Gay Seoul, South Korea | The Fundamental LGBT Travel Guide!

Gay Seoul is among the earth’s the majority of underestimated travel locations, overlooked continuously for its a lot more famous eastern Asian neighbors. Better-known for Samsung and governmental tensions with North Korea, discover a thriving queer world right here hidden in ordinary look – you simply need to understand where to search!

Fast-paced and entirely enthusiastic about trend and innovation, the vibrant city of Seoul is profoundly traditional, with tranquil palaces, temples and hill trails. Skyscrapers overshadow stylish hanbok (traditional wooden houses), environmentally friendly rooms and cycle routes soften industrial tough borders, and K-Pop is generally heard blaring on nearly every street spot.

Seoulites have a lot to be proud of within their 24/7 town – where you can get whatever you decide and want, anytime – in addition to their gay scene we have found not an exception. We desire the community at large is a lot more accepting…

Southern Korea overall features a much less accepting look at the LGBTQ area than almost all of the remainder of Asia – and while the potency of conservatives and Christian fundamentalists wanes gradually, things are nevertheless maybe not in which they need to be.

LGBT acceptance features, however, quickly grown prior to now decade, particularly in the younger generations,  using international influences, more queer occasions, and a louder existence with the neighborhood LGBT area, such as –rather famously – celebrity
Hong Seok-cheon
, developing publicly.

Numerous in Korea believe they usually have never came across a homosexual person, plus its a topic not often mentioned, with governmental events keeping away from discussion of LGBT legal rights and several individuals burying their unique heads in the sand.

As a visitor, you are exceptionally not likely to possess any outright discrimination but take note, many queer natives lead double life and succumb on the daunting societal force to maintain their sexuality private.

Southern Korea is without question one of the most old-fashioned nations in Asia, but actually here, its officially illegal become discriminated against based on intimate positioning. Nevertheless, lots of people in the LGBT neighborhood however face difficulties yourself and work, indicating Gay Korea has actually quite a distance to go still to catch up with their more progressive neighbors – Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and more and more Vietnam.

The homosexual scene in Seoul, however, is continuing to grow annually and it has a great amount of fantastic queer enjoyable to offer. Overseas celebration boys selecting mixed foreign/local enjoyable will want to visit the famous Homo Hill in Itaewon, long associated with homosexual night life, but locals are more inclined to frequent the main district of Jongno.

Synonymous with skyscrapers, the bustle of Insadong and road barbecues, there was actually a hidden-in-plain-sight homosexual scene here with increased pubs, karaoke joints, homosexual saunas and cafes than we could rely.

Very few visitors actually ever venture to Gay Jongno but determine if you will do that in taverns and organizations, you can expect to often be welcomed with a smile. Unfortunately, similar cannot be said for Seoul’s homosexual saunas and sail clubs scene, which actively discriminate against and bar whoever is non-Korean – in spite of how acquainted with practices or the language you may be.

Hopefully this changes in the future and get some suggestions that might help, but in this respect, the gay world in Seoul still quite has many raising doing perform.

Nonetheless, with more than 10 million individuals, Seoul is amongst the biggest locations in the world and also anything for almost all people. Food, layout, society, background and crazy night life – this sprawling metropolis features everything!

Attractions in Seoul

Naturally, getting homosexual cannot determine which destinations a lot of us need to see in each town, and a lot of queer people will simply wish to take a look at top factors to see in Seoul the whole day!

You will find so much accomplish right here – but we discovered the most popular recollections were roaming through acquiring lost on back-streets, visiting all the strange cafes, hitting up Lotte business and wandering through concept studios!

One of the better guidelines we could provide for checking out Gay Seoul should pre-order a vacation SIM card for easy airport pickup and activation the minute you arrive which means you wont shell out a fortune in international roaming fees.

Get restaurants suggestion and bookings on travel, trains and buses directions up-to-the-minute, bar beginning hrs, and, if it’s your own thing – use of gay hook-up software for more information regarding the local world.

Cellphone information is fast, cheap and available almost everywhere in Asia, so it’s not surprising the majority of travelers choose to stay connected acquire off of the beaten track (without ever before worrying all about obtaining lost). So why wait?
Pre-order the most effective local SIM card today to own it available as soon as you arrive.

Nevertheless – it can help getting some thought of what is going on, therefore here you will find the greatest things you can do in Seoul, relating to us!

Things To Do  in Seoul

Conventional Korean Bathhouse

Not into the gay spa? Uncover an original and family-friendly part of the Korean society in an attractively adorned and conventional Korean-style bathhouse. Unwind from a tense day of sightseeing – or night or partying – in a traditional oak lumber spa, and enjoy access to all saunas and steam areas offering various salt and minerals treatment options for your skin.

To get more extravagance, why don’t you treat yourself to a massage therapy, facials or human anatomy scrubs? Although the bathhouse is actually open 24/7, definitely book ahead of time any special treatment plans to prevent at a disadvantage.

Cheonggyecheon

A landmark of the latest urban renovation and ecological rejuvenation, this park area features a revived / ‘day-lighted’ stream with walkways, bridges & greenery.

Myeong-dong

A diverse shopping & casual global food location, the Bustling Myeong-dong is actually full of worldwide fashion brand names, deluxe malls, and homegrown cosmetic makeup products retailers.

Janet’s Preparing Studio

Take home more than simply photos with this particular wonderfully distinctive industry trip and conventional Korean cooking example with Janet, a Korean cook competed in nyc.

This experience isn’t about simply ticking off visitor must-dos, but rather explores the actual Korea through Janet’s beautiful meals fixation – which stands out through whether she actually is exposing you to vendors in one of Seoul’s few staying neighborhood street marketplaces or smiling brightly while disclosing to you how to create the perfect Bulgogi Lettuce Wrap back her professional cooking area.

Janet has actually caused the UN to promote Korean as well as society – so you only know she actually is the real deal! You’ll leave Seoul having the ability to identify unconventional components in a Korean market and also to whip-up some tasty conventional meals – even while understanding the initial reputation of Korea and taking pleasure in Janet’s hot character.

A sort and warm spirit that is certainly excited about exactly what she does, we cannot advise Janet’s preparing Studio very enough.

Fireman Show

An amazing show of acrobatics & party, this much-acclaimed program utilizes a combination of performance designs to express the strains to be a fireman. Weird, we understand, but you will see why when you find yourself truth be told there.

Discover remarkable acrobatic pulls and flips, and read about the necessity of flame security and awareness – and being a non-verbal tv show, it really is well-suited for every language speakers. Have the affirmative energy produced from the melodramatic yet funny performers that portray lively characters.

Bukchon Hanok Village

A beautiful heritage community with a pleased 600-year history dating back into the 14th millennium. Fill your own camera with selfies featuring thin streets lined with restored old-fashioned houses.

Enjoy Museum

a weird art gallery of interactive erotic artwork, this can be Seoul’s basic so far just art gallery for grownups – but we have been certain other people are eagerly becoming in the pipeline. Enjoy physical tales of enthusiasm and need unfold before your eyes, get to be able to take to your hand at pole dance – for those who haven’t already – and discover the many minutes of newlyweds’ existence through interactive artworks.

You will find six-themed galleries, each with a silly attraction so that you can find – and trust all of us, homosexual, straight, or unicorn …You won’t ever have seen any such thing like this before!

Lotte Industry

No trip to Seoul could well be total without a trip to Korea’s leading theme playground, Lotte business! Lotte World passes tend to be amazingly reduced exclusively for international website visitors, thus don’t skip the possiblity to see this fun two-part theme playground with backyard adventure tours and a ‘Magic isle’ palace area.

Throughout colder months, take a coat or have fun with the adrenaline-charged indoor attractions for the ‘Adventure’ location, plus attend the various parades and shows. When you need to perform even more, there can be a Lotte World + Aquarium combo citation to also includes a visit to the world’s biggest ocean environment container during the Lotte community Aquarium, featuring over 650 marine types across 13 distinct areas.

Jongmyo

A UNESCO community Heritage site and shrine to Joseon dynasty kings & queens. Ritual ceremonies however occur during this Confucian shrine dedicated to Joseon dynasty royals. These days Jongmyo is the ideal escape from the urban hubbub and an intriguing looking into Old Seoul.

Café Onion

Serving post-industrial decay realness, this Uber-hip concept cafe in Seongdong-gu is largely how we would imagine Chornobyl to get if Brooklyn hipsters moved in. Serving funky baked creations and specialty coffee combinations, this area is worth the trek off to learn – if perhaps to appreciate your monochromatic Instagram desires.

In addition they will have an even more easily labeled as Café Onion Anguk in Jongno-gu, except in a switched standard building/temple, in fact it is equally remarkable.

Seoul’s Palaces, Temples & Industries

Invest every single day sightseeing and ticking off Seoul’s best internet sites. The President’s pad, Blue residence (or Cheongwadae), the altering from the guards at the dazzling Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeok Palace and stopping by the National Folk Museum for more information on Korea’s rich history through the dynasties up to the present-day.

Additionally to not be overlooked will be the comforting Jogyesa Buddhist Temple and bargain-hunting within well-known Namdaemun Markets.

Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS

)

Take a look at South Korea beyond Seoul by touring on over 80 paths and also to over 600 programs making use of Korea Rail Pass. Simply take endless tours on most Korail trains for 3 or 5 straight times or any flexible 2 and 4 days because of this discount that’s only available for international nationals.

Meerkat & Friends

An oh-so-Seoul ‘cafe’ which acts no food and just bottled beverages buts enables you to get fully up near and personal with semi-tame meerkats, raccoons, wallabies, cats, foxes and a lot more. With locations in Hongdae and Myeongdong, it is touristy and strange, and that’s why we are preoccupied!

Discover Seoul Pass

Get easy access to an assortment of 35 leading Seoul attractions because of the Take a look at Seoul Pass. Pick 24/48/72 several hours pass so you’re able to enjoy discounts and freely customize your Seoul journey with this particular flexible entrance ticket and transport credit from the Seoul Tourism Organization, entirely offered to international vacationers.

ZenKimchi Korean Foods Tours

In case you are like united states and planning your visit to Korea for the cuisine by yourself, then you will should steer clear of the touristy areas/ bad dining encounters and choose an entirely immersive experience to help make the a lot of Seoul’s food world.

Fortunately, Joe, that has been operating
Korea’s longest-running meals web log, ZenKimchi,
for over fifteen years, has created an uniquely crafted concert tour to greatly help travelers encounter genuine Korean food. Are obvious, by this, we suggest the guy becomes no kickbacks from the restaurants and guides you because he could be genuinely fanatical concerning fare they provide, unlike less scrupulous operators…

We chosen their Korean barbeque concert tour along with an unforgettable night discovering Korean dining etiquette, savoring best charcoal grilled pork of one’s life, admiring fulfilling discussions with various folks from all over the world – and getting a tiny bit tipsy over a Korean alcoholic drinks training in a secret club!

It is also perfect for some pre-drinking before moving out to Homo Hill, or solo tourists who might usually battle to experience Korean BBQ in this way.

You will find many tours going around, but all are operate by passionate professionals who get needs at heart. Very, if you want to get-out here to check out Seoul as a regional – while having a ridiculous level of fun, ZenKimchi Korean Food Tours has actually anything for you.

Gay Annual Events In Seoul

Korea Queer Film Festival (KQFF)

A yearly event in July devoted solely to screening homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer flicks. KQFF is presented yearly since 2001 together with the mentioned purpose of promoting range in Korean culture while improving LGBT human liberties and recognition.

Perhaps one of the most crucial Asian online forums of worldwide LGBT film/video, whenever your own times coincide if an approach to enjoy a more sophisticated level of homosexual life in Seoul.

I AM Seoul

Korea’s largest circuit party brand name, I AM launched in 2015 and it has rapidly come to be just about the most common circuit occasions across Asia. Today, IM consistently attract countless gay people from across Asia while the world to Gay Seoul.

I WILL BE claims 3 days of club events, swimming pool parties and after-parties filled with music while the hottest dudes. You could expect an unforgettable knowledge about a killer DJ line-up from all around the world and awesome go-go kids on stage. Usually held in August, I WILL BE is actually totally well worth planning a visit around.

Korea Queer Festival Party | Pride Parade

Korea’s biggest LGBT event, this yearly modern Korean festival, whoever motif is actually LGBT rights, has its own shows, including a pride parade, film event activities, art, talks and pub celebration activities.

The event lasts for weekly or two and often happen in later part of the May to early June. The parade which was banned in 2015 lured intercontinental focus on the big event, with most of it being vital of this advancement made with regards to LGBT rights in South Korea.

Once more occurring, there’s now some assistance from smaller Korean governmental events and celebrities, but significant parties as well as the federal government at large take a basic position. Unlike lots of
various other Pride celebrations worldwide
, the Seoul Pride Prade definitely restricts the capability of attendees to take pictures or videos and asks photo-takers to blur participants’ confronts before posting pictures using the internet.

This is accomplished to lessen the possibility of accidental trips of members who nevertheless face considerable discrimination in Korean society. Whilst the organizers have actually big plans to expand the big event to your greatest in Asia, Seoul’s Queer Culture Festival demonstrates in lots of ways, Southern Korea is within the rock era.

120,000 LGBT people openly took part in 2018 – the most significant actually ever – but 200,000 signatures had been in addition gathered to cease the Parade, and many anti-LGBT protestors ended up.

Nonetheless, it’s remarkable to see NGOs and brand names obtaining on-board since the occasion develops. In a country where modesty around outsiders is paramount and sexual choice is certainly not something to end up being flaunted, we could merely hope enhanced presence as time goes on helps brand new years of South Koreans feel at ease enough to be who they truly are.

Gay-Friendly and Gay Hotels in Seoul

Although Korea and Seoul might be much less politically modern and gay-friendly than, say,
Bangkok
,
Tokyo
or
Taipei
, it is still safe to assume queer tourists have no dilemmas checking practically any lodge in Seoul. Sadly, however, there are no exclusively gay motels in Seoul to check on into.

Seoul is an international mega-city with a lack of area, so area dimensions tend to be smaller than all over the place otherwise worldwide – but as a good amount of homosexual males know, it isn’t really about dimensions, but how make use of it! We’re referring to layout, functionality and views, darling!

With that said, everybody likes to end up being in the middle of individuals with common passions, and thus, there are some well-known gay-friendly accommodations in Seoul which are hot areas for homosexual people to remain – either because of their place or their concept and comprehensive vibes.

Resorts near Homo Hill, the foreigner-friendly queer enclave in Itaewon, are extremely well-liked by gay people – particularly people whom merely speak English but Jongno during the Nagwon-dong neighbor hood, is the gayest area of Seoul, though a lot more popular with natives than visitors.

You could also consider residing in the tourist-popular Myeongdong / Seoul main, typically considered to be one’s heart of Seoul or in the world-famous Gangnam district, a.k.a the ‘Beverly Hills of Seoul.’

Here resort hotels in Gay Seoul have all had a glowing recommendation from homosexual people previously, but of course,
you can find countless additional resort hotels in Seoul
if they are nearly what you are actually interested in.

Whether you prefer a great and personal hostel, an affordable location to freeze after a night of partying or an ultra-chic developer solution to sip cocktails and encircle yourself with fantastic individuals  – Gay Seoul has something for everyone!

Gay-friendly Hotels in Itaewon

Hamilton Hotel â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

A landmark in Seoul’s Itaewon, this relaxed lodge in a modest redbrick building is only a moment’s stroll from the subway station with unfussy rooms, cost-free Wi-Fi and helpful employees.

You almost never have to keep with eight various eating solutions, such as a glossy Italian cafe, 2 LGBT-friendly clubs, an outdoor roof share – favored by peacocking muscle gays-, a 24-hour spa, a health club, and even a little shopping center.

Recently refurbished from top-to-bottom nevertheless merely a quick stumble from Homo Hill, HOMPA by Le Queen and Club HIM.

internet protocol address Boutique Hotel â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Based out of Seoul’s cosmopolitan purchasing and enjoyment district, Itaewon, IP Boutique resort, presents a fresh life style experience for homosexual friends. Featuring exemplary style and magnificent ambiance, the resort supplies 133 guestrooms, a café restaurant, and endless use of their fully equipped fitness space.

Exceptional worth, IP Boutique Hotel is a quick stroll toward You should Homme homosexual bar and Club HIM by Pulse, contributing to the homosexual appeal.

Resort ITW â˜†â˜†â˜†

(briefly or permanently shut. Knowing anything, kindly suggest an edit.)

A clear, modern, appealing lodge in Itaewon with prices nearly as good or better than most other places in Seoul. We enjoyed it was within convenient taking walks range of the gay restaurants, pubs, and retailers that make Itaewon these a pulsating and appealing element of Seoul. Resort ITAW is, however, up a steep slope and located on a narrow one-way street that will be frustrating after per night of consuming.

Sp@Itaewon Guesthouse â˜†â˜†â˜†

(Temporarily or completely shut. Once you know some thing, please advise an edit.)

The most wonderful hangout for any social traveler with exclusive rooms, inexpensive dorms, and typical BBQ
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