Gay Seoul is just one of the planet’s most underestimated vacation spots, overlooked continuously for the much more popular eastern Asian next-door neighbors. Better-known for Samsung and political tensions with North Korea, you will find a thriving queer scene right here concealed inside plain picture – you simply need to know where to look!

Hectic and entirely obsessed with style and innovation, the powerful city of Seoul can be greatly traditional, with peaceful palaces, temples and hill trails. Skyscrapers overshadow elegant hanbok (conventional wood domiciles), green rooms and pattern paths soften manufacturing tough sides, and K-Pop can be heard blaring on virtually every street spot.

Seoulites have too much to end up being happy with within 24/7 town – where you are able to get anything you want, whenever you want – in addition to their homosexual world here is not an exception. We wish the culture at-large will be more accepting…

Southern Korea overall features a much less accepting view of their LGBTQ neighborhood than a good many rest of Asia – and while the potency of conservatives and Christian fundamentalists wanes slowly, things are nonetheless maybe not in which they should be.

LGBT acceptance features, but rapidly expanded in past times ten years, particularly in the younger years,  courtesy intercontinental influences, more queer occasions, and a higher existence associated with local LGBT neighborhood, including –rather famously – celebrity
Hong Seok-cheon
, coming out in public places.

A lot of in Korea think they’ve never ever met a homosexual person, as well as being a subject seldom discussed, with political parties preventing conversation of LGBT liberties and lots of individuals burying their unique minds when you look at the sand.

As a visitor, you may be incredibly unlikely to experience any straight-out discrimination but realize, lots of queer locals lead double schedules and succumb on the daunting social pressure to keep their sex private.

South Korea is unquestionably one of the more conventional countries in Asia, but also right here, it really is theoretically illegal to-be discriminated against based on intimate orientation. Still, many members of the LGBT neighborhood still face problems at home and work, indicating Gay Korea has actually a long way to visit nevertheless to capture with the a lot more modern next-door neighbors – Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and increasingly Vietnam.

The homosexual world in Seoul, but is growing each year possesses an abundance of fabulous queer enjoyable to provide. Foreign celebration young men wanting combined foreign/local fun need to head to the famous Homo Hill in Itaewon, long involving homosexual lifestyle, but locals are more likely to constant the main district of Jongno.

Synonymous with skyscrapers, the bustle of Insadong and street barbecues, there was really a hidden-in-plain-sight gay scene right here with increased bars, karaoke joints, gay hot rooms and cafes than we could depend.

Very few tourists previously endeavor to Gay Jongno but determine if you will do that within the bars and organizations, you are going to be welcomed with a grin. Unfortunately, the same can’t be stated for Seoul’s gay saunas and sail clubs scene, which actively discriminate against and bar anybody who is actually non-Korean – regardless of what acquainted customs or the vocabulary you will be.

Hopefully this changes in the future and also some suggestions that might help, but in this regard, the homosexual scene in Seoul still really has some growing to do.

Nonetheless, with over 10 million people, Seoul is just one of the most significant towns on the planet and contains some thing for everyone. Foods, style, society, record and wild nightlife – this sprawling city has actually everything!

Tourist attractions in Seoul

Obviously, getting gay doesn’t define which tourist attractions a lot of us should see in each town, and a lot of queer people only will wish to take a look at leading what to see in Seoul in the day!

You will find a great deal to complete right here – but we discovered well known memories happened to be roaming through getting lost on back-streets, seeing every weird cafes, hitting up Lotte community and roaming through concept studios!

One of the better recommendations we are able to provide you with for exploring Gay Seoul will be pre-order a travel SIM credit for simple airport collection and activation as soon as you appear so that you cannot shell out a fortune in worldwide roaming costs.

Get restaurants recommendation and bookings about travel, trains and buses instructions up to the minute, club beginning hrs, and, in case it is your thing – usage of gay hook-up software to learn more concerning local world.

Cellular phone data is fast, inexpensive and offered just about everywhere in Asia, making it no wonder most people elect to remain linked to get off of the beaten track (without ever before worrying about obtaining missing). So why wait?
Pre-order the best regional SIM credit now having it waiting for you once you appear.

However – it helps to have some concept of what is going on, therefore here are the finest activities to do in Seoul, per you!

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Activities to do  in Seoul

Traditional Korean Bathhouse

Maybe not into the gay spa? Uncover exclusive and family-friendly part of the Korean society in a beautifully decorated and conventional Korean-style bathhouse. Relax from a tense day’s sightseeing – or evening or partying – in a conventional oak timber sauna, appreciate usage of all hot rooms and steam areas such as numerous sodium and minerals treatment options for the skin.

For lots more luxury, then address you to ultimately a massage therapy, facials or human body scrubs? Even though the bathhouse is open 24/7, definitely book ahead of time any special treatment plans in order to avoid missing out.

Cheonggyecheon

A landmark of the latest metropolitan restoration and environmental restoration, this park room has a revived / ‘day-lighted’ flow with walkways, bridges & greenery.

Myeong-dong

A varied purchasing & informal international food location, the Bustling Myeong-dong is full of intercontinental style brands, luxury shops, and homegrown beauty products stores.

Janet’s Cooking Studio

Collect more than simply photographs because of this wonderfully distinctive industry trip and traditional Korean cooking training with Janet, a Korean chef competed in nyc.

This knowledge just isn’t about merely ticking down vacationer must-dos, but rather explores the real Korea through Janet’s gorgeous meals fixation – which shines through whether she is adding you to suppliers in another of Seoul’s couple of remaining regional street markets or smiling brightly while disclosing to you how to create the right Bulgogi Lettuce Wrap in the woman expert cooking area.

Janet has even caused the UN promoting Korean food and culture – you only learn she’s the real deal! You will leave Seoul with the ability to determine strange ingredients in a Korean marketplace in order to make some tasty standard dinners – even while researching the initial reputation of Korea and appreciating Janet’s warm personality.

A sort and warm spirit who’s undoubtedly passionate about just what she really does, we can not suggest Janet’s Cooking Studio extremely sufficient.

Fireman Show

An extraordinary display of acrobatics & dancing, this much-acclaimed show utilizes a combination of overall performance styles expressing the stresses to be a fireman. Crazy, we understand, but you’ll realise why when you find yourself truth be told there.

Discover remarkable acrobatic pulls and flips, and learn about the significance of flame security and consciousness – and being a non-verbal show, it really is well-suited regarding vocabulary speakers. Feel the affirmative power brought from the melodramatic yet funny entertainers that portray vivacious characters.

Bukchon Hanok Village

An attractive history village with a happy 600-year history dating back to to the 14th century. Fill your digital camera with selfies featuring slim streets lined with restored conventional domiciles.

Adore Museum

a wacky art gallery of entertaining erotic art, that is Seoul’s very first and so far only museum for grownups – but we are certain others tend to be eagerly becoming planned. Enjoy sensory tales of love and desire unfold prior to the vision, get an opportunity to attempt your hand at pole dance – when you yourself haven’t currently – and see different moments of newlyweds’ life through entertaining artworks.

You’ll find six-themed galleries, each with a silly interest for you really to find – and rely on us, gay, right, or unicorn …You will not have experienced anything like this before!

Lotte Community

No visit to Seoul might possibly be complete without a visit to Korea’s top theme playground, Lotte business! Lotte community passes are amazingly discounted exclusively for foreign site visitors, very cannot skip the possible opportunity to go to this enjoyable two-part motif park with outdoor adventure rides and a ‘Magic isle’ palace region.

Throughout the colder several months, get a jacket or enjoy the adrenaline-charged indoor destinations during the ‘Adventure’ place, plus sign up for the many parades and shows. When you need to perform a lot more, discover a Lotte community + Aquarium combination ticket to also incorporates a call to everyone’s largest water ecology container at Lotte World Aquarium, exhibiting over 650 marine types across 13 unique areas.

Jongmyo

A UNESCO community Heritage website and shrine to Joseon dynasty leaders & queens. Ritual ceremonies nonetheless happen only at that Confucian shrine focused on Joseon dynasty royals. Now Jongmyo is the best getting away from the urban busyness and an intriguing exploring Old Seoul.

Café Onion

Serving post-industrial decay realness, this Uber-hip concept cafe in Seongdong-gu is simply exactly how we would imagine Chornobyl to get if Brooklyn hipsters relocated in. Serving funky baked creations and forte coffee blends, this area is really worth the trek off to learn – if perhaps to realize all of your monochromatic Instagram fantasies.

In addition they now have a far more easily known as Café Onion Anguk in Jongno-gu, except in a switched standard building/temple, in fact it is just as amazing.

Seoul’s Palaces, Temples & Industries

Spend per day sightseeing and ticking off Seoul’s preferred websites. The President’s pad, Blue home (or Cheongwadae), the modifying with the protections at dazzling Gyeongbokgung residence and Changdeok residence and stopping by the National Folk Museum to learn more about Korea’s rich background through the dynasties around the present-day.

Additionally never to end up being overlooked will be the comforting Jogyesa Buddhist Temple and bargain hunting at popular Namdaemun Markets.

Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS

)

Discover South Korea beyond Seoul by taking a trip on over 80 roads and over 600 programs with the Korea Rail Pass. Take unlimited trips on most Korail trains for 3 or 5 straight times or any versatile 2 and 4 times with this particular rebate that’s limited for international nationals.

Meerkat & Friends

An oh-so-Seoul ‘cafe’ which acts no food and only bottled drinks buts allows you to get fully up near and personal with semi-tame meerkats, raccoons, wallabies, kitties, foxes plus. With areas in Hongdae and Myeongdong, its touristy and unusual, and that’s why we’re preoccupied!

Discover Seoul Pass

Get effortless access to an assortment of 35 leading Seoul places of interest with the find Seoul Pass. Select 24/48/72 hrs go to enjoy discounts and easily personalize your Seoul excursion using this versatile entrance ticket and transportation card through the Seoul Tourism business, exclusively open to international tourists.

ZenKimchi Korean Food Tours

In case you are like united states and planning your visit to Korea the cooking alone, then you’ll definitely need prevent the touristy places/ bad dining experiences and choose for a totally immersive knowledge to really make the almost all of Seoul’s meals world.

Fortunately, Joe, that has been operating
Korea’s longest-running meals blog, ZenKimchi,
for over 15 years, has created an exclusively crafted tour to greatly help travelers encounter actual Korean dining. Becoming obvious, from this, we indicate the guy gets no kickbacks through the restaurants and guides you because he’s truly fanatical regarding the fare they serve, unlike much less scrupulous providers…

We opted for their Korean BBQ concert tour and had an unforgettable evening learning Korean eating decorum, savoring the most effective charcoal grilled pork of our life, appreciating fulfilling discussions with different folks from around the world – and receiving slightly tipsy over a Korean alcoholic beverages course in a secret pub!

It is also ideal for some pre-drinking before going out to Homo Hill, and for solamente travelers who might usually find it difficult to enjoy Korean BBQ like this.

Discover many trips on offer, but are all operate by enthusiastic professionals who have your needs in mind. Very, should you want to move out there to discover Seoul as a local – while having a ridiculous amount of fun, ZenKimchi Korean Food Tours has actually some thing obtainable.

Gay Annual Events In Seoul

Korea Queer Film Festival (KQFF)

An annual event in July devoted exclusively to evaluating gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer movies. KQFF happens to be used yearly since 2001 making use of stated goal of encouraging assortment in Korean culture while enhancing LGBT individual liberties and acceptance.

One of the most crucial Asian community forums of intercontinental LGBT film/video, just in case the dates correspond if an approach to encounter a more advanced degree of gay life in Seoul.

I AM Seoul

Korea’s biggest circuit party brand, I WILL BE established in 2015 possesses fast come to be perhaps one of the most well-known routine activities across Asia. Now, IM consistently entice a huge selection of gay people from across Asia and globe to Gay Seoul.

IM carries three days of nightclub parties, pool parties and after-parties filled up with songs as well as the hottest guys. You may expect an unforgettable knowledge about a killer DJ line-up from all around the planet and awesome go-go young men on stage. Ordinarily presented in August, IM is totally worth planning a-trip about.

Korea Queer Festival Celebration | Pride Parade

Korea’s largest LGBT festival, this annual modern Korean festival, whoever theme is actually LGBT legal rights, has its own features, including a pride parade, film festival occasions, art, talks and pub celebration events.

The festival lasts for weekly or two and often happen in later part of the will to very early Summer. The procession that was banned in 2015 lured worldwide attention to case, with a lot of of it becoming critical with the advancement made regarding LGBT legal rights in South Korea.

Once again occurring, there is today some assistance from more compact Korean political events and a-listers, but significant events additionally the federal government most importantly take a basic position. Unlike a lot of
additional Pride festivals around the globe
, the Seoul Pride Prade positively restricts the power of attendees to take images or movies and asks photo-takers to blur individuals’ faces before publishing photos using the internet.

This is done to decrease the chance of unintentional excursions of participants just who nonetheless face significant discrimination in Korean culture. Whilst organizers have huge intentions to grow the function into greatest in Asia, Seoul’s Queer customs Festival reveals in several ways, South Korea is within the rock era.

120,000 LGBT folks freely took part in 2018 – the largest actually – but 200,000 signatures had been also gathered to prevent the Parade, and hundreds of anti-LGBT protestors ended up.

However, it’s remarkable to see NGOs and brands getting aboard because event grows. In a country in which modesty around outsiders is vital and sexual inclination isn’t something you should end up being flaunted, we can only expect improved visibility in the future helps new years of South Koreans feel at ease adequate to end up being whom they’re.

Gay-Friendly and Gay Resorts in Seoul

Although Korea and Seoul may be less politically progressive and gay-friendly than, say,
Bangkok
,
Tokyo
or
Taipei
, it is still safe to assume queer travelers has no issues examining literally any lodge in Seoul. Unfortunately, but there are no specifically homosexual accommodations in Seoul to check into.

Seoul is a major international mega-city with a lack of room, so area dimensions tend to be smaller than just about everywhere more on earth – but as an abundance of gay males learn, it isn’t about dimensions, but how you utilize it! The audience is writing on layout, efficiency and views, darling!

That being said, every person wants to be in the middle of individuals with usual interests, and as such, there are many famous gay-friendly places in Seoul that are hot places for gay people to stay – either because of their area or their own layout and inclusive vibes.

Hotels near Homo Hill, the foreigner-friendly queer enclave in Itaewon, are incredibly favored by gay tourists – particularly people whom only speak English but Jongno from inside the Nagwon-dong area, is actually the gayest section of Seoul, though more popular with locals than visitors.

You might also start thinking about staying in the tourist-popular Myeongdong / Seoul Central, typically considered the center of Seoul or perhaps in the world-famous Gangnam district, a.k.a the ‘Beverly Hills of Seoul.’

Here resorts in Gay Seoul have all had a glowing suggestion from gay travelers in the past, but of course,
discover numerous some other motels in Seoul
if these are not quite what you are in search of.

Whether you desire a great and personal hostel, an affordable place to crash after per night of partying or an ultra-chic designer option to sip cocktails and surround yourself with fabulous people  – Gay Seoul features some thing for everyone!

Gay-friendly Resorts in Itaewon

Hamilton Resort â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

A landmark in Seoul’s Itaewon, this comfortable hotel in a modest redbrick building is a minute’s stroll from subway station with unfussy spaces, free of charge Wi-Fi and helpful team.

You rarely need to keep with eight various dinner possibilities, such as a sleek Italian bistro, 2 LGBT-friendly nightclubs, a backyard rooftop pool – favored by peacocking muscle gays-, a 24-hour spa, a health club, plus a little shopping mall.

Lately renovated from top-to-bottom but still merely a quick stumble from Homo Hill, HOMPA by Le Queen and Club HIM.

IP Boutique Resort â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Based in Seoul’s cosmopolitan shopping and enjoyment section, Itaewon, internet protocol address Boutique resort, presents a fresh way of life knowledge for gay guests. Featuring exemplary design and spectacular atmosphere, the hotel supplies 133 guestrooms, a café bistro, and endless usage of their own fully equipped physical fitness room.

Exceptional price, IP Boutique resort is only a short stroll toward usually Homme gay bar and Club HIM by Pulse, adding to their homosexual appeal.

Resort ITW â˜†â˜†â˜†

(Temporarily or forever shut. Once you know something, kindly suggest an edit.)

On a clean, contemporary, appealing lodge in Itaewon with prices as good or a lot better than almost every other spots in Seoul. We appreciated it absolutely was within convenient strolling range with the homosexual restaurants, bars, and stores that make Itaewon these types of a pulsating and attractive part of Seoul. Hotel ITAW is actually, but up a steep hill and situated on a narrow one-way street and that’s frustrating after per night of consuming.

Sp@Itaewon Guesthouse â˜†â˜†â˜†

(Temporarily or completely shut. If you know one thing, please suggest an edit.)

The most perfect hangout your social traveler with exclusive spaces, inexpensive dorms, and standard BBQ