Gay Seoul, Southern Korea | The Primary LGBT Travel Guide!

Gay Seoul is among the planet’s a lot of underestimated travel places, overlooked continuously for its a lot more popular eastern Asian neighbors. Better known for Samsung and political tensions with North Korea, there clearly was a thriving queer scene here concealed inside plain view – you simply need to know where to search!

Hectic and utterly enthusiastic about fashion and innovation, the dynamic city of Seoul can greatly traditional, with tranquil palaces, temples and mountain trails. Skyscrapers overshadow elegant hanbok (traditional wooden homes), environmentally friendly areas and pattern channels soften professional tough borders, and K-Pop is heard blaring on nearly every road spot.

Seoulites have a great deal to end up being proud of within 24/7 town – where you could get what you may wish, anytime – in addition to their gay world here is not an exception. We desire the community in particular might be a lot more taking…

South Korea as one has actually a much less accepting look at the LGBTQ community than all the rest of Asia – and even though the strength of conservatives and Christian fundamentalists wanes gradually, things are still perhaps not where they need to be.

LGBT recognition provides, but fast cultivated previously ten years, particularly in the younger generations,  courtesy international influences, more queer occasions, and a louder presence of this neighborhood LGBT neighborhood, including –rather famously – star
Hong Seok-cheon
, coming out publicly.

Many in Korea feel they usually have never ever satisfied a gay person, plus its a subject infrequently talked about, with governmental functions preventing conversation of LGBT legal rights and lots of folks burying their particular minds during the sand.

As a visitor, you may be incredibly extremely unlikely experiencing any outright discrimination but take note, lots of queer natives lead dual life and succumb towards the daunting societal pressure to maintain their sex private.

South Korea is without question one of the most conservative countries in Asia, but also right here, really officially illegal to get discriminated against on such basis as intimate direction. Nevertheless, a lot of people in the LGBT neighborhood however face troubles at your home and work, which means Gay Korea has a long way going nevertheless to catch up with its a lot more modern neighbors – Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and increasingly Vietnam.

The gay scene in Seoul, however, is growing on a yearly basis and has now numerous fabulous queer fun to provide. Overseas celebration kids looking blended foreign/local enjoyable may wish to drop by the popular Homo Hill in Itaewon, very long of gay night life, but locals may frequent the central region of Jongno.

Synonymous with skyscrapers, the bustle of Insadong and street barbecues, there is in fact a hidden-in-plain-sight homosexual world here with an increase of pubs, karaoke joints, homosexual saunas and cafes than we’re able to rely.

Few visitors actually ever venture to Gay Jongno but know if you are doing that in the bars and clubs, you are going to be welcomed with a smile. Sadly, alike cannot be said for Seoul’s homosexual saunas and sail groups world, which positively discriminate against and bar anybody who is non-Korean – it doesn’t matter what knowledgeable about customs or even the language you will be.

Hopefully this alterations in the long run and possess ideas that can help, in this admiration, the gay scene in Seoul nonetheless really has some expanding doing do.

Nevertheless, with over 10 million folks, Seoul is just one of the biggest places in the world features some thing for almost all people. Food, style, tradition, record and wild nightlife – this sprawling metropolis has actually all of it!

Attractions in Seoul

Obviously, getting homosexual doesn’t establish which destinations many of us would want to see in each town, & most queer travelers will simply need to browse the leading things to see in Seoul throughout the day!

There is such to accomplish right here – but we discovered our favorite memories happened to be roaming through acquiring missing on back-streets, going to the unusual cafes, hitting up Lotte World and wandering through design studios!

One of the better guidelines we are able to give you for exploring Gay Seoul would be to pre-order a travel SIM card for simple airport collection and activation the minute you arrive which means you wont spend tons of money in international roaming fees.

Get restaurants advice and bookings regarding travel, trains and buses directions up to the minute, bar orifice hours, and, in case it is the thing – use of homosexual hook-up apps to learn more about the neighborhood world.

Mobile information is quickly, inexpensive and offered almost everywhere in Asia, making it not surprising that many people elect to remain connected and get from the beaten track (without ever worrying about getting missing). Why wait?
Pre-order ideal local SIM card today getting it available as soon as you appear.

However – it assists to own some thought of the proceedings, so here you will find the best things to do in Seoul, relating to united states!

Activities to do  in Seoul

Standard Korean Bathhouse

Perhaps not to the homosexual sauna? Uncover a distinctive and family-friendly area of the Korean society in a beautifully embellished and conventional Korean-style bathhouse. Unwind from a tense day of sightseeing – or evening or partying – in a normal oak wood spa, and revel in access to all saunas and vapor areas including various salt and nutrients treatments for your epidermis.

For more extravagance, why not address yourself to a massage therapy, facials or body scrubs? Although the bathhouse is available 24/7, make sure you book ahead any special treatments in order to avoid getting left behind.

Cheonggyecheon

A landmark of new metropolitan repair and environmental rejuvenation, this park space includes a revived / ‘day-lighted’ stream with pathways, links & greenery.

Myeong-dong

A varied purchasing & informal global food location, the busy Myeong-dong is actually filled with intercontinental trend companies, luxury shops, and homegrown cosmetics stores.

Janet’s Cooking Studio

Collect more than simply photos with this specific wonderfully distinctive market tour and traditional Korean cooking class with Janet, a Korean chef been trained in new york.

This knowledge is certainly not about merely ticking down tourist must-dos, but alternatively explores the real Korea through Janet’s stunning food fixation – which shines through whether this woman is introducing you to definitely suppliers in one of Seoul’s couple of staying neighborhood street marketplaces or cheerful brightly while revealing to you personally how to create the right Bulgogi Lettuce Wrap in the woman professional cooking area.

Janet provides actually worked with the UN to market Korean food and tradition – you simply understand she’s genuine! Might keep Seoul with the ability to identify unconventional ingredients in a Korean industry in order to whip-up some delicious old-fashioned meals – even while researching exclusive reputation for Korea and enjoying Janet’s cozy character.

A kind and loving spirit that is truly passionate about exactly what she really does, we simply cannot suggest Janet’s preparing Studio very adequate.

Fireman Show

A remarkable display of acrobatics & dance, this much-acclaimed show utilizes a mixture of overall performance styles to show the pressures to be a fireman. Crazy, we all know, however you will see why whenever you are indeed there.

Detect remarkable acrobatic lifts and flips, and discover more about the importance of fire safety and awareness – being a non-verbal program, truly well-suited for several language speakers. Have the affirmative electricity produced by melodramatic yet comical artists that portray vivacious characters.

Bukchon Hanok Village

An attractive heritage village with a pleased 600-year record dating back to on the 14th century. Fill your own digital camera with selfies featuring slim streets layered with restored conventional houses.

Fancy Museum

a wacky art gallery of entertaining sexual artwork, this is certainly Seoul’s basic therefore much merely art gallery for adults – but we are positive other individuals tend to be eagerly getting in the pipeline. View sensory tales of love and desire unfold right before your own vision, get to be able to take to the hand at pole dancing – when you yourself haven’t currently – and find out the many minutes of newlyweds’ life through entertaining artworks.

You’ll find six-themed galleries, each with an unusual attraction for you to find – and confidence us, homosexual, direct, or unicorn …You won’t have observed anything like this before!

Lotte World

No day at Seoul could be comprehensive without a visit to Korea’s top motif playground, Lotte community! Lotte community passes tend to be amazingly reduced exclusively for overseas visitors, so never skip the possiblity to go to this fun two-part motif park with outdoor adventure flights and a ‘Magic Island’ palace place.

Through the colder months, take a coat or have fun with the adrenaline-charged indoor attractions into the ‘Adventure’ place, plus sign up for the various parades and programs. If you’d like to do even more, there’s a Lotte World + Aquarium combo citation to comes with a visit to the world’s biggest sea ecology tank at Lotte industry Aquarium, featuring over 650 marine types across 13 distinct zones.

Jongmyo

A UNESCO globe Heritage web site and shrine to Joseon dynasty leaders & queens. Ritual ceremonies however take place during this Confucian shrine centered on Joseon dynasty royals. Today Jongmyo is the best escape from the metropolitan busyness and an intriguing looking at Old Seoul.

Café Onion

Serving post-industrial decay realness, this Uber-hip concept cafe in Seongdong-gu is largely how exactly we would picture Chornobyl as if Brooklyn hipsters moved in. Serving funky baked designs and niche coffee blends, this place is really worth the trek over to learn – if only to understand your monochromatic Instagram goals.

They even have a far more conveniently labeled as Café Onion Anguk in Jongno-gu, except in a converted traditional building/temple, that will be just as remarkable.

Seoul’s Palaces, Temples & Markets

Invest every day sightseeing and ticking off Seoul’s best web sites. The President’s pad, Blue residence (or Cheongwadae), the modifying with the guards on amazing Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeok Palace and visiting the nationwide Folk Museum to learn more about Korea’s site de rencontre des hommes riches history through the dynasties up to the present-day.

Also never to end up being overlooked is the calming Jogyesa Buddhist Temple and bargain-hunting during the famous Namdaemun Markets.

Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS

)

Find Southern Korea away from Seoul by touring on over 80 paths also to over 600 channels aided by the Korea Rail Pass. Get limitless tours on most Korail trains for 3 or 5 straight times or any versatile 2 and 4 times with this specific rebate that will be only available for international nationals.

Meerkat & pals

An oh-so-Seoul ‘cafe’ which serves no as well as just bottled drinks buts enables you to get-up close and personal with semi-tame meerkats, raccoons, wallabies, cats, foxes and much more. With places in Hongdae and Myeongdong, it really is touristy and unusual, this is exactly why we’re obsessed!

Discover Seoul Pass

Get effortless access to a combination of 35 leading Seoul tourist attractions with all the Discover Seoul Pass. Pick 24/48/72 hours go so you’re able to delight in discounts and freely customize your Seoul travel because of this versatile entrance citation and transport credit from Seoul Tourism business, exclusively offered to foreign vacationers.

ZenKimchi Korean Food Tours

If you should be like united states and planning your day at Korea for cuisine by yourself, then you’ll would you like to prevent the touristy areas/ bad dining encounters and go for an entirely immersive knowledge to help make the most of Seoul’s meals scene.

Fortunately, Joe, who has been working
Korea’s longest-running food blog site, ZenKimchi,
for more than 15 years, has generated an uniquely crafted concert tour to aid tourists enjoy actual Korean eating. To-be clear, from this, we suggest the guy will get no kickbacks from the restaurants and takes you because they are really fanatical about the food they provide, unlike less scrupulous providers…

We opted for his Korean BBQ tour and had a memorable night finding Korean eating decorum, savoring the number one charcoal grilled pork of your life, appreciating satisfying discussions with different folks from throughout the world – and obtaining a tiny bit tipsy over a Korean liquor tutorial in a key pub!

Additionally it is ideal for some pre-drinking before heading out to Homo Hill, or unicamente tourists which might if not find it difficult to experience Korean BBQ such as this.

There clearly was many tours available, but each one is run by passionate experts who have your needs at heart. So, if you want to get out here and view Seoul as an area – while having a ridiculous number of fun, ZenKimchi Korean foods Tours has actually some thing for you personally.

Gay Annual Events In Seoul

Korea Queer Film Festival (KQFF)

A yearly occasion in July devoted solely to screening gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer films. KQFF was presented yearly since 2001 making use of mentioned goal of encouraging assortment in Korean society while enhancing LGBT human rights and recognition.

Probably one of the most vital Asian online forums of intercontinental LGBT film/video, and in case the dates correspond if an easy way to enjoy a very sophisticated standard of homosexual existence in Seoul.

I AM Seoul

Korea’s biggest circuit celebration brand name, I’M established in 2015 features rapidly become very popular routine activities across Asia. Today, IM will continue to entice a huge selection of homosexual tourists from across Asia as well as the globe to Gay Seoul.

I’M carries three days of dance club events, share functions and after-parties full of songs and also the hottest men. Expect an unforgettable experience with a killer DJ line-up from all over society and extremely go-go males on-stage. Generally used in August, I’M is totally really worth planning a visit about.

Korea Queer Festival Party | Pride Parade

Korea’s biggest LGBT event, this annual contemporary Korean event, whoever motif is actually LGBT liberties, has many highlights, including a pride procession, movie event activities, art, discussions and dance club celebration occasions.

The event can last for a week or two and usually happens in late May to early June. The parade which was prohibited in 2015 attracted international awareness of the function, with a lot of from it being vital associated with advancement made regarding LGBT legal rights in South Korea.

Once again happening, there’s today some service from smaller Korean governmental events and famous people, but major events and the government at-large take a neutral posture. Unlike a lot of
other Pride festivals internationally
, the Seoul Pride Prade positively restricts the power of attendees to take photos or videos and asks photo-takers to blur individuals’ faces before posting photographs on the web.

This is accomplished to cut back the chance of accidental outings of participants which nonetheless face significant discrimination in Korean culture. Whilst the organizers have big intentions to grow the event to the biggest in Asia, Seoul’s Queer heritage Festival demonstrates in several ways, Southern Korea is in the Stone Age.

120,000 LGBT individuals honestly took part in 2018 – the most significant ever before – but 200,000 signatures had been in addition collected to end the Parade, and hundreds of anti-LGBT protestors turned out.

However, its incredible observe NGOs and companies acquiring onboard just like the event increases. In a nation where modesty around outsiders is paramount and sexual choice is certainly not one thing to end up being flaunted, we are able to merely hope enhanced presence later on assists brand-new years of Southern Koreans feel safe sufficient to end up being who they’re.

Gay-Friendly and Gay Resorts in Seoul

Although Korea and Seoul may be less politically modern and gay-friendly than, say,
Bangkok
,
Tokyo
or
Taipei
, it’s still secure to believe queer tourists may have no issues checking almost any lodge in Seoul. Sadly, however, there are not any exclusively homosexual resort hotels in Seoul to test into.

Seoul is actually an international mega-city with a shortage of room, so room dimensions are smaller compared to all over the place more on earth – but as numerous homosexual men know, it’s not everything about size, but how make use of it! We have been speaing frankly about concept, functionality and views, darling!

However, everyone else loves to end up being in the middle of people with typical passions, and therefore, there are a few popular gay-friendly resort hotels in Seoul being hot spots for gay people to remain – 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 popular with homosexual people – especially tourists exactly who merely speak English but Jongno inside the Nagwon-dong neighbor hood, is the gayest area of Seoul, though much more popular with locals than visitors.

You could also consider residing in the tourist-popular Myeongdong / Seoul Central, usually said to be the center of Seoul or even in the world-famous Gangnam region, a.k.a the ‘Beverly Hills of Seoul.’

Here accommodations in Gay Seoul have got all had a glowing recommendation from gay travelers in earlier times, but of course,
you’ll find countless some other motels in Seoul
if these are not exactly what you are searching for.

Whether need a great and social hostel, a cheap destination to freeze after per night of partying or an ultra-chic designer solution to drink cocktails and encompass your self with fabulous men and women  – Gay Seoul has something for everybody!

Gay-friendly Hotels in Itaewon

Hamilton Resort â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

A landmark in Seoul’s Itaewon, this comfortable hotel in a small redbrick building is only one minute’s stroll from subway station with unfussy rooms, no-cost Wi-Fi and helpful staff members.

You almost never should leave with eight various eating solutions, such as a glossy Italian bistro, 2 LGBT-friendly nightclubs, a patio roof share – favored by peacocking muscle tissue gays-, a 24-hour sauna, a health club, and even a small mall.

Not too long ago renovated from top-to-bottom whilst still being just this short hit from Homo Hill, HOMPA by Le Queen and Club HIM.

IP Boutique Resort â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Positioned in Seoul’s cosmopolitan purchasing and entertainment region, Itaewon, IP Boutique resort, presents a brand new way of living knowledge for gay guests. Featuring exceptional layout and magnificent ambiance, the resort offers 133 guestrooms, a café restaurant, and endless utilization of their well equipped fitness place.

Exemplary price, internet protocol address Boutique resort is only a brief stroll with the definitely Homme gay club and Club HIM by Pulse, contributing to its gay popularity.

Resort ITW â˜†â˜†â˜†

(briefly or once and for all shut. Once you know some thing, please recommend an edit.)

A clear, modern, attractive lodge in Itaewon with costs nearly as good or better than almost every other spots in Seoul. We liked it absolutely was within convenient taking walks length of this homosexual restaurants, pubs, and retailers that produce Itaewon these types of a pulsating and attractive element of Seoul. Resort ITAW is, but up a steep mountain and found on a narrow one-way street which will be challenging after per night of ingesting.

Sp@Itaewon Guesthouse â˜†â˜†â˜†

(Temporarily or permanently closed. Once you know anything, please recommend an edit.)

The right hangout for any personal tourist with private rooms, affordable dorms, and regular BBQ