Seoul's Complex Cultural Spaces

(Source: Internet)

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Seoul's Complex Cultural Spaces

Among Seoul's many attractions there is truly something for everyone. For tourists looking to relax while enjoy a bit of shopping, some food, and the arts, there are complex cultural spaces to see in Seoul. Complex cultural spaces continue to grow in popularity in Korea and there are a few establishments and neighborhoods that are especially well known. Two of Seoul's most famous complex cultural spaces are built entirely from industrial shipping containers. Though built from the same materials, they have distinct vibes and identities. Visitors will find great shopping, dining, art exhibitions, classes, and live performances in complex cultural spaces.

(Source: Internet)

Common Ground: Curated Shops and Popular Restaurants

Common Ground may be Seoul’s most recognizable complex cultural space. Located in Gwangjin-gu near Konkuk University, Common Ground is Korea’s first, and the world’s largest, pop-up shopping center. Common Ground is famous for being made up entirely of industrial shipping containers. The shopping center's 200 containers are configured into 3 stories shops and restaurants. The 1st and 2nd floors are full of trendy shops that sell clothing, accessories, home and living items and more. On the 3rd floor, visitors will find restaurants.

Fashionistas will be happy to visit Common Ground as many of Korea's best indie designers have stores here. Shops run by new and emerging designers and brands are also here, and some online brands have established brick and mortar shops here as well. Common Ground does not have the same old brands and stores as in other malls in Korea. Young Seoulites can often be found shopping here because the items on offer are trendy and desirable, while the prices are reasonable. On the 3rd floor, some popular restaurants from Seoul’s trendiest neighborhoods such as Hongdae, Itaewon, Garosu-gil have opened locations at Common Ground. There are also food trucks located around the grounds and the vendors sell tasty foods of all kinds, both Korean and Western. There's plenty of outdoor seating so shop away, then grab a bite to eat and people watch!

200 Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

+82-2-467-2747

11:00~22:00

(Source: Internet)

(Source: Internet)

Seongsu-dong’s Most Popular Cafés!

Seongsu-dong was once a busy, gritty industrial area, with many factories calling the neighborhood home. Today, visitors won't find many functioning factories, but they will find colorful cafés all over the neighborhood. Seongsu-dong is full of hip, young people who have started to reinvigorate the area, establishing cafés and other businesses in closed-down factories. Fast-becoming a trendy neighborhood, the area’s cafés have been drawing lots of attention in particular. Seongsu-dong’s cafés are known for being complex cultural spaces and have old school, antiquated exteriors and interior designs. Most of the popular cafés here are not just cafés, they also display art or are multipurpose spaces in other ways. It could be said that complex cultural spaces helped revive Seongsu-dong. Two popular spots have interesting histories: a print shop turned café and a denim jeans factory turned café and photo gallery. There are many other cafés with equally full histories that are available for exploration in Seongsu-dong.

Coffee, Fun, and Relaxation　　


Photo Warehouse Gallery (Bean Tree Café)

Seongsu-dong's leading complex cultural space, this photo gallery-café was once a factory that turned out denim jeans. Today, visitors can enjoy photo exhibitions along with a cup of coffee.

Seongsu 2ga 309-59, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (26 Seongsui-ro 7-gil)

+82-2-461-3070

10:00~22:00

or.er

A residential home remodeled into a café, the interior is cozy and filled with plants and vintage furniture.

18 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

+82-2-462-0018

11:00~21:00

Zagmachi

A printing factory turned lighting exhibition-gallery-café. Visit Zagmachi to see the rebirth and transformation of a factory into a space for art.

Seongsu-dong 2ga 317-12, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Namjeong Building, 88 Seongsui-ro)

+82-70-4409-7700

11:00~23:00

(Source: Internet)

Platform Chang Dong 61: Music and Lifestyle Complex Cultural Space

Platform Chang Dong 61 is a complex cultural space built with industrial shipping containers. Its name is a nod to the neighborhood and the number of containers that make up this complex. The most famous part of Platform 61 is probably the music venue space, the Red Box. True to its name, the Red Box is a red industrial shipping container and it is Korea’s first dedicated shipping container music venue. Every month there are live music performances of all types, from traditional gugak to hip-hop and indie music. Tickets are fairly affordable, usually ranging between 15,000 won to 50,000 won. Watching a music performance is a must, but there are also different classes and workshops offered as well as great shopping and food. The modeling agency that represents famed Korean models Jang Yoon-ju and Han Jin runs a store here that is full of fashionable and trendy items. In addition to live music and shopping, the tasty and affordable food offered by Platform Chang Dong 61’s restaurants are not to be missed!

Platform Chang Dong 61, 74 Madeul-ro 11-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul

+82-2-993-0561

(Commerial Area) 11:00~21:00

*To purchase tickets for performances in advance, please visit the official site (Korean) http://www.platform61.kr

Great Places to Take Photos

(Source: Internet)

Here are some of the most popular places photos spots amongst Koreans in their 20s and 30s!

1. The bold lines of this container café and cute outdoor seating helps make any photo feel like something out of a magazine pictorial.

2. Primary colors like red and yellow really pop in photos. These colorful containers make for the perfect selfie shot background.