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Seoul has always been a city of speed — quick escalators, blinking neon, the rush of crowds on subways and streets. But lately, there’s a quieter revolution underway: a shift toward the staffless. From hotels to cafés to convenience stores, the human element is slipping away, replaced by screens, sensors, and machines. The surprising part isn’t the absence — it’s how natural it feels.
 
I set out to spend a day in this version of Seoul, not just to observe the technology, but to live inside it. What I found wasn’t cold or sterile. It was seamless, playful, and, in its own way, more human than I expected.

Gliding Beside the Stream: Seoul’s Autonomous Shuttle

The day began at Cheonggye Plaza, where the Cheonggyecheon Stream cuts through downtown. A futuristic silver shuttle pulled up, doors sliding open. Inside, there was no driver’s seat, no wheel. Just a few glowing screens along the roof and the hum of sensors charting a path.

As the shuttle door opened, it looked surreal. The 4.8-kilometer route ran parallel to the stream, stopping for pedestrians and merging confidently into Seoul’s midday traffic. I looked to where the driver would normally sit, noticing that  this vehicle would soon start carrying tourists back and forth from here to Gwangjang Market without human intervention.

It felt normal for Seoul — and that was the extraordinary part. A vehicle that could have been lifted from science fiction will soon be just another weekday commute. The shuttle will be open to the public in late September.

Checked In by Robots: Henn na Hotel, Myeongdong

From there, it was a short walk into Myeongdong, where the future greets you with scales and teeth. At Henn na Hotel, two animatronic dinosaurs dominated the lobby, flashing toothy grins as I approached. The check-in kiosk handled the details, supervised by two smiling robots.

It was absurd and efficient in equal measure. The dinosaurs weren’t there to help so much as to make the experience unforgettable. There wasn’t a human in sight aside from hotel guests heading out into the neighborhood.
 
What struck me most wasn’t the gimmick, but the ease. No waiting in line. No explaining arrival times. Just a few taps, and the room was booked.

Henn na Hotel

59,Myeongdong 8ga-gil , Jung-gu , Seoul 
 Line 4, Myeongdong Station, Exit 8

Lunch without the Hassle: Vegan Kitchen

A short walk took me to a vegan restaurant where tradition and technology collide. At first, it looked like any other  trendy vegan spot — traditional Korean dishes without meat, all plant-based and delicious.

But as I sat down, the difference became clear. Orders are placed through a tablet at the table, with full English support. Once the order is confirmed, the charm of this restaurant reveals itself: a robot glides out from the kitchen, delivering steaming plates on its platforms.

No awkward conversation, no small talk. Just food arriving with quiet precision. Once served, the robot heads back to its base, leaving you to dine in peace.

Vegan Kitchen

21 Toegye-ro 20-gil, Jung-gu

 Monday - Sunday 10:30 - 22:00 
 Line 4, Myeongdong Station, Exit 2 or 3

A Civic Coffee Break: Robot Café at City Hall

By mid-afternoon, I ducked into Seoul City Hall. Here, automation wasn’t hidden in a lab — it was right inside a government building. Ordering a vanilla latte from a screen, I watched a robotic arm grind beans, fetch milk, and pour with steady precision.

There was something symbolic about it: the city itself was endorsing this shift. Not just private chains, but public institutions were inviting people to experience staffless service in daily life.
 
The best part was the personalized announcement when my order was ready. Reusable cups can be refunded at the information desk on the first floor. As I grabbed my drink, the robotic arm even waved goodbye.

Robot Café at City Hall

Seoul City Hall, Jung-gu

 Monday - Friday 07:00 - 21:00 / Sat-Sun 09:00 - 18:00
Line 1/2, City Hall Station, Exit 4

Peak Relaxation: Nabi Jam, Jongno

If the City Hall café was a nod to practicality, Nabi Jam in Jongno was a full embrace. Everything here is automated. Reservations are made via QR code, with links sent through KakaoTalk after payment. Another link unlocks your private booth.

The space glows with futuristic calm. Affordable relaxation, open 24/7, with not a staff member in sight. What could have felt eerie instead felt soothing. I wasn’t missing people; I was marveling at how smoothly the system ran, how quickly novelty became comfort.

There’s also peace of mind: every booth is secure, and the massage technology is some of Korea’s best. For introverts, it’s paradise.

Nabi Jam

19 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu

 Monday - Sunday 00:00 - 24:00 
Line 1, Jonggak Station, Exit 1

Shopping Reimagined: GS25 DX Lab, Yeoksam

Later, I crossed the river to Yeoksam-dong, where GS25’s DX Lab reimagines Korea’s famous convenience stores. Inside, it felt like any other convenience store in Korea except for one very important detail, the staff. Everything here was self-service.

It wasn’t spectacle — it was shopping, streamlined. No cashier, no staff, just a frictionless loop from desire to fulfillment. Watching people grab what they need without even pausing to take off their headphones was impressive to say the least.

GS25 DX Lab, Yeoksam

130 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu

 Monday - Sunday 00:00 - 24:00 
Line 2, Yeoksam Station, Exit 7

A Staffless Printer?

The day ended back in the subway, Seoul’s energetic transport hub. Near Anguk Station, I stumbled across something unexpected: a completely unmanned printing station.

After a full day of staffless travel, check-in, meals, coffee, and shopping, it felt fitting to discover this final piece of the puzzle. Copying, printing, even faxing — all available, staff-free, ready to go.

GS25 DX Lab, Yeoksam

Anguk Station, Jongno-gu

 Monday - Sunday 05:00 - 01:00 
Line 3, Anguk Station

Leaving Staffless Seoul

As I wrapped up the day, I realized the absence of staff wasn’t cold. It was efficient, freeing, even fun. From dinosaurs in Myeongdong to massage chairs in Jongno, from a driverless shuttle gliding along Cheonggyecheon to a futuristic  GS25 — Seoul showed me that the future of tourism isn’t about watching technology.
 
It’s about living in it, moment by moment.