Seoul Searching | Revisiting Kondae: Common Ground.

My frequent visits to South Korea made me realize that shopping in Seoul should not be limited to just the (more) popular tourist destinations. Of course, I still love going to Myeongdong because almost all of my favorite Korean cosmetics brands are there, and Dongdaemun because it has Shake Shack and sneaker outlets.

However, I came to realize that it's more fun to shop at the lesser-known shopping districts where it's relatively peaceful (read: no rambunctious tourists from you know where) and less crowded. And if you're lucky, you might come across some really good deals (like 1+1 sale events or clearance sales) or find goods that are sold at cheaper prices.

One of my favorite lesser-known shopping destinations is Kondae (Konkuk University), located just two subway stops away from where we live. Lined with restaurants, cafes, and retail shops, Kondae is a go-to destination for teens and yuppies (I have not used this word in such a long time, lol), and is now garnering attention for being the new Gangnam.

Kondae is known for its 'Taste Street', a whole block lined with pubs, cafes, and restaurants with vast dining options - from samgyeopsal, Chinese food, to Western cuisine. It also has a Rodeo Fashion Street where you'll find a variety of clothing stores and popular sports brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour. In addition, Kondae is also home to Common Ground, the very first pop-up container mall in the country.

Welcome to Common Ground!

More of Common Ground after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Konkuk University + Seoul Children's Grand Park.

In the days subsequent to our visit to Seoul Forest, Yue kept on asking when will he get to see 'the animals' again. It seemed that his first close encounter with deer, ducks, and birds had been quite memorable for the little man, who has an innate fondness for animals.

I finally gave in to his request on a sunny, relatively warm spring day, but instead of going back to Seoul Forest, I opted for a visit to Children's Grand Park, another popular and family-friendly recreational space in Seoul.

Pride Konkuk pennants displayed all over the campus.

Commuting to the park by subway entails a transfer at Konkuk University station. Instead of heading directly to the park from Ttukseom Station, we decided to explore Kondae first and grab some lunch while we're at it.

Konkuk University!

Konkuk U and Children's Park adventure after the jump! Picture-heavy post! :)