Cosy Whiskey Bars to Kpop Havens: Paola Laf’s Guide to Seoul
Cosy Whiskey Bars to Kpop Havens: Paola Laf’s Guide to Seoul
"People who say that New York never sleeps have clearly not been to Seoul."
Paola Laf moved to South Korea's capital in 2021, drawn to it's fast-paced energy and booming pop culture. A DJ and radio host drawn to both niche and mainstream areas of culture, she was drawn to the city's unique mixture of underground experimental sounds and polished k-pop industry. "I was eager to immerse myself in it," she says. "It feels like the future is unfolding here."
She's made a home for herself in Seoul, now working with an independent label SoundSupply_Service and hosts a radio show at VISLA.FM. She knows how to thrive in the city's relentless energy, yet also afford herself moments of quiet respite. "The city offers pockets of calm, with nature always within reach that's hard to find elsewhere, and even harder to give up once you've experienced it.," she says.
Read on for her guide on her adopted home city.
In this Guide
Buruttrak (부루의 뜨락)
37-1Jung District, Seoul 04535South Korea
+82 2 776 6353
“If K-pop is what led you to Seoul, this is the real deal for music nerds. Established in 1979, this record shop boasts an impressive collection of K-pop albums, including vinyl, spanning decades.”
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Cakeshop
Yongsan-guSeoulSouth Korea
“A Seoul nightlife institution probably on everyone's list already but I had to include it anyway. It’s the best club in town - so many legendary DJs, both local and foreign, have played and keep playing here. It's the kind of place where you know the music is going to be good no matter who's on the line-up. ”
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Seendosi
31Jung-gu, Seoul 04543South Korea
+82 70 8631 4557
“One of Seoul’s best music venues, hands down. If you’re curious about the local scene, this is where you should go. They regularly host live concerts, but even when it’s just open as a bar the staff plays the best music in the background. I have discovered so much new music there. ”
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ACS,kr
10Jung District, Seoul 04554South Korea
+82 10 2778 2953
“Again, one of Seoul’s best music venues. DIY, experimental, punk-spirited DJ sets and live concerts, where you’ll hear the wildest and most free-spirited mix of genres. Plus, a lovely community of people around it. Shout out to them. ”
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Snail Record and Bar
99-7Yongsan District, Seoul 140-022South Korea
+82 50 71475 5075
“In all honesty, part of me wanted to gate keep this place, but on the other hand, I wanted to give it a shout-out. It’s a tiny, cosy whiskey bar with a perfect music selection, and I have some cherished memories attached to it.”
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Quest
99-14Yongsan District, Seoul 04391South Korea
“Quest is the bar of Visla.FM, the radio station where I host my show. A cozy nook in the midst of the craziness of Itaewon where I often found myself shazamming what's playing in the background.”
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Cafe Comfort
358-144Yongsan District, Seoul 04328South Korea
+82 2 6324 0624
“I’m a sucker for panoramic views and stunning sunsets. Comfort has a rooftop that, from afar, looks like a cliff. I often go there to watch the sunset.”
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Deosup Chosochekbang (더숲 초소책방)
480Nowon-gu, Seoul 01751South Korea
+82 2 951 0206
“A cozy café along the Inwang Mountain Trail that even won an award for Best Public Building and also offers a beautiful view of the city. With no bus stop nearby, you’ll need to walk along the trail for a bit to reach it (unless you take a taxi), but that makes it even better, in my opinion.”
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Itaewon Foreign Bookstore
208Yongsan District, Seoul 04345South Korea
+82 2 793 8249
“My Korean isn’t good enough to read entire books yet, so this is my go-to spot. This bookstore sells second-hand books in English and a few other languages. It has classics, books by Korean authors, and an interesting selection of books on Korea too. Avoid the big chains and support your local store! ”
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Café Gaeppul
26Jongno District, Seoul 03088South Korea
+82 2 517 2525
“Café Gaeppul is a café, bar, and gallery nestled in the Ihwa Mural Village on the slope of Naksan. While most cafés in Seoul don't sell beer, this one does, on a terrace over a stunning panoramic view stretching across the city, from a new angle.”
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