Archive for May 2015

Home Archive for May 2015

Hongdae, being known as a hip place amongst the Seoulites, can be a perfect spot for solo traveller. There are so many things to do when you solo travelling in Hongdae.

1. Dress up like the Seoulites

Things to do when you solo travelling in Hongdae

South Korean women really knows how to dress themselves and since you are already in Korea, it's time for you to up your style to another notch, no? After all, the saying says we should do as what the locals do when we are visiting a country. Hehe.

2. Visit the famous Hongik University

Hongik University is quite famous amongst both local and international students in Korea. It is particularly well known for its school of Fine Arts and Design in Korea. In addition, Hongik University has International Language Institute which provide Korean language course specifically designed for foreigners.

3. Enjoying the street art exhibition

Street Art Exhibition at Hongdae Seoul Korea

Near to Hongik University which is also known as Hongdae (now you know where the name comes from), there is a street art exhibition whereby Hongik students can display their own artwork. You can also see a lot of poster for all kind of music performance held in Hongdae area.

4. Watch kids play in the playground

This playground has been featured so many times in Korean variety shows like Running Man. So yeah, it is somewhat famous in Seoul. But I suppose you are not encouraged to play here as there may be a lot of kids playing with it when you come. Hahaha.

5. Visit the iconic building, Sangsangmadang

Sangsangmadang is actually a mall but it is quite famous because Sangsangmadang is often featured in Korean variety shows as one of the meeting place especially for Running Man shows. There are a lot of cafes and art galleries inside Sangsangmadang.

Sangsangmadang Hongdae Art Gallery Seoul

You can simply spend few hours browsing around the artsy stuff at Sangsangmadang.

How to visit Hongdae area?

Hongdae is best visited by using subway. Simply take the subway to Hongdae (Hongik University) Station for fastest way to Hongdae.

For other travel tips in Korea, you can also read 5 Things to Do When You Travelling Alone at Ssamziegil, Insadong.

Thanks God it's Friday. I suppose this fact stands no matter if you are alone or not. After all, we have been fighting through Monday to Thursday to finally reach the long awaited day. Hahaha.

But, what are supposed to do if we have no date to spend Friday night with?

1. Sitcoms/ K-dramas binge

This is your chance to catch up on your latest sitcom/drama/variety shows. If let's say you can only watch 1 or 2 on a weekday night, you can watch as many as you want throughout the night. Because tomorrow is Saturday...lalala.

2. Cook your dinner

For you, at-home-chef who does not really have time to cook at all during the weekdays.

3. Treat yourself to a nice meal

Some restaurants do accept single diner. If you don't give a damn at all to a Friday night crowd, you can also treat yourself to delicious food that you've been setting your eyes on.

4. Hit the gym

"Only losers go to gym on a Friday night". If you heard that phrase before, oh boy, you can't be more wrong. The gym is packed at Friday night, I'm telling you. How do I know? Well, I do hit the gym after work on a Friday night if I overeat at lunchtime. #gluttonme

5. Go to a bookstore and lurk there

Bookstores are the best places to lurk without having to feel so self-conscious. It's kinda sad that there are fewer and fewer bookstores nowadays. #darnebook

6. People watching at a cafe

Do note that cafe on a Friday night can be very noisy and hence, probably not the best time to do people watching. But then again, this problem can be resolved easily by an earphones. And an Ipod. In addition, a lot of people is usually bitching on a Friday night about their work, their life, or anything under the sun. So you can probably do a little "listening" at the same time.

7. Spend time with Jesus

Well I have to throw this in because hey, you finally have your time alone so why don't use it to meditate on His words. I bet it will make you feeling better instead of falling into #foreveralone moment in despair. Listening to sermon does help too if you don't feel like reading the Bible.

Do you prefer to exercise alone, with a buddy, or in a group?

I personally go to the gym most of the time so even though I may join some group exercises, I will still join it solo (and to socialise or not to socialise depends on the instructor's...err..instruction? #forced). I do have a tendency to shy away from group exercise classes which have instructors who like to ask us to pair up all the time. Geez.

So why do some people (like me) prefer to exercise alone.

1. You can get into the zone

Okay, this can go either way. Sometimes, without a gym buddy, you'll end up not going (and hence, losing focus). Hahaha. But for you fellow loner, exercising alone makes you can focus better at your gym goal. And what kind of exercise you want to accomplish in the day.

2. Less energy spent socialising

Socialising drain your energy and your mojo too, especially if your personality is leaning toward the introvert side. Exercising alone will expose you less to this risk.

3. You don't have to talk unless you want to

Yes, even if you join a group exercise. You can just focus on what the instructor says and follow accordingly. You can always laugh together with fellow classmate when there is something funny happen in the class, but the option of whether to have a chat or not is totally up to you. Most people that join a group exercise is usually loner anyway.

4. Look does not really matter

Especially after the class, when you are drenched in sweat. This even worse if you are working out with your crush. Even if in the case of emergency (e.g. sweat makes eyeliner run out from your eyelid when you totally have no time to wipe your make up before class), you can just make a quick dash to the changing room to fix it without giving a care on who have seen that fiasco. After all, strangers do not bother us anyway. Nor do they give a damn.

If you look as hot as UEE (re: a Korean singer and actress) when you are exercising, no. 4 will not be really a problem for you. Damn, I'm so jealous. LOL.