Things to do in Hongdae, Yeonnam & Mangwon

Sights· 2

1. Mangwon-dong Market and Backstreets

   A local market with small cafes tucked into red-brick lanes.

   Mangwon-dong is built around Mangwon Market, with small cafes, bakeries, dessert shops, goods shops and eateries tucked into red-brick residential lanes. The market has been modernised, and Mangwon Hangang Park is close for a sunset stroll.

   Why go

   A market where neighbours do their shopping sits alongside small shops for younger visitors, so you see everyday neighbourhood life up close. It picked up the nickname Mangridan-gil, a play on Itaewon's Gyeongridan-gil.

   Good to know

   Start from Mangwon Station on Line 6, exit 2. Seoul city's own write-up says weekends are crowded and many shops close on Mondays, so check closing days before choosing a shop. Some places take bookings through social media, and parking is difficult, so go by public transport.

   Sources: mediahub.seoul.go.kr · love.seoul.go.kr

2. Yeonnam-dong Railway Park and Backstreets

   An old rail line turned park where young locals picnic at night.

   The old Gyeongui Line rail corridor beside Hongik Univ. Station has been turned into a linear park (Gyeongui Line Forest Park, nicknamed Yeontral Park), and small cafes, eateries, goods shops and workshops line the lanes on both sides.

   Why go

   It sits right next to the Hongdae nightlife strip but feels slower, with a tree-lined path. Younger Koreans spread out mats, drink beer and watch buskers there in the evening.

   Good to know

   The park path is flat and easy to walk, running from Hongik Univ. Station toward Gajwa Station along the old tracks. Homes are mixed in among the back lanes, so keep your voice down at night. Check opening hours and closing days on your map app before heading to a particular shop.

   Sources: english.visitkorea.or.kr · english.visitseoul.net

Markets· 1

1. Mangwon Market

   A neighborhood market where locals shop and grab fried snacks.

   A neighborhood market tucked into the residential streets of Mangwon-dong in Mapo-gu, where fruit, vegetable and fish stalls sit alongside snack shops selling fried chicken, croquettes, braised pig's feet and fried green chili peppers.

   Why go

   It is where locals do their everyday shopping, so you see how a Korean neighborhood market actually works. Mangridan-gil and the Han River park are close, which makes it a natural stop for picnic food.

   Good to know

   Many people pack snacks to go and eat them at the riverside park. Closing days differ shop by shop, so check the official notice or a map app before you head over.

   Sources: english.visitkorea.or.kr · english.visitseoul.net

Outdoors· 2

1. Mangwon Hangang Park

   A neighborhood riverside park where locals eat delivered food on mats.

   A park on the north bank of the Han in Mapo-gu between Wonhyo and Seongsan bridges. It has wide lawns, walking paths and bike lanes, with Seoul Ship Park (retired warships) and the old Mangwonjeong pavilion close by.

   Why go

   It is a neighborhood riverside in Mapo-gu, good for the Korean routine of spreading a mat and eating delivered food. Foreigners are under 1% of visitors, so it feels like a living-area park rather than a tourist stop.

   Good to know

   Delivery food is collected at a designated zone, and Mangwon is among the parks the official notice lists. Shade tents are allowed only under the north end of Seongsan Bridge and in the green strip beside Seoul Ship Park, from March to November.

   Sources: hangang.seoul.go.kr · seoul.go.kr

2. Nanji Hangang Park

   A riverside park where western Seoul families camp, bike and barbecue.

   The western-most Han River park in Mapo-gu, near Sangam-dong, with a campground, a bike park, a mirror fountain, an ecological wetland and bridges linking to Haneul Park and Noeul Park. It sits on the former Nanji landfill island.

   Why go

   Families and friends in western Seoul combine camping, barbecue, cycling and a World Cup Park walk into one day out here. Foreigners are about 0.4% of visitors, so you see a Korean weekend as it is.

   Good to know

   The official page says the campground must be booked through Seoul's public service reservation site and closes for maintenance on the second Tuesday of each month. The water-play area is summer-only.

   Sources: hangang.seoul.go.kr · ko.wikipedia.org

Experiences· 4

1. Coin Karaoke Rooms (Sinchon and Hongdae College Area)

   Small pay-per-song karaoke rooms where students sing with friends.

   A coin karaoke (coin noraebang) is a small room for one or two people with a karaoke machine and microphone, where you pay per song. Rooms usually line a corridor.

   Why go

   Korean students and twenty-somethings drop in for a few songs between classes or before and after meeting friends. You pay per song rather than per hour, so it is a low-commitment activity.

   Good to know

   You pay per song, so you can leave after a few. Rooms usually fit one or two people, so for three or more, a regular noraebang that charges by the hour is easier. English and Japanese song coverage varies by venue and machine, so search for the songs you want first. How you pay (coins, notes or card) also varies, so read the sign at the entrance.

   Sources: mediahub.seoul.go.kr · korean.visitkorea.or.kr

2. Health & Beauty Store Shopping (Hongdae)

   A Korean drugstore where locals test skincare and makeup first.

   Health and beauty stores such as Olive Young are Korean-style drugstores where you test skincare, makeup, haircare and health products before choosing. The Hongdae area is classed among tourist-district stores that keep multilingual staff.

   Why go

   For Koreans it is an everyday shop they drop into to check new products and sale periods. Foreign shoppers keep growing as a share of sales, but a large part of the revenue still comes from Korean customers.

   Good to know

   Some stores refund VAT on the spot if you show your passport, according to Korea Tourism Organization information. You need the physical passport, and refunds or coupons may only be processed at a staffed till, so skip self-checkout. Minimum spend and eligible items vary by time and by store, so ask staff before you pay.

   Sources: english.visitkorea.or.kr

3. Self-Service Four-Cut Photo Booths (Hongdae)

   Unmanned booths where young Koreans print photo strips with friends.

   Korean self-service photo studios let you take a strip of four shots with friends or a partner in an unmanned kiosk booth and print it on the spot, like the Life Four Cuts chain. Props and lighting are provided, and many are open around the clock.

   Why go

   It is a go-to activity when teens and twenty-somethings meet friends; Korea Tourism Organization says over 80 percent of users are in those age groups. Hongdae is named alongside Gangnam and Seongsu as an area with many booths.

   Good to know

   Each booth lets you choose a frame, including character and idol collaborations, and you download digital files by QR code afterwards. The link expires, so save them right away. Many accept cash and cards, including foreign cards, but it varies by booth, so read the kiosk instructions first. Many provide mirrors, brushes and hair tools.

   Sources: english.visitkorea.or.kr · english.visitseoul.net

4. Seoul World Cup Stadium (FC Seoul)

   A football stadium where fans sing chants all match long.

   Seoul World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, was built for the 2002 World Cup and has been the home of K League 1 side FC Seoul since 2004. It sits at World Cup Stadium Station on Line 6.

   Why go

   Watching K League football is mostly about singing the supporters' chants along for the full 90 minutes. The club's price list separates reserved seats, unreserved seats and an away section, so check the zone before you pick a seat.

   Good to know

   Go on an FC Seoul home-game day in the K League 1. The club's English page lists prices and booking steps in English, and seats are split into reserved, unreserved and away zones, so check the zone before you pick a seat. Many matches are on weekends; check the club's official schedule.

   Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Where K-celebs eat· 6

Spots stars and well-known people have visited

1. BBQ Hongik University Station Branch

   Hongdae chicken restaurant Jensen Huang visited for a second round after dinner

   The Hongik University Station branch of the chicken brand BBQ, serving Golden Olive Chicken and draft beer.

   Who’s been

   Jensen Huang · Chey Tae-won · Koo Kwang-mo · Lee Hae-jin

   Why go

   According to reports, after a pork belly dinner in Hongdae on the night of 5 June 2026, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang came here for a second round with SK chairman Chey Tae-won, LG chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Naver chairman Lee Hae-jin, had Golden Olive Chicken with draft beer, and left a handwritten autograph.

   Sources: mukzip.club

2. Cafe Binteum m

   Mangwon-dong comic-book cafe where TOMORROW X TOGETHER filmed 'TO DO X TXT'

   A comic-book cafe in Mangwon-dong.

   Who’s been

   TOMORROW X TOGETHER

   Why go

   It was a filming location for TOMORROW X TOGETHER's YouTube series 'TO DO X TXT'.

   Sources: mukzip.club

3. Cheolgil Wanggalbisal

   Rib-meat barbecue restaurant in Hongdae featured on Sung Si-kyung's YouTube show

   A rib-meat barbecue restaurant in Hongdae.

   Who’s been

   Sung Si-kyung

   Why go

   It appears in the 'Hongdae Cheolgil Wanggalbisal' episode of Sung Si-kyung's official YouTube show Meogeultende.

   Sources: mukzip.club

4. Hyeongnim Jeoyo

   Hongdae pork belly spot where Jensen Huang dined with Korean business leaders

   A pork belly restaurant in Hongdae.

   Who’s been

   Jensen Huang · Chey Tae-won · Koo Kwang-mo · Lee Hae-jin

   Why go

   According to reports, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, SK chairman Chey Tae-won, LG chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Naver chairman Lee Hae-jin had pork belly and soju together here on the evening of 5 June 2026.

   Sources: mukzip.club

5. Jeju Samdadon

   Hapjeong meat restaurant where Lim Ji-yeon ate on Sung Si-kyung's YouTube show

   A meat restaurant near Hapjeong Station.

   Who’s been

   Lim Ji-yeon

   Why go

   Actress Lim Ji-yeon appeared as a guest and ate meat in 'Sung Si-kyung's Meogeultende, Hapjeong Station Jeju Samdadon' (released May 2026) on his official YouTube channel. Several outlets covered the episode and named the restaurant.

   Sources: mukzip.club

6. Monggol Saengsogeumgui

   Mangwon-dong salt-grilled pork neck spot visited by Hwasa and Sung Si-kyung

   A meat restaurant in Mangwon-dong that serves salt-grilled fresh pork neck.

   Who’s been

   Hwasa · Sung Si-kyung

   Why go

   It appears in Sung Si-kyung's official YouTube show Meogeultende as a place visited by Hwasa and Sung Si-kyung.

   Sources: mukzip.club