Kakao Friends Flagship Store (Near Korea Airport Railroad - Hongik University Station)

Have you heard of Kakaotalk? It's a Korean multi-platform texting app that is very popular in Korea. In the app, there are many cute Kakao characters. Surprisingly, they even have Kakao Friends Flagship Stores in Korea whereby you can buy Kakao merchandise!

One of the must-visit places in Hongdae is the Kakao Friends Flagship Store that is located near Hongik University Station (Airport Railroad and Seoul Subway Line 2). If you are coming from airport, you can reach this place by taking the Airport Railroad (AREX). This place is not only popular to tourists, but also to Koreans.

Kakao Friends Flagship Store in Hongdae

Greeted by Ryan when you enter the store

Store Directory

On the first floor, there are Kakao merchandise such as toy, home and decor items and daily accessories.

First floor

Second Floor

Kakao Stationeries at Second floor

Second floor

Kakao Cellphone Casing in Second floor

There are many cute Kakao merchandises available in this store. In first and second floor, you can find stationaries, travel items, household items - kitchen items, toothbrush etc, mobile accessories, and many more. If you are looking for gifts or souvenirs to bring back to your home country, we recommend you to visit this place to get some really adorable souvenirs!

Lastly, there is Ryan Cafe on the third floor. After shopping on the first and second floor, head over to third floor to have a cup of coffee and some desserts to relax before you continue your adventure in Seoul.

Ryan Cafe on Third floor

Drinks and desserts in Ryan Cafe

"Cute Ryan" Iced Cafe Latte

Planning a trip to Korea soon? Be sure to include this place in your itinerary!

[Information about Kakao Friends Flagship Store, Hongdae]

Address: 162 Yanghwa-ro (Donggyo-dong Dae-ah Building), Mapo-gu, Seoul
Contact Number: +82-2-6010-0104
Operating Hours: 10:30-22:00
Getting here: Hongik University Station (Airport Railroad AREX and Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 8
Website: https://store.kakaofriends.com/en/index

The popular "Travel Center" of Airport Railroad in Hongik University Station

AREX Travel Center in Hongik University Station

Do you know about the popular "Travel Center" of Airport Railroad (AREX) that gives you travel assistance and Korea information?

Since April, AREX has opened a "Travel Center" in Hongik University Station (Hongdae) that functions as combined tourism information center to provide tourism information such as train information and traveling in Seoul for local and international tourists that visit Hongdae.

According to AREX person-in-charge, "as the number of free independent traveler coming to Korea has been increased consistently, to deal more flexibly with the changes in tourism demand, Travel Center has been set up in Hongik University - the place where many foreigners visit". In addition, he said that "it is getting more popular and visitors are gradually increasing."

The Travel Center that is located at B2 floor, Hongik University Station, is decorated in bright orange (the color representing AREX), which harmonize the traditional pattern that shows the beauty of Korea. This is to make it easier for people to find the Travel Center.

There are English, Japanese and Chinese tour managers in the Travel Center offering various services such as providing tourism information (train ticketing and accommodations), baggage storage and delivery services, and selling SIM cards. SIM card is also known as USIM, which is the communication chip that you insert into your mobile phone which enables you to use the local telecommunication.

It is available for any local and international visitors that come to Hongik University Station and it operates daily from 8:00am to 9:00pm.

To celebrate the launching of Travel Center in Hongik University Station, AREX has offered 10% discount for those who use the baggage storage and delivery services, together with Airport Railroad Express Train from April 29 to May 7. There was also discount up to 36%.

AREX CEO, Kim Hanyoung said, "we have to take initiative in creating the image of Korea that makes people want to visit again, by strengthening the services provided in the Travel Center."

Meanwhile, in order to contribute to the revitalization of Korea tourism, the first Travel Center was opened by AREX in Incheon International Airport Station in year 2013. To date, there are three centers operating at the moment, including in Seoul Station (2016) and Hongik University Station (2017). In conjunction with the launching of the center in Hongik University Station, the staff uniform of every center has changed to modernized hanbok and they also plan to promote the culture that represents Korea continuously.


Do you know that there are AREX Travel Center in Incheon International Airport and Seoul Station?

AREX Travel Center in Incheon International Airport

Location : B1 floor, Incheon International Airport
Service Hour : 07:00 ~ 21:30 (open all year round)
Contact number : +82-32-743-0211~2

AREX Travel Center in Incheon International Airport

AREX Travel Center in Seoul Station

Location : B2 floor, Seoul Station
Service Hour : 08:00 ~ 21:00 (open all year round)

Contact number : +82-2-364-0211

AREX Travel Center in Seoul Station

- There are tour managers who can speak English, Japanese and Chinese at the AREX Travel Center.

- Check out AREX Website for more information about AREX Travel Center.

Enjoy the Past and the Present of Seoul with A'REX (Travel to Bukchon, Seoul)

1. Bukchon Hanok Village

  

"Bukchon Hanok Village", the famous attraction in Seoul, is known as the representative of Hanok Village in Korea that enables you to feel the past of Seoul. When spring comes, the weather becomes better and making it the best time to travel, many people will visit Bukchon Hanok Village.

Recently, Seoul Metropolitan City and Hanok Village work together and put in efforts to build new traditional houses, repair and decorate the houses to maintain the nice Hanok Village for the tourists. Many people heard about this and have shown their support.

Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential area with Korean traditional houses around Bukchon area that is located in between Gyeongbukgong Palace and Changdeokgong Palace. The name "Bukchon" came about as the village located in the northen part of Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno, and widespread to Gahoe-dong, Songhyeon-dong, Anguk-dong, etc. Moreover, Bukchon Hanok Village has 8 photo spots from Bukchon View 1 to View 8. It is recommended to visit all "Bukchon 8 views".

2. Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion

If Bukchon Hanok Village is where you can feel the past of Seoul, Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion is the attraction for you to enjoy the present of Seoul. At the peak of Bugaksan (324m), there is a Hanok style Pavilion built for you to enjoy the city night view.

There is a cafe in 1st floor, restaurants and observatory on the 2nd floor. There is also an interesting post box known as "slow mail box" which allows you to post letters but you will only receive the letter one year later.

Towards the northern part of Bugak Skyway, you can see the panoramic view of Pyeongchang-dong, known as the rich village of Seoul. You can also watch the sunset and enjoy night view here.

Towards the Southern part, you can enjoy the beautiful night view of Seoul and on days with clear sky, you can view not only Seoul, but also Bucheon and Ilsan. This makes it a cool observatory. Just like this, you can enjoy the past and the present of Seoul at the same time. How about planning a trip to both Bukchon Hanok Village and Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion?

[Information about Bukchon Hanok Village]

Address:

37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Getting Here: Take Airport Railroad to Seoul Station > Transfer to Seoul Subway Line 1 at Jongno-3(sam)-ga Station > Transfer to Seoul Subway Line 3 > Get off at Anguk Station

Operating Hours:

Opens all year round

Admission Fee:

Free

[Information about Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion]

Address:

Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Admission Fee:

Fress (Parking fee: KRW300 per 10 mins)

Operating Hours:

11:00 - 23:00

Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market - Using Airport Railroad to Enjoy Seoul in Another Way

"Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market 2017" that was reopened on 24th March, is the special and new way to enjoy your night in Seoul. Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market has 73,000 visitors daily and 3,300,000 visitors annually, and it is emerging as the new "hot place" of Seoul.

#1. Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market 2017

Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market, which is hosted by Seoul Metropolitan City, started in 2015 and was held for two consecutive years. This is a type of cultural convergence program that is popular among the citizens, small enterprisers and entrepreneurs. Since Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market is a repeated event for 3 years and has accumulated the "know-how", this year, there are more themes, food and things to enjoy in different venues.

#2: Enjoy Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market 2017 in Four Themes

This year, Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market 2017 is happening on Fridays and Saturdays (6PM~11PM), from 24th March to 29th October (Cheonggyecheon Timeslip Market - Saturdays and Sundays). It will take place in four locations in Seoul, namely Yeouido, Banpo, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Cheonggyecheon Stream)

Each night market has something in common - food truck offering delicious food and cute handmade goods. It is seperated into 4 different themes -- "Yeouido World Night Market", "DDP Youth Runway Market", "Cheonggyecheon Timeslip Market" and "Banpo Moonlight Romance Market" - whereby each theme has different programs. Because of that, you are able to enjoy all the four places in Seoul during this period.

#3: Yeouido World Night Market

Among the night markets located in four venues, we have visited the place with long history and highest floating population -- Yeouido World Night Market. This is a night market that brings you to travel the world in one night. Even on normal days, many people gather at Yeouido Hangang Park to enjoy chicken and beer while enjoying the night view and scenery by the river. You can feel the exciting festival atmosphere here. If you walk about 5 mins from the water light square under Mapo Bridge, you will be able to see Yeouido World Night Market.

 

The varieties of food trucks and handmade goods under the tent have caught the attention of the visitors in the crowded Yeouido World Night Market.

 

You can taste many traditional and fusion food of different countries in Yeouido World Night Market. Therefore, it matches the concept of this night market -- "Travel the World in One Night". For those who want to travel the world in one night while enjoying the breeze by the Hangang river, you will not regret coming to this place.

[Information about Yeouido World Night Market]

Getting Here: Take Airport Railroad to Gongdeok Station > Transfer to Seoul Subway Line 5 > Get off at Yeouinaru Station (walk approx. 5 mins)

Operating Hours: 18:00 - 23:00 (Every Friday and Saturdays)

Admission Fee: FREE

Seoullo 7017 - Sky Garden and Shoes Tree

Seoullo 7017 was opened on 20th May (Saturday). The elevated highway known as Seoul Station overpass has turned into a Sky Garden for pedestrians. Since December 2015, vehicles were prohibited on the highway for construction and repairing work to proceed. On 20th May 2017, it came back as a Sky Garden.

Let's find out what is the meaning of "7017". The meaning behind "7017" is that "the Seoul Station overpass that was built in year 1970 is reborn in year 2017 with 17 pathways". There are 17 pedestrian walkways with 17 entrances and exits to the Seoul Station Sky Garden. It is connected to subways, bus transit centers and markets, which allows people to come or go to other cities and regions. Moreover, it is also connected to Airport Railroad (A'REX) Seoul Station City Airport Terminal!

If you look at the picture, the Sky Garden is divided into three parts. If you walk down from the path on the right side, and cross the crosswalk to the left, walk about 5 mins and you will arrive at the entrance of Airport Railroad (A'REX) Seoul Station City Airport Terminal. Many types of trees have been planted in Seoullo 7017. Besides that, there are also cute cafes, trampoline playground, fountain, skywalk, etc. As it says in the name "Sky Garden", the trees planted in this place matches with nature in the city center.

In addition, there is a huge worn-out shoes sculpture in the square in front of Seoul Station. This sculpture (known as "Shoes Trees") is made of 30,000 pairs of worn-out shoes and you will see it when you walk on the Sky Garden. They wished that Seoullo 7017 would be the place to gather the citizens to walk and let them realize the preciousness of urban regeneration and environment. If you take a closer look, every shoe is planted with a plant that makes you ponder about many things when you look at it.

As we have taken the walk to Seoullo 7017 Seoul Station Sky Garden, the most convenient thing we found is the Airport Railroad (A'REX) train. If you get out from Seoul Station and walk towards the Seoul Square (towards Bus transit center), you will see Shoes Tree whereas Sky Garden is located in between them. However, if you get out from Airport Railroad (A'REX) Seoul Station City Airport Terminal (Exit 15), you can take a circular route from beginning to the end of Sky Garden, and lastly, visit the Shoes Tree.

Finally, there are some things that you should take note when you visit Sky Garden. As it is located above the frequently operating train railroad, do not throw rubbish outside the safety fence. Especially, the railroad that train passes by is installed in extra high voltage electric train line, thus you have to be very cautious.

How about taking the Airport Railroad (A'REX) to visit the new Seoullo 7017 Sky Garden?

[Information about Seoullo 2017]

Getting Here: Take Airport Railroad (A'REX) train to Seoul Station, Exit 15 (walk approx. 5 mins)

Website: http://seoullo7017.seoul.go.kr/SSF/GLO/ENG/M000.do