Stroll around Seongsudong | An old factory converted into an art village, spend the day browsing shops, drinking coffee and smelling perfume☕️✨

Seongsu is known as the "Brooklyn" of Seoul. Its old factories have been transformed into design spaces, art galleries, and coffee roasteries, perfect for strolling and taking photos of the sky and architectural lines.

Transportation and Shopping Access (Super Easy)
• Subway: Take Line 2 to Seongsu Station. Exits 2, 3, and 4 provide easy access to key locations.
• Walking Radius: All locations listed below are within a 3–12 minute walk of each other, making it a great base for the "walk-and-see pop-up" style of Seongsu.
• Budget Consideration: Most spaces are free; coffee and bread, in my experience, range from 3,000 to 7,000 JPY per cup (depending on location).

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One-Day Easy Itinerary (Includes Addresses and Tips)

① Industrial Style Icon: Cafe Onion Seongsu (카페 어니언 성수)
• Address: 8 Achasan-ro 9-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
• Hours: Weekdays 8:00 AM–10:00 PM, Weekends 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (Subject to on-site announcements)
• How to: Housed in a converted old factory, the expanses of concrete and sloping roofs are incredibly charming. Start by picking one of their signature breads (like the cream or chestnut varieties) at the counter, along with a hot latte, and then sit by the window to take in the blue sky.
• Price: Coffee and bread are usually around NT$100 (¥3–7k).
• Why I recommend it: No admission fee, highly recognizable, and a great atmosphere! For my first time in Seongsu, this is the perfect place to start the day.

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② Warehouse Landmark: Daelim Changgo Gallery Café
• Address: 78, Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
• Hours: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM (except holidays)
• How to Enjoy: A hybrid of warehouse and gallery, the wooden doors, red bricks, and high ceilings are all signature features. After coffee, you can browse the exhibition or simply snap a photo of the rugged architecture from the exterior.
• Price: Free admission; tasting menu available.
• My Take: The afternoon light slants in, creating a calming and photo-friendly space. It's my favorite spot to slow down in Seongsu.

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③ A Stroll Through the Complex Space: Seongsu Yeonbang (성수연방)
• Address: 14, Seongsui-ro 14-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
• Hours: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (varies slightly between locations)
• How to Enjoy: This place combines coffee, exhibitions, product selection, and a restaurant all in one building; perfect for enjoying the air conditioning, flipping through magazines, using the restroom, and taking photos of the stairwell. Free admission, order as much as you want.
• Why it's recommended: It's perfect as a "break" on rainy days or days that are both extremely cold and hot.

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④ Fragrance Paradise: SW19 Seongsu
• Address: 1F, 48-1, Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
• How to: The brand names its scents after the hours of the day (e.g., 8 AM - Midnight). The staff will help you find the scent that's perfect for your time of day. Scent testing is free, and candles and hand cream are also available.
• My impression: The glass and white walls are clean, and the scent testing area has a smooth flow. I ended up taking the "11 AM" scent back to the hotel. The citrus scent was refreshing and perfect for a sunny day.
• Note: Instagram may announce events or extended hours, so check before you go.

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⑤ The Smell of Bread in a Small Garden: Standard Bread Seongsu
• Address: 37, Seongsui-ro 18-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
• Hours: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM (Daily)
• How to: The shop is located in a small courtyard with a wooden pier and white parasols. Their signature dishes are freshly baked toast and salted butter, often served fresh from the oven.
• Price: Single loaves often cost several thousand won (I took two back to the hotel for breakfast).
• My moment: The moment I tear open a piece of freshly baked toast, the scent of butter and the blue sky wash over me. It makes for great photos and fills my stomach.

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⑥ Want to expand? Enter "Handmade Shoe Street"
• Seongsu Handmade Shoe Street: Located at 15, Yeonmujang 7-gil, Seongdong-gu, this area is home to numerous small shops selling everything from leather shoes to custom loafers. A stroll will help you understand how Seongsu has grown from an "industrial district" to the creative hub it is today.

Background Story | Why is Seongsu so popular?

In the past, Seongsu was a hub for car repair shops, shoemakers, and warehouses. In the past decade, young brands and design teams have moved in, transforming the old industrial spaces into cafes, art galleries, fragrance shops, and boutiques. Consequently, you'll often encounter limited-time pop-ups (like the white igloo-style outdoor installation I encountered that day). This "urban renewal x lifestyle aesthetic" vibe is why it's nicknamed the "Brooklyn of Seoul."

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Getting Started on Your First Visit: My Lazy Man's Tips (Including Price Considerations)
1. Focus on the Free Spaces: The exterior of Dalin Warehouse, Shengshui Federation, and Handmade Shoe Street are all free, so spending your money on coffee, bread, and perfume is the best deal.
2. A sweet spot for drinks and bread: Expect to spend 3,000–7,000 JPY per cup or per piece for a shopper's experience; for two, a budget of 15,000–20,000 JPY is enough for a nice sit-down chat.
3. Enjoy the aromas first, then eat: Try the aromas at SW19 (free), then refuel at Standard Bread or Onion; your sense of smell won't be disturbed by the food.
4. Leave time for pop-ups: Shengshui often has brand pop-ups. If you see a line, take a closer look; most are free and photo-friendly.
5. The blue sky is the best filter: Look up and snap photos of power lines and sloping rooftops, and your photo album will look like a magazine. 📸

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Reasons I recommend Shengshui
• Pedestrian-friendly and densely populated: Attractions are so close together that you can spend a whole day walking through just two or three streets.
• A fusion of old and new: Steel beams, red bricks, glass curtain walls, and wooden courtyards coexist, creating a beautiful photo op.
• Spending flexibility: You can have a great time exploring the free spaces and shopping for small items.
• Brand power: From Cafe Onion to SW19 and Standard Bread, Shengshui has become a top-tier destination.

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A must-have for this review (save the address for now! ✅)
• Cafe Onion Seongsu | 8 Achasan-ro 9-gil, Seongdong-gu (Weekdays 8:00–22:00; Weekends 10:00–22:00)
• Daelim Warehouse | 78 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu (Normal hours 11:00–22:00, free admission)
• Seongsu Federation | 14 Seongsui-ro 14-gil, Seongdong-gu (10:00–22:00, free admission)
• SW19 Seongsu | 1F, 48-1, Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu (Free fragrance sampling)
• Standard Bread Seongsu | 37 Seongsui-ro 18-gil, Seongdong-gu (Daily 9:00–21:00)
• Seongsu Handmade Shoe Street | 15 Yeonmujang 7-gil, Seongdong-gu (Street Stroll, Free Admission)

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Check-in Spots (Attractions | Dining | Shopping)
• Cafe Onion Seongsu
• Daelim Warehouse
• Seongsu Federation
• SW19 Seongsu
• Standard Bread Seongsu
• Seongsu Handmade Shoe Street

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My Real Moment

That day, Seongsu had the same shimmering blue sky you see in your photos. At SW19, I smelled a perfume like 11 o'clock sunshine, and my mood lifted. Then I walked to Standard Bread's courtyard and sat on the wooden pier, tearing into some toast. The buttery aroma wafted upward, and the wind blew the shadows of the trees into the shape of waves. At dusk, I walked back to the exterior of Daelim Warehouse. The glass reflected golden clouds, and I felt that this place seemed to combine a sense of life and an art museum. Slowness is the most worthwhile souvenir from Seongsu. 🙂

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