There are many fun cultural places in the small Seongsu-dong village, Saechon (Photography by @gyu.in.here)

If you go further into the Seongsu-dong cafe street, you will find a quiet, secretive village. It’s Saechon, on the Seongsu 1-ga, a small town that connects Seongsuilro 3-gil and Ttukseomro 1-ga. The town was given its name as houses were built in the form of a modified traditional Hanok in the Japanese colonization era to show our will of independence and as it was a new town. This new town became an old town as 60 years went by, but nowadays it has been transformed into something hip as young artists have begun to settle here.

Unlike the busy Seongsu-dong, this quiet town has numerous offices of culture producers, artists, and creators, and you will be able to find various cultural spaces around the town. Let’s take a look around Saechon and get our daily dose of culture.

Jane March Maison, little france in Saechon

Jane March Maison is filled with products brought in from France, Japan, U.K., etc (Photography by @gyu.in.here)

This is a lifestyle select shop that sells living products that will change the mood of your home. The CEO, a lifestyle director, has brought in classic items from the markets of France, U.K., and Japan as well as products the store collaborated and produced with Korean artists. It’s a small store of about 10 pyeong, but you can find many unique products such as teacups and candle holders of elegant patterns, bohemian t-shirts, etc.

Store also sells multipurpose bowls and kitchenware (Photography by @gyu.in.here)

You will be able to spot original items that cannot be found domestically. Exotic teacups are from the CEO’s collection, which was accumulated through her business trips abroad when she was working in the fashion industry before opening the store. As they are not mass produced, you will not be able to buy things in bulk, but the pleasure of finding something of your taste here is immeasurable. Come visit and enjoy a small treasure hunt.

Address: 8, Seongsuilro 3-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Telephone: 02-547-3217
Opening Hours: 10:00~19:00

Healthy bread made with love, Pain de Echo

Pain de Echo sells healthy bread baked daily (Photography by @gyu.in.here)

This bakery is run by a patissier who used to be the head bakery chef at Cafe Terarosa. Among bread lovers, this place is famous for baking with organic flour and natural yeast, which makes their bread easy to digest. Their signature menu is God’s Baguette. It’s a sourdough bread made without flour; you will taste the soft texture and a little bit of acidity. Daily quantities are limited, and many people make reservations.

All Pain de Echo breads have its own name and description, allowing the customers to choose according to their personal taste

Pain de Echo breads have funny names and description that make it easy for people who aren’t familiar with bread to make great choices. The owner was considerate enough to make such names and description because he wanted his customers to have fun. There is an upstairs cafe above the bakery where you can sit down and taste the bread and have a drink. As this is a super busy place, if you want more choices to choose from, you should get here when the bakery opens.

Address: 25, Ttukseomro 1ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Telephone: 02-462-4730
Opening Hours: 11:00~20:00 (closes early when breads are sold out)

H.R Jewelry Showroom, an accessory treasure house filled with unique designs

You will meet accessories that bring out the natural beauty of the original stones

The jewelry brand H.R, which became a household name among celebrities and fashion people as it launched in 2004, moved their showroom to Saechon. You will find H.R’s unique products including their bold chains, sparkling skulls, cross shaped necklaces, and initial rings, etc., as well as original accessories you won’t easily find elsewhere.

Sells various accessories, from simple designs to bold chains

If you visit the H.R Jewelry Showroom, you can look around the products and learn how to layer numerous accessories depending on your fashion taste and get recommendations about matching items. There’s also an online mall, so visit the homepage if you wish to see more products. There’s also a cafe downstairs - Saechon 131, which the showroom operates. Sit on the terrace and enjoy the summer breeze with a cool glass of wine.

Address: 7-1, Seongsuilro 3-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Telephone: 02-511-8158
Opening Hours: 12:00~18:30

Not Just Books, a leisurely reading break

Not Just Books shows a selection of great books, all handpicked by the owner (Photography by @notjust_books)

This is an independent bookstore where the owner took her time to read all the books and chose them to be sold here. There are second-hand books, new books, independent publications, and foreign magazines, all sorts of texts await you. There are chairs here and there in the store for you to sit down and take time to read what you have picked out. All books have notes written by the bookstore owner; you will be able to read her friendly thoughts about each book.

Irregularly sells food and beer as well (Photography by @notjust_books)

The bookstore also holds novel draft writing workshops and transcription classes for those interested in writing, and provides curation services too, both of which can be applied via homepage. There’ also a fun exhibition project - ‘Hee hee bakery NOT BAKED’ exhibition will be held until the 22nd, displaying food essays and artworks. More information can be found on their official Instagram (@notjust_books).

Address: 10-1, Seungsuilro 1-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Telephone: 070-4112-2016
Opening Hours: 12:00~22:00 (weekdays), 13:00~21:00 (weekend, holidays), Mondays closed