Last Days in Seoul: Pajeon Alley, New SM Entertainment Building, Seoul Forest, Myeongdong, Insadong, Cafe Camptong, Flight Home
When we got back from Chuncheon, I knew I'll just be counting days till my flight back home. I thought I've already maxed out on Korea experiences in this trip, but surprisingly there were still a lot of things I was able to do! I was definitely exhausted by this time, but as a wise philosopher once said, sa Manila ka na lang magpahinga. 😂
Hoegi Pajeon Alley
I have a folder on my Instagram account called "Korea Bucket List" where I save anything that I come across my feed that I wish I can go to on my next Korea trip, and this includes the Hoegi Pajeon Alley. Months since I saved that post, I did not expect I'll actually be staying in Hoegi for this trip!
From Chuncheon, Paxie and I went down Hoegi Station and saw the signs leading to the 𝐇𝐨𝐞𝐠𝐢 𝐏𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 where we had dinner. Local students meet in this area for some 𝐩𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢. Paxie and I shared a huge-sized, crispy, greasy, 𝐤𝐢𝐦𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐩𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐨𝐧 (served with burnt cheese on top). So so hearty and good!
📍𝐈𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝗪𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐨𝐧 (이모네왕파전), Hoegi Pajeon Alley, Hoegi Station Exit 1
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| Imagining we were students in the nearby University of Seoul or Hankuk University and we just got out of class! |
Seoul Forest
While it was still autumn, Paxie and I decided to visit the Seoul Forest. But before exploring, we were able to check out the new SM Entertainment building located in the same station. Then we had lunch in a container van style restaurant that sells Korean snacks. We ate outside al fresco style while people and dog watching. The weather was cool, but sun was also warm. It was indeed the most perfect weather to stay outdoors!
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| A quick stop at the new SM building in Seoul Forest. There are big screens running ads and MVs of SM artists just outside the building and in the lobby :) |
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| Super yummy Korean food for lunch. I really enjoyed spotting random food places in Korea with Paxie! |
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| Hot drinks in one hand on this cool day. This area across Seoul Forest is very artsy! |
It was my third time to go to Seoul Forest, but my first time during this season. Golden leaves were falling from the trees, and locals were enjoying their time and taking photos--we even witnessed a beautiful pre-nup! Ang laki laki din pala ng Seoul Forest noh, time stood still while we walked and walked trying to spot the BTS landmarks (RM benches, tube from Love Yourself poster). Didn't notice that we were there for 4 hours already!
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| Recognize these spots, co-ARMYS? :) |
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| Seoul Forest is glimmering GOLD during autumn |
Myeongdong
Also on the same day, Paxie and I spent our night in good ol' Myeongdong for my last minute pasalubong shopping and to meet Tracy.
We got lost while looking for an ATM, but also discovered an underground shopping center (not Myeongdong but Hoehyoen) that sells more LPs than Kpop albums. I used to stay in Hoehyeon area (New Sun Guesthouse + Pomato memories!), but haven’t seen these til now!
Then we went to the usual Myeongdong street food stalls for dinner. So many vegetarian & even vegan options now, perks of touristy areas that most people try to avoid these days.
After our dinner, we stayed in a matcha cafe and talked non-stop for hours. I was hoping time will stop, but we had a bus to catch.
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| Will try to explore this Hoeyeon underground mall next time! |
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| Tried this hot vegetarian mandou, and spotted my favorite strawberry mochi! |
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| Touristy, but I still love you Myeongdong! :) |
Cafe Onion
On my flight day, I had the courage to still fill my last few hours with meet-ups and shopping!
I finally tried the trendy Cafe Onion in Anguk, Seoul. Pastries lined up a long wooden table, so pretty but more importantly so delicious! No wonder lines are pretty long in this shop.
I also met up with my dear friend Marc, whom I met during my last Korea trip before the pandemic. Introduced him to my friends, and we talked non-stop about so many things--mostly about Korea and our favorite idols.
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| Been seeing this cafe on sns and finally got to try it! Thanks Marc for bringing us here! |
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| Reunion with Marc over good pastries (not overrated at all!) |
Yeolrin Songhyeon Green Plaza
After our brunch, I requested to visit a BT21 store, and the nearest one is in Insadong. We just walked from Anguk, and came across a park with beautiful autumn flowers cosmos. This is also the location that RM recently posted on his Instagram! We stopped for a while to take pics.
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| A little Namjooning on my last hours in Seoul |
Line Friends Insadong
I only had the chance to “shop” last few hours before my flight. I was in full “tipid” mode for this long trip, that I tried the hardest to steer clear from my usual faves..Namely: ABC Mart, ArtBox, and Olive Young. I only got a few stuff in Daiso, Olive Young, some honey butter nuts in Myeongdong, postcards, and the MIN wood keychain as material souvenirs for this trip! Anyway, I was able to buy some habilins in Line Friends Insadong, and my sister even bought me a Chimmy stress ball for getting her RJ plushies!
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| A cool @callmemakeu Seoul trivia: shops in Insadong still has Hangul signages just like this Starbucks and Nature Republic! |
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| I know we have Line Friends in MNL na, but nothing like visiting one when in Korea. :) |
Cafe Camptong
My final stop before getting my bags at the guesthouse and heading to the airport is *still* a BTS location!
From Insadong, we took a cab to Gangnam to visit Cafe Camptong, where the HILARIOUS Run BTS episodes 118-119 were filmed!
It was a quick pic-and-run for me though, coz inabutan na ng rush hour. I wasn’t able to check out the other floors anymore, but actually all is well… Akalain niyo, naka huling hirit pa ako before my flight!
📍 Cafe Camptong, Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5 (10-minute walk that felt like 30 mins sa nag hahabol ng flight lol)
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| Can't believe my last stop for this trip is still a BTS location! ❤ |
Heading Home
Always bittersweet heading to the airport for home. I decided to book a Kakao T (best app for this trip talaga) even though my total fare is about PHP 2500+. I was tired, I didn't want to be late, and my bags were extra heavy after 30 days of traveling. No regrets though, everything went smoothly at the airport.
I remember posting on my IG Stories that I was too tired na para mag emote, haha. But sa totoo lang, if only I can still extend my trip again I would! But it had been a long journey already so I guess it was really time to rest. Nth time of saying good bye to Korea, and I still felt sad. Oh well, time to plan again for our next "comeback". :)
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| Running back to my accommodation for my bags few hours before my flight, spotted this Lee Know subway ad :) |
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| Korea trip soon? Download the Kakao T (taxi hailing app) before your flight--a lifesaver! |
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| Without even shopping a lot, check-in bags reached almost 37 kilos! Glad I pre-booked extra luggage allowance prior my flight. |
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| But of course! Last meal in Korea was a Paris Baguette egg salad sandwich |
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