hongdae

http://www.artit.jp/

should be available in kyobo gwanghwamun.

in Insadong, SSamziegil, the new bldg opposite Insa Art Space has a good gallery in the basement, excellent restaurants B1 & on top floor and a SEIZY green tea spot on 2F.

also worth looking at are EARTH (formerly known as DO SHOP) for a selection of hard to find imported design products (eg 10 swedish designers, JOHN MAEDA dvds, MARC NEWSON bike), above it DO ART gallery, next door... on 3F & 4F INSA ART SPACE and around the corner down a lane, SARUBIA alternative space gallery (B1). all the galleries are listed on www.neolook.com (mainly in KOR, some English).

near Insadong, in samcheong dong there are a few great espresso places, like

BENE (on the way to Art Sonje, great panini, superb service, UK Guradian sometimes)

the tiny TOGO Cafe (turn right at Art Sonje) with a few nice eames pieces

killer patbingsu's (green tea, wine, coffee) at Kukje Gallery

Edited by hongdae on Jan 9, 2005 at 06:36 PM

naoto fukasawa

marcel wanders

+-1

jonathan ive

marc newson

ora-ito

milk (HK)

creative review

giant robot

smart girls

frame

(no particular order)

seoul's hip hop scene seems to be concentrated around the hongik university area (line 2 subway). google 'club day' and 'hongdae' for hip hop clubs.

in sinchon, there are a bunch of love hotels which are probably the best value for $. large tv's, sometimes broadband PC's, always clean, usually new looking interiors. you can always ask to see the rooms and unlike japan you can stay for a few nights. prices between w40,000 - w50,000 and more for saturdays.

enjoy!

ditto to jean.

myeongdong is the hub of seoul street fashion, though not much cutting edge stuff, a bit samey. on it's fringe are a few great import only mag stores (esp for jap design mags).

dongdameun's apm, migliore & doota are always fun to have a quick browse and edae (ewha women's uni area) has an interesting maze of stores. hongdae's worth a peek too.

check out the south-west side area between exit 6 of the hongik uni subway station and the uni's main gates.

there's a maze of lanes and side streets to explore. not as dense, tokyo style, but a few gems here & there in terms of cafes, bars, clothes. def check out club day, 15 clubs for the price of one, last fridays of the month.

north east side, more korean bbqs & stores. really great art/design bookshop opposite FeDex bldg near exit 5.

try www.graniph.com