Once an industrial area filled with shoe factories, Seongsu-dong has transformed into Seoul’s hippest neighborhood – and K-Pop idols love it. From SM Entertainment’s new headquarters to trendy cafes that appear in countless idol Instagram posts, Seongsu is where K-Pop’s creative side comes alive.
Why Seongsu is K-Pop’s Creative Hub
Seongsu’s industrial-chic aesthetic perfectly matches K-Pop’s love for mixing old and new. Converted warehouses house cutting-edge cafes, galleries, and boutiques. The area’s raw, artistic vibe makes it ideal for music video filming, photoshoots, and idol content creation.
SM Entertainment’s Kwangya: The New Seongsu Landmark
When SM Entertainment moved their headquarters to Seongsu, they brought K-Pop’s biggest names to the neighborhood. The sleek, modern building embodies SM’s “Kwangya” vision – a futuristic, interconnected universe where all their artists exist.
While you can’t enter the building, the exterior and surrounding area have become pilgrimage sites for SM stans. NCT, aespa, Red Velvet, and other SM artists work here daily, and fans occasionally spot them entering or leaving for schedules.
Cafe Culture: Where Idols Actually Hang Out
Seongsu’s cafe scene is legendary. Every street seems to hide another aesthetically perfect coffee shop, and idols are frequently spotted here on their days off. Some must-visit cafes include:
Cafe Onion Seongsu: This minimalist bakery-cafe occupies a converted warehouse and is Instagram gold. The industrial-minimal aesthetic and amazing pastries have made it a celebrity favorite.
Blue Bottle Coffee Seongsu: The Korean flagship of this California brand features stunning architecture. Many idols have been photographed here, and the spacious interior makes it perfect for a relaxed coffee experience.
Anthracite Coffee: One of Seongsu’s original trendy cafes, Anthracite helped start the neighborhood’s transformation. Its roastery setup and industrial design make it distinctly Seongsu.
Shopping and Fashion in Seongsu
Seongsu is where Korean streetwear and global luxury meet. Gentle Monster’s Seongsu flagship showcases the brand’s most cutting-edge installations. Tamburins, with its artistic perfume and cosmetics, creates an immersive brand experience. Nudake and other Korean brands have concept stores that feel more like art galleries than shops.
International brands are catching on too – Dior, Burberry, and others have opened pop-up stores and experiences in Seongsu, often featuring K-Pop idols as brand ambassadors.
How to Experience Seongsu Like an Idol
Start at Seoul Forest, the massive park that gives the neighborhood its relaxed vibe. Walk through the tree-lined paths, then head into the cafe streets. Spend your afternoon hopping between concept stores and boutiques. As evening falls, grab dinner at one of the area’s trendy restaurants.
The neighborhood is compact enough to explore on foot, though it’s easy to spend an entire day here. Use FanPle to mark your favorite spots and share your Seongsu discoveries!