The Korean Story of Andy Tattoo in Hongdae, Seoul
When it comes to must-buy products in Korea, it can feel overwhelming right before you head home. With so much to choose from — beauty, snacks, traditional gifts — many people end up just grabbing convenience store snacks when time runs out. Living in Hongdae for over 10 years and chatting with countless foreign visitors, … Read more
Have you ever stood at a Korean mart or convenience store checkout and heard the cashier ask, “Would you like a bag?” Many foreigners say “yes” assuming it’s free — then get surprised when 100–200 won is added to the total. This isn’t a mistake. Korea’s bag fee is a legally mandated environmental policy. Knowing … Read more
As of February 2026, Seoul has a total of 136 public smoking booths — a very small number compared to roughly 300,000 no-smoking zones. On top of that, the distribution is heavily uneven — 11 districts have no public smoking booths at all. Having been active in Hongdae for 10 years, there’s a question I … Read more
If you thought you could smoke anywhere on Korean streets, you need to read this first. Korea has very strict indoor no-smoking policies, and outdoor no-smoking zones are expanding fast. There are actually foreign travelers who get fined because they didn’t know the rules. Having been active in Hongdae for 10 years, there’s a question … Read more
In Korea, taking off your shoes before entering indoors is basic etiquette. It applies not just at homes, but also at some restaurants and temples. Many first-time foreign visitors feel confused and wonder, “Why do I have to take my shoes off?” This isn’t just about hygiene. It’s a rule shaped by hundreds of years … Read more
In Korea, you can walk out of an optical shop with new glasses in just 30 minutes. In the US or Europe, the same process usually takes 1–2 weeks. In Korea, you can get it done even while traveling. Prices are often half of what you’d pay back home. That’s why many foreigners now say, … Read more
You’re standing somewhere near Hongdae, trying to figure out where to eat. Maybe you’ve already scrolled through a dozen “best restaurants in Seoul” lists and somehow still feel stuck. Maybe you’ve got a foreign friend next to you asking, “So… what’s actually good here?” Here’s the answer. One place. No overthinking needed. This is what … Read more
On a rainy day in Korea, the food that naturally comes to mind is definitely green onion pancakes and Makgeolli. However, recently, fusion Korean bars that reinterpret traditional Jeon to suit the tastes of younger generations and global visitors are gaining huge popularity. Among them, the place I will introduce this time is Hongdae Halmae … Read more