Hongdae’s Greycouch is not just a guest house. It’s an experiment in interior design.

Greycouch is a jewel – only two months after opening, it has been featured in eminent interior design publications,  domestic and international. Not many places can boast such thoughtful design.

Situated in one of the few remaining places in Hongdae where gentrification hasn’t totally crushed creativity, Ryu Taehyun built his guesthouse. He is an interior designer who studied in New York and has since worked in Seoul, where he has assumed the challenging task of changing the way interiors are conceived in Korea.

Subverting design norms

Today’s norm is to place all the furniture along the walls in order to clear as much space as possible in the center, making the place appear large. The unoccupied floor becomes the center of social activities. White and wood predominate.

At Greycouch, Ryu has turned that norm on its head, compartmentalizing spaces to conserve each one’s function, comfort and privacy. Accordingly, you won’t find a lot of unused space.

Ryu – who defines himself as a couch potato – has also designed each room not around empty space but rather around a vital piece of furniture, namely, the sofa.

Because of the Hongdae area’s notoriously high real estate prices, Ryu had to make do with a fairly small surface area. To cope, he built a four-story building with each floor having a different purpose: the second floor is a sleeping area with bathroom, the third is the social area with a kitchen and a living room and the fourth is also a resting area with two beds and a bathroom. The fourth also allows access to a cozy rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the evening air.

A human experience

To make the building feel like one, he opted for transparent glass stairs that run through the middle of the structure, thus adding one more space separator to all the living areas.

Finally, the exterior had to be addressed. Being a man of interiors who strongly believes that the inside of a home matters more than the outside, he left the four facades unadorned as nude concrete surfaces to give them an unfinished look and, more importantly, to encourage you to focus on the inside. The color the cement is enshrined in the house’s name, Greycouch.

The glass stairs in themselves present a unique experience to whoever uses them. The accessibility of everything around you on each floor and the human-centered, divided design ensure that your stay at Greycouch will significantly enrich your experience in Seoul as a whole.

More Info

41, World Cup buk-ro 9-gil, Mapo-gu

Contact info:
Ryu Taehyun
taehyun6202@naver.com
010-4748-6202

Written and photographed by Romain John

Jane & Arnaud’s rooftop apartment in Hongdae is perfect for gatherings both large and small

Every month, we introduce guesthouses that have a specific trait: a history, a peculiar design concept or simply an outstanding mood. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that many are located in Hongdae, a neighborhood of great creative energy. This cultural cauldron is again our destination as we visit a place you will surely want to book the moment you see it.

If you are a family looking for a larger place to relax, or a group of friends in search of both a great place to rest or in which to host an open-air gathering, you’ll want to stay at Jane & Arnaud’s.

Situated in a small alley, it’s quiet. Located in the middle of trendy Hongdae, it’s convenient. And blessed with a large rooftop, it’s perfect for large gathering such as parties.

Whether you’d just like to lounge around with a book on the soft sofa in the warm light of the last afternoon or share a conversation and drinks with friends at night, the roof offers an ideal venue.

Five-star service

The space gives you a sense of complete isolation, a feeling of privacy that is rare in Seoul. What more, since you occupy the entire top floor and roof of the new building, the space is fully yours. With an excellent ramen restaurant downstairs and a plethora of cafés and restaurants within walking distance, Jane & Arnaud’s ensures that good food is the last thing you’ll need to worry about.

The owners, Jane and Arnaud, are a Belgian-Korean couple who have traveled around the globe. This means they know what the traveler needs. And after about a decade living in Hongdae, they also have the low down on the fascinating neighborhood. Their impeccable service will make you feel as if you’re at a five-star hotel. Your comfort is their number-one priority.

Every detail of the apartment has been meticulously chosen, producing a space you can enjoy as well as in which to relax. It’s a five-star hotel, only with a lot more personality.

Book this place early as it is very much in demand.

GO> Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu

Contact info:
Jane & Arnaud
eutectique@gmail.com
010-8522-7023

Written and photographed by Romain John

Historical Hanok guest house in Seochon adds a dash of the modern to the exquisitely traditional

Nagnehouse is just five minutes from Gyeongbokgung Palace, in the Seochon area, famous for its galleries, cafés and old restaurants.

The guest house is a 200-year home located on one of Seoul’s oldest streets, a narrow alley just back of the main street. When Ryu Goya, the owner, checked old urban registries and learned how old the property actually was, he vowed to keep its history alive. That the house previously served as an inn made it only natural that Ryu, too, would open his home to guests.

Ryu himself is a native of the area, which he calls a “village,” a remnant of a lost time when Seoul had yet to become an urban sprawl of concrete and glass. Having traveled to over a hundred countries, the former café owner has a very deep and abiding interest in art. You will find indications of his past and his interests throughout the guest house. Curtains from Iran, wallpaper and other pieces of art from various artists and historical interior concepts all make the place truly exceptional.

Old and new

Everywhere you look in this renovated traditional Korean home, or Hanok, you find a combination of straight horizontal and vertical lines, such as in the window frames, trees and walls, and circles, such as in the stepping stones in the courtyard, tables and fish bowl. These reflect the philosophy behind Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Its eight rooms reflect the theme of the five traditional Korean elements: water, fire, wood, gold and earth. The building embodies the characters of a sunrise – new hope and encounters and joy – and sunset – longing, calm and rest. This combines to give you a sense of tradition, but Ryu also added a bit of new to the old, employing a symbolic representation of modernity by using diagonal lines such as the modern Arabic tiles and exhibiting artwork from contemporary artists. Go around the house, find the delicious objects scattered all around, ask the owner about them. It will make your experience all the richer.

More Info

6, Jahamun-ro 1na-gil, Jongno-gu

Contact info:

Ryu Goya
+82-2-725-7377
+82-10-6264-5742
www.nagnehouse.com
nagnehouse@gmail.com

Written and photographed by Romain John

Cozy Sinchon hideaway is a perfect base from which to explore Seoul

This column may have described Hongdae as a traveler’s haven, but the neighboring Sinchon neighborhood lends itself to travelers, too. You can think of Sinchon as Hongdae’s older sister. It has as many restaurants and cafés, it is bordered by two of Korea’s major universities, and it is a bit more mature than Hongdae. You will find all you need for dining, drinking, sightseeing and having fun. Conveniently located on Line 2, it is also a very good base from which to explore the city. Sinchon doesn’t sleep — there is always something happening, something to do any time of day or night.

This is precisely where Yooyoung’s Oasis scores: it is situated a couple of blocks behind the main streets — in a little alleyway behind a school, in fact — guaranteeing the tranquility you seek after a long day.

You’ll want to relax on the terrace. Oasis offers a cool breeze you can enjoy while resting on the sofas at your disposal. Read a book, plan your next day or your next meal, or share a conversation on the terrace, in the calm ambience of the night while reminiscing the best moments of your day.

Yooyoung, the host, has equipped her cozy Oasis with all you need during your stay. She knows what you need because she herself is an avid traveler. Ask her about her trips around the world, ask her about Chile or her favorite place in Italy she visited, and she will have stories to tell you. She describes herself as a travel essayist, a exercise in which she recounts her deep experiences in local cultures and landscapes. She knows what you may need, so she will be more than happy to share a meal in the area to show you a glimpse of the local Korean culture. Don’t miss this opportunity, as there is nothing like a good meal over which knowledge and experiences are shared to enrich your trip.

More Info

31-2, Sinchon-ro 11-gil, Seodaemun-gu

Contact info:

Yooyoung Lee
010-8526-2866
yoing88@naver.com

Written and photographed by Romain John

Nineteenth floor penthouse in Cheonho is the height of relaxation

Situated northeast of Jamsil, that tony area famous for Lotte World and the giant Lotte World Tower, Cheonho is but a short trip from Olympic Park, another landmark where you can enjoy leisure activities and the great outdoors. Cheonho is home to Rodeogeori, with its many clothing shops; Pungnaptoseong, an ancient fortress and popular scenic spot; and the Gwangjin Bridge, which offers the best views over the Hangang River. The bridge also has a concert hall slung underneath its span. Tourists frequently overlook Cheonho because of its non-central location, but this is a mistake — well connected with the rest of the city by two subway lines, Cheonho is just a few minute’s ride from midtown.

Jeff’s Guesthouse is a brand new penthouse situated on the 19th floor, a height that provides inspiring views over the Cheonho district. Jeff Kang, the owner, plans to put a jacuzzi on one of penthouse’s terraces, an addition that is sure to provide guests with some of the most relaxing sunsets they’ve ever experienced.

And if there’s something Kang knows plenty about, it’s relaxation. He currently owns a massage salon right across the street from the guesthouse. After a decade working in high class hotels and several years studying physical therapy overseas, he opened his own salon where he dispenses some of the best body care in the city. You’ll find no better place to rejuvenate your knotted shoulders and stiff legs after the long flight to Seoul.

Relaxation is the key to this luxurious place. Everything is clean, simple and where it should be. There’s little in the way of clutter. Kang also sees his guesthouse as something of a museum, a place where you can enjoy art, where you can appreciate a piece from the comfort of your couch or rocking chair. He favors impressionism and has set pieces in a very favorable light all over the guesthouse.

In a nutshell, Jeff’s Penthouse is not just a luxurious habitation turned into a guesthouse. It is a deeply relaxing and inspiring experience on top of the city, enhanced by your host’s excellent sense of service. If you want your Seoul trip to feel like no other, you know where to go.

Contact info:

660, Olympic-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

강재후 – Jeff

Salon phone number: 02-2041-9808

therapy808@naver.com

Written and photographed by Romain John

Experience Korean history in intimate surroundings at this Gangnam apartment-turned-accommodation

Nakhyun’s Guesthouse is, in fact, owned by a man named Nakhyun. The fully renovated apartment, a short walk from Dogok Station in Gangnam, was his childhood home. The Dogok Station area is a peaceful neighborhood inhabited by Seoul’s fabulously wealthy – it’s here you’ll find Samsung Tower Palace, one of Korea’s most expensive addresses. Much of the district’s charm comes from Yangjaecheon Stream, which is particularly beautiful in spring, when it’s countless cherry blossoms bloom.

Nakhyun’s Guesthouse is a spacious, four-bedroom space. There is much more than what meets the eye here.

Nakhyun has decorated his place with an artistic simplicity. There are no superfluous pieces of furniture, no cheap wall stickers or badly displayed art. Being an artist himself, the owner has decorated his home with taste and meaning. Ask him about that clock hanging on the balcony wall, and he will tell you its history and function, how he winds it every week as sailors did back when it was used. He will explain how his father built the small wooden cabinet between the living room and the table area as a triple drawer and safe that Nakhyun’s grandmother used all her life. Inquire about the art on the wall or the objects around you and you will be shown a part of Korea’s history in an intimate manner.

As the owner is a theater programmer, among his other artistic pursuits, he can give you invaluable information about shows and cultural experiences that will make your stay special and unforgettable.

More info

120, Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Contact info:

Kang Nakhyun

kangnakhyun@gmail.com

Written and photographed by Romain John

Located in the charming Seochon neighborhood, Vine blends the traditional, the modern and the artistic

In this time of presidential renewal, SEOUL invites you to discover Vine, a traditional guesthouse near the presidential mansion, Cheong Wa Dae.

Literally situated just one alleyway away from Cheong Wa Dae, Vine is located in the Seochon district, a historical neighborhood west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. With their many Hanok homes, Seochon and Bukchon may seem like siblings separated by Gyeongbokgung Palace. Bukchon, however, is almost overrun with tourists, while Seochon has managed to remain more authentic. The narrow alleys here are populated by a mix of new cafés, old restaurants with good reputations, Hanok homes and modern buildings. Vine is located in one of those picturesque alleys. In fact, that’s what makes a stay here so special.

Staying true to the Hanok

Kim Minha and her mother manage two Hanok houses in Seochon; they are both renovated to comfortably accommodate guests, but have meticulously preserved their Hanok identities. Both homes are over a hundred years old. The wood and stone are full of stories. Kim was born in Bukchon, but later moved to Seochon as tourism transformed her former home into something other than the haven of peace it used to be. Since she grew up in a Hanok herself, she knows what makes them special. She also knows how to make them be special for you.

If you come in the right season, she will even give you grapes from the eponymous vine she planted in the garden. You can also appreciate the art in the houses. With a degree in art and currently completing her masters in aesthetic philosophy, Kim can also answer any questions you may have on those subjects. She can also recommends exhibitions to further your experience of Korean art.

Hanok houses are social constructions, so your host has paid close attention to organizing her common areas so that you can share your discoveries during your stay in Seoul.

If you are looking for a convivial place with authentic local charm, check out Vine guesthouse and let yourself be carried away by the spirit of the space.

More Info

GO: 68-3, Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu

Contact info:
Kim Minha
T. 010-8870-5439, vinehousekr@naver.com
www.vineguesthouse.com, blog.naver.com/vinehousekr

Written and photographed by Romain John

Hongdae’s TwoTwo House brings guests together with warmth and design

This month Seoul Magazine takes you back to Hongdae for a new guesthouse adventure.

TwoTwo House is a very unique place. First is its location: TwoTwo is located in the “new” Hongdae area, a place where design houses, cafes and fancy restaurants hide among residential brick buildings. The small alleys offer an exciting hide-and-seek experience where you can wander to find trendy places to enjoy a meal.

In this quiet maze of old and new buildings, you’ll find TwoTwo House.

Hansang, the owner, is open-minded and friendly, two important values any good host possesses. He called his place TwoTwo House to emphasize that when guests, who often come in pairs, meet another pair of guests, it becomes a house.

Hence, Two+Two=House.

Hansang carries a passion for industrial design and upcycling. These passions guided the making of his guesthouse. You can feel them in the exposed concrete walls, beams and electrical wires. Entering the home, you feel the value of those materials, and how Hansang used them to bring people closer together.

You should take a closer look at the objects around you, too. All the clocks, signs and furniture are made from upcycled materials. These make the rooms cozy. The complete renovation of the old building is, in itself, an impressive feat of upcycling.

Though you will find affordable bunk beds here, you will also find a suite decorated in such fine taste that several television production teams have used it to film soap operas. Portrait photographers use it as a backdrop, too. Everything here feels lived-in, yet at the same time, sophisticated.

Each room has its own personality. This is particularly true of the penthouse room, a rooftop room with zinc walls and a sunny terrace. You can imagine yourself in a mobile home, cruising the streets of Seoul.

TwoTwo House possesses a familiar warmth, yet still manages to make your stay special.

More Info

242-9 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Contact info:
Hansang Lee
www.twotwohouse.com
T. 070-8683-1888

Written and photographed by Romain John

More than just a big stack of containers, Orange Cube is a creative place to stay

Meet Daewon, a young architect who has won several awards domestically and abroad. If you think an architect would be the best person to design a guesthouse, you would be absolutely right. But it is only after having designed a few guesthouses in Seoul that Daewon decided to create his own. In spite of the constraints he had at the time, he clearly managed to build a truly one-of-a-kind place to stay.

©Ryoo, In-Keun

The name of the place is Orange Cube. A very appropriately chosen name indeed, since, as the photos make pretty clear, the building is a big orange stack of 14 shipping containers. It is, in fact, the tallest container building in the country. The color and the material alone make Daewon’s place stand out from all other structures in the area. Those aren’t the only things you will find are unique to Orange Cube, however.

©Ryoo, In-Keun

Daewon runs a design company, Design Guild. They design more than just buildings. In fact, he and his team designed an impressive share of the decorations in the rooms and the ground floor cafe. You may find a rocking wooden chair in your room, pen and toothbrush holders, 3D printed light covers and much more. It is in that deeply creative environment that guests get immersed in when they arrive at the destination. You feel as if you are stepping inside Ali Baba’s cave. The ground floor cafe is full of objects and drawings Design Guild has created over the last four years.

The rooms themselves are very simply and practically decorated. The penthouse guests can enjoy views of Mt. Namsan and Mt. Maebongsan from their terrace. Orange Cube’s location is another reason to base your stay there. It is situated in a little niche between two hills, a quiet patch away from the virulent traffic of the city. Within walking distance, however, you’ll find all you need to restore your energy. One subway stop away is Itaewon, the geographical heart of the city; you can go anywhere very quickly from there. Travel to that very diverse and culturally rich area to find food from all over the globe or simply an international mood you will find nowhere else in Seoul.

If you want to experience Korea’s much-lauded modernity in unique, comfortable surroundings, Orange Cube is your pick.

More Info

32 42-gil, Hannam-daero, Yongsan-gu
Contact:
Daewon
ssmac1234@naver.com
T. 010-4912-2929

Written and photographed by Romain John