Guide to Hongdae (SEOUL): Shop, Eat, Play & Stay | KoreaToDo (2025)

▶Hongdae, a Special Tourist Zone

▶Attractions Nearby

▶Recommended Hotel Picks

Hongdae is a popular hang-out for local youths and a must-visit for many foreign tourists to Seoul, South Korea.

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💡Hongdae is the short form ofHongik University, pronounced as ‘Hongik Dae Hak Kyo’ in Korean. The locals used the term, Hongdaeas an easier way to reference the area around Hongik University.

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Hongik University is a renowned art college and naturally, the streets around Hongdae evolved with unique free-spirit culture of amateur busking performances, art markets, street art murals, cosy galleries, exhibits of young artists and of course, clubs.

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The growth in fashion, accessories and cosmetic stores, as well as fabulous cafes and dining options also add on to the attractiveness of Hongdae as one of the top tourist destinations in Seoul.

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On 2 December 2021, Hongdae was successfully designated as the 7th 'special tourist zone', after Itaewon, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, Jongno, Jamsil and Gangnam in Seoul. It was named, 'Hongdae Culture & Arts Special Tourist Zone' for its arts and cultural heritage.

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💡With this tourism special zone designation, the district will be able to receive up to 100 million won in tourism special zone revitalization subsidies from the city of Seoul.

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The main road (i.e. Eoulmadang-ro) was painted red (also known as 'Red Road'), the colour of passion and youth.

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The initial 175m of pedestrian-friendly theme street, named 'Hongdae Festival Street' starting from the symbolic sculpture to Jandari-ro was also extended till end of Eoulmadang-ro near Sangsu Station with a total length of about 480m.

It replaced the previous parking street into a pedestrian-friendly cultural space, divided into different zones for performances and arts/cultural events. There is also a Tourist Information Center along the red road.

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It is very easy to get around Hongdae with shops, cafes and restaurants lined from one end of its main road, Eoulmadang-ro to the other end in 1.3km long, about 25 mins walk. From the main road, you can further explore its cross streets.

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Eoulmadang-ro is exceptionally wide, owning to its historical background as a defunct train line (Danginri Line) used for transporting coal back in 1929. This road has gone by many names, including Hongik University Street, Hongdae Culture Street & Hongtong Street, Hongdae Walking Street, Hongdae Pedestrian-Friendly Street and Hongdae Shopping Street.

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💡For the convenience of pedestrians,Eoulmadang-ro goes car-free on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 - 23:00.

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Kakao Friends Hongdae Flagship Store is the must-visit for many travellers to Seoul! It is a bright and lively store with all the cutest things you can find on Kakao Friends from toys, stationeries, clothes, shoes and lifestyle items.

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Floor Guide:

3F - Cafe Gongmihak
2F - Kakao Friends
1F - Kakao Friends
B1 - KaKao Friends Factory Store

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See Also

Hongdae - Attractions, Where To Stay, And More!The Ultimate 14 Things To Do In Hongdae and More! - IVisitKoreaThings To Do In Hongdae: From someone who lived there – The Soul of Seoul17 FUN Things to do in Hongdae - Zen Moments in Korea

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Line Friends Hongdae Flagship Storeis located on the 1st floor of L7 Hongdae (hotel), 1 min walk right of Hongik Univ. Station's exit 1. When you enter the store, you will be greeted by the giant size Line Friends Brown, a favourite photo stop for many visitors. The store spreads over 3 floors (B1 Cafe, 1F & 2F).

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Besides Line Friends Brown & friends, you can find merchandise of 'BT21' characters created in collaboration with worldwide pop-sensation BTS and 'Brawl Stars', the Supercell's mobile hit game.

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Coconut Box, the hybrid metaverse play garden consists of 32 bungalows and 7 experience halls where you can relax and enjoy the day. The experience halls include NFT Gallery, Media Art Box, Bob Marley Pool, VR Box, Slide Pool, Coconut Bar and Majorca House.

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For beauty lovers, there are 5 Olive Young stores just within the vicinity of Hongdae Shopping Street!

The most convenient one if you are travelling on Seoul Subway Line 2 is Olive Young Hongdae Town located along the main road (i.e.Yanghwa-ro) between Hongik Univ. StationExit 8 and Exit 9. If you are travelling on AREX Airport Railroad / Gyeongui–Jungang Line, Olive Young Hongdae Airport Railroad Station Branch is located just next to Hongik Univ. Station Exit 3.

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Of which,Olive Young Hongdae Central Branch is the biggest store in Hongdae located along Hongdae Shopping Street (i.e. Eoulmadang-ro) opposite the building, KT&G Sangsangmadang.

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Floor Guide:

1F - Dermo Cosmetics, Health Food, Makeup, Beauty Tools, Must-Have Items

2F - Lifestyle, Perfume, Hair/Body Care, Cleansing, XTM Men's Collection

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💡Olive Young Myeongdong Flagship Store is the largest Olive Young store in South Korea.

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See Also

Exploring the Vibrant Heart of Seoul: An Ultimate Travel Guide to Hongdae » Agoda: See The World For Less

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There are quite a number of self-photo studios (e.g. Photo Signature, Photo Slate) as you walk along the main shopping street in Hongdae.

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Check out the trendy coloured Korean contact lenses at the bright-pink catchy store ofHapa Kristin, LENSSIS orOLENS.

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For Samsung fans, there is a Samsung Store located near exit 2 of Hongik Univ. Station.

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Interestingly, nearly all cafes and restaurants along/nearHongdae Shopping Street (i.e. Eoulmadang-ro) have surprisingly good review ratings, not commonly found in other parts of Seoul. As such, you can easily walk into any cafe or restaurant you fancy and have a good meal.

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You can also find the popular coffee/bubble tea chains like Hollys Coffee, A Twosome Place Coffee & Dessert, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Starbucks and Gong Cha in Hongdae.

(Listing order from the start of Eoulmadang-ro near Hongik Univ. Station exit 7 to the end of the road near Sangsu Station)

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