Hightlight
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Accessible
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Architect's Choice
Travel Map: Seoul
The Hyundai Seoul | 더현대서울
A department store in Yeouido that feels more like an indoor park than a mall
Introduction
Designed by Richard Rogers (the architect behind the Centre Pompidou), half the floor space is given to indoor gardens, open atriums, and art rather than retail. The result is a place people visit even when they have nothing to buy.
Worth Visiting?
Yes, and not just for shopping. The Sounds Forest on 5F is a full indoor park with real trees, grass, and natural light pouring through the glass ceiling. The food hall on B1 rotates popular restaurants from across Korea. Pop-ups and exhibitions change constantly, so there is usually something new to see.
Combine it with a walk along Yeouido Hangang Park (five minutes from the building) and you have an easy half day.
Skip it if Yeouido is out of your way and you are short on time. But if you are in the area for cherry blossoms, the river park, or IFC Mall, this is worth adding.
Highlights
Sounds Forest (5F)
The building’s standout feature. A massive indoor garden with real grass, trees, flower beds, and benches under a glass ceiling about 20 metres high. The bold red steel frame on the exterior is not just decorative. It carries the structural load, which means the interior can stay column-free and open enough to fit a space like this inside a department store. In winter it transforms into a Christmas market.
Waterfall Garden (1F-3F)
A 12-metre man-made waterfall that drops from the third floor to the first. One of the most photographed spots in the building.
ALT.1 (6F)
A large exhibition space that has hosted shows from Andy Warhol to Pompeii relics. Some exhibitions are free, others need a ticket. Check what is on before visiting.
Tasty Seoul (B1)
The largest food hall in a Korean department store. The lineup rotates, so what is here this month might not be here next month. Worth browsing even if you already ate.
Creative Ground (B2)
The younger, trendier floor. Pop-up stores, Korean fashion brands, and rotating brand collaborations. If you like Seongsu’s vibe, you will probably enjoy this floor.
Local Tips
- Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds. Weekends draw serious foot traffic.
- The 6F dining area stays open until 22:00, two hours after the rest of the store closes. Good for a late dinner.
- B1 restaurants rotate frequently. Do not plan around a specific one without checking first.
- Bring your passport for tax refunds. The refund desk is on 6F. Eligible on purchases over KRW 15,000.
- After shopping, walk five minutes from Entrance 4 to reach Yeouido Hangang Park along the river.
- Some ALT.1 exhibitions are free, some are ticketed. Check the website or social media before going.
Getting There
By Subway (Recommended)
- Yeouido Station (Line 5 / Line 9), Exit 3. Follow the underground passage through the covered moving walkway. About 10 minutes to reach the entrance. Fully weather-protected.
- Yeouinaru Station (Line 5), Exit 4. Shorter walk (about 5 minutes) but above ground.
Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon – Thu | 10:30 – 20:00 |
| Fri – Sun | 10:30 – 20:30 |
| 6F Dining | 10:30 – 22:00 |
