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K-pop is absolutely everywhere these days. Having adventured throughout Asia together for several years, the one thing we have noted is how pervasive K-pop is across every gay scene all over the continent. It's become quite the trend. For instance, in the DJ Station gay club of gay Bangkok, there's a whole level now committed to K-pop, playing throughout the night. The same situation is true at the G Club in gay Taipei.

The gay scene in Seoul is no outlier. Here, in the heartland of K-pop, gay bars and clubs like Ground and Ping are devoted to this unique pop music genre, with lines stretching for several blocks, as eager guys strive to get in and showcase their K-pop dance moves and formation transitions.

And we're loving it! There's a cute, catchy appeal to it. The dance routines are straightforward to learn, so you can take part too. 

The gay scene in Seoul primarily concentrates in the Itaewon and Jongno districts. Beyond the gay bars, this city delivers an impact when it comes to delicious cuisine (kimchi and Korean BBQ, anyone?), awe-inspiring palaces, plus a singular day trip to the DMZ, one of the world's most heavily fortified zones by the border with North Korea.

For this first-timer, Korea was Kaptivating, and Seoul was Sexy. All my tips and tricks are now being passed on to you…

1. Where in Seoul is the gay area located?

Seoul houses two primary gay zones: Itaewon and Jongno. Itaewon is the pulsating core and soul of the Seoul gay scene. This city district is renowned for its lively nightlife and fashionable restaurants. The gay bars and clubs in Itaewon congregate in and around the area called 'Homo Hill'. The actual designation for this street is Usadan-ro 12-gil Street. 

Running parallel to Homo Hill is the road designated Usadan-ro 14-gil, affectionately known as Hooker Hill. Historically, this was a popular spot for American military personnel stationed there- a US base was once situated close by. Today, the Hooker bars have gone. Instead, our vibrant LGBTQ+ community decorates it with bars like NoTea, Queen, and clubs such as Gym, Ground, and Ping.

Jongno originally was Seoul's initial gay area, dating back to when a Japanese gentleman opened the first gay bar there during the late 1970s. Today, this area houses around seventy-five small gay bars that huddle together in unassuming blocks, much like the gay scene of Tokyo in Ni-ch&333;me 2, Shinjuku.

Jongno is a short subway trip away from Itaewon - Jongno 3 is the nearest station. This area is more residential, hence more local. Our top gay bar here was the recently opened, My Hunk. 

2. What's the best gay-friendly hotel in Seoul to stay in?

We've compiled a list of outstanding gay hotels to stay in Seoul which we encourage you to investigate. But, for gay-welcoming hotels right in the heart of Itaewon, we suggest the Nouvelle Seoul Hotel on Hooker Hill and the Hamilton Hotel, which sits near the Glam Lounge just across the main road from Homo Hill. 

The Mondrian Hotel in Itaewon is the place to stay to feel like a complete p1mp! It's so luxurious that even the reception area smells exquisite! This also serves as the venue for many of Seoul's major gay events, for instance, the Moonlight Circuit Festival (check details below).

If you're on a budget, we encourage checking out G Guesthouse Itaewon. 

Our preferred gay-friendly hotel in Jongno is the fittingly named(!) Top Hotel.

Misterb&b presents the gay-centric alternative to Airbnb, where you can search for apartments owned by gay people. Seoul offers many listings on Misterb&b. You'll find a range of shared apartments with a gay host - clothing is optional or the entire apartment.

We're fond of using Misterb&b because it's the perfect way to immediately connect with a queer local who can quickly become a new friend and show you the gay scene.

4. Which are the main gay bars in Seoul?

Most of the gay bars and clubs in Seoul are divided between Itaewon's Homo Hill and the streets surrounding Jongno 3 Metro. 

The main thing I'd mention is that the gay scene in Seoul is somewhat muted for most of the week, even on Fridays. Most people work all week and reserve their energy (and money) for the big night on Saturday, especially salary men. But when Saturday night arrives…oh my goodness, they go wild! With parties extending into the early hours of Sunday.

I had a blast with friends at the NoTea gay bar in Itaewon, owned by a lovely mixed Korean/Spanish couple. Across the street, I got some cocktails at Queen, a lesbian-owned mixed bar. This is just a small glimpse inside the gay bar scene of Itaewon. There are many more queer hangouts here, including Orgy (yes, it's a simple cocktail gay bar called, Orgy, nothing more!), Eat Me (the names here are pretty on point, no?), Glam Lounge, Why Not, and Always Homme.

Over at Jongno, several smaller gay bars are situated in unassuming blocks, such as M Bar, Stud, Glove Bar, and the DZBZ rooftop bar. My favorite gay bar in Jongno is the newly opened My Hunk.

5. Which are the major gay clubs in Seoul?

Unsurprisingly, K-pop dominates the gay scene in Seoul. The major ones are Ground and PING in Itaewon. PING is a K-pop bar that opens at 11 pm. Around 4 am, the crowd moves upstairs for Ground. The queue to get in is massive, stretching around the block. This is where the Korean gay youths in their late teens / early twenties head.

If K-pop isn't your style, I recommend checking out the circuit-style Gym Club in Itaewon, located at the bottom of Homo Hill. The crowd here was older, approximately 30+, and a mix of muscular men, and bears - all topless, naturally!

6. Are there any big gay parties in Seoul?

The Moonlight Circuit Festival is Seoul's main big gay party which is held twice each year - the Winter edition in February/March, and the Summer event in August. It usually occurs at one of the large luxury hotels in and around Itaewon, like the Mondrian.

The Moonlight Circuit Festival is Seoul's equivalent to the White Party Bangkok in December and GCircuit Songkran in April.

7. When does Seoul celebrate gay Pride?

The Seoul Queer Culture Festival occurs annually on the last Saturday of June. Initiated in 2000, it has progressively grown since. The 2024 Festival attracted over 150,000 people making it one of the largest LGTBQ+ events in Asia. It encompasses a grand parade through the heart of Seoul, with big organizations such as IKEA, the US Embassy, and Amnesty International enthusiastically supporting it.

The Festival includes the Korea Queer Film Festival, which exhibits the lives of LGBTQ+ minorities, and has also grown consistently since its inception in 2001.

8. Get steamy at He's Gay Sauna

He's Gay Sauna is the place to go (pun absolutely intended!) in Itaewon to, let off some steam! It's located on the road across from Homo Hill, amidst mixed bars and restaurants. Foreigners are welcome here.

Other cruising spaces in Seoul include Vault Club and Eagle Seoul, both in Itaewon, and both host a variety of themed parties, including Underwear and Naked nights.

Further afield, check out Shelter and Equus in the Gangnam district.

9. Allow time to visit the impressive Palaces of Seoul

Seoul features multiple remarkable palaces, however, the two primary ones I recommend investing a day in exploring are Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. 

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the foremost one. If you arrive there at 10 am or 2 pm (excluding Tuesdays), you'll see the spectacular changing of the guards ceremony. The Palace interior is as impressive as the detailed surrounding gardens.

To the east is Seoul's other impressive Palace: Changdeokgung. So remarkable that the Changdeokgung Palace Complex was added to the UNESCO list in 1997.

My main tip for exploring the Palaces of Seoul, try to avoid weekends, particularly afternoons. The crowds are packed. Aim to arrive as early in the day as possible or on weekdays.

10. Get a spring onion keyring at the Bukchon Hanok Village

The Bukchon Hanok Village sits between the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces. It's an expansive area of tight, narrow streets filled with around nine hundred traditional Korean homes known as hanoks. I enjoyed simply getting lost within the maze of streets here.

Equally distinct are the quirky souvenir shops selling the most unusual souvenirs. I spotted a spring onion keyring on my DMZ Tour Guide's bag and had to have one. She pointed me to the souvenir shops of Bukchon Hanok Village and, voila: a new addition to my key rings.

The same heads-up for Bukchon, it gets crowded here on weekends so come early or on a weekday to dodge the crowds.

11. Hike up to the N Seoul Tower

One of the highlights of Seoul's skyline is the iconic N Seoul Tower, positioned atop Namsan Mountain. Ascending it was both a workout and a treat for the eyes. However, let's be honest, I was mainly there for the views and the photo ops. Getting to the base involves a pleasant walk (or a fun cable car ride, if you're feeling lazy), succeeded by a climb to the tower itself.

At the summit, you're awarded with sweeping views of the city that are genuinely stunning. Couples will be captivated by the romance of the famous 'love locks' area. It's corny but worth it, especially when you see couples of all orientations sharing the moment. 

Pro tip: visit right before sunset for that golden hour magic.

The Demilitarized Zone near the border with North Korea is renowned for being one of the most heavily fortified areas in the world. Unfortunately, the actual DMZ area has been closed since July 2023, after a US soldier crossed the zone to 'escape' into North Korea to avoid a martial trial.

While you can visit the area outside the DMZ independently, going on a tour is better. I went on the GetYourGuide DMZ Tour, as it included the Suspension Bridge Tour in the countryside nearby, which was captivating and excellent value for money.

If I'm being completely candid, however, I found the entire DMZ Tour a little underwhelming. It felt like I was in Disneyland, filled with tour groups. It's interesting, nevertheless, to learn about the Korean War, but as the DMZ itself has been closed, your experience of it is limited.

13. Feast on Korean BBQ + kimchi

If there's one thing I'll devour in Seoul, it's Korean BBQ. It's an experience, a celebration, and, let's be real, a somewhat flirtatious fire hazard with all that sizzling meat! 

Visualize this: you're seated around a grill, selecting from endless cuts of pork, beef, or even seafood. The staff aids you in cooking it to perfection (bless them, because my concentration around food is non-existent), while you enjoy banchan—those delightful little side dishes, with the queen herself, kimchi, as the star.

I became obsessed with the garlic-marinated beef, while engaging in a love affair with the spicy pork belly. Vegetarians? No worries—there are plenty of veggie options to BBQ, and the banchan could easily constitute a meal. Just make sure you don't wear your best attire, as that BBQ aroma will stay with you, in the best way possible!

14. Treat yourself to some Korean Snail Cream!

Yes, you read that correctly, snail cream!

Before you cringe, let me tell you, this is the secret behind why everyone in Seoul seems to have skin smoother than Seby’s dance moves after two sojus…

Korean snail cream is packed with magical snail mucin, which is deemed the elixir of youth! Who knew those little garden creatures were skincare experts?

I'll admit, I was skeptical at first, but after a week of applying it, my face felt softer than a BTS ballad. You'll find plenty of shops in Myeongdong where you can try (and hoard) various creams, serums, and masks. 

Pro tip: watch out for bargains - buy one, get a thousand free seems to be the norm here. So, go ahead, indulge yourself in a little slimy luxury. Because if snails can glow while schlepping around in the dirt, imagine what they can do for you!

15. Important information to note that you'll thank me for!

• Download NAVER Maps: Google Maps is constrained in South Korea, showing only public transportation choices. For directions for walking or driving, you will have to download and use the NAVER Maps app.
• Obtain a Korean T-money Card: Secure this useful card as soon as you land. It works on buses, subways, and some taxis. You can top it up in convenience stores. You'll need it because public transport in South Korea does not accept cash or card payments: only T-card! I got mine at the airport when I bought it alongside my SIM card.
• Google Translate is your friend: almost everything in South Korea is in Korean. From labels in the convenience stores to the signs in the Metro stations. I strongly suggest getting acquainted with the Camera Translate feature in your Google Translate!
• A Homepa is an after-party! A homepa, short for home party, is local slang for an afterparty. Some karaoke spots, for instance, remain open late as a form of homepa. Although the homepa you'll likely encounter is a chillout at someone's private home…
• Learn some basic Korean: it contributes a lot to charming locals and breaking the ice. To get you started: annyeong haseyo means hello, Kamsahamnida is thank you.
• Tipping is not the norm in South Korea: Koreans do not tip in restaurants, bars, or taxis. It's considered polite not to! Your bill includes everything, so just enjoy and depart with a smile.
• Experience a Korean Bathhouse (Jjimjilbang): Jjimjilbangs are a cornerstone of Korean culture and an excellent way to unwind after exploring. Think saunas, baths, and cozy lounge zones, where you can even take an overnight nap. Just ensure you're at ease with a little nudity!
• Punctuality is key! Seoul operates on a highly punctual schedule, especially public transport. Trains depart precisely on time, and people appreciate punctuality, so if you're meeting someone or joining a tour, plan to be early.

Read more travel adventures like this in our book!

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