a lot of eating , you’ll quickly shake off any initial timidness about communicating in restaurants. At most places, it’s perfectly acceptable to call over the waitstaff with a shout—“yeogiyo! ”—or push the button sometimes installed on the tabletops.

Once a gritty neighborhood, it has changed a lot over the past 10 years. While it isn’t particularly pretty, it has become much more trendy with dozens of upscale shops, hipster coffee shops, and cool bars. If you’re looking for cheap, trendy souvenirs to commemorate your time in Korea, the area surrounding Hongik University is the place to find them. The area is also known for colorful graffiti, plentiful buskers, and the Hongdae Free Market, which features artworks and handmade products.