2 Weeks discovering Seoul 🇰🇷

Painting, Plants & Vintage Dreams: My Time in Seoul & Goyang

Earlier this Spring, Nerone and I had the chance to travel to South Korea to paint live at the International Horticulture Festival in Goyang : a vibrant, floral world that felt like stepping into a living moodboard. It was surreal. Picture endless greenhouses filled with rare plants, installations blending art and botany, and curious onlookers watching as I painted, surrounded by color and nature.

There’s something really grounding about creating in the middle of all that life – plants from every continent, textures that mimic velvet, and the quiet hum of growth all around. I worked intuitively, inspired by the organic shapes and joyful chaos of the flora.

 

 

 

But beyond the festival, it was Seoul that completely stole my heart. After the event, I took time to explore the city's more hidden corners. The arty, vintage, and slightly offbeat spots that feel like treasure chests waiting to be opened. Here are a few of my favourites:

Bukchon Hanok Village: Where Time Slows Down
Walking through Bukchon felt like stepping inside a postcard. Traditional hanok houses with curved rooftops and wooden doors line tiny winding streets. It’s peaceful, historic, and photogenic in the best way. I imagined the lives lived behind those woode

Visit of the temple:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seongsu-dong: Seoul’s Creative Playground
Once an industrial shoe factory district, Seongsu has reinvented itself into a creative hub filled with indie cafés, concept stores, and exhibitions tucked into raw concrete spaces. I wandered into Daelim Changgo, a converted warehouse that hosts rotating art shows, and then got lost in a tiny atelier selling handmade ceramics and hand-dyed scarves. It’s the kind of place where inspiration is on every corner — even the cafés look like art installations.

 

 

Jongno5 – Market Magic
This bustling food market was such a sensory joy. Steaming stalls, bubbling broths, rows of colourful banchan, and the friendliest vendors. We tried so many delicious things, kimchi pancakes, hotteok (sweet pancakes with cinnamon and nuts), and spicy tteokbokki. It was messy, loud, delicious, and one of my favourite memories.

 

 

 

Hongdae: Youthful, Loud & Artsy
Hongdae was buzzing with energy — murals, music, and street fashion that made my vintage-loving heart skip a beat. I found the best vintage store tucked down an alley: racks of oversized denim, frilly blouses, and 90s Korean pop posters. I couldn’t resist picking up a few pieces. The whole area feels like an open-air gallery curated by Seoul’s boldest creatives.

 

Itaewon: Global Vibes & Hidden Finds
In Itaewon, I stumbled upon a small boutique that blended vintage pieces with contemporary Korean designers. It reminded me of markets back in London, but with a Seoul twist — structured silhouettes, pops of colour, and playful layering. I loved the mix of cultures here: Korean BBQ spots next to vinyl record shops and rooftop galleries.

 

Seoul Tower: A Cityscape from the Sky
We hiked up to the Seoul Tower just before sunset, and wow — the view from the top was breathtaking. The whole city stretched out below us, tiny rooftops blending into a dreamy purple haze. Watching the city light up from above made me feel so small, and so full of wonder at the same time.

 

Gyeonji-dong Temple: Lantern Light & Quiet Moments
Pure magic. By complete chance, we visited a temple in Gyeonji-dong just as hundreds of lanterns were lit for a Buddhist celebration. Paper lanterns in every colour swayed gently overhead while monks chanted. The whole place glowed in warm pinks and golds. It felt otherworldly — a moment of stillness I’ll never forget.

 

 

 

🌸 From painting with plants in Goyang to rummaging through Seoul’s vintage corners, this trip left me so inspired — by the textures, colours, and contrasts of Korean culture. There’s a rhythm to Seoul that’s both fast and gentle, electric and poetic. I already can’t wait to go back.

Have you ever been to South Korea? I’d love to know your favourite arty spots , I feel like I only scratched the surface.