jin soo lee

When it comes to spa culture in South Korea, and more specifically Seoul, it's a unique and often very special experience. With a strong influence from Buddhist practices centred around purification, it's no wonder locals take their culture of Jjimjilbang very seriously. Jjimjilbang is the act of visiting a public bathhouse. These bathhouses separate visitors by sex and come furnished with traditional saunas, hot tubs, massage tables and showers. But it doesn't stop there. If you're looking for a little more luxury – and privacy – go for one of these incredible luxury spas in the heart of Seoul. Sounds blissful, right? Let's get into it. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in SeoulRECOMMENDED: The best luxury hotels in SeoulRECOMMENDED: The best rooftop bars in Seoul This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

There are two neighborhoods constantly buzzing amongst Seoul's trendsetters: Apgujeong and Sinsa. While at first glance you might think they're just there for the fancy restaurants and nice cafes, you'll later observe that no one leaves the district empty handed. All the trendsetters are shopping and they're shopping at these store right now. Don't miss out.

We hear that the perfect season for reading is approaching. But is it really a thing? Well, we have a feeling that it will be for you, as you discover these charming, nostalgically attractive little spots in Seoul.

In one of the most fashionable cities in the world you have to work hard to keep up. The men in Seoul are almost as well-groomed as the women, but we have a list of great menswear shops for you to stay up to the date with the latest looks—get the advice of in-the-know shop employees and you'll be dressed to the nines in no time.

If you want to pick up a high-class souvenir or authentically Korean product, you head over to Jongo, and specifically the area of Myeongdong. Shopping here can be an intense experience, as there are dozens upon dozens of stores—so how do you chose where to go and what's best? Don’t worry: Time Out Seoul's here to help…

Picked by Kim Young-hyuk (Kimbab Records CEO)

  Na-hyeon Lee (Sindang-dong,housewife) How did you come up with the idea of having a pet chicken in an apartment? In my daughter’s science class, they did an experiment of trying to hatch quail eggs. But her eggs didn’t hatch, so I took three fertilechicken eggs out of the fridge and gave them to her. A couple of days later, we heard peeping—one of the eggs had actually hatched! We thought about sending it to my parents in the countryside, but my daughter wouldn’t let us. Would you introduce the chicken, please?Her name is Chilseok (“July 7th” on the lunar calendar). We first thought it was male, but she laid eggs in the laundry room when she was about four months old. She’s a little over two years old now. You walk the chicken, right?We take her out so she can eat soil, which helps with digestion. We also keep a bowl of water in the garden and let her roam about in the afternoons. On July 7th, we were just spending time outside and the neighborhood kids came around with snacks and candiesas a birthday present for Chilseok. They even sang happy birthday to her.    What’s Chilseok’s place in your family? She’s number two in the pecking order. My daughter is the boss though. And then there’s me and my husband.  What is the one thing you want to do with her before she dies?Our family project is to get Chilseok a boyfriend. I saw on this TV show that there’s another pet chicken living in Itaewon called “Mart.” I think they’d make a good match.    By Khloe Kim

Yongsan-dong, Geunnam Ok, 33, art director You wear so many different hats—visual director, illustrator and brand director. Which of these is your favorite? It’s hard to choose just one. I love seeing the final products that are created through the processes that I designed. I’d like to work on various projects and continue to create, regardless of the genre.   From where do you get your inspiration? I get it from wherever I stay the longest and from whomever I see the most frequently. I’m often at work, Palindrome Studio, and with my co-worker, the designer Moohyun Nam.   What’s your passion at the moment? Traveling. I think the reflection you engage in after a trip is what’s the most important.  Coming back home after spending awhile somewhere else, you have the opportunity to learn so much about your place in the world and the value of your existence.   What’s your favorite place in Seoul? Hide Out Seoul. It’s a bar located where Sowol-gil and Gyeongridan intersect. It has a nice rooftop where you can sit and nurse a cold glass of beer while gazing at the stars. Friends of mine, whom I love and respect so much, run it.   What do you see yourself doing in the future? I’m mostly interested in things that I can physically experience. Whether it’s pottery or action figures, the means don’t matter so as long as I can express myself. 

Momomi (Photographer, CEO of Your Mind and One More Bag), Seogyo-dong What kind of work do you do in Seoul?I mostly take pictures, but I also run a bookstore called Your Mind with my three cats and my husband. Recently, I opened One More Bag, a shop that sells bags made out of cloth.  Among the multiple projects you juggle, what is your main focus?“Let’s not fail” is my life motto. Instead of dwelling on disposable concepts, I try to work on projects that I can love in the long-term. Instead of working on my own, I like working with others. Oh, and I am trying to figure out how to run and manage One More Bag in a way that it can last longer. What do you find attractive about Seoul?At first, I had a problem with the fact that everything changes so quickly in Seoul. But over a longer course of time, I saw that certain things held their ground instead of giving into the changes. Ironically, now I think the speed and the change is one of the city’s charms.  What do you do over the weekend to pass time? I try to walk more than I do on weekdays. I seek routes that don’t have many people on them, and recently, I’ve been taking strolls through national palaces like Changgyeonggung. There’s something captivating about the low-rise palace peaked low amongst the huddle of skyscrapers. So what enables you to move?I’m learning how to balance “what I want to do” versus “what I need to do” and in that balancing act, I am finding my way.     

ZARA S/S end of season sale  Global fashion brand ZARA will be holding one of its biannual end of season (or “season off” in Korean) sales on June 24th. Expect up to 70% off on your favorite ZARA looks. (080-479-0880, zara.com/kr)   Bling Night Flea Market For the fashion forward in Seoul, Bling Magazine’s monthly flea market is an event you can’t miss. Held every fourth Saturday of the month, its late hours make it an extra sweet deal for night owls who can finally make it to one of these events. Not only are the items hot, you can also meet the magazine editors at the forefront of all those trends. SJ Kunsthalle. 5, Eonju-ro 148-gil, Gangnam-gu (02-794-4921, sjkunsthalle.com). Sat May 30, 5–9pm.   FIFTY SEOUL Flea Market A flea market that donates 50% of its profits to charity, FIFTY SEOUL is the brainchild of a fashion editor, an art director and a journalist. Already hosting its 28th session, buyers and sellers display their unique colors here. Meet a friend in Itaewon and make a day out of it. Ways of Seeing Café. B1, 238, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu (02-749-5174, facebook.com/FIFTYSEOUL). Sat Jun 13 2–7pm.   Apparel Brand “Have a Good Time” launching Crazy about Harajuku style? Come see the official launching of Japanese apparel brand Have a Good Time. Available here are accessories, bags and other fashion items inspired by the kawaii capital. You can make purchases directly from their store, online or at the Cheongdam-dong multi-brand shop Beaker, where they’ll be having a