48 Hours in Seoul

By the time I arrived at Incheon Airport,
the heavens had opened up, and rain was pouring.

Landing amidst a deluge might dampen some spirits, but mine soared with anticipation. Seoul awaited, a brief but eagerly anticipated stop on my journey home from Tokyo. Though my stay was a whirlwind of two days and one night, it barely scratched the surface of this vibrant city—a tantalising glimpse into a world I longed to explore further. Seoul, a harmonious clash of the ancient and the ultramodern, is the pulsating heart of K-pop, avant-garde street style, and rich cultural heritage. With so little time and so much to experience, each moment was precious. Below, I share a few cherished spots from my visit. If these anecdotes inspire you, consider supporting these local gems by visiting the links provided.

Flew Out: JEJU AIR

I boarded Jeju Air from Tokyo, a cost-effective alternative that did not compromise comfort. En route, I befriended two fellow Canadians, escaping a gruelling winter for a season on Jeju Island. Was very, very jealous.

Checked-in: MAKERS HOTEL

I happily reached Makers Hotel, a cool and cosy boutique hotel. Steps from Ikseon-dong and the subway, it was the perfect base to dive headfirst into the city's vibrant streets. The staff recommended the Modern Double—a tip I was grateful for.

Roamed: IKSEON-DONG

To have Ikseon-dong, or Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, right at my doorstep was a fantastic welcome to the city. Made up of maze-like streets, the neighbourhood is one of the oldest in Seoul. With its combination of traditional hanoks and modern design, there are many unique cafes, restaurants and shops to explore. Popular more with locals than tourists, offering a genuine slice of local life, I roamed and poked before settling in for lunch.

Shopped: WARPED

Before I set foot into Warped Shop, I was already a fan of their selects, having shopped their Brain Dead collection online. Located in Itaewon’s Hannam-dong neighbourhood, the streetwear store is packed with your favourite international brands like Stussy, The Good Company and Gasius, but also has homegrown goods like Busan’s Balansa, Seoul’s Cost Per Kilo and of course, its namesake goods.

Dined: PARC

Parc served as my culinary sanctuary in Seoul. It offered a taste of home-cooked Korean cuisine, focusing on seasonal ingredients and perfectly balanced flavours. I closed out my evening in Hannam-dong with a glass of plum wine, the ideal accompaniment to my Namul plate, enhancing the homely vibe.

Slice Pizza Market ( S. P. A . M .)

At Slice Pizza Market S.P.A.M., I satisfied my craving for classic NY-style pizza—a rare treat far from Dubai. The cheesy delight was worth every step in the rain.

Danced: CAKESHOP

My Friday night at Cakeshop was an electric blur of Hip-Hop and UK Bass. Located in Itaewon, the underground basement club is made of exposed cement, steel and the ever-glow red neon. With local and international acts coming through, the club is a favourite amongst music lovers and easily the most memorable part of my layover.

Fan-Girled: SMTOWN @ COEX ARTIUM

Visiting SMTOWN @ COEX Artium was a dream realised. As a longtime K-pop enthusiast, standing in this iconic spot was emotionally overwhelming. I’ve been a fan of SM Entertainment artists like Super Junior, BoA, TVXQ, and SHINee since I was an introverted child, blessed with Channel V, bootleg satellite television, and common sense. So, visiting SMTOWN Coex Artium reminded me of my youth.

Wandered: COEX MALL

While in Gangnam-gu, I headed to the COEX Mall, the largest underground mall in Asia, to check out the gorgeous Starfield Library and spend too much money at Åland, a charming and quirky fashion and lifestyle concept store. Starfield Library was a haven for a book lover like me. Its vast collection within such an architecturally stunning space was the perfect finale to my Seoul adventure.