Once a district of shoe factories, print shops and car repair garages, Seongsu-dong is now one of the busiest neighborhoods for young Seoul — some call it the Brooklyn of Seoul. Design cafes, bakeries and galleries fill the old buildings, and many keep their brick walls and steel beams.
What to do
- Pop-up stores — fashion, beauty and character brands open short-term, hands-on stores here all the time. What is on changes every few weeks, so no two visits are the same.
- Cafes and bakeries — many are huge converted factories, worth a look just for the space.
- Handmade shoe street — small shoemaking workshops still line the streets around Seongsu Station.
Getting there
Seoul Forest, a large park with lawns and woodland paths, sits right next to the neighborhood. Take Line 2 to Seongsu Station, or the Suin-Bundang Line to Seoul Forest Station.