Hongdae Street, Tourist attraction in Seogyo-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Hongdae Street is a popular tourist attraction in the Seogyo-dong neighborhood of Seoul, South Korea, known for its cafes, shops, galleries, and street performers. The main street, Eoulmadang-ro, is a wide pedestrian road where cars are not allowed on weekends.
The area grew around Hongik University, which was founded in 1946 and gave the neighborhood its nickname. Eoulmadang-ro, the main pedestrian street today, was once a rail line used to transport coal before it was transformed.
Hongdae takes its name from Hongik University, which is known for its art and design programs. The streets around it are filled with galleries, murals, and small art markets where local creativity is easy to spot.
The easiest way to arrive is at Hongik University Station, where several subway lines stop along with a direct airport rail connection. The streets are well lit and busy in the evening, making a walk after dark a good option.
The area received the official status of a "Culture & Arts Tourist Zone" in 2021, which means the city actively supports its art scene and promotes regular markets and events. The flagship stores of Kakao Friends and Line Friends, two cartoon character brands widely known across Asia, are also found along the street.
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