Do you love traveling? Lately I’ve been deep into Korean dramas and dreaming of a trip to Seoul. I came across a video showcasing the many facets of Seoul — and wow, what a fascinating city it is. From rising out of the ruins of war to becoming a global powerhouse, Seoul’s story left a strong impression on me. Today I’d like to share what I learned about Seoul’s culture, beauty scene, food, and nightlife — all inspired by that video.
Seoul’s Beauty Industry: Conquering the World
When you travel to Seoul, one thing you simply can’t skip is beauty shopping. The district of Myeongdong is often called Seoul’s Times Square because it’s the place for shopping — especially for K-beauty. You’ll find everything: large cosmetic chains like Olive Young, color contact lens shops, hair salons, aesthetic clinics — beauty is everywhere.
K-beauty as an industry is enormous. It’s predicted to be worth about $25 billion in 2025. People around the world are following Korea’s beauty trends. In the video, they showed a local makeup artist applying Korean-style makeup — very different from Western styles.
A key feature of Korean makeup is the “aegyosal” look — that little under-eye puff that makes your face look smaller and younger. Think of the look of Jennie from BLACKPINK: youthful, smooth, and with that soft brown shadow under the eyes giving a doll-like feeling.
Nightlife & Food in Seoul
Seoul’s nightlife is diverse and lively. In areas like Itaewon or Hongdae you’ll find many young people out and about; in places like Jongno you’ll find street-food stands and after-work drinking spots. A special place called “pocha-street” (short for pojangmacha street) is a row of simple stands where locals enjoy food and drinks after work.
In Korea, when you drink, you must eat something too — it’s part of the culture. Soju is indispensable: the traditional Korean spirit made from rice, wheat or barley. There’s etiquette: if you’re talking to someone older, you receive the drink with both hands and turn your head when you drink; with someone your age you can use one hand.
Of course, karaoke (noraebang) is a highlight of nightlife. In Seoul it’s so popular it’s almost a religion! Many places are open 24 hours, you get your own private room, eat food and sing. The video showed people singing Lana Del Rey songs in a room — a perfect example of Seoul’s nightlife joy.
Traditional Markets & a Culinary Adventure
A trip to Seoul isn’t complete without visiting a traditional market. In the video they went to one of Seoul’s most famous food markets. The sounds, smells, and vibrant atmosphere were really captivating. The narrator had grown up in Taiwan from age 3 to 10, and said this kind of market brought back memories.
First stop: a store featured on the Netflix series Street Food. They make everything by hand — noodles cut by hand, dumplings hand-made. The noodles were soft, the broth a light chicken-based soup. The dumplings were filled with pork and kimchi, but were home-style rather than heavy.
Second: mung-bean fritters (nokdujeon). Made by grinding mung beans into a batter and frying it, often with pork inside. Served with a slightly sour soy sauce and pickled onions. The texture: crispy outside, moist inside — delicious.
Try Something Unusual
If you’re in Seoul, be bold and try something unusual! The video showed quite a daring food: live octopus (sannakji). It wriggles on your plate — startling! They dip it in sesame oil, salt, and pepper sauce. But a serious caution: if you don’t chew it well it can stick to your throat — reportedly about nine people die per year from choking on it! Despite that, when chewed properly the taste was surprisingly fresh and enjoyable, especially with the sesame oil sauce.
Another daring dish: tartare. Yes, Korea has its version of tartare. Raw beef topped with egg yolk and radish pickles, sweet flavour and sesame aroma. The video said it was fresh, soft and delicious — a nice surprise.
Cooking with a Korean Grandma
Seoul may look ultra-modern but tradition remains alive — especially in food. The video followed a “Good Mate Travel” episode where the host cooked noodle soup with a Korean grandma. They made dough from just flour, water and salt — simple yet precise. They also made fresh kimchi: using mild Korean red pepper for kids, mixing napa cabbage, scallions and carrots into the seasoning.
One charming thing about Korean grandmas — they always insist you eat more. In the video, the grandma kept pushing food to the host — so cute! The noodles were made by rolling the dough, folding it, cutting it with a knife; the broth was made from scallions, kelp and anchovies. The result: noodles so soft they absorbed the soup’s flavour beautifully.
Shopping & Café Culture in Seoul
Seoul is a consumer-paradise. Shopping and eating are major leisure activities. Seongsu-dong is one of the hippest neighbourhoods: full of shops, restaurants and cafés. On Sundays it’s really crowded.
K-beauty is everywhere: so many cosmetic shops with cute packaging and feminine designs. People travel from all over the world just to buy beauty products and receive skincare treatments in Korea.
Seongsu-dong is sometimes called “Seoul’s Brooklyn.” It used to be an industrial area; now it’s home to new businesses, fashion, and a youthful “hipster” vibe.
The café culture in Seoul? Incredible. The video even said one of the best cafés in the world is in Seoul, not Europe. The interiors are stylish and the coffee is excellent. If you like remote work or spending time in cafés, Seoul should be on your list.
Seoul: A Global Cultural Powerhouse
Seoul is a whirlwind of eating, drinking, shopping. From ultra-modern districts to tucked-away traditional corners, it’s a city you’ll love to explore. Some people call it a filmmaker’s paradise.
Korean culture has spread to every corner of the globe — and experiencing its source in Seoul is something special. Not everything will suit your tastes, but you’ll quickly understand how Korea has captured the world’s heart.
From the ashes of war to a global powerhouse in decades, Seoul’s rise is remarkable. Korean culture has been spreading like wildfire — from pop culture to beauty, fashion to food — and Seoul sits at the heart of it.
If you’re planning a trip to Seoul, I hope this article helps a little. Experience the beauty industry, savour the food, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife in the heart of Korean culture. I’m excited to go too! Which part of Seoul do you find most appealing?