I recently went to the Hanok Village in Bukchon. Since it’s close to Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun, I recommend stopping by if you’re nearby.

Especially here, they often sell traditional Korean drinks like green tangerine tea, as well as traditional foods such as patbingsu and garaetteok. (You’ll probably find a similar menu at any cafe, so I won’t write the cafe’s name) I recently went to a cafe near there, and it was nice. It seemed to be popular with foreign tourists as well. Recommend it.

What are your favorite rooftop places in Seoul to enjoy some scenic views and eat And or drink (not just Coffee)?

I know a couple like the Roof in Myeongdong or Ugly Society in Itaewon… but there must be amazing ones I am missing.

Korea is really for the people. There are always a bunch of fun things to do around the city and more often than not they are completely free. Since I work in travel and get to hear about these events all the time, I compiled a short list of free things to do in Seoul in September!

Seoul Fireworks Festival
Sep 5, 20:00
Yeouido Hangang Park

The official viewing spot is Yeouido, but it gets really crowded. My go-to instead is 서강대교 (Seogang Bridge), specifically the side a bit further from the fireworks. I wouldn't call it empty, but noticeably fewer people than anywhere else I have tried. You can show up just a few minutes before it starts and still see it fine. It's more of a side angle than a straight-on front view, but fireworks are fireworks, they are shiny from basically every direction, so it doesn't matter that much.

Hangang Drone Light Show
Sep 12, 20:30
Ttukseom Hangang Park

Get there early, this one gets crowded fast.

MMCA Free Admission
Sep 1–6
Seoul (National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art)

Pro tip: even outside this window, MMCA is regularly free during late-night openings, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 6:00–9:00 PM!

Deoksugung Palace
Free every Wednesday now

Pro tip: Since MMCA's Deoksugung branch is also free Sep 1–6, I believe it's worth combining both in one visit if your timing lines up.

Seoul Outdoor Library
Returns Sep 4–Nov 1
Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square, and along Cheonggyecheon Stream

Back after its summer break. The atmosphere is super nice, they have bean bags outside and books in different languages. So just grab a book and read away.

Seoul Light DDP
Sep 3–13, 7:30–10:30 PM
Dongdaemun Design Plaza

20-minute light shows projected onto the DDP. They repeat themselves so you can watch them once and leave (or keep watching if you enjoy that!)

Seoul Fashion Week
Sep 1–6
Dongdaemun Design Plaza

While you can't just walk into the shows, you will see a lot of cool people walking around DDP. Best combined with the Seoul Light festival that is starting on the 3rd, since both are at DDP.

Palace Night Tours
September/October
Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung

Okay this one is technically not free, but I really had to include them in this line up. They start every year around September and October and are really something worth going to. I went there a while ago and it was so beautiful!

If you have any other free events you want to share with others, please leave them in the comments!

This is my 4th time visiting the city, I’ve done the general stuff, what else would you recommend?

Most people go to Yeouido Hangang Park, but there’s a really nice place elsewhere. If you come to Seoul, be sure to visit Mangwon Hangang Park.

There’s a traditional market right next door, so you can easily buy Korean foods like tteokbokki, fried chicken, and croquettes. You can also rent mats, and there are fewer people, making it better for walking.

I highly recommend 'Busan Fish Cake(부산 어묵)' and 'Ques Dakgangjeong(큐스 닭강정)'. It’s a shop also famous among Koreans, too.

Hello! I'm 31( F) going to Seoul this Sep 25 for a few days trip! My main reason of going is IVE exhibition on the 26th. 🍀 If you wanna meet up for shopping, cafe hopping, pub crawling, derma clinic/spa, or KPOP related itineraries, DM! 🥹💕 Nice to meet you!

I have bilateral vascular eagle syndrome. I think i need surgery but gone many hospital but no one doctor don't understandings about my problem. So please help south korea which hospital and doctor can EAGLE SYNDROME/STYLOIDPROCESS surgery ?? Please suggest and help me!!

Hi! I would like to send my gf a bouquet of flowers for her birthday, but the prices of the online flower shops I’ve looked at are extreme (small bouquets starting at 94$ without deliver). Not that I want to be cheap about it, but i’m from Germany, and i think flowers here are expensive (small bouquets starting at 25$ without deliver).

Does anyone know if it is just the regular price for flowers or are there a better alternative?

Thank you so much 🙏

The hanok lanes everyone photographs in Ikseon-dong are not a surviving piece of old Seoul that someone decided to protect. They are a 1920s property development that nobody could redevelop later.

Jeong Se-gwon bought the grounds of former royal residences and broke them up. In 1929 he took lot 33, the old Wanhwa Palace grounds, and the following year lots 166, 33-16 and 19, the old Nudong Palace. He demolished what was there and packed the land with small hanok.

You can see how deliberate the packing was from the lot sizes. In lot 166 the western part, the part he led, averages about 21.7 pyeong per lot. The eastern part, where he could not take the lead, averages 53.1. Same block, roughly half the plot size on one side of it.

The reason that grid is still there is unglamorous. Lot 166 does not touch a main road and its alleys are too narrow for cars. It was not preserved. It was just unbuildable by later standards, so nothing replaced it.

One thing I want to flag rather than assert: you will often read that Jeong was countering Japanese settlers expanding north of Cheonggyecheon into Korean areas. That reading is in the scholarship, but it is analysis of what he did, not a motive he stated himself. I got this wrong in a post here two days ago by presenting an interpretation as a documented fact, so I would rather mark it than repeat the mistake.

What it means when you walk it: the lane widths are the product, not the leftover. You are walking a 1920s developer's plot lines.

Dates and lot numbers are from the English Wikipedia entry on Ikseon-dong, which cites the Korean scholarship. My own source-checked record for the neighbourhood, with a map: https://valuemap.kr/en/place/ikseon-dong

That site is mine. It is free, has no ads and no signup, and I draft the English with AI help.

There’s a free Korean conversation and networking meetup happening in Gunpo on September 5 and 12 (Saturday), from 10am to 12pm. It’s hosted by Gunpo City and mainly for foreigners living in Korea.

It’s more of a casual meetup to practise speaking Korean and meet people than a formal class. You don’t need to be fluent, but it’s intended for people who can have simple conversations in Korean and want more opportunities to practise speaking.

You don’t have to live in Gunpo or be in your 20s or 30s to take part. You can join either session or both, and you can bring friends too.

Gunpo is in Gyeonggi-do, between Anyang and Suwon, so it’s not too far from Seoul.

I’m helping organise it, so I thought I’d share it here in case anyone in Seoul might be interested. It’s a new program, and you can register through a Google Form or simply text 031-399-8726.

Hi all! I registered today for the 2027 Seoul Marathon as an overseas participant. I also have submitted my qualifying record.
Does anyone have an idea (or have experienced) how long it usually takes for them to confirm your record and confirm the registration?
I have inquired via their IG account but have not received any reply yet and after doing google search— ai answer said it could take months.
Tried looking up here in Reddit but I couldn’t see any similar question or situation (might be skill issue lol)

Thanks in advance! I’m really excited as this will also be my first time going to South Korea 🫶

Hi! I’m a Korean guy in my 20s. I came to Seoul from another city and **I’ll be staying in Seoul until this Thursday, September 3rd.**

**If you’re a foreign traveler traveling around Seoul on your own, I’d love to explore the city together!**

I’m thinking about visiting places like Bukchon, Seongsu, or the Han River, but I’m open to other ideas too.

**I probably don’t know Seoul as well as you guys do, so I’m happy to follow your suggestions!**

I’d love to explore the city, grab some food or coffee, and have a good time together.

If you’re around Seoul today and interested, feel free to DM me!

Hi living in Seoul for at least the next two years. Studied Buddhism back home and looking to learn about local Buddhist teachings, temples, etc. What sorts of resources/ opportunities are there for foreigners here?

Finally got to try it! Place was completely full so I had to grab takeaway, but wow... totally loved it! 😍😋

Is it just me or is the weather in Seoul these days super cooling? Been living here for 3.5 years and September is normally super humid and warm, but I checked the weather app and it's going as low as 18°C this week. Is Autumn coming earlier than usual?

Honestly I think the best tacos in Korea.

https://naver.me/xP8mjCcA

I’m beyond excited because it’s been a dream of mine for years. I’d love to meet some locals or fellow travelers who’d be interested in showing me around, grabbing a coffee, or exploring the city together. I’m especially interested in food, culture, and hidden gems. If that’s not possible, I’d also really appreciate any tips or recommendations for a first time visitor like places to eat, neighborhoods to explore, things to avoid, or anything you wish you’d known before visiting. Thanks in advance! Looking forward to experiencing Seoul. 😊

I'm 41(F) and I'd like to read more but a lot of the time I end up doomscrolling instead 🫠 so I'm wondering if anyone wants to read together. We could take turns picking a book and read the same one or we could each read whatever we want and just meet up to discuss it. There's a community center near samgakji station that's free to use. That area would be convenient but we can figure out the details later. I'm Korean and I speak some English too so either language works. Korean or not, gender and age don't matter at all! DM me if you're interested.

As a Canadian moving to Seoul, what is a good area to live? I would like to be in the city part and further from the suburbs, but I don’t know if that’s possible. My budget is around 1,800,000 Won.