Tag: Starfield

Rediscovering SEOUL After 9 Years: Exploring Seoul Forest Park, Seongsu & Starfield COEX Library [November 2024]

In November 2024, my friends and I flew to South Korea for a quick break from our routine lives. We were there on overlapping schedules, but I stayed for 9 days and 8 nights. I had visited Seoul in 2014 and 2015, and I was ecstatic to finally revisit the city after 9 long years.

In my previous posts, I shared where we had been during the trip, including Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden, Insa-dong, Namsan Park, Myeong-dong, Yeouido Hangang Park, Starfield Suwon Library, Dongmyo Flea Market, and Hongdae. We also took a day tour to visit Alpaca World, Gangchon Rail Park, and Nami Island. Today, I will share the last few places we visited—Seoul Forest Park, Seongsu, and Starfield COEX Library.

Read on to find out why you should include these three places in your next visit to Seoul.

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.

Plane Ticket

My friends and I scored affordable return tickets during Cebu Pacific Air’s ₱1 base fare anniversary sale in early March 2024. We paid ₱4,329.30 each for a round-trip ticket from Manila to Seoul (Incheon). The ticket included a guaranteed seat on both flights and a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance for each leg of the journey.

We added prepaid baggage both before and during the trip. For the Manila to Seoul sector, I added one 20-kilogram checked luggage allowance, and for the Seoul to Manila leg, I added two 20-kilogram checked luggage allowances. Including the baggage fees, I paid a total of ₱7,409.30 for the round trip.

This type of return fare is only available once every few months, so we were lucky to snag such a low-ticket price. I would like to thank Cebu Pacific Air for offering their ₱1 base fare sale to all Filipinos. The airline has made it possible for millions of Filipinos to travel both domestically and internationally at such affordable fares.

Accommodation

I spent 9 days and 8 nights in Seoul, which overlapped with my friends’ stay. During this time, we all decided to stay at the same place, choosing Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in the lively Hongdae District. For the first 4 nights, we booked a family room with a full bed, two single beds, and a balcony. After some friends returned to Manila, we moved to a twin room with bunk beds for the remaining 4 nights. My share of the 8-night stay was ₱13,243.97, which I thought was a great value, especially since we enjoyed private rooms and free breakfast every morning.

I also featured Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in one of my recent Hostel of the Day posts — make sure to check it out here.

Going Around Seoul

During our trip, my friends and I used a T-money rechargeable card for all our public transportation. We initially thought about getting the Climate Card but decided against it due to our varying schedules and plans. In October 2024, we received a complimentary T-money card when we picked up our passports at KVAC. Those of our companions who did not already have one purchased theirs at the Airport Station.

Seoul Forest Park

Seoul Forest Park is a large, popular park known for its ginkgo trees during autumn. It is a favorite among locals and has also become a popular tourist destination. The park is located next to SM Entertainment, one of South Korea’s largest entertainment companies.

Nearest train station: Seoul Forest Station of the Bundang Line (Exit 4)

Seongsu

Seongsu is home to both local and international fashion brands and has become one of Seoul’s most vibrant shopping destinations. The area is filled with boutiques, shops, pop-up stores, cafés, and restaurants.

Be prepared to queue for your favorite brands, especially on weekends. My friend and I visited on a Saturday, and the streets were packed with people either waiting in line for their favorite brands or hopping from one shop to another.

Nearest train station: Seongsu Station of the Seoul Subway Line 2 (Exit 4)

Starfield COEX Library

Similar to the Starfield Suwon Library, the Starfield COEX Library is located inside the Starfield COEX Shopping Mall. This two-storey library houses thousands of books that visitors can freely read while relaxing in the open spaces provided. It is the first Starfield Library in Seoul.

My friend and I visited on a Sunday afternoon and found the library to be crowded with visitors. I recommend avoiding weekends if you prefer a quieter experience.

Nearest train stations: Samseong Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 (Exit 5) or Bongeunsa Station on Seoul Subway Line 9 (Exit 7)

What do you think of Seoul Forest Park, Seongsu, and Starfield COEX Library? Are these places on your list for your next Seoul visit? Have you been to any of them before? What was your experience, or are you considering visiting them in the future? I would love to hear your thoughts!

If you have any questions or want more details, feel free to leave a comment below or email me at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am always happy to respond! Stay tuned for more posts about Seoul and South Korea. You can also check out other posts from this Seoul trip under the Seoul 2024 category.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries, hostel of the day features, and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Rediscovering SEOUL After 9 Years: Exploring Starfield Suwon Library, Dongmyo Flea Market & Hongdae [November 2024]

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.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries, hostel of the day features, and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.