This post is part of new series documenting my travels around South Korea. All Asian cultures are unique in their own respect. They all have their own way of life, all of which is foreign and different to western civilization. South Korea is no different.

For those of you who have been to Hongdae, South Korea, when you think of “Hongdae Street,” the images that come to mind are restaurants, night clubs, graffiti murals, and at it’s beating heart a thriving collection of underground music and festivals. For the United States this is place is similar to 6th Street, Austin, Texas. The atmosphere and hippie art culture presents a déjà vu experience for people visiting Hongdae only on a much larger scale. In the 1990s the non-mainstream artists and performers gathered in the area around Hongik University aka Hongdae to create the center of fashion, music and dance.  When stepping off the Subway, walking through the underground up to the surface you are transported into another world apart from the regular walk of life in Seoul. All of the shops and restaurants are jam packed together with signs in every conceivable location where there is space to let the people know they are here. Street performers of every kind from dancers, singers, rap groups, and magic performers set up their microphones and loudspeakers. As the day progresses and the sun rises, the streets become crowded with people from all walks of life.

 Hongik University

Hongik University was established in 1956 based on humanitarian ideals (in Korea, the word “Hongik” means to advance the welfare of mankind). Hongik University  typically referred to as “Hongdae” for short, is a prestigious university in the Mapo-gu district of central Seoul, South Korea with a second campus in Sejong. This is the source of the young vibrant culture that emanates from the Hongdae area. Hongik University has approximately 14,500 undergraduate and 2,500 graduate students.  The university is best known for its Architecture and Fine Arts programs.

Arts

In the area surrounding Hongik University, a street art exhibition is Continue Reading