Korea 2023 3/15 : Pretty Tulip at Seoul Forest Park, Visiting BTS Old Dormitory and Building

"First time seeing so many different kind of flowers and that's just make me so happy. I love Spring!"

lovely flowers at Seoul Forest Park

Day 3 - Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Korea University

Catching up with an old friend in Anam area. We had lunch together at 미가박당 (Migabakdang). First time trying Kalguksu (Korean Knife-Cut Noodle dish) in Korea and we also had Pajeon (Korean Pancake). It's still cold in Seoul so nice to eat that hot noodle soup and the Pajeon also tasty, if you want to try like Korean Authentic food, you might consider come to this restaurant.

We also visited and look around Korea University, the building was gorgeous and pretty. Korea University is a private university in Seoul, South Korea. Established in 1905, the university was named after Goguryeo. The university is one of the SKY universities. The student body consists of over 20,000 undergraduate students and over 10,000 graduate students (source : Wikipedia). It's one of three most prestigious universities in South Korea, the other two are Seoul National University and Yonsei University. I bet it will looks much prettier during Spring or Autumn. Thanks for showing me around, guys!

me, Sunil's friend and Sunil

SM Entertainment - Kwangya Seoul - Seoul Forest Park

I had no plan on that day so I asked my friend recommendation and he told me this park. I went here and surprisingly I found the new SM Entertaintment building in this area, uwaaa kind of expecting to meet Yunho or Changmin lol.

Apparently there were some cute cafes around this area and I happened to explore a little bit before heading to the park. And I found Kwangya Seoul there downstairs, it was beyond my expectation. It was really nice to go inside and seeing my favorite idol inside the store even though there wasn't many of their merchandises but it's nice experience.

i love the ambience around this area

inside the store

From there I was heading to my initial plan to go to that area, Seoul Forest Park. This park was huge and surprisingly there were Tulip Garden, so happy to see those pretty Tulip flowers. It was soo lovely, actually I booked a tour from Klook to go to see Tulip Festival because I haven't see Tulip flower so I was so curious and booked one. But since the quota didn't meet the minimum so they cancelled the trip. So when I arrived at Seoul Forest Park and saw those pretty Tulip flowers, it made me so happy. In addition, it was free! haha because for the trip I paid almost Rp 1 mio but I got my refund. There were so many flowers in that park and I also saw Daisy flower, loveee! I spent quite some time there.

beautiful Tulip flowers

   

Hyuga (ex. BTS Dormitory)

I looked the map and decided to visit this cafe by taking a bus. This cafe was a BTS dormitory so you might find and feel those BTS vibes in the cafe. They also put some pictures when BTS were there and there were also colorful notes  on the wall with some messages.

I checked almost each floor due to curiosity and each floor seems different vibes. If you are BTS fans, you will love to visit this cafe. I ordered Strawberry Latte (KRW 6,400).

Location :

16 Nonhyeon-ro 119-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

sweet notes for BTS from their fans around the world

Old Big Hit Entertainment Building (BTS Agency)

I passed by the restaurant where I heard BTS keep coming to this restaurant when they were still trainee. There were so many BTS images in that restaurant, Yoojung Sikdang. From there I headed to the Old Big Hit Building. I think maybe everything from BTS started from this building, all their dreams, effort and hard work that finally paid. I remember it was quite tired for me to reach this building since the street was ups and downs haha. You might find those writings from the fans.

Location Yoojung Sikdang :

14 Dosan-daero 28-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

Location Old Big Hit Entertainment Building :

Nonhyeon-ro 145-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

Yoojung Sikdang

Garosu-gil and Sinsa

It's not that far from the BTS building so I walked there and just looked around the area. So many stores, cute coffee shop or stores there. It will getting crowded especially at night.

Itaewon

I never been to Itaewon so I was just curious with this area so I thought I am going to visit this area due to well-known Korean Drama, Itaewon Class (2020). There was actually an unfortunate Halloween event happened in 2022, it was sad memory, may they rest in peace and similar event never happened again like that, stay safe everyone. I forgot what scene in Itaewon Class but apparently the filming location happened in G Guesthouse.

Location :

G Guesthouse Itaewon
14-38 Bogwang-ro 60-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea

Itaewon Bridge

Apparently this area was located bit further than Itaewon. I took subway and unbelievable the station was so big and deep. It felt like more than 5 floor down there because I remember I took escalator and went up for more than 5 floors.

From the bridge I can see Namsan Tower, it was pretty because the lights on. There was only a guy taking a picture or maybe video with his tripod and me. I spent some time there, maybe you will find this location in some Korean Drama, not only in Itaewon Class because the place was look familiar to me.

Location :

Noksapyeong Pedestrian Bridge

4 Yongsan-dong 4(sa)-ga, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea

It's night already but I kind of curious with a cafe that mentioned in drama but the address was wrong. I went to exact address but apparently the Danbam Cafe was not there, either wrong address or the cafe already closed, I don't know. It's really cold at that night so I decided to stop by at Tteokpokki stall and bought Tteokpokki and also Odeng.

such a comfort night food for me

Back to Myeongdong area, anyway I found a store underground near Myeongdong Station that sell K-pop merchandises that quite affordable, so I bought some for my friends and sister. I am planning to go to Nonsan tomorrow, back to visit Sunshine Land since when I went there in 2019, apparently it was closed and I am still curious to go inside.

See you and thank you for reading my travel diaries.

Take care,

MJ