Once an industrial area filled with old warehouses, Seongsu-dong is now a revitalised destination in Seoul that is frequented by cool in-the-know creatives.
From trendy Itaewon and vibrant Hongdae to glamorous Gangnam, many are familiar with Seoul’s iconic neighbourhoods. But if you are eager to uncover a hidden gem in the South Korean capital, head to Seongsu-dong instead.
So in 2018, Hong bought a 50-year-old dye factory and transformed the premises into an industrial-chic cafe that still bears many of the original building’s architectural details.The two-storey cafe retains many of the factory's original architecture. “If you look at the roof from the inside, that is what it has looked like for the last 50 years.
Besides event venues, galleries and retail spaces for cult brands, this neighbourhood also draws entrepreneurs seeking to launch interesting business concepts on a smaller budget compared to large, international brands. There is also a restorative element to working and creating an object with one’s hands that draws people back for more. Oh said, “Physically touching wood and touching nature can heal us. We are moving at a breakneck speed in this digital age so we need something analogue in our lives to counterbalance this.”The South Korean artist who upcycles used glass bottles into beautiful works of art
“Large factories appeared, where shoes of the same design are mass-produced by machines. A large number of low-price shoes are also imported from China, so our shoemaking industry was eliminated by natural selection,” said Yu. As with any up-and-coming neighbourhood in a big city, there is always a possibility that gentrification may drive away the very same creative minds that were drawn to its gritty charm in the first place. But for now, the balance between old and new has made Seongsu-dong one of Seoul’s favourite hidden gems.
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