Seoul Sisters Part One

MANILA, Philippines - Six of us huddle around a large bowl of patbingsu – shaved ice with red beans, milk, ice cream, nuts, and cereal – Korea’s answer to Singapore’s ice kachang or our own halo-halo. From afar we might have simply seemed like a group of girlfriends sharing a refreshing snack after a relaxing day at the sauna. In reality, we were journalists from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia who had met just the day before.

Seeing us together, Jinny, one of our guides from the Korean Tourism Office, said that we were sharing a truly Korean experience. She explains, Koreans – especially because of the separation caused by the Korean War – have always made it a point to come together and spend time with each other. Koreans value good company, she says. “The gathering makes us stronger.”

Meandering through Myeong-dong

There are many places to go and things to do around Seoul that a group of friends can bond over. At the top of the list is definitely shopping. From traditional souvenirs and handicrafts to quirky and unique items and K-pop merchandise to high end luxury branded goods, Seoul offers such a wide variety of shopping choices that even the most diverse group of shoppers will be appeased.

We hit Myeong-dong first, as soon as we had put down our luggage at Sejong Hotel which was only a few minutes away from the shopping district. Myeong-dong is a perfect example of the shopping smorgasbord that Seoul has to offer.

Aside from housing many of the international brands including H&M, Zara, Gap, Myeong-dong also has an array of little shops and stalls lining its streets, as well as pieces by local designers featured at department stores like Noon Square. Just a glimpse into their shop windows will give you an idea of what styles are trendy among the fashionable South Koreans – and elsewhere, as Korean style has taken the world by storm.

Korean make-up brands like Etude House, Tony Moly, Skin Food, and Too Cool for School are all present along Myeong-dong. They all seem to be trying to outdo each other in their creative and colorful displays. All the BB creams, face masks, blushes, eye shadows, pencils, and glosses merrily call to the shoppers with their sweet and sugary colors and cheerful packaging. The prices are enticing as well – much cheaper than those that make their way to the Philippines.

In Korea, SM does not stand for a department store megachain, but the equally popular Korean record label and talent agency responsible for K-pop megastars Super Junior and Girls’ Generation, among many others. At the far end of Myeong-dong is SM Entertainment’s store that sells exclusive signed posters, CDs, and various merchandise that will overwhelm any K-pop fan.

Yuvee from Indonesia knew the most about K-pop stars in our group. Like many fans, it was K-pop that first made her interested in Korean culture. “The food was a big draw as well,” she says. From there, she was inspired to learn the language, which she was able to practice as we made our way through the stalls and shops.

Before leaving Myeong-dong, we did not miss the chance to try out some street food – crisp and slightly greasy fried dumplings called mandu; soft and chewy tteokbokki rice cakes; sweet filled pancakes called hotteok. We were most excited, however, about the 32-cm ice cream sold at the entry of Myeong-dong which comes in vanilla, choco-vanilla, and strawberry-vanilla twists. They were taller than our heads and, indeed, we were in over our heads in brain freeze-inducing ice cream.

A Day in Hongdae

Another hot shopping area is Hongdae. Located near Hongik University, Hongdae exudes a youthful vibe. The little shops are filled with quirky finds and edgy fashion designs. If Myeong-dong reflects current trends, a stroll down Hongdae will give a preview of fashion future

A culture hub for Seoul’s youth, Hongdae houses many independent local designers and young artists and is a venue for a weekend flea market as well. It is known for its bustling night life, as well as uniquely themed restaurants and cafés. The café of popular Koreanovela “The Coffee Prince” is found here.

A few hours are simply not enough to explore Hongdae fully. Jasmine from Singapore, in fact, had plans to come back just two months after our trip – that would make it her fifth time traveling to Korea. Tour guide Jinny adds that the best time to visit is in the autumn, late September and early October, when the weather is crisp and cool and the leaves are changing color.

“I wish I could take home this weather,” Lin from Thailand says, echoing our own sentiments as we all thought of the tropical weather back home where temperatures were double that of what we were enjoying.

Staying true to the fresh vibe of Hongdae, we have dinner at The Dam Korean Cuisine and Dining, located on the third floor rooftop of a building on Seogyo-dong, nestled between various restaurants, cafes, and shops. While The Dam serves Korean cuisine, it is anything but traditional. We were served cold octopus salad, stir-fried soy sauce seafood with pieces of tteokbokki rice cakes, grilled clams with assorted mushrooms, and more – dishes with distinct Korean flavors and ingredients, plated and presented in a contemporary style. The meal ended with shots of icy strawberry soju and endless toasts of “Assa!”

Gangnam Style

A shopping trip to Seoul would not be complete without a visit to the Gangnam district, at least to be able to say that you’ve set foot in the area – sans the dancing, please.

Gangnam-gu also has some interesting little shops, and arts and culture hubs that are worth checking out, similar to those on Hongdae and Myeong-dong. The La Casa Hotel is a boutique hotel in the area which offers rooms that are each furnished differently, designed by lifestyle brand Casamia. The rooms are eclectic and cozy. The hotel puts you right in the midst of Cheongdam-dong’s shopping district and right in the center of young trendsetters. K-pop star sightings are common here.

To be continued