The Hyundai Seoul: A Forest-Inspired Mall With 8m-Wide Pathways For The Comfiest Shopping Experience

The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido

We all seek comfort when it comes to doing our retail therapy, be it with family, friends, or just by ourselves – and The Hyundai Seoul hopes to provide just that. 

This mall has 12 floors – 8 levels are filled with about 600 shops, and 4 levels underground are reserved for parking. There are also 8m-wide pathways – wider than the usual 2-3m ones found in most malls – that provide a more comfortable and spacious shopping experience for the customers.

Unique and green structures in place of shops

Image credit: @thirdonmay

Almost half of The Hyundai Seoul is designated as resting areas and spruced up with greenery – bringing the relaxation one would experience in the outdoors indoors. 

Image credit: @thirdonmay

Visitors will be welcomed by the impressive 2-storey indoor waterfall that stands at 12m tall. The relaxing sounds of the water crashing down help to provide a calming sensory experience to those sitting around the waterfall.

Image credit: @iiii_phone

The ceiling, lined with glass windows on the ceiling allows natural light to seep through. This helps the atmosphere feel less stuffy when patrons roam around the mall. 

Image credit: @jjeonda.ne

Located on the 5th floor is the Sound Forest. This 3,300 sq m park, with a mixture of artificial and real plants, functions as a rest area for shoppers with the benches and chairs laid out here.

– What to do in The Hyundai Seoul –

ARKET (B2)

Image credit: @plastic_cup

Check out Asia’s 1st ARKET store at Basement 2. ARKET is a Swedish sustainable lifestyle-fashion brand under H&M. This outlet at The Hyundai Seoul is their first in Asia, and you can expect to find basic, yet trendy outfits and other lifestyle items here.

Image credit: @___hyoniiii

Within the store is Arket Cafe. The cafe sells vegan and vegetarian bakes and pastries as well as beverages, all priced from KRW3,000 (~USD2.66) onwards.

EATALY (6F)

Image credit: @eatalykorea

Check out EATALY on Level 6 – this restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine with great ambience. You’ll also get to experience dining with one of the most eye-catching structures of the mall – the one that looks like an aviary. Even Jessica Jung, a former member of Girls’ Generation, brought her mum to dine at this restaurant, in one of her YouTube vlogs.

Video credit: Jessica Jung

Some of the classic Italian food they offer include pasta and pizza – both are priced from KRW17,000 (~USD15.23). 

(L-R) Spaghetti Alla Carbonara and Pizza Margherita
Both images adapted from: @eat_._._life

After your meal, you can check out the Italian market that’s adjacent to the restaurant. They have fine wines, cheeses, pasta noodles, and other yummy Italian goods in the market.

ALT1 (6F)

Image credit: @andywarhol_xci

Visit an art exhibition in a museum called ALT1 on Level 6. This museum can hold up to 200 works.

An Andy Warhol exhibition called “Andy Warhol: Beginning Seoul” is currently being held and will go on till 27th June 2021. 

Ticket prices range between KRW11,000-15,000 (~USD9.83-13.40) for children 12 and under to adults 64 and below. You can purchase them on-site or via their website here.

Popping by The Hyundai Seoul

Image credit: @wingeat

The customer-friendly infrastructure of The Hyundai Seoul helps bring the relaxing element of nature indoors, in addition to the spacious walkways that help visitors feel less claustrophobic. This place is worth a visit if you’re in the area, or if you’re looking for something new in Seoul to explore.

Here’s how to get there:

1. Alight at Yeouido Station via the Seoul Subway on Line 5 or 9. 
2. Exit the station via Exit 3 or 4. 
3. If you are using Exit 3, walk about 500m along the travelator at the basement, and you will reach Basement 2 of the department store.
4. If you are using Exit 4, a 400m walk will lead you to the entrance to The Hyundai Seoul.

Address: Parc.1, 108 Yeongdeungpo-gu Yeouidae-ro, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs, 10:30AM-8PM | Fri – Sun, 10:30AM-8:30PM
Telephone: 02-767-2233
Website

Check out other places in Korea:

• Cat Lover Garden: A cat cafe with an outdoor garden for cats to roam around
• Seoul Book Bogo: The library and cultural complex that appeared in Hotel Del Luna 
• Ewha School Uniform: Don the coolest Korean school uniforms and blend in with Korean students 
• Anyoung Insadong: A new cultural complex in Insadong besides SSamziegil  
• Mr. Toilet House: a toilet bowl-shaped museum that advocates clean toilets  

Cover image adapted from: @jjeonda.ne and @_____pit.a.pat_____