Three spaces I love in Seoul
Seoul is filled with spaces designed to move quickly, crowded cafes, busy streets, and constantly changing trends.
But after spending more than a decade in this city, I’ve come to appreciate places that feel quieter.
Places with soft light, thoughtful details, and a slower atmosphere, spaces where simply being there brings a quiet sense of joy.
These are three spaces in Seoul that I keep returning to, not because they are the most famous, but because of how they make me feel.
10 Corso Como Seoul
10 Corso Como Seoul remains one of Korea’s most iconic multi brand spaces, bringing together fashion, design, and lifestyle objects from a wide range of global brands.
The ground floor cafe is equally memorable, particularly for its seasonal menu built around ingredients that shift throughout the year.
What I find most interesting, however, is how little the interior has changed since my first visit in 2012.
In a city like Seoul, where trends, spaces, and entire neighbourhoods evolve so quickly, it feels surprisingly rare for a space to maintain the same design language and identity for such a long time.
Perhaps that is what continues to make 10 Corso Como feel timeless.
As one of Korea’s most influential multi brand spaces, 10 Corso Como Seoul has often served as an entry point for international brands entering the Korean market.
One of the most notable examples is Alaïa, which was first introduced to Korea through 10 Corso Como Seoul.
More recently, Ernest W. Baker, another brand introduced through the space, held its FW26 trunk show at Corso Como Seoul, which I was fortunate enough to visit in person.
Seeing a global fashion brand presented within a space that has long shaped Seoul’s contemporary fashion culture made the experience feel even more memorable.
Beyond its ability to introduce fashion and lifestyle brands ahead of the curve, one of the most memorable aspects of 10 Corso Como Seoul is its occasional champagne offering.
While not available year round, during selected periods guests are able to enjoy unlimited champagne at a fixed price. This spring, the featured champagne was Veuve Clicquot.
Interestingly, Jacquemus, another brand carried by 10 Corso Como Seoul, collaborated with Veuve Clicquot earlier this year.
Small details like these make the space feel like more than just a retail destination, but rather a place where fashion, lifestyle, and contemporary culture naturally come together.
Sojeonseolim
When I want to quietly spend time with a book, I often visit Sojeonseolim in Cheongdam-dong.
What makes me truly love this space is not simply its beautiful interior or carefully selected furniture, but the way books and magazines are categorized and curated throughout the library.
During World Bee Day in May, the library curates a selection of books centred around bees, honey, and nature, a small but thoughtful gesture that reflects the space’s quietly considered identity.
The space also carries international magazines that are not easily found in Korea, including Monocle, which makes the experience feel even more special to me.
More than just a library, it feels like a quiet space for observation, inspiration, and slowing down within the fast pace of Seoul.
The cafe located on the first floor feels just as calm and thoughtful as the library itself.
Surrounded by books and magazines across three sides of the space, the cafe almost feels like an extension of a carefully curated reading room rather than a typical cafe.
Beyond the atmosphere, the coffee is genuinely excellent making it a place where I often find myself staying longer than expected.
Hannam Atelier
One of my favorite cafes in Seoul is Hannam Atelier, a space run by lacquer artist Huh Myoungwook.
Set inside a renovated residential house in Hannam-dong, the space feels calm and comfortably lived-in, offering a slower atmosphere compared to the fast pace of the city outside.
Throughout the cafe, visitors can naturally encounter the artist’s lacquer works alongside carefully selected craft objects available within the space.
More than simply functioning as a cafe, it feels like a quiet extension of the artist’s world and aesthetic.
What makes me especially love this space is that the cups and plates used in the cafe are all created by Huh Myoungwook himself.
Being able to experience the work of a renowned Korean artist through something as ordinary as a cup of coffee makes the experience feel quietly special.
It is a subtle but thoughtful detail that reflects the identity of the space beautifully.