Starfield Library (별마당도서관) - Area information - Korea travel information

Starfield Library (별마당도서관)

Starfield Library (별마당도서관)

5.6Km    2022-07-27

513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Located in the middle of COEX Central Plaza, Starfield Library offers visitors a perfect reading space. The two-story library has 13-meter-tall bookshelfs and soft lights to ease the eyes as well as various types of tables with electric plugs for those with laptops. With more than 50,000 books ranging from literature to hobbies as well as over 400 types of magazines, visitors are welcome to find pleasure in reading and relax.

Convention and Exhibition Center (COEX) (한국종합무역센터(코엑스))

5.6Km    2022-12-16

513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

The Convention and Exhibition Center (COEX) was established on September 7, 1988 as a large-scale business town for domestic and overseas businessmen. Business operations can be managed easily as assembly halls, exhibition halls, the Korean City Air Terminal, InterContinental Hotel, and Hyundai Department Store are gathered in one spot.

A 57-story building contains 20 trade organizations including the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), as well as 250 companies and financial institutions. Convention and Exhibition, which houses three specialized exhibition halls and permanent exhibition halls, is composed of a four-story main building and three-story extension.

An underground passageway connects COEX Mall, completed in 2000, and Bongeunsa Temple to the north with Samseong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2). Additional facilities for culture, pleasure, and shopping make COEX a must-visit attraction.

Bank of Korea Money Museum (화폐박물관)

5.6Km    2024-03-18

39 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

This Renaissance-style three-story stone building is the museum of the Bank of Korea. The older Bank of Korea was established as the central bank of the Korean Empire in 1909 and has been designated as a National Historical Site. During the Japanese colonial period, the bank was renamed the Bank of Joseon, and the building was used as the main and head office of the Bank of Korea until 2001. The building has been used as the nation’s Money Museum since June 2001 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bank of Korea. The museum has 13 exhibition rooms on two floors, with one basement floor and two above-ground floors. It holds special exhibitions of various currency and art collections to provide domestic and foreign visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the history and culture of currency. Visitors can learn about the Bank of Korea and the central banking system, as well as how to identify counterfeit notes and how money is produced and circulated. It is also a good place for children to learn about currencies from around the world. Advance reservations are required, and parking is not available. The museum can easily be reached via subway by getting off at Hoehyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 4) and exiting through Exit 7. 

Insa-dong (인사동)

Insa-dong (인사동)

5.6Km    2024-05-17

62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. They are hidden deep within the twisting alleyways, making it feel like a treasure hunt. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture first-hand, and also purchase pieces of fine art.

Starfield COEX Mall (스타필드 코엑스몰)

Starfield COEX Mall (스타필드 코엑스몰)

5.6Km    2025-12-08

513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Starfield COEX Mall, located at the center of Seoul, leads in trend and culture. Combining fashion, food, culture and entertainment, the mall provides everything the visitors need. The Starfield Library offers a space to rest and entertainment with books.

Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)

Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)

5.6Km    2025-07-14

33 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Matthew Chang Anguk flagship store uses the whole space to bring the brand's philosophy to life through fragrance. Located in Anguk, the heart of Korea's tradition and aesthetics, the store's tranquil atmosphere sets the mood for visitors to try on and experiment with the brand's carefully selected perfume collection. The staff provides assistance in recommending the perfect scent according to visitor's preference, mood, and nostalgia. The store also has a section dedicated to body care products, such as hand wash and body lotion.

Seongbuk-dong–Bukchon Hanok Village Course (성북동고택북촌산책길)

Seongbuk-dong–Bukchon Hanok Village Course (성북동고택북촌산책길)

5.6Km    2025-11-06

68, Seonjam-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

The Seongbuk-dong–Bukchon Hanok Village Course is a nostalgic path connecting famous old houses in Seongbuk-dong and Bukchon Hanok Village, divided by the old city walls. Along the way, you'll find historic sites like Gilsangsa Temple, Jeongbeopsa Temple, Han Yong-un’s Simujang House, and novelist Lee Tae-jun's House. The trail also features charming cultural spots, such as the traditional tea house Sooyeon Sanbang and the Seongbuk Museum of Art.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "Parasite"
The scene in the alley where Ki-woo visited Mr. Park's house in a wealthy neighborhood for expensive tutoring was filmed in a residential area in Seongbuk-dong. Seongbuk-dong, an old wealthy village, has luxury mansions lined up in. There are many pretty cafés and galleries here and there, so it's good to take a leisurely look around. Mr. Park's house was a filming set, which was demolished after filming.

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 다래나무)

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 다래나무)

5.6Km    2025-01-13

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be 600 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. The tree stands 19m in x_height, and has six separate trunks sprawling in all directions. It is the biggest and the oldest in Korea. It is designated and protected as a National Natural Monument.

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

5.6Km    2025-06-19

4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA), the first public museum of craft art in Korea, opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, in July 2021 after renovating five buildings of the former Pungmoon Girls’ High School. SeMoCA studies and shares not only works, but also information, records, people, and environment related to craft art with the goal of becoming a dynamic platform for experiencing the technical, practical, artistic, and cultural values of craft.
 SeMoCA holds a collection that comprises various crafts and craft materials covering multiple fields and eras from the traditional to the present. SeMoCA also holds exhibitions that feature the history of craft from traditional to contemporary art as well as local and children’s crafts, along with programs that utilize the museum’s craft installations, craft archives, craft library, and craft resource management system.
The site of the museum has deep historical roots as it is also the Andong Secondary Palace Site, where a detached palace was constructed as a royal residence for King Sejong’s son Prince Yeongeung, and served as a venue for royal celebrations, such as the wedding of King Sunjong. The site is also at the center of Jongno-gu, where Joseon-era master artisans (“gyeonggongjang”) of the royal palace produced and delivered craft works.

LoL Park (롤파크)

LoL Park (롤파크)

5.6Km    2025-11-04

33 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Lol Park is the venue where the largest-scale League of Legends competition in South Korea, LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea), is held. It serves as a space for various esports events and activities, featuring spectator seating, LCK Arena (lounge), Riot Store (merchandise shop), PC rooms, and café.