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

Gay Seoul is one of the planet’s the majority of underestimated vacation destinations, overlooked constantly for its much more popular East Asian next-door neighbors. Better-known for Samsung and political tensions with North Korea, discover a thriving queer world here concealed right in simple sight – you only need to understand where to search!

Hectic and utterly obsessed with manner and innovation, the powerful city of Seoul is also greatly traditional, with peaceful palaces, temples and mountain trails. Skyscrapers overshadow elegant hanbok (old-fashioned wood houses), environmentally friendly places and period courses soften commercial tough edges, and K-Pop may be heard blaring on nearly every street place.

Seoulites have actually too much to be proud of in their 24/7 city – where you could get anything you desire, anytime – in addition to their gay world here is no exception. We desire the culture at-large could well be much more taking…

Southern Korea as one has actually a much less accepting look at its LGBTQ neighborhood than a good many remainder of Asia – although the effectiveness of conservatives and Christian fundamentalists wanes slowly, everything is nonetheless perhaps not where they should be.

LGBT acceptance provides, but quickly cultivated previously ten years, particularly in the younger years,  compliment of worldwide impacts, more queer occasions, and a higher existence on the neighborhood LGBT neighborhood, such as –rather notoriously – star
Hong Seok-cheon
, developing publicly.

A lot of in Korea believe they’ve got never ever met a gay individual, and is an interest not often mentioned, with political events staying away from discussion of LGBT legal rights and several individuals burying their particular minds inside mud.

As a customer, you may be incredibly unlikely enjoy any straight-out discrimination but be aware, numerous queer locals lead two fold lives and succumb into the intimidating social stress to maintain their sexuality exclusive.

South Korea is without a doubt one of the more conservative nations in Asia, but actually right here, its technically unlawful are discriminated against on the basis of intimate positioning. Still, a lot of members of the LGBT society nonetheless face difficulties in the home and work, indicating Gay Korea features a long way to go nevertheless to capture with their a lot more progressive next-door neighbors – Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and increasingly Vietnam.

The homosexual world in Seoul, however, keeps growing annually and also many fabulous queer enjoyable to provide. Foreign party males selecting combined foreign/local fun would like to check out the famous Homo Hill in Itaewon, very long associated with homosexual nightlife, but residents will constant the central district of Jongno.

Similar to skyscrapers, the bustle of Insadong and street barbecues, there can be in fact a hidden-in-plain-sight gay world right here with more bars, karaoke bones, homosexual hot rooms and cafes than we’re able to rely.

Not many visitors actually endeavor to Gay Jongno but know if you are doing that into the bars and organizations, you may always be welcomed with a grin. Sadly, equivalent cannot be said for Seoul’s gay hot rooms and sail organizations world, which earnestly discriminate against and bar whoever is non-Korean – it doesn’t matter how familiar with traditions or the vocabulary you might be.

Develop this alterations in tomorrow as well as have ideas that might help, but in this value, the homosexual world in Seoul nevertheless quite has some developing to carry out.

Still, with more than 10 million individuals, Seoul is just one of the greatest locations in the world and it has some thing for almost all people. Foods, design, culture, background and wild lifestyle – this sprawling metropolis features almost everything!

Destinations in Seoul

Obviously, getting homosexual does not determine which attractions we should see in each urban area, and most queer people will simply desire to look at the top things to see in Seoul through the day!

There clearly was plenty accomplish right here – but we found the most popular thoughts had been wandering through acquiring missing on back-streets, seeing most of the unusual cafes, hitting up Lotte globe and wandering through design studios!

One of the better guidelines we can give you for discovering Gay Seoul should pre-order a vacation SIM card for simple airport collection and activation as soon as you appear and that means you will likely not shell out a fortune in intercontinental roaming charges.

Get restaurants referral and bookings regarding travel, trains and buses guidelines up to the minute, club beginning several hours, and, in case it is your thing – usage of gay hook-up apps to learn more about the regional world.

Smartphone data is quickly, cheap and readily available all over the place in Asia, so it is no surprise the majority of people decide to remain connected to get off of the beaten track (without previously fretting about acquiring missing). Why hold off?
Pre-order ideal neighborhood SIM credit now for it available when you appear.

Nevertheless – it can help to have some idea of what’s going on, therefore here you will find the best things you can do in Seoul, per us!

Things To Do  in Seoul

Conventional Korean Bathhouse

Perhaps not into the gay spa? Uncover a unique and family-friendly a portion of the Korean tradition in a wonderfully embellished and old-fashioned Korean-style bathhouse. Relax from a tense day’s sightseeing – or evening or partying – in a normal pine wood sauna, and savor use of all saunas and steam rooms such as various salt and minerals treatments for the epidermis.

For much more extravagance, you will want to treat yourself to a therapeutic massage, facials or human body scrubs? Although the bathhouse is actually available 24/7, be sure to book in advance any special treatments in order to prevent missing out.

Cheonggyecheon

A landmark of brand new urban renovation and ecological vitality, this park area includes a revived / ‘day-lighted’ flow with pathways, links & greenery.

Myeong-dong

A varied shopping & relaxed international dining destination, the active Myeong-dong is actually full of international style brand names, deluxe stores, and homegrown cosmetics retailers.

Janet’s Cooking Studio

Take home more than just images with this specific fabulously distinctive industry concert tour and conventional Korean cooking example with Janet, a Korean chef been trained in nyc.

This experience is not about simply ticking off vacationer must-dos, but rather explores the real Korea through Janet’s beautiful meals fixation – which stands out through whether she is bringing in one to sellers in another of Seoul’s few staying local street areas or smiling brightly while exposing to you personally how to come up with the most perfect Bulgogi Lettuce Wrap in her pro kitchen.

Janet has actually also caused the UN to advertise Korean as well as tradition – you only learn the woman is the real deal! Might keep Seoul having the ability to recognize strange materials in a Korean marketplace and make some delicious conventional dinners – whilst studying the unique reputation of Korea and enjoying Janet’s comfortable individuality.

A kind and enjoying heart who is undoubtedly passionate about just what she really does, we can’t recommend Janet’s Cooking Studio highly enough.

Fireman Program

A remarkable show of acrobatics & dance, this much-acclaimed program makes use of a mixture of performance types to convey the strains of being a fireman. Weird, we realize, but you’ll understand why if you’re here.

Notice remarkable acrobatic lifts and flips, and find out about the necessity of fire protection and awareness – being a non-verbal program, it is well-suited for many vocabulary speakers. Feel the affirmative energy brought because of the melodramatic yet funny entertainers that portray vivacious characters.

Bukchon Hanok Village

A beautiful history village with a pleased 600-year record dating back to to your 14th millennium. Fill the camera with selfies featuring thin roads layered with restored standard domiciles.

Appreciate Museum

a quirky museum of entertaining erotic artwork, this might be Seoul’s very first and far just art gallery for adults – but we’re yes other people tend to be eagerly becoming planned. Watch sensory stories of love and desire unfold right before your vision, get an opportunity to attempt your hand at pole dance – if you haven’t already – and find out the different moments of newlyweds’ existence through interactive artworks.

You will find six-themed galleries, each with a silly appeal for you to find – and rely on united states, homosexual, directly, or unicorn …You won’t have observed any such thing such as this before!

Lotte World

No visit to Seoul was total without a visit to Korea’s leading theme playground, Lotte industry! Lotte World passes tend to be surprisingly marked down just for foreign website visitors, very cannot miss out the possible opportunity to see this fun two-part motif park with outside adventure tours and a ‘Magic Island’ castle location.

Throughout the colder months, take a jacket or have fun with the adrenaline-charged indoor destinations when you look at the ‘Adventure’ location, plus attend the various parades and programs. Should you want to carry out more, discover a Lotte industry + Aquarium combination violation to comes with a call to everyone’s largest ocean environment container from the Lotte globe Aquarium, exhibiting over 650 marine types across 13 distinct areas.

Jongmyo

A UNESCO community history site and shrine to Joseon dynasty leaders & queens. Ritual ceremonies however take place only at that Confucian shrine specialized in Joseon dynasty royals. Now Jongmyo is the ideal escape from the metropolitan busyness and an intriguing looking into Old Seoul.

Café Onion

Serving post-industrial decay realness, this Uber-hip concept cafe in Seongdong-gu is basically how we would think about Chornobyl are if Brooklyn hipsters moved in. Serving funky baked creations and specialization coffee mixes, this spot is definitely worth the trip over to learn – if perhaps to realize all of your monochromatic Instagram fantasies.

In addition they already have a conveniently known as Café Onion Anguk in Jongno-gu, except in a switched conventional building/temple, and that is equally impressive.

Seoul’s Palaces, Temples & Industries

Spend daily sightseeing and ticking off Seoul’s most well known websites. The chairman’s pad, Blue home (or Cheongwadae), the altering of the protections at the dazzling Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeok Palace and visiting the nationwide Folk Museum for more information on Korea’s rich history from dynasties around the present-day.

Also to not be missed is the soothing Jogyesa Buddhist Temple and bargain hunting at the popular Namdaemun industries.

Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS

)

Take a look at South Korea outside of Seoul by traveling on over 80 roads in order to over 600 channels using Korea Rail Pass. Simply take limitless trips of all Korail trains for 3 or 5 consecutive times or any flexible 2 and 4 times with this specific discount that is limited for international nationals.

Meerkat & buddies

An oh-so-Seoul ‘cafe’ which serves no food and only bottled beverages buts allows you to rise close and private with semi-tame meerkats, raccoons, wallabies, cats, foxes and. With locations in Hongdae and Myeongdong, it is touristy and weird, and that’s why we have been obsessed!

Discover Seoul Pass

Get easy access to an assortment of 35 top Seoul tourist attractions using Discover Seoul Pass. Select 24/48/72 many hours go to help you enjoy discounts and easily modify the Seoul travel with this particular versatile entrance pass and transfer credit from Seoul Tourism business, solely offered to international tourists.

ZenKimchi Korean Food Tours

If you’re like all of us and making plans for your trip to Korea when it comes down to cuisine alone, then you’ll definitely like to avoid the touristy places/ bad eating experiences and opt for a totally immersive experience to make the the majority of Seoul’s meals scene.

Thankfully, Joe, that has been running
Korea’s longest-running food weblog, ZenKimchi,
for more than 15 years, has created an uniquely crafted tour to assist travelers encounter actual Korean food. Getting clear, through this, we indicate he becomes no kickbacks through the restaurants and guides you because he or she is truly fanatical regarding fare they serve, unlike much less scrupulous operators…

We chosen their Korean BBQ concert tour together with a memorable evening discovering Korean dining decorum, savoring ideal charcoal grilled pork of your existence, admiring rewarding conversations with some other individuals from across the world – and obtaining somewhat tipsy over a Korean liquor example in a secret pub!

It’s also perfect for some pre-drinking before moving out to Homo Hill, or solamente travelers who might usually find it difficult to encounter Korean BBQ such as this.

There’s a variety of tours offered, but all are run by passionate experts who have your desires at heart. So, should you want to get-out truth be told there and see Seoul as a regional – whilst having a ridiculous quantity of fun, ZenKimchi Korean foods Tours has one thing available.

Gay Annual Events In Seoul

Korea Queer Film Festival (KQFF)

An annual occasion in July devoted specifically to evaluating homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer flicks. KQFF might presented annually since 2001 together with the reported purpose of motivating diversity in Korean culture while improving LGBT human liberties and recognition.

One of the more important Asian community forums of international LGBT film/video, of course, if your times coincide if an effective way to experience a more sophisticated standard of homosexual life in Seoul.

I’M Seoul

Korea’s largest routine party brand name, I AM established in 2015 and it has quickly become one of the most preferred routine activities across Asia. Today, I WILL BE continues to attract countless gay travelers from across Asia in addition to entire world to Gay Seoul.

I WILL BE boasts 3 days of dance club functions, swimming pool functions and after-parties full of songs together with hottest guys. You may expect an unforgettable knowledge about a killer DJ line-up throughout the whole world and super go-go boys on stage. Typically presented in August, I AM is completely well worth planning a-trip around.

Korea Queer Festival Party | Pride Parade

Korea’s biggest LGBT event, this yearly contemporary Korean event, whoever motif is actually LGBT liberties, has numerous features, such as a pride parade, film event occasions, artwork, discussions and pub party occasions.

The event lasts for a week or two and often takes place in belated might to very early June. The parade which was prohibited in 2015 lured international attention to the function, with most of it getting crucial on the advancement made regarding LGBT legal rights in Southern Korea.

Yet again taking place, there is now some service from smaller Korean political functions and stars, but significant functions in addition to federal government at-large take a natural position. Unlike lots of
some other Pride celebrations internationally
, the Seoul Pride Prade positively restricts the power of attendees to take images or video clips and requires photo-takers to blur members’ confronts before posting photographs using the internet.

This is done to cut back the chance of unintentional excursions of members which nevertheless face significant discrimination in Korean society. Even though the organizers have big intentions to develop the big event towards most significant in Asia, Seoul’s Queer community Festival shows in a variety of ways, South Korea is in the rock Age.

120,000 LGBT people freely participated in 2018 – the biggest actually – but 200,000 signatures had been additionally collected to eliminate the Parade, and hundreds of anti-LGBT protestors proved.

Nonetheless, its incredible to see NGOs and brands getting up to speed because event develops. In a country where modesty around outsiders is paramount and sexual inclination is certainly not something you should be flaunted, we could merely wish enhanced visibility someday helps new years of Southern Koreans feel safe sufficient to be just who they truly are.

Gay-Friendly and Gay Hotels in Seoul

Although Korea and Seoul might-be less politically modern and gay-friendly than, say,
Bangkok
,
Tokyo
or
Taipei
, it’s still secure to presume queer travelers are going to have no issues checking literally any lodge in Seoul. Sadly, but there aren’t any specifically homosexual resort hotels in Seoul to check on into.

Seoul is actually a worldwide mega-city with a shortage of space, so room dimensions tend to be smaller than just about everywhere else on the planet – but as plenty of gay guys know, it isn’t really everything about size, but exactly how you use it! The audience is writing about concept, functionality and opinions, darling!

Having said that, everybody else loves to end up being in the middle of people with typical passions, and thus, there are a few famous gay-friendly accommodations in Seoul which can be hot areas for gay travelers to remain – either due to their area or their particular concept and comprehensive vibes.

Hotels near Homo Hill, the foreigner-friendly queer enclave in Itaewon, are really well-liked by homosexual people – specially tourists exactly who only speak English but Jongno into the Nagwon-dong area, is clearly the gayest section of Seoul, though popular with natives than visitors.

You can also consider residing in the tourist-popular Myeongdong / Seoul main, typically considered to be the center of Seoul or even in the world-famous Gangnam area, a.k.a the ‘Beverly Hills of Seoul.’

Here motels in Gay Seoul have got all had a glowing advice from gay travelers in past times, but of course,
discover hundreds of various other resort hotels in Seoul
if these are typically not quite what you’re seeking.

Whether you prefer an enjoyable and social hostel, an inexpensive place to crash after a night of partying or an ultra-chic developer option to drink cocktails and encompass your self with fantastic men and women  – Gay Seoul provides something for all!

Gay-friendly Resorts in Itaewon

Hamilton Hotel â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

A landmark in Seoul’s Itaewon, this comfortable hotel in a small redbrick building is only a moment’s stroll through the train section with unfussy rooms, free of charge Wi-Fi and helpful team.

You almost never need to leave with eight various dining solutions, including a glossy Italian restaurant, 2 LGBT-friendly nightclubs, a patio rooftop share – favored by peacocking muscle mass gays-, a 24-hour spa, a fitness center, plus limited mall.

Recently refurbished from top-to-bottom nonetheless just this short hit from Homo Hill, HOMPA by Le Queen and Club HIM.

internet protocol address Boutique Hotel â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Situated in Seoul’s cosmopolitan purchasing and activity district, Itaewon, internet protocol address Boutique resort, provides another way of life knowledge for homosexual visitors. Featuring exemplary layout and spectacular ambiance, the resort offers 133 guestrooms, a café restaurant, and endless utilization of their fully equipped physical fitness area.

Exceptional price, internet protocol address Boutique Hotel is only a short walk towards usually Homme homosexual club and Club HIM by Pulse, increasing the homosexual appeal.

Resort ITW â˜†â˜†â˜†

(briefly or once and for all shut. Once you know something, kindly suggest an edit.)

On a clean, modern-day, appealing hotel in Itaewon with prices as good or better than almost every other spots in Seoul. We appreciated that it was within convenient taking walks range associated with the gay restaurants, bars, and stores which make Itaewon these a pulsating and appealing section of Seoul. Resort ITAW is, however, up a steep slope and situated on a narrow one-way road which will be frustrating after every night of ingesting.

Sp@Itaewon Guesthouse â˜†â˜†â˜†

(briefly or forever closed. If you know one thing, please suggest an edit.)

The perfect hangout the social traveler with personal rooms, affordable dorms, and typical BBQ
sexrapide