Hongdae

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During my stay in Korea I stayed mainly in Hongdae.

And in central Hongdae too, near the university because

that's where my grandparents live.

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It was fantastic living in Hongdae because that's where all the young & hip

Koreans go. It's famous for being filled with uni students.

The alley ways are filled with unique graffiti also because

the Hongdae University is famous for specialising in arts.

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Sorry for the crap photos. There were more better graffitis as well but can't seem

to find them right now.

There was also really great architecture in Hongdae as well.

The last photo is of a cafe? (I think, didn't get the chance to go in)

called 'Over the door'. Hence all the door nailed to the outside walls.

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Every night the streets of Hongdae light up and all the small stores are open til late.

There's rows of clothing shops (check out the fruit loops jumper in the photo!)

and cafes and food shops. The last two photos are of this

small street soju/food shop that seemed to hold a little shrine to past rock stars.

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Out of the many cafes in Hong Dae my favourite was 'Dada Cafe'. I ended up going there twice.

If you go to Seoul I recommend you go there!

The owner is really cool - he's this old guy with long grey hair.

And I think that the workers can speak little English. Or at least the one who served me did.

@ Dada there are two small dogs who are the mascots of the cafe.

They walk around freely and customers are allowed to pat them, hug them, let them sit on the tables etc.

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The two dogs are actually a couple called Daljjae & Sambunee. The girl is pregnant right now.

My cousin said daljjae means like scrawny and I think sambunee refers to three minutes.

Forgot which dog was called which... but they're so adorable and tiny.

The girl dog is the one wearing the yellow vest. The owners shaved her legs to make it look like she's wearing ugg boots because it was winter when I went over.

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Every Friday or Saturday night Dada Cafe hosts live music.

The night I went, there was this really funny old American guitar/singer who seemed like he had been living in Korea for a long time.

I was also very lucky that night because I went when some jive (I think?) dancers were there.

I think they were celebrating some event and happened to come to this cafe.

And they danced and showed off their awesome skills as the live music played.

Because of them the atmosphere was so lively and fantastic.

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I MISS HONGDAE!!