10 hotspots for fans of the Hallyu Wave
This article is for fans of the Hallyu Wave.
I am going to explain why these spots are a must visit, so read it carefully if you are fan.
1. The N Seoul Tower was built in 1969 and it was the first integrated transmission tower which beamed television and radio broadcasts across Seoul. In 1980 it was open for the public since then it has become a much-loved attraction in Seoul.
The tower’s main attractions are:
- multi-colored digital art projected onto the tower at night
- a digital observatory
- a roof terrace
- the HanCook restaurant
- the Grill restaurant
- the Haneul (Sky) Restroom.
N Seoul Tower’s mountain surroundings on Namsan are popular for locals as well as for tourists.
Seoul has a lot of viewing platforms where visitors can enjoy the nighttime view of the city or gaze to the Hangang River. The tower’s Digital Observatory is pretty unique because it offers a 360 degree panorama over the city. The Roof Terrace which is on the top of the N Seoul Tower, is a wooden viewing deck whose exotic atmosphere makes it very popular for lovers. Thousands of padlocks are attached to the fence by couples, symbolizing their undying affection towards each other.
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395, three years after the Joseon Dynasty was founded. The Palace was located at the heart of Seoul and represented the power of the Joseon Dynasty. The Joseon Dynasty had Five large Palaces: Gyeonghuigung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. Gyeongbokgung was the biggest of the Five and was also main palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Since 1990 the Korean goverment puts alot effort into rebuilding and restoring the buildings that were destroyed because of the Japanese occupation. It is a 40-year restoration project which aims to restore Gyeongbokgung Palace to its original form withinin twenty years. The National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea can be found there too. If you watched Love in the Moonlight with Park Bogum, you should check out that place! Moreover lots of people borrow Hanboks and take beautiful pictures while wearing them.
3. Cheonggyecheon is an eleven km long stream that runs through downtown Seoul. It is a part of an urban renewal project which is the restoration of the stream that was there before the Joseon Dynasty. Cheomggyecheon starts from Cheonggye Plaza and passes under 22 bridges before flowing into the Hangang River. You will find many attractions along it. You can find Cheonggyecheon’s history at the Cheonggyecheon Museum which opened in September 2005. If you are interested in how many changes the stream has seen, including being buried underground and being restored you should stop by. Luckily the admission is free.
4. Namsangol Hanok Village is a collection of five hanoks (Hanoks are traditional Korean houses from the Joseon Dynasty). The interiors of each reflect the owners from different walks of life, from the middle class to high government officials as well as from noblemen and aristocrats. Visitors can see the hanoks of important figures from the Joseon Dynasty. International visitors can participate in traditional Korean activities and can enjoy traditional Korean performances too. Anyone who is curious about Korean wedding culture should visit the village on weekends when wedding ceremony reenactments take place.
5. The Hangang River divides Seoul in north and south. It is lined with parks and recreational facilities on both sides. On weekends it’s always crowded because people rent bikes, go on cruise or splash around and cool off in public swimming pools during the summer months. You can see families camping or couples enjoying the sunset. A must do is Chimaek ( fried Chicken and Mekju (Beer)). In front of exit 2 of Yeouinaru Station (Line ) elderly women distribute flyer from restaurants which deliver to Hangang. Unfortunately everything is in Korean so make sure you will have a korean friend with you.
6. Itaewon is getting more and more popular because of its foreign atmosphere. Foreign restaurant, bars and clubs are everywhere and yes foreigners too. It is really multicultural and a nice place to meet other foreigners from different nations. Sometimes you can even see K-Pop stars in clubs. I had the luck to met Henry from Super Junior M, Cheetah and Jay Park. Itaewon Station is on line 6.
7. SMTOWN, a must-see place for K-Pop fans.
- On the 1st floor you can find the welcome stage and the stars broadcasts.
- On the 2nd floor is the celebrity shop where fashion, beauty and lifestyle items of celebrities and souvenirs are sold.
- On the 3rd floor you will find SMTOWN studio where you can tour through the vocal and dance training rooms as well as the recording room and music video studio.
- On the 4th floor is the library café. You can view the history of SMTOWN, won trophies and various contents, tasting the beverages and desserts themed with stars.
- On the 5th and 6th floor is the SMTOWN theatre where you can watch floating hologram performances. Moreover you can make the 3D figures of your favorite SM Artists.
Various K-Pop events like singers’ showcases,concerts and cultural lectures are held in the SMTOWN theater. ‘THE ARTIST PACKAGE’ allows you to receive professional trainer lessons and makeup.
8. If you would like to experience the Hallyu culture of K-POP , a visit to the K-star Road is a must. On the K-star Roa
d led for 1 km from Apgujeong-dong Galleria Department Store to Cube Entertainment, art toys symbolizing Hallyu stars including Girls Generation, EXO and TVXQ, the GangnamDols are decorating the road. When you follow the beak and the footsteps of ‘K Bird’ installed on lampposts and crosswalks, you can find celebrities’ favorite restaurants and fashion stops, and gain information of celebrities through the information displayer next to the store. The middle and high schools of celebrities, the homes that they had actually lived in, their favorite snack stores and comic shops are located here and there in the K-star Road.
9. Lotte World Adventure was build in 1989 and is a amusement park located in downtown Seoul. It has the world’s largest indoor theme park, an outdoor theme park called Magic Island, a luxury hotel, the Korean Folk Museum, shopping malls, department stores, sports facilities and a movie theater.
The Indoor Adventure is the world’s largest indoor theme park and hosts a dazzling variety of seasonal festivals and parades all year round. Magic Island, the outdoor theme park of Lotte World, is an artificial island located in the middle of Seokchon Lake and boasts 17 different rides including the high-altitude free-fall thrill ride, the Gyro Drop. 
10. Some Sevit, with the meaning ‘three shining islands brightening the Han River’ is the world’s first floating cultural space. It is made with four artificial islands including Some Gavi, Some Chaevit, Some Solvit and Some Yevit and has wedding halls, Italian restaurants, buffets and cafes and is being utilized as a space for various exhibitions, performances as well as events. The Some Sevit has colorful and beautiful LED lights as is used for shooting scenes of various dramas and movies. You can eat delicious food and make cultural experiences. Don’t forget to take amazing photos at the 10 photo spots of FIC Convention, outdoor deck and the roof observatory.
The drama „She Was Pretty“ ft. Park Seo Joon, and actor Jung Woo Seong were filmed there. 
