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October's Main Article

Spending Chuseok in Seoul!

Seoul is an ideal place to enjoy the Chuseok holiday.
Chuseok is one of the biggest holidays in Korea,
and as the capital city, there's no shortage of things to see, do, and eat in Seoul!

衣 : Modern Hanbok

Traditional and Contemporary

Traditional hanbok are usually worn on special occasions and holidays such as Chuseok. Noted for their iconic long, flowing skirts, traditional hanbok are beautiful to look at and wear. While it's easy to appreciate the beauty of hanbok, some visitors may hesitate to purchase hanbok due to worries about the practicality of wearing hanbok for day to day activities. Modern hanbok are the perfect compromise between the traditional and the contemporary. Stylish, yet practical, modern hanbok can be worn on special occasions or every day. At Seowoo Hanbok, shoppers can browse from hundreds of hanbok styles and colors. There are also many different accessories such as purses, hair adornments, and more that are available for purchase. Modern hanbok stores are mainly clustered in the neighborhoods of Sinchon, Jongno, and Kondae (the area near Konkuk University) or Insa-dong. Visitors who'd rather borrow hanbok should head to hanbok rental shops in Insa-dong and near palaces. Rental hanbok shops have a variety of traditional and modern hanbok to choose from. Get into the holiday spirit by wearing a hanbok! 

食 : Chuseok Cuisine [suspension of the event]

Holiday Food and Feasts

Food is an important part of any holiday celebration. Though most families will be having their Chuseok meals at home, visitors to Seoul can try holiday food at cultural events that will take place in the city. Tourist attractions such as the National Folk Museum of Korea and Namsangol Hanok Village will be hosting Chuseok events that include food samplings and cooking activities. At the National Folk Museum of Korea, visitors can learn about charye (ancestral memorial services) which is one of the most important elements of the Chuseok holiday. At Namsangol Hanok Village, visitors will be able to learn about traditional food and drink, while also learning how Chuseok is observed by Koreans.

住 : Hanok in Seoul

Unique Beauty and Tranquility

Visiting authentic hanok is something that can only be done in Korea and visitors would be remiss to skip seeing hanok while in Seoul. Hanok were once found all over Seoul, but by the end of the 20th century, only a few pockets of hanok remained intact. Luckily, there have been many efforts aimed preservation and maintainence, and today visitors can soak in the tranquility and beauty of hanok. Originally, hanok were simply homes, but in recent times it's more common to see hanok that have been converted into guesthouses, cafes, or restaurants. Hanok guesthouses and cafes are concentrated near Anguk Station, particularly in the Bukchon Hanok Village and near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Travelers preparing for a trip to Seoul may want to opt to stay in a hanok rather than a run-of-the-mill hotel. Sleeping and staying in a hanok gives any trip to Seoul a unique color. Visitors already in Seoul should still stop by to enjoy a meal or drink at a hanok restaurant or cafe. Some hanok even hold fun cultural events throughout the year.

樂 : Cultural Events for Chuseok [suspension of the event]

Chuseok always signals a flurry of fun cultural events in Seoul to celebrate the holiday. Festivities at museums and tourist attractions will feature cultural activities, food samplings, and live performances of traditional performing arts. The National Folk Museum has a packed festival program. This year's Chuseok event will feature several cultural activities and holiday food-related activities as well. The National Museum of Korea will be hosting a performance of traditional musicians and singers. Attendees will get to enjoy traditional dance, pansori (singing), and samulnori (percussion). The Seoul Baekje Museum will also host arts performances. Additionally, visitors can try their hand at making a Baekje-themed craft or playing traditional folk games like tuho (stick throwing) and yutnori (board game). Admission to the festivals and events are free.