Last November 2024, I flew to Seoul, South Korea, for the first time in 9 years. I went there with my high school friends, whose schedules overlapped, and we enjoyed the cold weather and the beautiful autumn scenery. I had previously visited Seoul in November 2014 and November 2015, so this time, I did not feel the need to rush around to see everything. Instead, I took things slow and savored every moment in the city; I even had a few work days during the trip.
In my previous posts, I shared details about the places we visited on this trip, including Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden, Insa-dong, Namsan Park, Myeong-dong, and Yeouido Hangang Park. I also shared photos from the Klook day tour we took, which included a visit to Alpaca World, Gangchon Rail Park, and Nami Island. Today, I will take you through Starfield Suwon Library, Dongmyo Flea Market, and Hongdae.
Keep reading to find out if these places pique your interest and if you would be keen on visiting them.
Plane Ticket
In early 2024, my friends and I got lucky and snagged a ₱1 base fare return ticket during Cebu Pacific Air’s anniversary sale. Initially, we paid ₱4,329.30 for a return ticket, which included a guaranteed seat on both flights and a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance.
Months before the flight, I added 20 kilograms of checked baggage each way and paid an additional ₱1,980. While in Seoul, I bought a lot of things, which prompted me to add another 20 kilograms of baggage allowance, bringing the total to 40 kilograms. This additional baggage cost ₱1,100. In total, the return ticket with baggage came to ₱7,409.30. Such a steal!
Affordable tickets like this are difficult to come by, especially given the airline’s popularity during ₱1 base fare sales. I still want to thank Cebu Pacific Air for consistently offering this kind of promotion and helping every Filipino fly to their destinations with such low fares.
In case you missed it, I wrote about the step-by-step process I followed to get my multiple entry South Korean tourist visa. You can check it out here.
Accommodation
My friends and I traveled to Seoul on overlapping schedules, so we decided to stay in just one accommodation—Bunk Guesthouse Hostel. We spent the first 4 nights in a family room (1 double bed and 2 single beds) with a balcony. After the other 4 friends returned to Manila, my friend and I moved to a twin bunk room. Both rooms included private toilets and showers, along with a complimentary simple breakfast every morning.
My share for both rooms over the entire 8-night stay was ₱13,243.97. I consider it a great deal, especially since we had the room to ourselves and it included a private toilet. On top of that, the property’s location was just a few meters from the metro station and the bustling Hongdae district.
I wrote about our stay and experience at Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in one of the latest Hostel of the Day features. I hope you can check out the write-up here.
Going Around Seoul
My friends and I used the rechargeable T-money card for all our transportation during the trip. Seoul offers a few unlimited pass options, but none of them suited our itinerary. There were also days when we used our train cards only twice; in fact, there was even a day when we did not use them at all.
We received a free T-money card when we picked up our passports at KVAC in October 2024. Our companions, who did not have a T-money card, bought theirs at the Airport Station.
Starfield Suwon Library
Starfield Suwon Library is located inside the Starfield Suwon Shopping Mall. Spanning four floors, the library has become a popular photo spot since its opening in early 2024. I visited this library with a friend who was in Seoul for a quick layover.
Nearest train station: Hwaseo Station of Seoul Subway Line 1 (Exit 1)
Dongmyo Flea Market
Dongmyo Flea Market is a local market known for its vintage goods and secondhand items. The market has just about everything you need and want—antiques, vinyl records, leather jackets, clothes—you name it. Some of these items are even offered for as low as ₩1,000.
The market is open daily from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends. It is closed on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Please note that most stalls close before sunset, so it is best to visit early, or while the sun is still up.
I went there on a Saturday afternoon and was surprised by the number of people visiting. The flea market was packed, but it still had some interesting items.
Nearest train station: Dongmyo Station of Seoul Subway Lines 1 & 6 (Exit 3)
Hongdae
Hongdae is a vibrant cultural neighborhood near Hongik University. The area is famous for its urban art, artisan shops, trendy cafes, indie music stores, and local clothing boutiques. It is also well-known for its buskers and street performers, who perform on the streets to gain exposure and hone their skills. Additionally, Hongdae is famous for its lively clubbing scene, with several nightclubs and party spots. Many people refer to Hongdae as the go-to area for young and energetic individuals.
Nearest train stations: Hongik University Station of Seoul Subway Line 2 (Exit 9) or AREX Airport Railroad (Exit 3)
What do you think of Starfield Suwon Library, Dongmyo Flea Market, and Hongdae? Would you include these places in your next Seoul visit? Have you been to them before? What was your experience? Are you considering visiting them in the future?
If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to leave a comment below or send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond! Stay tuned for more upcoming posts about Seoul and South Korea. You can also check out other posts from this Seoul trip under the Seoul 2024 category.
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PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.