Published & Edited by Seoul Tourism Organization
This newsletter, issued by Seoul Tourism Organization, is intended for Seoul Partner Travel Agencies and related organizations around the world.
Issued on the second Wednesday of every month, the newsletter introduces some of Seoul's best hidden charms and newest attractions.
We look forward to your continued interest and support as we bring you a variety of content in the future!
2025/10/15 |
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T O P I C ❕
‘Rediscovering Seoul’ |
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Did you know there’s a little known side to Seoul,
that many tourists are amazed by?
Discover Cheonggye Soul Ocean, a media-art reinterpretation of Cheonggyecheon Stream; the Regional Tourism Antenna Shop, where Korea’s hidden local destinations come to life; Mangwon Market, beloved even more by foreign visitors than locals; Jongno 3-ga, where you can truly feel the authentic spirit of Korea; and Hongdae, always brimming with trendy energy!
The hidden charms of Seoul are waiting to be discovered.
Now it’s your turn to find them.
Ready to explore a new face of Seoul? |
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Contents📑
① Cheonggye Soul Ocean
② Seoul Regional Tourism Center
③ Mangwon Market
④ Jongno 3-ga
⑤ Hongdae |
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A Journey of Emotions along Cheonggyecheon, in the Heart of Seoul
Launched in 2025, “Cheonggye Soul Ocean” is a media art exhibition that reimagines Cheonggyecheon’s waterfront as a sensory nighttime experience.
Set along Cheonggyecheon Stream, where city and nature coexist, this exhibition is drawing attention for offering new ways to enjoy the stream with water-surface media art, interactive installations, and wall photo zones.
This light-based exhibition showcases art that shines even brighter against the dark canvas of Seoul’s night sky. As you stroll along the stream, you will encounter Cheonggye Soul Ocean beneath Gwanggyo Bridge and inside Gwanggyo Gallery.
This exhibition features water-surface media art that transforms Cheonggyecheon Stream into a screen, a photo zone where the walls of Gwanggyo Gallery are illuminated with light, and interactive media art installations along the Cheonggyecheon walkway. In particular, at the interactive media art and wall photo zones, you can enjoy immersive experiences that go beyond simple viewing to creating lasting memories.
What makes this exhibition especially unique is that new media art content is unveiled each month on the waters of Cheonggyecheon—meaning every visit offers a fresh experience.
For a deeper dive into the exhibition, check out the official Cheonggye Soul Ocean Instagram! You can find stories and background details for each piece, enriching your visit with a fuller understanding of their message.
So, why not take a stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream beneath the night sky, where Seoul’s glittering lights meet media art? With Cheonggye Soul Ocean, you can experience the city’s night in a truly unforgettable way.
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Seoul Regional Tourism Center
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Experience Regional Journeys Across Korea, Right in the Heart Seoul
Right in the heart of Seoul, there’s a special space where you can experience the charms of Korea’s diverse regions: the Regional Tourism Antenna Shop.
The Antenna Shop is an interactive exhibition that showcases regional tourism and culture to both local and international travelers, allowing them to experience local content firsthand. Its goal goes beyond simple promotion, aiming to inspire travelers to turn the regional culture they encounter in Seoul into real trips.
The Antenna Shop features a total of 10 regions, including Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Daejeon, each presenting diverse content that highlights their regional characteristics.
“This year’s exhibition theme, “Journey of Gems Across Korea,” invites visitors to discover regional destinations and experience their charms in depth by collecting “gems” that symbolize each region. These gems can be collected through three different activities.
🍃 Paldo Sense Atelier
This is a scent-and-touch experience zone where you can explore the fragrances and textures of different regions, and choose the area that appeals most to your senses.
🔊 Paldo Soundscape
This is a sight-and-sound experience zone where you can watch regional landscape videos, listen to local sounds, and discover areas that resonate with you emotionally.
🎒Paldo Backpacking Lounge
Here, you can select your travel style and backpack items, then receive destination recommendations tailored to your preferences.
Curious which local destination best matches your taste?
Let your five senses guide you as you collect gems along the way and uncover your very own travel spot!
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📣 Overview
- 📅 Open Tuesday to Sunday (Closed on Mondays)
- ⏰ 10:00-18:00
- 📍 119, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
- 💵 Free admission
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The Ultimate Seoul Gourmet Journey
Mangwon Market is a special place where Seoul’s old-fashioned charm meets youthful spirit. With over 40 years of history, this beloved local landmark has long been the city’s go-to traditional market, famous for offering hearty meals and a sense of happiness at modest prices.
In recent years, the market has become a hot spot for Koreans in their 20s and 30s, while the number of international visitors continues to rise as they come to savor its distinctive flavors and vibrant atmosphere.
What makes Mangwon Market especially popular is its rich food scene, featuring crispy dakgangjeong (sweet fried chicken), savory croquettes, bunsik (Korea’s beloved snack foods), and juicy tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties). Stop for a bite here and there, and before you know it, you’ve had a whole meal.
What makes this destination even more appealing is the prices. Here, you can enjoy a wide range of Korean street foods at very reasonable prices.
Another charm of Mangwon Market is its location. Just steps from Mangwon Hangang Park and Noeul Park, it’s the perfect spot to grab delicious treats from the market and enjoy them as a picnic. Whether you’re relaxing with the Hangang River stretching out before you or sharing a meal beneath the glow of the sunset, it’s bound to become a truly special memory.
The market also offers a variety of traditional Korean liquors, giving you the chance to sample local drinks while exploring the stalls.
Searching for Seoul’s hidden flavors?
Start your culinary journey at Mangwon Market!
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- 📅 Open year-round
- ⏰ 8:00–22:00 (Hours may vary by shop)
- 📍 414-109, Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- 💵 Prices vary by shop
- 🔗 mangwonkmarket.en
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A Street Brimming with Vibrancy and Romance
To taste Seoul’s nightlife at its most authentic, head to the pojangmacha (tent bar) street in Jongno 3-ga. As the sun sets, colorful tents and twinkling lights fill the streets, showcasing the city’s vibrant night culture.
The pojangmacha street of Jongno 3-ga emerged in the 1970s–80s, during Korea’s rapid economic growth, as a place where ordinary people could enjoy affordable foods and drinks. Today, it has grown into an urban social hub, drawing office workers for team gatherings, couples on dates, and even overseas tourists—naturally connecting people from all walks of life.
Of course, pojangmacha is all about the food that goes with the drinks!
From steaming fish cake soup and spicy chicken feet to fresh seafood dishes, you can enjoy Korea’s signature anju (bar foods). Paired with soju, beer, or makgeolli, it’s not just food—it’s an unforgettable night experience in Seoul.
The Jongno 3-ga area is also full of other attractions. At Changdeokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace, you can stroll through the royal grounds and soak in their serene atmosphere. Meanwhile, in Ikseon-dong and Insa-dong, you can explore hanok cafés, cozy craft studios, and unique gift shops. By day, soak in tradition and culture, and by night, embrace the lively vibes of the pojangmacha—discover the many charms of Jongno 3-ga!
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📣 Overview
- 📅 Opening days vary by shop
- ⏰ Most open between 16:00–17:00 (Hours vary by shop)
- 📍 132, Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Near Jongno 3-ga Station, Lines 1 & 5)
- 💵 Prices vary by shop
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The Place to Experience Trendy Seoul
Hongdae is the place where you can most vividly feel the individuality and energy of Seoul! Here, filled with youth, art, and endless experiences, we introduce two must-visit spots you won’t want to miss.
💄Beauty Play: An experience space to enjoy K-Beauty with all five senses
If you’re interested in K-Beauty, Beauty Play is a spot you can’t miss!
It’s a space where you can explore the latest K-Beauty trends firsthand and freely try out products from a variety of brands.
From makeup and skin diagnostics to personal color analysis, a wide range of free programs are available for you to enjoy with ease.
For tourists in particular, it’s a unique opportunity to experience Korean beauty culture firsthand.
👣 Jumping Battle: A new kind of indoor activity bursting with energy
Looking for a unique experience in Hongdae?
Jumping Battle is a dynamic indoor activity space that combines play, exercise, and competition—perfect for enjoying fun times with friends, your loved one, or family. Open to all ages and easy to join, it’s also a great way to relieve stress, which is why it’s such a hit with Korea’s Millennials and Gen Z.
And that’s not all—Hongdae is full of diverse attractions, from hands-on experiences and shopping to live performances, making your trip to Seoul even more special!
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📣 Overview
- 📅 Beauty Play (Hongdae): Monday to Saturday (Closed on Sundays)
Jumping Battle (Hongdae): Open daily
- ⏰ Beauty Play (Hongdae): 10:00-19:00
Jumping Battle (Hongdae): 12:00-23:00 (Opens at 11:00 on weekends)
- 📍 Beauty Play (Hongdae): 2F–5F, 16, Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Jumping Battle (Hongdae): 3F, 44, Hongik-ro 3-gil, Seoul
- 💵 Beauty Play: Free admission
Jumping Battle: Adults KRW 7,000 / Youth KRW 5,000
- 🔗 Beauty Play https://beautyplay.kr/
Jumping Battle https://jumpingbattle.com/guide
- 💗 Beauty Play @beautyplay.global
Jumping Battle @jumpingbattle.co
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Savor K-BBQ with the Sunset at Seoul’s Culinary Festival
This fall, Seoul is hosting a special festival that celebrates the very essence of great meat: the Seoul BBQ Festa!
Making its debut this year, the Seoul BBQ Festa is more than just a barbecue event. It’s gaining buzz as a full-fledged culinary festival that showcases the complete K-BBQ experience.
Happening over just two days, October 25–26, right in the heart of Seoul, the event will feature a dazzling lineup of Korea’s most celebrated K-BBQ restaurants. For fans of the Korean Wave, this is one flavor-packed celebration not to be missed.
There are some restaurants you simply can’t miss!
The lineup features “T.A.K.” by Chef Oh Joon-tak, who made waves on the hit program Culinary Class Wars; “Namyeongdon,” famous for its long queues; and “Haebong Jeongyuk,” a premium hanwoo (Korean beef) restaurant personally endorsed by gourmet icon and singer Sung Si-kyung.
All of these K-BBQ favorites can be savored in one place!
This is the perfect chance to experience K-BBQ in the most convenient way—at a single venue dedicated entirely to barbecue.
And to make it even better, all of this comes with the stunning backdrop of Seoul’s Noeul Park!
And what’s a festival without live music?
The stage will come alive with performances by Min Kyung-hoon, Shin Ye-young, Nilo, Jeon Sang-keun, and Jeong Hyo-bean, turning up the heat of the celebration.
Barbecue and music together—can it get any better?
Visitors will also get to ride the cheerful “Maengkkongi Shuttle Bus,” making the journey to the venue itself as part of the Seoul BBQ Festa experience.
If you’re looking for the most charming two days in Seoul this fall, don’t miss the Seoul BBQ Festa—where food, music, culture, and fun all come together!
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How much did you know about the hidden sides of Seoul?
Through this newsletter, we hope you’ve discovered another side of Seoul—slightly different, a little unfamiliar, yet undeniably charming—hidden within the city you thought you already knew.
Seoul is both familiar yet new, a city that draws you in deeper the more you explore. Even in hidden alleys or unfamiliar corners, stories unique to Seoul are alive and breathing.
On your next trip, instead of just following the map, try wandering around based on your own instincts. The “Your personal Seoul” that you discover along the way may be the true beginning of your journey.
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2024–2025 GO! SEOUL Newsletter & FAM Tour Locations
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