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Cutting across the city beneath our feet from east to west and south to north, subways are an effective means of transportation for citizens and tourists alike. Travelers exploring the city of Seoul get to hop on and off different transportation means, but the subway tops the list when it comes to convenience.

Stretching his creativity into various spheres as a rapper and artist, MINO, a member of WINNER, has set out as a subway tour guide for visitors traveling Seoul. MINO has cherry-picked and presented some locations he likes or wants to visit. Hop on the MINO LINE designed by MINO and turn it into your own route.

If something is trendy in Korea, it’s got to be in Hongdae. The same goes for must-eat places. Hongdae offers a plethora of places to eat, from popular chain stores to unique restaurants and bars with Hongdae vibes. Among the many eateries in Hongdae, MINO’s choice is “Restaurant of Pyun,” the only one-table restaurant in Yeonnam-dong. Already well-known as a location for marriage proposals on social media, “Restaurant of Pyun” offers special course dishes. The Australia-trained owner-chef has experience working at a Michelin-star restaurant. This reservation-only restaurant offers three different courses: the fine-casual A Course, the signature B Course, and the Proposal Course for patrons giving a marriage proposal. Experience excellent food prepared with the best ingredients by one of the top-ranking chefs with romance in the air.

MINO’s pick at his beloved neighborhood of Mullae-dong is the café Geukrakwangsaeng (which means “rebirth in paradise”). The entrance of Geukrakwangsaeng, to start with, is uncommon. It seems like no place for a coffee shop, but follow the downhill road, and you will come upon an underground parking lot which was the filming site for Seoul Vibe, staring MINO and Yoo Ah-in. Far into the parking lot is the café Geukrakwangsaeng. This coffee shop is somewhat overwhelming with its distinctive, hip atmosphere. Go by the statue of Buddha’s head, and a sensible yet eccentric feeling from the dreamy interior lights and Buddhist supplies will welcome you. The signature menus are the “geukrak tart” and “wangsaeng milk tea.” Apparently, MINO tasted and raved about the egg tart “geukrak tart” and even bought some to take home with him. Come and enjoy the unique mood of Mullae-dong at café Geukrakwangsaeng, the choice of MINO, who is also a well-received painting artist.

MINO has lately been rising as an authentic artist. What attracted this rookie artist to Mullae-dong was the artistic sense of the neighborhood. Mullae-dong was originally a district of ironworks, but with young artists joining the community one after another, it has become an out-of-the-ordinary neighborhood with a mix of art and trend. Stroll along the streets of Mullae-dong while enjoying the paintings on the iron factory walls, and you will encounter the Gallery Mullae Forest Street, a street with galleries and small showrooms. You can watch artists working on their artworks in real time, enjoy free exhibitions, and even recharge your sensibility at different prop shops. What about giving yourself time to heal with various props and artworks at the Gallery Mullae Forest Street?

In August, Gwanghwamun Square, the square of Seoulites, re-opened with a new look after a long-pending renovation project. With a green area that has tripled in size, a media wall open to citizens, and a large media façade installed in attraction points from Haechi Plaza to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and the KT headquarters building, the refurbished Gwanghwamun Square embroiders Seoul’s hours of darkness. The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, located in Gwanghwamun Station exits 7 and 8, will be an excellent opportunity for travelers to learn about Korea and Seoul. In addition, the view of the Gwanghwamun area from the rooftop garden at the Museum is another spectacle. Enjoy the full spectrum of traveling, from history and cultural experiences to a relaxing time at Gwanghwamun Square.

As you enjoy the city's central plaza, head towards Gyeongbokgung Palace from Gwanghwamun Square, and you will find Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3). It is a 17-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station to Anguk Station, but when traveling on the subway, the two stations are just one stop away, which is a mere two-minute ride. Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul Museum of Craft Art, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and Changgyeonggung Palace are just some attraction points near Anguk Station.

MINO’s choice for his stay overnight is SeoulStory Hanok, a traditional hanok-style accommodation. Found in the pleasant alleys of Anguk Station exit 1, SeoulStory Hanok is an entire house with a concept of Korea’s traditional house hanok. Although it is a traditional place, SeoulStory Hanok has a bed and table, offering convenience to foreigners. Hence, both Koreans and foreigners can relax while enjoying the look and feel of hanok. If you are traveling to Korea, we recommend you spend a night at Bukchon Hanok Village, where you can enjoy the traditional faces of the country. Enjoying the cool, gentle winds at the hanok courtyard will be a perfect way to round off your day.