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teretere
Joined: 26 Mar 2010
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 Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 4:59 pm Post subject: Hongdae/Hapjeong -- the only "creative, hip neighborhoo |
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I've searched throughout Seoul, and aside from a few pockets in Samcheong-dong, it seems like the Hongdae/Hapjeong area (away from the clubs and more near the galleries/indie designer stores) is the only hip, creative, alternative, homey, Greenwich village style area filled with young, innovative energy in all of S. Korea.
In other words, it's the only area I find livable in all of Seoul.
Anyone else feel this way? I know Hongade has its negatives (esp. along the main drag on the weekends after dark), but aside from the "party zone" aspect, I find it has everything I want.
One reason why I'm looking into Mangwon-dong is its vicinity to Hongdae at cheaper prices. |
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nukeday
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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| yeah..and what did you expect? korea isn't really known for most of the qualities you just listed. |
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noraebang
Joined: 05 May 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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In other words, it's the only area I find livable in all of Seoul.
Anyone else feel this way? |
No.
What city and neighbourhood did you live in back in the West?
There aren't a lot of "Greenwich villages" in my country, that's for sure.
And there are some creative areas, but nothing on par with the amount of people that stream through Hongdae.
If you want the youthful vibe, move near any major university.
Last edited by noraebang on Fri May 28, 2010 6:40 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nukeday
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| noraebang wrote: |
What city and neighbourhood did you live in back in the West?
There aren't a lot of "Greenwich villages" in my country, that's for sure. |
Most major US cities have some kind of hipsterish neighborhoods. Hell even conservative-ass San Diego has a few. But like I said, this is Korea. I don't think hip when I think Korea, I think attractive but batty females and stiffs in suits. |
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noraebang
Joined: 05 May 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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| nukeday wrote: |
| Most major US cities have some kind of hipsterish neighborhoods. Hell even conservative-ass San Diego has a few. But like I said, this is Korea. I don't think hip when I think Korea, I think attractive but batty females and stiffs in suits. |
So you lived in San Diego in a trendy arts district? Or did you live somewhere that you found "unlivable"?
I live in Vancouver, and I've lived in Hongdae as well. Even during the Olympics in Vancouver after winning the semi-finals, the streets weren't as packed downtown on Club Night in Hongdae, and definitely not with as many young trendy people.
Where else have you lived in Korea and for how long? |
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teretere
Joined: 26 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah. I'm seeing no alternative. To Hongdae I must go. |
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nukeday
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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| noraebang wrote: |
So you lived in San Diego in a trendy arts district? Or did you live somewhere that you found "unlivable"?
I live in Vancouver, and I've lived in Hongdae as well. Even during the Olympics in Vancouver after winning the semi-finals, the streets weren't as packed downtown on Club Night in Hongdae, and definitely not with as many young trendy people.
Where else have you lived in Korea and for how long? |
I'm not sure what your point is. I didn't say I lived anywhere unlivable. I haven't lived in Hongdae. I lived in Gangnam for two years and I live in Northern Seoul now. I did live in one of the trendy arts districts in San Diego for about five months after living in other parts of town for most of my life - it sucked by the way. I'll keep those neighborhoods for the weekends. You might be confusing me with the OP.
But Hongdae being packed on Club Night kind of illustrates his point. There's only "one" place to go, so that's where everyone goes. Young and trendy or not. |
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makemischief
Joined: 04 Nov 2005
Location: Traveling
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| Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm a fan of Hyehwa as well- though it doesn't have Hongdae's sometimes pleasant grit. |
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discostu333
Joined: 18 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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| nukeday wrote: |
| yeah..and what did you expect? korea isn't really known for most of the qualities you just listed. |
Good point! |
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sugarkane59
Joined: 10 Jun 2009
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 4:52 am Post subject: ... |
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I feel that a lot of foreigners here have tunnel vision when it comes to places they hang out in in Seoul. It seems to be either Hongdae or Itaewon that people are drawn to - how cliche!!
How about looking outside the box? I think you'll find somewhere like Ehwa to be an interesting and less obvious alternative to the usual. |
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The Bobster
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 11:19 am Post subject: Re: ... |
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| sugarkane59 wrote: |
I feel that a lot of foreigners here have tunnel vision when it comes to places they hang out in in Seoul. It seems to be either Hongdae or Itaewon that people are drawn to - how cliche!!
How about looking outside the box? I think you'll find somewhere like Ehwa to be an interesting and less obvious alternative to the usual. |
Ehwa is not all that far outside the box from Hongdae ... you can walk from one to another on a sunny day.
It's true the choices are not all that many, but it's more than just Itaewon and Hongdae. Someone mentioned Hyehwa, and there are tiny pockets of creative fun around Insadong, and just about any of the big unis. You gotta look, and it helps if you have a Korean friend along with you.
Most foreigners in this city are not all that interested, though. It's night clubs, smoky bars, loud and live venues (like the HBC Fest yesterday). Which is okay, nothing wrong with it.
As far as the arts, Seoul is not yet London or Milan, and sure not Paris, and you're just going to find pockets of places that resemble Greenwich Village. Not yet. Good news, a lot of young Koreans are looking to make something like that, though. It might be fun to watch it grow. |
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teretere
Joined: 26 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject: Re: ... |
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| The Bobster wrote: |
| sugarkane59 wrote: |
I feel that a lot of foreigners here have tunnel vision when it comes to places they hang out in in Seoul. It seems to be either Hongdae or Itaewon that people are drawn to - how cliche!!
How about looking outside the box? I think you'll find somewhere like Ehwa to be an interesting and less obvious alternative to the usual. |
Ehwa is not all that far outside the box from Hongdae ... you can walk from one to another on a sunny day.
It's true the choices are not all that many, but it's more than just Itaewon and Hongdae. Someone mentioned Hyehwa, and there are tiny pockets of creative fun around Insadong, and just about any of the big unis. You gotta look, and it helps if you have a Korean friend along with you.
Most foreigners in this city are not all that interested, though. It's night clubs, smoky bars, loud and live venues (like the HBC Fest yesterday). Which is okay, nothing wrong with it.
As far as the arts, Seoul is not yet London or Milan, and sure not Paris, and you're just going to find pockets of places that resemble Greenwich Village. Not yet. Good news, a lot of young Koreans are looking to make something like that, though. It might be fun to watch it grow. |
I've checked out Ehwa but it's pretty much just a cluster of women's clothing stores and retail shops in that little hill below the campus isn't it?
Also seems more high-rise dominated vs the semi-pleasant open feeling of Hongdae.
Hyehwa is cool though. Just farther from the river, and I like jogging/riding a bike along the Han river. |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Hongdae/Hapjeong -- the only "creative, hip neighbo |
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| teretere wrote: |
| is the only hip, creative, alternative, homey, Greenwich village style area filled with young, innovative energy in all of S. Korea. |
that's a crock - have you ever even been to Greenwich Village?
it certainly isn't full of young people - in fact it's incredibly diverse not just in ethnicity but ages as well -
nothing in Korea even comes close. in fact, the homogeneity of Korea makes one yearn for the diversity of places like nyc.  |
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teretere
Joined: 26 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: Hongdae/Hapjeong -- the only "creative, hip neighbo |
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| moosehead wrote: |
| teretere wrote: |
| is the only hip, creative, alternative, homey, Greenwich village style area filled with young, innovative energy in all of S. Korea. |
that's a crock - have you ever even been to Greenwich Village?
it certainly isn't full of young people - in fact it's incredibly diverse not just in ethnicity but ages as well -
nothing in Korea even comes close. in fact, the homogeneity of Korea makes one yearn for the diversity of places like nyc. |
Young innovative energy is just a flowery way of describing something I feel -- not a specific observation about demographics.
Last edited by teretere on Mon Aug 16, 2010 1:21 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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If the one truly wanted to be creative and innovative they'd be out in the countryside or whatnot and wouldn't be asking about in Dave's. The real thing we're looking for is a scene to aprty with other like-minded people. In other words, conformity.
Where you live does not make you creative, innovative, or whatnot. |
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