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The four seasons are super pronounced in Korea, which means that the summers are super hot and the winters are freezing cold.

A lot of Koreans prefer indoor activities as opposed to the great outdoors during these times of extreme weather. So today, we're going to be introducing several indoors attractions/activities in Gangnam, Hongdae, and Myeongdong that you'll be able to enjoy regardless of the weather outside.   

Shall we take a look?

Seoul Indoor Attractions | Gangnam

Gangnam Indoor Attraction | 1. COEX

COEX is the most famous convention center in Korea. Located in Samsung Station, there's always an event, exhibition, or fair going on in this massive venue. 

Some attractions you can find here include the Starfield Library, COEX Mall, the aquarium, and SM TOWN.

COEX | Starfield Library

 The Starfield Library is an open-space library located in the center of COEX Mall. The library is filled with books from floor to ceiling, popular not only among tourists but also Korean locals as well. People come here to take Instagram photos. Small concerts or other performances are held in the open library space from time to time. 

The library is especially beautiful in the evenings as the shelf lights turn on   

Click here to learn more about visiting Starfield Library

COEX | COEX Aquarium

You can't forget about the aquarium at COEX. As the biggest aquarium in Korea, other than all the fish to be found there, there's additional attractions such as Mermaid performances, feeding experiences, etc. 

I personally think that the COEX aquarium is one of the best places to spend your times indoors.

You can get your tickets at a 25% discount with your Creatrip membership!   

Click here to learn more about the COEX Aquarium

COEX | Starfield COEX Mall

The Starfield Coex Mall is a huge shopping center. It has it all from clothing, accessories, cosmetics shops to cafes and restaurants.

Clean and fancy like a department store, but huge enough to spend half a day to enjoy it all.   

They have everything from street brands to high-end brands!  

Not only clothing but cosmetics as well. Most Korean cosmetics brands can be found at this mall. 

Click here to learn more about the Starfield COEX Mall

COEX | SM TOWN Coexartium

Another attraction that many flock to is the SM TOWN Coexartium. This is where you can purchase and experience everything that has to do with your favorite SM Entertainment KPOP artist.  From merch shops, cafe, galleries, and even a theater!

Merch from groups such as TVXQ, Super Junior, Shinee, Henry, EXO, NCT, etc. are all available here!  

SM Entertainment fans unite! Prepare for time to fly by! 

Even if you're not a fan of KPOP, it's still an interesting place to look around if you're ever at COEX   

Gangnam Indoor Attraction | 2. Gangnam Station

The next place on this list is near Gangnam Station, made infamous by PSY's song Gangnam Style!

Gangnam Station is almost always busy because it's the transfer station between line 2 and the Shinbundang Line and where the intercity buses stop. It's filled with shopping, restaurants, and plently of indoor activities.   

Gangnam Station | Gangnam Station Underground Mall

The Gangnam Station Underground Mall has everything ranging from clothing, accessories, and cosmetics.

Sales are always happening at cosmetic shops, and the accessories and clothing you'll find here are generally really cheap!  

Click here to learn more about all the underground malls in Seoul 

Gangnam Station | Gangnam VR Station

Tired of shopping? Then try this unique little gem out at VR Station!

Located right in front of Gangnam Station, VR Station is the largest VR experience facility in Korea that has everything from movies, games, and even a cafe indoors. You can definitely spend at least half a day here.  

Compared to the smaller scale VR cafes you'll see from time to time, VR Station is equipped with all the latest gear. 

If you book through Creatrip, you'll get 40% off the all-day pass!  

Click here to learn more about Gangnam VR Station

Gangnam Station | Beauty Consulting

A lot of you who come to Korea are probably interested in K-beauty. Did you know that everybody has different colors and styles that suit them?

The ibeauty Store is a beauty consulting store where you get professional beauty and styling advice based on your skin type, skin undertones, and eye color.

You can both a color consultation and makeup consultation at the ibeauty Store. 

It's an interesting and super helpful experience to get a professional give you beauty tips and tricks in Korea.  

Click here to learn more about the ibeauty Store

Gangnam Indoor Attraction | 3. Express Bus Terminal Station

The Express Bus Terminal is even busier than Gangnam as it's the tranfer point betwen lines 3, 7, and 9, as well as the location of the biggest bus terminal in Seoul. 

You'll also find a collection of shopping, food, movie theater, and department store all connected in one building. Among local Koreans, this is the most popular place to take your date. 

The Express Bus Terminal is divided largely into the underground shopping mall, the multi shopping complex Central City, and a collection of restaurants called Famille Station.

Express Bus Terminal Station | Underground Mall

The Express Bus Terminal has the largest underground shopping mall in Korea. Like the one at Gangnam Station, this mall also has all sorts of clothing, accessories, and cosmetics shops.

Because of the fierce competition from neighboring stores, the prices tend to be super low!  

Click here to learn more about the Express Bus Terminal underground shopping mall

Express Bus Terminal Station | Central City

You'll enter a modern underground space once you take the basement exit from Express Bus Terminal Station. This is another shopping comnplex called Central City.

The clean cut interior is like a department store, and unlike the underground shopping mall, they have more well-known brands.

A movie theater, book store, and a Kakao Friends store can also be found here. Many Korean couples come here for their dates.  

Express Bus Terminal Station | Famille Station

Famille Station is a space with all varieties of restaurants and cafes. It's a super clean looking space undergound.  

It becomes bustling with families, friends, and couples in the weekends. 

Starbucks is actually the most popular destination here out of all the restaurants and cafes. It has a giant domed ceiling that's beautiful when it's lit up in the evenings!  

The dove installations hanging from the ceiling is also super interesting. What a great place to chill for a bit between your shopping.

Click here to learn more about Express Bus Terminal restaurants

Seoul Indoor Attractions | Hongdae

Usually when you think of Hongdae, you'll think of hipster cafes and shops on the street. 

There are in fact many indoor attractions to be found here, like DIY cafes, animal cafes, and picture studios etc.

Hongdae Indoor Attraction | 1. DIY Cafe

Hongdae has a lot of DIY cafes where you can design, decorate, make, and build all sorts of things. A common DIY is for jewelry like rings and bracelets.

The staff explains step-by-step how to finish your product and then you can get your creative juices flowing.   Perfect if you're looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir from Korea!

DIY Cafe | Hongdae Ring University

The Hongdae Ring University is a studio where you can design and make your own ring. As the most famous DIY ring shop, there are locations in both Hongdae and Myeongdong! 

There's even a Chinese/English guide to help out with any communication so that even foreign visitors can enjoy.  

Get 10% off your one-of-a-kind ring by booking through Creatrip!

Click here to learn more about Hongdae Ring University

DIY Cafe | Hongdae Tingkl U

You can make your own bracelets at Tingkl U. It's popular among couples.

You can choose everything from the bracelet material, cubics, pendant, etc. to make your own truly unique piece.  

There's no Chinese guide available, but the instructions are so easy that you can definitely just communicate what you need with simple English.

Don't forget to get your discount through Creatrip!   

Click here to learn more about Hongdae Tingkl U

Hongdae Indoor Attraction | 2. Animal Cafes

Animal cafes are the second most popular indoor activity in Hongdae after DIY cafes. From cats, dogs, to meercats and racoons, there are all sorts of animals to chill with.  

If you like animals, get yourself to an animal cafe to feed and pet them.

Hongdae Animal Cafe | Table A

Table A is famous among locals. They have cats, meercats, and racoons.

The animals here seem to really like people. They'll stride over and sit on your lap (I was so nervous but happy).  

They're all so cute, I feel healed just looking at their sweet faces   

Get a 10% discount by booking through Creatrip! 

If you have snacks in your hand, everyone's going to come running towards you so be careful hahaha.

Click here to learn more about Hongdae Table A

Hongdae Animal Cafe | Mangcoon

Mangcoon has dogs and racoons. They're slightly bigger than cats and so much more naughtier. Such cute babies still.  

Why not chill with a furry friend when the weather outside's not so welcoming?

Mangcoon takes extra care of sanitation by separating the animal area and the cafe area. 

Get a 10% discount by booking through Creatrip!

Fall in love with racoons and doggos: Mangcoon review

Hongdae Indoor Attaction | 3. Photo Studios

A lot of foreingers like to get their ID photos taken while in Korea. This is because Korean photo studios are great at natural-looking photoshop!  

Get your perfect photo while you're in Hongdae!

Hongdae Photo Studio | Woori Dongnae Photo Studio

Woori Dongnae Photo Studio is a Creatrip-approved studio. You can take care of your outfit, makeup, and photo all in one go without any extra prep needed before coming. 

The photoshop takes place as a one-on-one session with the staff so you can get it edited exactly as you like!  

Click here to learn more about Woori Dongnae Photo Studio

Hongdae Photo Studios | Time On Me Studio

If this is your first time getting a proper ID photo taken, I recommend the Time On Me studio. They tell you everything you need to do so that you won't have to worry about anything.   

The studio itself is super clean and nice.

Outfit and makeup is available so that you won't need to prepare anything in advance.

You can also specify how you want your photos to be edited so it's a perfect place to get your first ID photo taken.   

Click here to learn more about Hongdae Time On Me Studio

Seoul Indoor Attractions | Myeongdong

Myeongdong is usually known to be the place to shop around and get street food, but there are actually a lot of things you can do indoors here as well. 

Some examples include the cultural complex 1898 Plus, DIY cafes, and the Running Man attraction!

Myeongdong Indoor Activity | 1. 1898 Plus

1898 Plus is a culural complex located in the basement floor of the Myeongdong Cathedral. There are galleries, bookstores, and cafes within it, making it great place to chill and look around for maybe half a day or so. 

It's not huge, but time still flies by here as there's so much to see.  

Check it out if you're in Myeongdong!

Myeongdong Indoor Activity | 2. DIY Perfume Cafe

Myeongdong also has DIY cafes. The ones in Myeongdong are for making your own personal perfume.  

Definitely give DIY cafes a go if you're looking for something unique to bring back from Korea!

Myeongdong DIY Cafe | GN Perfume

You can make your own personal scent at GN Perfume. They say that first impressions actually depend a lot more on scent than your actual face, so wouldn't it be nice to have your own super unique scent?

Or make a scent to give as a present to let them know how unique they are.  

Click here to learn more about Myeongdong GN Perfume

DIY Cafe | Myeongdong Ring University

This is the different branch of the Hongdae DIY ring studio, where you can design and make your own ring.

There's also a Chinese/English guide here to help out with any communication so that even foreign visitors can enjoy.   

Get 10% off your one-of-a-kind ring by booking through Creatrip!

Click here to learn more about Myeongdong/Hongdae Ring University

Myeongdong Indoor Activity | 3. Running Man

Become a crew member of one of the most famous TV shows in East Asia, Korea's Running Man. Located in Insadong, which is not too far from Myeongdong.   

There are missions that have actually been featured on the Running Man show, so it's super fun to go with a friend and try them all out haha.

There are also photo zones where you can have fun taking pics. Take pics, play games and before you know it, you'll have spent half a day in here. 

If you'd like to make some unforgettable memories near Myeongdong or Insadong, make sure to check out Running Man! 

Book through Creatrip and get 15% off! Click here to learn more!

We covered some indoor activities that you can do in Gangnam, Hongdae, and Myeongdong. If you have any further inquiries, please feel free to comment below or shoot us an email at  help@creatrip.com!

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