Neighbourhood guide

Seongsu

Factories, cafés and designers

Séoul

The vibe

A former district of factories and shoemakers, Seongsu has seen its warehouses turn into cafés, pop-up stores and designer workshops. Wander between pop-ups and galleries, then stroll in nearby Seoul Forest.

Good to know

The made-to-measure shoe workshops on the “shoe street” are still there: ask for a pair made to your size.

When to go

Weekend afternoons, when the pop-up stores are open.

Getting there

Subway to Seongsu or Ttukseom (Line 2), Seoul Forest (Suin-Bundang line).

The story

How the neighbourhood came to be

For decades, Seongsu made much of Korea’s handmade footwear. Since the 2010s its brick industrial buildings have drawn brands and young entrepreneurs, earning it the nickname “Seoul’s Brooklyn”.

Did you know?

1Seoul Forest, opened in 2005, occupies a former racecourse and golf course.
2The area hosts new pop-up stores from Korean brands every week.

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