Annyeonghaseyo! (Hello in Korean)
Living in Seoul has given me many insights. Along the way, I learned more and more about this amazing city, which made me enjoy Seoul even more.
If you plan on staying in Seoul, here are 12 fascinating things you’ll discover within the first few days!
12 Fascinating First Impressions
1. Hip and Well-dressed
First, get ready to feel underdressed—at least that’s how I felt the first few days!
Folks in Seoul take their fashion seriously, which is something many foreigners notice when they live in Korea. Many people walk down the street in neat and fashionable outfits.
I would describe the Korean clothing style as a mix of Scandinavian and European fashion because of the minimalistic style as they’re dressed for a job interview, which can happen at any time.
Their style used to be even neater and almost corporate, but I’ve been told that since the COVID-19 quarantine, people have worn more casual outfits, which has made Korean clothing style a bit more relaxed and casual nowadays.
If you’re interested in Korean fashion, Hannam-dong is a great fancy place with expensive but very interesting fashion. You’ll also see lots of Koreans wearing amazing outfits.
2. Popup Stores and Small Events
One of the things that makes Seoul such a vibrant, diverse, and fun place to live or visit is the number of pop-up stores.
Every week or perhaps every day, there are events such as promo events, special theme events, mobile game events, pop-up stores, street food, and food festivals, to name a few!
These events happen on the street, outside the Seoul library, near the Palace, or in malls such as the Hyundai Mall or IPark Mall, which I recommend visiting.
3. Signs Everywhere
Everywhere you look, you’ll see a sign: don’t walk here, don’t sit on the grass, don’t litter, be quiet, etc. The hotel we stayed in the first few days had at least six signs in the foyer: don’t touch the glass, no eating here, no smoking, be kind (!), no parking, and be careful of wet floors.
4. Coffee Shops in Seoul
Another thing you’ll notice quickly is the number of coffee shops in Seoul. And no matter what the time is, they are almost always packed! You will not have to worry about not finding your daily morning coffee in Seoul.
According to a Korean News Agency, Korea holds the fourth-largest number of Starbucks stores around the globe! For instance, there are about 2000 Starbucks stores in Korea and over 100.000 coffee shops!
What’s so great about these shops is that, besides the big franchises, you will actually find lots of small local stores that, once again, almost make you forget you’re in a big city.
Not only will you find coffee shops in the city, but even just outside the center, there are lots of places to enjoy a nice cup of coffee. Below is a Starbucks at one of the most beautiful locations of Seoul.
5. Protests
It surprised me how many protests and demonstrations there are in the city.
On average, I saw about 2 or 3 protests per week. It surprised me, especially because I’ve lived in China for several years, and that is something you don’t see there.
I know China and Korea are very different, but I’d say I haven’t even seen that many protests in Europe. It might depend on the area in Seoul where you live. Most of the protests take place in the city center, not far from the Palace in my experience.
But I’ve also seen protests in several areas in Itaewon, a vibrant district that many expats enjoy when moving there permanently.
Luckily, there is never any violence present, at least not that I know of. But, the protests are often quite loud, with big signs, music, drums, and people shouting through speakers.
6. Internationally Orientated
Seoul is a very internationally oriented city! You’ll see foreign flags occasionally, locals with caps bearing the American flag, and besides K-pop, you will actually hear a lot of Western music.
This is partly because of the country’s history, as the US played a huge role in what Korea is today. It’s just something that sets Korea apart from Japan and China, for instance.
7. Long-distance Walking in the Subway
Take the subway, they said; it will be fast, they said!
While the subway is fast and a new one comes every few minutes, be prepared to walk quite a lot when taking the subway to explore the city!
Transferring from one line to another can be quite a walk and several long stairs. It surprised me how many steps I had walked at the end of the day!
Because of all the walking, the subway might take longer than you might expect. Almost anywhere I go in the city, you’ll be about 30 minutes on the road, or below , actually!
8. CCTV
When you’re exploring the city, you will definitely notice the amount of cameras.
Someone told me there are almost 2 million working cameras in the entire country South Korea! Not only will you see cameras, but also a lot of cables connecting the entire network or internet, cameras, and other internet-related things. Especially in Itaewon there is some crazy cable management!
9. No Bikes or Scooters!
Many countries in Asia are known for the number of scooters you’ll see on the streets: Thailand, China, Vietnam, but not South Korea!
Seoul is a car-oriented city.
You can go on foot or by public transport, or by car. I was so used to driving an electric scooter in China, but in Seoul, that isn’t really possible. You’ll see a few scooters, but these are mainly for food delivery, and I believe these are more motorcycles than just scooters.
As well as bicycles, there are very few bicycle lanes in Seoul!
10. Hiking and Walking
Perhaps one of the reasons there are no walking lanes is that walking and hiking are a national sport in South Korea. There are many hiking trails, and when Koreans go hiking, they go all out!
In parks and around the famous NamSam Tower Park, you’ll see many folks hiking fully dressed in professional gear.
Hiking in the beautiful Korean nature is one of the best reasons to visit South Korea.
11. Open and Friendly
In the first few weeks of wandering around Seoul, I found the Koreans to be so open and friendly.
In China, people are a bit more closed off, and in Japan, they tend to be a bit more shy. Koreans have an open expression that can lead to many friendly conversations.
Especially when I walk around with our little one, people love it and find him so cute. He’s like a famous little K-pop star without him even knowing it. It has sparked many conversations outside on the streets and inside malls.
12. It’s a Big City with Cute Small Neighborhoods
Seoul is a huge city with over 12 million residents, but in many areas, it does not feel like a big city, which is a very nice feeling!
There are many small and cozy neighborhoods, such as Hanbok, some areas in Itaewon, Seongsu-dong, Hannam-dong, and many more. You’ll find cozy coffee shops, bakeries, other narrow streets, and small local stores.
Some areas have this big Metropolis feeling, but I feel like in most areas, you kind of forget you’re in a big city.
Read more about the best areas to stay in Seoul.
Conclusion First Impressions Seoul
Seoul is such a lively city – way more vibrant than a lot of cities in other countries, in my opinion. There are many reasons to visit Seoul, such as the food, the diversity of areas, and the city’s safety.
It’s got this awesome mix of neighborhoods, people, food (both Korean and international), and events happening all over the place.
If you’re planning on visiting Seoul, I’m sure you’ll love it!
If you have any questions or comments, please add them below and I will respond ASAP!
Frequently Asked Questions
Jack, how’s the public transportation system in Seoul?
Seoul’s public transportation system is top-notch. The subway and buses are super efficient, clean, and affordable. Plus, most signs are in English, so you won’t get lost easily.
Be prepared to walk quite a lot when taking the subway, and there might be some traffic jams, but other than that, public transport works great in Seoul.
Do I need to learn Korean to visit Seoul?
While many people in Seoul, especially younger ones, can speak English, knowing some Korean will definitely make your life easier. It shows locals that you respect their culture, which will be a great ice-breaker when starting a conversation!
What can I expect from the Korean culture as a foreigner?
From my first impressions, I’d say they are very open to other cultures and know a lot about foreign places. When you show appreciation for their culture, they will surely appreciate it.
