K-pop Agencies: SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and Cube Entertainment
Some of the K-Pop Agencies such as SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and Cube Entertainment are located on Cheongdam-dong street. SM Entertainment Address: 106-16 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea JYP Entertainment Address: 41 Apgujeong-ro 79-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea Cube Entertainment Address: 125-20 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea FNC Entertainment Address: 111 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul From Rodeo Street, you can stroll down Cheomdang-dong street which is a little part of Apgujeoung. Along the street, you can see cafés, shops, and offices that have a similar shape to each other. Since the Korean wave (Hallyu Wave) has dominated the world, Cheongdam-dong street has become one of the popular destinations among tourists to visit in South Korea.
COEX Shopping and Aquarium
COEX Shopping Mall and Aquarium are located in the Samseong-dong area in Gangnam. CEOX Shopping Mall is the largest underground shopping mall or “underground shopping center” in Asia. The area is about 85,000 square meters with 250 stores. For those of you who want to go shopping at CEOX Mall, all you have to do is take the 2 lane subway to Samseong station. When you have arrived at the station, take the exit 5 or 6 and follow through the COEX direction sign. The COEX Shopping Mall is connected to the Samseong underground station, so you can just walk from Samseong station to the shopping center. At the mall, you will be entertained with stores that offer branded goods, bookstores, spacious food courts, and play areas with the latest 100 gaming devices. In this mall, you can visit the famous COEX Aquarium that contains fish and other sea dwellers. The aquarium exhibits marine biota from various continents in the world. The unique thing from COEX Aquarium is that the concept of the aquarium is unique and creative. The aquarium displays are designed as forms of home furniture, offices and other forms where the marine biotas are placed in the designed displays. Don’t forget to top up your T-money wallet before starting your journey!
Bongeunsa Temple
Traditional temples and skyscraper buildings are two very different things, but can you imagine the two standing side by side? Come to Bongeunsa in Gangnam! Located at a corner in Gangnam, there is Bongeunsa that attracts attention in the middle of the ongoing modernization. Also known as the Gyeongseongsa Temple, Bongeunsa is in the north of the COEX building. It was built in the 10th year of King Shilla Wongseong’s reign in the year 794. In 1498, Queen Jeonghyeon added a building to the north of King Seongjong’s tomb, then changed the name of this temple to Bongeunsa. Inside this temple, there are 3,479 Buddhist scriptures, including works by Kim Jeong-hee. The visitors have to follow the predetermined route from the temple to explore every part of the building of the temple. Starting by entering through the gates of Jinyeo – Bupwangroo – Daewoongjeon – Jijangjeon – Yeosanjeon – Bookgeukbojeon – Mireukjeon – Panjeon – Jongroo. There are also several daily activities opened to the public. They also offer a weekly temple life program or a visit of the Bongeunsa during the Lotus Lantern Festival every May. The festival is held to honor Buddha’s birthday which falls on May 28th.
To go to the temple, you can take the subway or bus. If you choose the subway, you have to take the 2nd lane and exit through door 6 at Samseung station. From the station, walk about 100 meters in the direction of Asem Tower, then turn left. There, you can see the Bongeunsa temple on the right of the street. To get there by bus, take bus number 361, 680, 2225, 2411, 2413, 3411, 3415, 4411, or 4428. You can visit Bongeunsa every day free of charge. However, if you want to join the temple’s life program, you have to pay about 70,000 won for the 2 days and 1-night package, and 20,000 won for the 1-day package.
Apgujeong Rodeo Street
Rodeo Street in Apgujeong is considered as the number 1 fashion center in South Korea. In the 90s, this area was used to be just a hangout place for upper-class citizens that like to wear fancy clothes and drive imported cars. Now, Rodeo Street has become a fashion trend among Korean youngsters. The road is filled with trendy shops that sell goods from famous brands. You can find shoes, clothes, accessories, and a lot more! One of the leading clothing stores in the area is the Galleria Departement Store which provides various fashion items from famous brands such as Prada, Balli, Giorgio Armani, Ferragamo, Gucci, and Versace. But if the prices don’t fit with your wallet, here are some tips! Come to Rodeo Street in January, April, July, October, or December, when almost all the shops set a discount up to 20 – 30 percent for each item. Other options: you can visit shops that sell second-hand items which are also widely available in Rodeo Street. There is a store that routinely supplies used goods from Italy and sells them at discount prices of up to 70 percent. Meanwhile, there are shops that provide less expensive goods, such as for clothes with a price of about 50,000 – 100,000 won. What attracts the Korean youngsters and tourists is that the unique design and good quality of the things make them encouraged to purchase and upgrade their own style in fashion. To get to Rodeo Street, you can take the subway line 3 to Apgujeong Station and exit through door 2. Don’t forget to set your priorities before Rodeo Street shrink your wallet!
K-Star Road in Gangnam Road
Gangnam road itself has huge attractions not only among the tourists but also the locals. Find street art, unique cafés, shopping spots, and other stuff! Gangnam isn’t just for the K-Pop celebrities and the elite, but there is plenty for you to get out and about to see. One of the famous roads in Gangnam is K-Star Road. It is located in Gangnam-gu and is part of Gangnam Road. As we know, the government of South Korea supports the Hallyu Wave, they build mascot dolls for each idol as appreciation and row the dolls throughout the K-Star Road. Tourists usually take pictures with their idols’ mascots there! Along the section between Gangman Station (exit 10/11) and Sinnonhyeon Station (exit 5/6) along the main road, Gangnam-Daero is the most popular shopping and dining area in Gangnam. It is a designated smoke-free zone, lined with large brand stores on both sides of the boulevard for a great shopping experience.
KAKAO FRIENDS & LINE FRIENDS Large Flagship Stores
Are you a fan of KAKAO & LINE merchandise? Good news! You can find the cute stuff of the brand in Gangnam. With the opening of the LINE FRIENDS Flagship store in Gangnam on August 8th, 2019, fans can now visit both multi-story LINE FRIENDS Flagship Store together with KAKAO Friends Flagship Store which are located within 50 m of each other from Gangnam Station. KAKAO FRIENDS Flagship Store is located 270 m from exit 10 of Gangnam Station. Address: 429 Gangnam – daero, Seocho – dong, Seocho – gu, Seoul Opening Hours: 10:30 – 22:00 Website: store.kakaofriends.com LINE FRIENDS Flagship Store is located about 320 m from exit 10 of Gangnam Station. Address: 437 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul Opening hours: 10:30 – 22″30 Website: www.linefriends.com | store.linefriends.com
Gangnam Station Food Streets
Besides fashion and goods, Gangnam also provides you some deli and interesting meals! Check out the interesting food streets located behind either side of the main road (Gangnam Daero), a short walk away from Gangnam Station’s exit 10 or 11.
There’s also the popular and famous New York burger chain, Shake Shack. Don’t miss out visiting the restaurant which is located a short walk away across the road from the LINE FRIENDS Flagship Store. This branch is open from 11:00 to 23:00 every day. Yum! Gotta try those buns!
Banpo Han River Park
Banpo Han River Park is located on the southern side of the river centering on Banpo Bridge between Hamnam Bridge and Dongjak Bridge. The Rainbow Fountain built on both sides of Banpo Bridge was registered in The Guinness Book of Records in 2008 as the longest bridge fountain in the world with a total length of 1,140 m. The park also provides sports facilities including bubble playground, in-line skating track, soccer field, and basketball court. You can enjoy the gorgeous view of the Han river and skyscrapers on the riverside. Well, it is so tempting to go for a picnic or some nature hangouts!
Sinsa-dong Garosugil
Sinsa-dong Garosugil is a street that has the ginkgo tree lining along the street from Sinsa Station through Hyeondae High School. The street is very popular. It is also known as ‘artist’ street. It has its own attraction, thanks to its variety of charmingly decorated coffee shops and some designer stores. The street is particularly popular in autumn when the golden ginkgo leaves begin to fall.
Sam-neung Park
Need a break or just chill out from the glamorous Gangnam? Sam-neung Park is pretty much the right place. Take a walk in this park that is a UNESCO Heritage Site and learn about the kings and queens that have been buried here, while getting a breath of fresh air. Even though it does house tombs, don’t think of it as a graveyard. It is really a large forest and you would probably walk right through by without noticing them.
K-Museum of Contemporary Art
The K-Museum of Contemporary Art has various exhibitions going on at the same time and they are all rather “weird.” It is said so because you will rather find quirky experimental art instead of old works or historical arts. The Museum is located at 807 Seolleung-ro, Apgeujeong-dong in Gangnam. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM. And make sure to prepare some cash to enter the museum. The museum charges about 15,000 Won for adults, 12,000 Won for middle/high school students, 10.000 Won for elementary students, and 8.000 Won for children. here ends our list of places in Gangnam you should definitely visit when in Seoul! A lot of unique and interesting places have filled the list. No wonder Seoul has managed to steal the world tourists’ attention. So, where will be your next destination? Or do you have another recommendation for interesting places in Gangnam? Kindly share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!
