Seoul, South Korea — After church service, we headed straight to Hyehwa to see the Philippine Flea Market which happens every Sunday. By the sidewalks under the tents, Filipinos sell instant cooking mix, chips, shrimp paste (bagoong), canned goods, soaps, deodorants, and even Filipino dishes such as adobo, banana ques, and many more. Surprisingly, some Filipino sellers were even talking in Korean among themselves and, we ran across some more Filipinos buying goods with satisfaction painted on their faces.
Walking around the area, we also spotted an ice cream stand selling ice cream that form into a flower just like this:
One may choose 1 to 3 out of 4 flavors. Street performers can be found in the area, too.
Later on, we discovered this real neighborhood with murals on every corner. In 2006, the Public Art Committee projected to beautify the environment by inviting about 60 artists to exhibit their talents by making art on the walls of the village. Here are my snaps:
Last October 1, I brought my sister to Hyehwa since it was also a part of her itinerary. We had some Vietnamese food for lunch and despite the rain, we went straight to this mural village. The great thing about going out on a rainy day is that it isn’t crowded anywhere. Thanks for reading!
Tips:
- The area is a good site for street art photography, not just a dating spot.
- Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. There are a number of high and steep staircases in the village.
- Observe silence. Real people live in the neighborhood.
- Don’t forget to visit Naksan Park. It offers a panoramic view of Seoul.
- Ewha Women’s University is not in Hyehwa.
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Address:
서울종로구 이화동
Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Directions: Hyehwa Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 2. About 15 minutes walk.
xoxo,
