Introduction to Hyehwa and Daehakro
Hyehwa is a neighborhood known for Daehakro. Daehakro means ‘the road where the university is located’. In Korean, ‘daehak’ means university and ‘ro’ means road. In Seoul, this location is in the downtown part of the university district, surrounded by universities and the Sinchon neighborhood.
This is because up to ten universities are located near Daehakro. As a result, it represents the energy of youth in the same way that Hongdae Street does. Also, it has a better ambiance than Hongdae, which is overcommercialized. Daehakro has a more pleasant ambiance, maybe because of the presence of various art facilities, such as theaters. And there are also many fewer tourists.
However, because of the historic palaces and Jongmyo Shrine, which are directly opposite of Daehakro’s young name, it is also a popular destination for the elderly. Changgyeonggung Palace is just next door, while Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine are only a 20–30-minute walk away.
Additionally, seminary students at Catholic University’s Seongshin Campus, who live a rigorously controlled, are frequently encountered on the streets. In this sense, Daehakro in Hyehwa can be considered one of the locations that best exemplifies Korea’s mix of ancient and new. This peculiar blend of old and new is why Daehakro is one of Korea’s most popular districts and a must-see for travelers.
Theaters
Daehakro has been famous for its theaters for decades. It is a collaborative venue for young students and artists, and theatrical artists have made their debuts in Daehakro near Hyehwa Station for decades. There are a lot of attractive small theaters.
I recommend the theater ‘Quad’. The ‘Quad’, which launched in 2022, is a black box performance space rather than the typical huge proscenium theater (framed stage) that inhabitants are used to. The chairs and stage are not fixed but may be adjusted depending on the show, and all sides are painted black. It is a flexible place that can be utilized. It’s as if you’re witnessing a performance within a massive black box.
Not just the stage, but also the audience space, can be used differently depending on the nature of the live performance, providing a broader range of options for adopting experimental performances. Furthermore, because the scale is small, being able to collaborate more closely with the performers is a significant benefit. I recommend this venue because it does give English subtitles for some acts.
Actually, most theatrical performances in Daehakro are entirely in Korean and are rarely available in English or other languages. English subtitles are available for select performances at this theater. The official website is here, where you can verify if there are English subtitles and buy tickets. https://www.quad.or.kr/Home/Main
Board game cafe
Board game cafes are widespread in downtown Korea. This is a space rental cafe where you and your friends may rent a room and board games at the counter for an hourly charge for each hour and then play together. Because of the nature of board games, many people require a large table, and because people talk and drink in cafés, thus they were designed this way.
The store mostly consists of huge tables and chairs, with board games arranged on one side for clients to take as they like. Tteokbokki, fried food, ramen, beverages, snacks, and other items are available, and depending on the store, drinks may need to be ordered. If you ask a staff member, they will explain the game rules so that everyone can use it without worry. If you are unfamiliar with board games, contact a staff member to suggest a suitable game. My favorite board game cafe at Hyehwa Station is ‘Red Button.’
This cafe is located directly outside Hyehwa Station’s Exit 4. This is a major board game cafe franchise in Korea. There is a vast range of board games available, as well as an English-language kiosk, making it simple for foreigners to understand the rules and make orders. Of course, going alone is impossible, but going with friends makes the time fly by! For reference, the fee is 3,000 won per person per hour (about $2).
Shooting & Archery
Do you enjoy shooting and archery? There is a place in Daehakro meant for both of you. ‘Real Shot Archery Range‘(리얼샷 실전사격양궁장 in Korean) is an indoor shooting and archery range located in a street near Hyehwa Station’s Exit 1 where you can shoot a rifle or use a bow. There are four types guns. Handguns, rifles, sniper rifles, and archery are available, with 24 shots costing approximately 3,000 won (about $2). It’s an excellent spot for friends to compete and make bets.
Sungkyunkwan University
Sungkyunkwan University is Korea’s oldest university, with a history reaching back to the Joseon Dynasty. It is now fairly modernized, and it is difficult to find remnants of the past on the campus, but if you visit Hyehwa, it is still worthwhile to tour the grounds and the buildings of the old Confucian school that still stand.
A 600-year-old ginkgo tree stands near to Myeongnyundang at Sungkyunkwan University. It is also a popular location for wedding photographs. It is especially gorgeous in the fall when the leaves change color, so plan a visit around that season.
Place to eat
The restaurant I recommend in Daehakro near Hyehwa Station is ‘Samgyeongil’(삼경일 in Korean). This restaurant is visible when you turn right as soon as you come out of Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station. This restaurant specializes in Korean chicken soup. The price is about 30,000 to 40,000 won (20-30 dollars) for two people, which is not cheap, but considering the generous portion and delicious taste, it is a reasonable price. It’s also a place where you can drink traditional Korean liquor in a nice atmosphere. And you don’t have to worry about it being spicy! You can also order non-spicy chicken dishes.
Cafe
I recommend the ‘Lily Marlene‘(릴리마를렌 in Korean) cafe, which is located close Hyehwa Station’s Exit 3. I recommend this cafe since it has a unique atmosphere that changes with the seasons. Every year, when the seasons change, the café owner diligently adjusts the interior decor of the cafe. As a result, even if you visit at different times of year, you will experience a varied atmosphere. Also, the cafe’s sweets are wonderful.
Making handmade rings for lovers
If you visit Hyehwa with someone special, ‘Ring For You Ring Making'(링포유 반지만들기 in Korean) is a good choice. This shop is quite close to Hyehwa Station and allows you and your partner to create a handmade ring together for approximately 50,000 won(About 40 USD). A handmade band is more memorable than a store-bought ring, right? Please be aware that there are cats living in this store!
Jongmyo Shrine
Jongmyo Shrine is also one of the most renowned historical places in central Seoul and Hyehwa. Please follow the link for further information.
Ihwa Mural Village
One of the most famous places in Hyehwa Station is Ihwa Mural Village. Please refer to the link for more details.
Naksan Park Fortress Road(낙산 공원 성곽길)
At the back of Ihwa Village, there is a place where you can take a walk along a quiet castle. If you want to take a walk in fantastic scenery, please click the link
Marronnier Park(마로니에 공원)
A park was established on the Gwanak Campus in 1975, following the relocation of Seoul National University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Law. The horse chestnut trees here were planted on April 5, 1929, during the days of Gyeongseong Imperial University, the forerunner of Seoul National University, and have since become a symbol of nearby Daehakro.
It features a children’s playground, an outdoor stage, a pond, a fountain park, sculptures, and a store, with the outdoor stage serving as a performance venue for amateur singers. There are small theaters in the park’s center, including the Arts Center Grand Theater, Batangol Small Theater, Samteo Bluebird Theater, Hakjeon, Comedy Art Hall, Dongsung Art Center, and Jeongmiso.
It is open free of charge 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The road in front of the park (Daehakro) was designated as a car-free street in late 1985, with vehicles forbidden from 1 PM to 6 PM on the last Saturday of each month, but this was repealed in 1989. On May 1, 2004, Daehakro and the adjacent park area were designated as a cultural district, and 1,100m of Marronnier Road’s side road was designated as a car-free zone.
Nearby historical sites include the former Seoul National University Main Building, Changgyeonggung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and Changdeokgung Palace.
Changdeokgung Palace(창덕궁)
15 minutes away from Hyehwa Station is Korea’s oldest and most beautiful palace and garden.
Changgyeonggung Palace
Changgyeonggung Palace is a palace worth seeing along with Changdeokgung Palace. If you are curious about Changgyeonggung Palace, please go to the link below.