Hongdae (Hongik University Area)

Hongdae is a vibrant, energetic, and youthful neighborhood and nightlife district popular for indie music, street art, galleries, cafes, and shops. The area is named after the nearby Hongik University (Hongik Daehakgyo), one of the most prestigious fine arts universities in Korea.

Since Hongik University was built in 1948, it has gone on to be one of the top art and design schools in the country. Over the years, the Hongdae Area was developed around the university and grew into what it is today by the same artys people who lived in the area, worked in the area, or those who attended the university.

In the 1990s, many artists, performers, and musicians moved into the area thanks to cheap rent. They all had the hope of making a living doing what they loved whether it be creating street artwork, performing for a group of people on the streets, or jamming with their band in small indie music venues.

Today, many of these same artists, performers, and musicians that arrived here decades ago have gone on to opening their own cafes, art galleries, theaters, shops, or music clubs. This has drastically changed the area today into a mecca of urban art and underground indie music lovers.

The Hongdae area is also the center of youthful the nightlife scene. Ihe area is one of the leading districts in Seoul for entertainment thanks to its indie culture that challenges traditional Korean culture. The area is famous for its endless options of music and dance clubs that are visited everyday by thousands of university students from Seoul and other international visitors looking to dance and party.

A “Club Day” his hosted on the last Friday of the month. The Club Day idea, which promotes local club business, was created in 2001. For 15,000 won, clubgoers get access to 11 different clubs in the Hongdae area. The fee also includes one drink.

The clubs part of the promotion are Club M.I, SK@, DD, MWG (Myungwolgwan), NB, Matmata, Hooper, Saab, Hodge Podge, Jokerred, and Old Rock.

Nearby Sights

Hongdae Free Market

The Hongdae Free Market is a fun and unique arts and crafts market where artists, performers, musicians, and visitors can interact face to face. Artists from all over Korea, and even from other countries, meet here each Saturday from March to November.

Trickeye Museum

Unique museum where visitors can interact with the artwork

Korea Modern Design Museum

On the outskirts of Hongdae is the Korea Modern Design Museum, a little known museum that features a collection of over 20,000 Korean design history items. The museum, which opened in March 2008, features unique Asian and some European design items from the private collection of Seonmun University professor and museum director Park Arm-Jong, who has gathered items for over 20 years.

Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery

Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery is an international cemetery designated by King Gojong that holds the tombs and graves of many foreign missionaries. The cemetery is also known as Hapjeong-dong International Cemetery.

Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine

Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is a Catholic shrine on the Han River dedicated to those who gave up their lives during the Byeongin persecutions of 1866. In late 1866, nine French missionaries were martyred. This caused two attempted invasions into Korea by a French fleet. After the attempted invasions, the Joseon government punished, targeted, and brutally murdered many French and native Korean Roman Catholics. The place became known as "beheading mountain."

Seonyudo Park

Seonyudo Park is a popular park and open space located on an island on the Hangang River that was formerly used as an industrial water treatment plant. The small island, located west of Yeouido, was opened in 2009 after city officials realized that the island could be better used as an urban park instead of an idle industrial plant.

Last Updated on Apr 20, 2022