2025년 06월 26일

Cheap activities and souvenirs in Seoul

Culturestay korea Guideby Ambre0 Comments

Are you looking for short, typically Korean activities to do during your stay?

I’ll show you things to do between 2 visits or in the evening in the lively neighborhoods. They’re easy to find all over Seoul!

PHOTOBOOTH

Photobooths are small studios where you can take photos of yourself or your friends, without a photographer. They offer different backdrops, accessories such as glasses or headbands, and aesthetic filters. Photos are printed instantly and can also be downloaded. Found throughout Seoul, particularly in districts such as Hongdae and Myeongdong, these studios have become a real cultural phenomenon and a must-see souvenir for visitors.

If you look hard enough, you’ll find original decors such as a subway station, a laundromat or a supermarket.

CRANE GAME

In South Korea,crane games are a common sight in busy neighborhoods such as Hongdae, Sinchon and Gangnam. People play to catch stuffed toys, figurines or gadgets, often cute and with a K-pop or anime theme. Some stores have dozens of them side by side, and they stay open late, some even 24 hours a day. They’ve become a real hobby for locals and tourists alike, combining play, collecting and challenge.

GASHAPON SHOP

In South Korea, gashapon shops are boutiques filled with Japanese-inspired toy capsule dispensers. Very popular in Seoul, especially in districts such as Hongdae and Myeongdong, these stores offer hundreds of machines lined up in a row, each containing mini-figurines, K-pop accessories or kawaii collectibles. For a few coins, you get a random surprise. It’s a fun activity, much appreciated by young people and tourists.

MORE ACTIVITIES

Often, in this kind of neighborhood, or even in the same building, we can find large arcades.

Korean arcades (game centers), are very popular places where you can play all kinds of games: rhythm, shooting, dance, racing or retro classics. They can be found in almost every lively district of Seoul.

Modern and bright, these spaces attract teenagers and young adults. You can play for between 500 and 2,000 ₩ per game.

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All this can also be accompanied by karaoke rooms.

Karaoke halls in South Korea are a staple of Korean culture. These are small private rooms where you can sing with friends, family or colleagues. They feature a vast selection of Korean and international songs, complete with microphones, screens and colorful lights.

Available 24 hours a day in neighborhoods such as Hongdae and Gangnam, they are popular after parties or meals.