*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Seoul

Overview:

When it comes to big cities, not many can rival the size and number of places to explore that Seoul has to offer. It’s massive and spread out, but with an expansive and efficient metro system that makes it manageable. Still, with the variety of neighborhoods and life Seoul contains, this city could fill months to really get to know. No matter how much time you have, though, you’ll find a city full of old markets and modern shopping, old traditions and new trends, historic sites and modern industry, and the list goes on. Seoul has it all. It might get unwanted comparisons to Tokyo, but if you really want to experience Seoul, you’ll find a city and life all its own. From morning through night.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Seoul has to offer before you even arrive…

Map:

1. Myeong-dong Shopping Street
2. Cheongyecheon Stream / Insadong
3. Gwanghwamun Gate
4. Namdaemun Market/Seoul Station
5. Hongdae / Sinchon
6. Itaewon
7. Ihwa Mural Village
8. Gangnam Station

Bonus: Seochon Village

Top 8 Street Spots:

1. Myeong-dong Shopping Street

In a city full of shopping destinations, Myeong-dong remains its most popular. The area is also a hub of commerce and banking in the center of the city, but is most known for its mix of retail stores, street stalls, restaurants, cafes, street food and people walking in every direction among the crowded pedestrian streets. It’s especially known for its clothing and Korean cosmetic shops. It’s not only popular with the locals, but also with the international crowd, as it can feel touristy. For some it might be too messy and crowded, but it does supply guaranteed activity at all times. With plenty of streets to explore, you can spend a good amount of time here too. While I’m not the biggest fan of crowded streets of people moving in all directions, it does have some areas where people hang out. And it provides a very much Seoul atmosphere with a good amount of K-pop character.

2. Cheongyecheon Stream / Insadong

The Cheongyecheon Stream is over 10 kilometers long and runs right through downtown Seoul. The stream flows below street level with pathways along each side, making it a more serene walk below the city. The city spent $900 million back in 2005 to fix it up nice with small waterfalls, bridges and more. While the surrounding downtown streets are busy, it can be surprisingly quiet along the stream, as people come to relax and stroll. It has an interesting atmosphere within downtown. You’ll find business suits on their lunch break, couples enjoying some privacy, and others just going for a stroll. It likely won’t bring chaos and loads of interesting scenes, but it can bring some, while also providing a change of scene when you’re already downtown. 

Insadong is nearby shopping street that brings plenty of life too. While a bit touristy, there’s always something going on here.

3. Gwanghwamun Gate/Square

Gwanghwamun Gate is an icon of Seoul. While there are other gates surrounding the famous Gyeongbokgung Palace, this is the most popular and visually appealing of the four. You’ll always find tourists gathering to take photos in front of the guards before entering. While touristy, it does provide interest and the square inside is worth checking out too. There’s open light, nice backgrounds, characters and activity to see if you can make anything out of it. 

In front of the gate, you’ll also find Gwanghwamun Square. More of a long rectangle, this pedestrian space fills 20,000 square meters, making it a decent walk. You’ll find museums, monuments, crafts vendors and more around this central square. Its location in the heart of the city between the Gwanghwamun Gate and Cheongyecheon Stream puts it right in the middle of it all for street photography and becomes the location for events and markets on certain days. 

4. Namdaemun Market / Seoul Station

Dating back to 1414, Namdaemun Market is the oldest and largest traditional market in Korea with over 10,000 vendors covering multiple blocks. If it exists in Korea, you can probably find it for sale here. Fish, fruit, grains, flowers, clothing, jewelry, electronics (including photography equipment) and the list goes on and on. It’s also a popular spot to come for Korean street food. There’s probably not a market where you’ll find a better variety of traditional Korean goods. 

In a city full of traditional markets, this is the most famous one so it does attract plenty of tourists, but it still keeps an authentic feeling. The only downside, like most of these traditional Korean markets, is it’s mostly inside with poor lighting. Still, for many, it will make for a good stop for photography. It’s also only a 10-minute walk from Seoul Station, the busiest metro station in Korea. So you can stop there for more active interest and use it to get to/from the rest of the city. 

5. Hongdae / Sinchon

Hongdae is known for its young, trendy atmosphere. Near Hongik University, a popular art college, you’ll notice plenty of university aged and younger dressed in the most recent fashion trends, which is interesting enough on its own in Seoul. This hipster vibe has brought a creative scene with cafes, clubs, vintage shops, urban art, and a popular indie music scene. While prices have changed, past cheaper rents helped bring this musician and artist scene to life. Today, it makes for a great sensory overload to walk with your camera. Everywhere you look, you’ll see something unique and interesting, from the all the shops and style to the indie street musicians and chaos. And it only gets busier at night. 

Sinchon is another neighborhood nearby that shares some of the same young appeal. With all the nearby universities, you’ll find that same young, trendy vibrance with a Korean signature. I’d recommend exploring both neighborhoods as it’s one of my favorite areas in the city for street photography. 

6. Itaewon

Itaewon is a popular district in Seoul, especially with expats and foreigners. It’s gritty and contains one of the city’s popular red light districts, but it’s still safe and friendly. In addition to some of the grittier side, there’s plenty of nice restaurants, bars, clubs and shops. It’s a good area to explore with many pedestrian friendly streets and some of the better food in the city. There’s an international feeling here, including a nearby army base, and plenty of activity throughout the day, and night. 

Itaewon is especially popular for its nightlife. I’ve even spent a whole night here shooting the streets and watching the drunken debauchery until sun up, and I’d recommend it if you’re up for it. There’s a lot going on here throughout the night and the streets are still busy up until the first metro ride in the morning. It definitely contains interest, especially during those last couple hours when people are done with the bars and are just stumbling together out on the street. That first metro ride can contain some interest too. I wouldn’t do it every night, but it’s worth a night to see the neon lights and a completely different scene in Seoul.

7. Ihwa Mural Village

Mixed into the sprawling urban metropolis, Seoul contains small, older villages still mixed in. Some are built on the mountain side, giving them even more character and views. Ihwa Mural Village is one of those villages, which takes you along a nice little wallside hike up Seoul’s Mt. Naksan to get there. In an effort to revitalize this old village, artists painted murals along its steep, winding streets. This also ended up bringing crowds of tourists after being featured in a movie. Some of the murals have been painted over, as not all the residents love the tourism, but it’s still an interesting place to check out for a change of scene in the city. Personally, I don’t really care about the murals as much as the old Korean village atmosphere and city views. 

Another village I’d recommend isn’t on a mountain, but it’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Seoul. Seochon Village is near Gyeongbokgung Palace so you’ll probably be in the area at some point, anyway. There’s a lot of Korean charm here and plenty of alleys and streets to explore. If you really enjoy this part of Seoul, you’ll find more villages by just continuing on toward Mt. Inwang. Seoul couldn’t be further from a village, but it’s nice to have the option to experience that atmosphere with your camera, while staying in the city.  

8. Gangnam Station

Gangnam has become famous around the world over for the billion-times viewed song Gangnam Style. Outside of the metro station you’ll even find a tribute to the song, but there’s more reason to visit this district than the song. Gangnam translates to ‘South of the River’ so if you’re staying anywhere around the center, it’s a decently long metro ride away, but in a city size of Seoul, it comes with territory. The Gangnam Subway Station is a popular meeting point for locals, as it’s right by a collection of department stores and malls. Gangnam is known as the richest district in Korea so the types of designers you’ll find here reflect that. Here, you’ll find that rich atmosphere, but you’ll also find a younger atmosphere mixed in as it’s become a top spot for nightlife. If you want a different scene and a look at the elite in Seoul, Gangnam makes for a good stop. I wouldn’t put it above the areas above for street photography as it can feel spread out once you venture a ways from the station, but with Seoul’s great metro you should give it a look with your camera.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Seoul:

• Start your morning walking around Gwanghwamun Square (3)
• Walk east to Insadong (2) and then south along Cheongyecheon Stream (2)
• Head further south to Myeong-dong Shopping Street (2) for guaranteed activity
• After spending some time here, walk west to Namdaemun Market (4)
• Then you can finish the day by taking the metro at Seoul Station to Hongik University Station and exploring Hongdae (5) with your camera

3 Things I’ll Remember Most about shooting in Seoul:

1. Markets Everywhere

Seoul is full of markets. Even for a city its size, markets are found everywhere. Some are street markets along alleys and along sidewalks, while many are large, covered inside markets. I’m not a big fan of the covered market style that is extremely popular here due to the bad/dark lighting, but many will love the endless number of them to explore. Finding the outside street markets is more my style for exploring with my camera. Luckily in Seoul, there are so many different markets, you won’t have trouble finding one you like.

It would take pages to list all of Seoul’s markets, but here’s a few of the popular ones (and ones I found interesting):

• Namdaemun Market
• Dongdaemun Market
• Gwangjang Market
• Garak Market
• Noryangjin Fish Market
• Majang Meat Market
• Yeongdong Traditional Market
• Guro & Daerim Central Market (most local feel)

2. Huge city with endless places to go

When it comes to population, Seoul has over 10 million people, but when it comes to size, it feels even bigger. By some measurements, Seoul is considered the second largest city area in the world at over 230 square miles. This means you’re never going to see it all, but it also means it can be a little daunting even trying to see a variety of it. I try to explore and photograph as many interesting areas as I can, but it takes some planning here. You can’t just step outside and walk around everywhere. Since multiple spots are likely to be far apart, you should decide on only one or two areas to give your time a day. Luckily, Seoul’s metro system is great so it helps as much as possible. I use it more here than just about any other city. Still, it can only do so much when many places are 40+ minutes apart. So, prepare for the travel and distance when planning out your day of street photography.

It takes time to really experience and capture much of what Seoul has to offer, but the positive of that is how many places it does provide for street photography. Below are just some of the areas spread around Seoul that are worth giving some time with your camera:

• Hongdae
• Sinchon
• Sincheon
• Itaewon
• Seochon Village
• Bukchon Village
• Insadong
• Myeongdong 
• Gyeongnidan
• Gangnam
• Ihwa Mural Village
• Gwanghwamun Square 
• Cheongyecheon Stream
• Dongdaemun
• Namdaemun
• Gwangjang Market

3. Is Seoul like Tokyo?

This comparison can bring some heated debate. Many locals take offense to it and feel they aren’t anything alike at all. One local even told me that they lose all respect for anyone that makes the comparison (but this might also have something to do with the two countries’ touchy past). Still, there’s no city I’ve been to where more people compare it to another city when talking about Seoul. So, being someone who has Tokyo in my top 5 favorite cities in the world, do I feel the comparison is warranted or not?

Well, they are still very different cities, but I’d be lying if I didn’t feel some strong similarities in atmosphere and things I see. I do understand why many people compare them at first impression. The colors, tones and character can give a similar feeling at times. And a lot of the culture shock people get from Tokyo can be experienced and seen here too, but to a lesser degree, in my opinion.

They both have large hi-tech industries. They both have an endless variety of neighborhoods. They both have interesting and very unique young fashion scenes. They both have impressively extensive metro systems, which provide much more interest for street photography than most cities. They both have streets buzzing with life, an interesting food scene and a strong nightlife. And they both have things you probably won’t see anywhere else. Seoul just feels slightly muted compared to Tokyo, like any city would be in comparison. Walking around, the colors of the buildings and signs, along with the streets and greenery, can give a Tokyo feeling.

Still, I’d say the cities are much more similar in how they look than how they act. The people and culture are very different. While friendly enough, it’s not to the degree of politeness and hospitality you feel in Tokyo (which is on a different level from most cities, anyway). So for street photography, while I’d never compare the cultures, I might compare the look and interest.

3 Non-Street Photography Things To Do in Seoul:

• Eat: Kimchi, Bulgogi, Bibimbap, Tteokbokki and Hotteok
• Drink: Soju, Bokbunja, Banana Milk and Tea
• Visit: National Museum of Korea

Street Safety Score: 9

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Both in feeling and statistics, Seoul is one of the safest big cities in the world. While not wanting to always compare these two cities, Tokyo is the only giant metropolis I’ve explored that feels as safe as Seoul. Walking day or night, you should rarely feel unsafe. 

People’s Reaction Score: 8

When it comes to reactions to public photography, it doesn’t get better than Asia, and Seoul is no exception. It’s a big, busy city where cameras are everywhere. People don’t pay attention to photographers and if they do, they rarely mind photos. Slight self-consciousness or embarrassment is the worst reaction you’re likely to receive in Seoul. Exceptions are always possible anywhere, though, so you might get a few “no’s,” mostly around market workers.

Street Tips:

Metro is great

Seoul has one of the most expansive, efficient and convenient metro systems I’ve used. That’s a good thing because Seoul needs it. This is as far from a compact, walkable city. It’s gigantic and spread out, but with the help of the great metro, you can get close to many areas that are walkable for hours of street photography, before hopping on to the next spot. I’d recommend downloading the Seoul Metro app. With 21 lines providing transport for billions of riders a year, it can also make a good spot for some street photography. 

Don’t be too Ambitious

With your daily street photography plans, that is. While the metro system is great, transportation still takes time in this huge city. And with how spread out things can be, you should really just choose a couple of areas per day to focus on so you’re not in a rush and in transit much of the day. They’ll provide plenty of hours each of street photography alone, almost like mini-cities, anyway.

Street Food 

Eat it. Especially around Hongdae. Tastes great and will help your street photography too.

Visit the markets, walk the stream, observe the k-pop culture and bring your camera to the nightlife

I’ve gone over these already, but if you’re here for street photography, make sure you do these things while you’re here.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the work of local Seoul street photographer Joseph Chung. And as always, you can check out 33 of my photos taken in Seoul.

I hope this guide can help you go experience Seoul… So grab your camera and capture all that Seoul has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Seoul, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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