0800hrs: Seoul Wave Art Center 서울웨이브아트센터
An art and cultural space that sits on Han River with floor-to-ceiling glass panels, providing a stunning 360deg view of its surroundings. The first floor used to be Coffeewave, the art center’s own cafe but it closed months later and is replaced by Starbucks, making it the world’s first “floating” Starbucks!
0900hrs: Breakfast at Yeonlib Coffee 연립커피 / 연립빵공장
1000hrs: Coffee break at Milestone Coffee 마일스톤커피 (Gangnam)
1100hrs: Walk around Sinsa-dong 신사동
Sinsa-dong has a street called Garosu-gil (가로수길) where it is lined with gingko trees. The name “garosugil” means “tree-lined street”. In the 1980s, art galleries started to move to this area and it gradually attracted many young artists and fashion designers. Many of these designers launch their own brand later on, turning Garosugil into a “designer street”.
JAJU 자주 (Gangnam)
A homeware brand popular for its eco-friendly concept and affordability. It is often compared with MUJI for their similar design concept. They offer products like kitchen and tableware, travel-related items, apparel, bedding and beauty products. Their flagship store at Garosugil is Korea’s biggest store.
Flash Coffee 플래시커피 Gangnam)
Flash Coffee started out in Jakarta in 2020 by duo David Brunier and Sebastian Hannecker, aiming to provide affordable coffee. The brand has grown very quickly within the past 2yrs, with the help of technology. Plus, with the ongoing pandemic, many now prefer their coffee being delivered to them and Flash Coffee is able to match up to this new norm.
Pizza Express 피자익스프레스
Popular pizza place. It became even more popular after appearing on variety show, “Hangout with Yoo”, where Yoo Jae Seok and Jessi stopped by to have some pizza. It’s colourful and fun entrance design also helped attract many to drop by for some photos!
Apple Store
Nice Weather Market 나이스웨더
Pop art concept merchandise and apparel. This store at Sinsa-dong also has Old Ferry Donut (올드페리도넛) takeout store.
Pink Mellow 핑크멜로우 (Gangnam)
1200hrs: Lunch at Poke All Day 포케올데이 Gangnam)
1300hrs: Walk around Apgujeong-dong 압구정동
Apgujeong-dong is considered as one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in South Korea, with a housing price of approximate US$28,300 per sqm. Back in the 1990s, Apgujeong Rodeo Street (압구정로데오거리) was the main fashion street lined with luxury brands and boutiques. Today, it has diverted to fashion trends targetted for the youth, like lululemon; but you can still find brands like Gucci and Prada here.
If you are a Kpop fan, check out the 17 1.5m-tall art toys along K-Star Road (한류스타거리), representing idols of the first Kpop wave (has it been 10yrs already?), which many are sadly on hiatus or had already disband; and a 3m-tall toy representing K-Star Road. Idols include 4Minute, Super Junior, 2PM, FT Island, SHINee, miss A, CNBLUE, TVXQ, SNSD, EXO, AOA, BTS, B1A4, VIXX, Infinite, KARA and Block B.
1430hrs: Coffee break at Felt Coffee 펠트커피 x Juun.J
An all-black uniquely designed building that incorporates a triangle, circle and square to create an abstract geometrical structure. Architects from WGNB express that black is a magical colour which attracts and absorbs light, it also gives a sophisticated look. This is Korean luxury streetwear brand Juun.J’s first flagship store. Felt Coffee is located on the first floor.
1600hrs: Dessert break at Garuharu 가루하루
Garuharu was started by Pastry Chef Yun Eun Young, who studied at Ecole Lenotre in Paris. She started out with eclairs and macarons, focusing on it for over 3yrs before opening a second store and expanding to other desserts like mousse cakes, tarts and other French bakes.
1730hrs: Lotte World Tower 롯데월드타워 + sunset
A 123-storey skyscraper that opened in 2017 and is currently Korea’s tallest building and world’s 5th tallest building. A landmark of Seoul and Korea’s first 100-storey building. The observation deck called “Seoul Sky” (서울스카이) is located from L117-123 - check out the website for information on other storeys.
1930hrs: Dinner at Joahae Dakbal 좋아해닭발
Joahae Dakbal, which translates to “I love chicken feet”, is famous for its spicy boneless chicken feet and tuna rice balls.
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