[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Off the beaten path: 4 unique spots in Seoul

Discover unique spots in Seoul for a fresh start to the semester, from artsy cafes in Euljiro to an escape room in Mapo.

Monami Store conducts DIY programs related to ink and pens. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

As the semester kicks off and spring blossoms, it's the perfect time for people to prepare their lists of must-visit destinations. Libraries and cafes you visit weekly to tackle your daily assignments and chores are probably not on that list. However, many heads will nod to the unusual and creative spaces that can bring inspiration and energy to the new academic term.

If you want a splash of color for the start of the semester, from exciting game quests to artsy cafe lounges, here are the four unusual recommendations compiled by the Korea JoongAng Daily.

Art x Shift 아트쉬프트

Art x Shift in Jung District, central Seoul is an art gallery cafe that mixes up vibrant colors accordingly to the exhibitions it conducts. [OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM PAGE]

When people bring up Euljiro in Jung District, central Seoul, they often refer to its nickname "Hip-jiro," hipster and Euljiro put together. This neighborhood is where you can see old, industrial streets transformed into a quirky cultural hideaway for artists with cafes, pubs and exhibitions around the alley.

Art x Shift, pronounced Artshift, is an art gallery that functions as a lounge cafe. The gallery is on the fifth floor of an old building surrounded by old printing shops.

The entire space showcases art displays and aesthetic touches by the founders and artists Jeon Ah-young and Zachary Roberts. The two are an artist couple who traveled from San Francisco to Korea and launched the Art x Shift project in 2017. Their initiative was to create an art platform where they could express their artistic vision and values in physical form. The art gallery displays colorful accessories, stationery and decoration colors on sale.

When the gallery runs a collaborative display with other artists, the cafe undergoes a major transformation to develop special menus that suit the vibe, like Teddy Cream Spa Ice Latte or Spring Iced Teas. If you are a fan of kitsch and colorful, do not miss a chance to entertain yourself with creative merch and artwork.

@artxshift54-17 Chungmu-ro, Jung District, central Seoul(서울 중구 충무로 54-17 5층)Operation hours: Monday to Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.Phone number: 0507-1323-4823Website: https://www.artxshift.com/

Hide and Seek하이드앤시크

One of the posters that cover the theme of Hide And Seek, an escape room at Hongdae in Mapo District, western Seoul. [OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM PAGE]

If you find yourself torn between physical activity in sports and the challenge of strategic thinking in mind games, consider trying out escape rooms, where you can engage both your mind and body simultaneously.

Hide and Seek in Mapo District, western Seoul, is an escape room that tackles both the suspense of running away and the excitement of using a strategic mind to complete the missions. The escape room program is based on the game of hide and seek. The game consists of a seeker hunting for the hiders, who should complete certain missions to escape the venue safely.

Recently, Hide and Seek has been garnering a lot of attention on social media for its sophisticated concept and the impressive interior of the game sets. Groups of four or even bigger groups can play at the same time as the game requires a minimum of four players. Visitors in smaller groups are to play with other visitors.

Digital entertainment is another fun factor of the program, as every hider gets an electronic gadget to attach to their upper arm. The devices start vibrating when the seeker is nearby.

The game encourages every player to hustle and engage in physical movement that involves scooting down and crawling through small tunnels, running away from the seeker and hurrying to complete the mission.

If you are up for some suspense and excitement but concerned about the crowd around the Hongdae area, try out the Ssamji-gil branch at Insa-dong, Jongno District in central Seoul. You can make a reservation through the Naver Map app.

@hideandseek_official_24-7 World Cup buk-ro 6-gil, Mapo District, western Seoul(서울 마포구 월드컵북로6길 24-7)Operation hours: Monday to Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9:40 a.m. to 11:10 p.m.Admission fee: Monday to Friday, 21,000 won ($15.80), Saturday and Sunday, 26,000 wonPhone number: 02-333-5900Website: https://fuzzyline.co.kr/

Monami Store모나미 스토어

Monami Store in Jongno District, central Seoul. [MONAMI STORE]

Monami is a famous stationery brand in Korea established in 1960. Plus Pen and 153 Ball Pen are the two main pens that led the company to fame.

At the Monami Store in Insadong, Jongno District in central Seoul, you can see Monami's different shades and forms. The entertainment of mini scribbling sessions with the test pens aside, what makes Monami stores special is the DIY activity offered at four different branches across the greater Seoul area.

At Monami Store's Insadong branch, visitors can participate in the "Ink LAB" DIY program, where they have the opportunity to craft their own unique ink color, complete with the chance to give it a personalized name.

The 1.5-hourlong program guides the visitors through the steps of making a customized ink color and provides an ink bottle to store the complete product in the end.

If you are not a fan of a lengthy DIY class that requires a reservation in advance and a 25,000-won class fee, you can go for a much more affordable, burden-free option of making your own Monami Ball Pen. With 500 won, you can choose and assemble different parts and complete your own Monami design.

There are three other Monami stores, each in Seongsu-dong in Seongdong District, in Suji District, Gyeonggi and in Suwon, Gyeonggi. The Seongsu-dong branch holds frequent exhibits and pop-up stores in collaboration with niche beauty brands or fashion brands.

You can book a reservation for the Ink Lab program through the Naver Map app.

@monami_official49 Insadong-gil, Jongno District, central Seoul(서울 종로구 인사동길 49)Operation hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. On every third Monday, the store opens at noon Admission fee: Ink Lab DIY program, 25,000 wonPhone number: 02-6954-2880Website: https://brand.naver.com/monami/shoppingstory/detail?id=5000917839

Nowon Train Cafe카페 기차가 있는 풍경

Nowon Train Cafe in Nowon District, northern Seoul, is inspired by the Hwarangdae Railway Station that is no longer in operation. [OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM PAGE]

A mini train travels on the mini railroad and stops in front of the guest. You don't need to imagine Hogwarts to picture the scene. You can just visit Gongneung-dong and enter Nowon Train Cafe in Nowon District, northern Seoul.

Hwarangdae Station at Gyeongchun Line Forest Park used to be the last station in Seoul, now no longer in function. The station's railway still stays and greets those who come for a petite garden view, a railway cafe and attractions around Gongneung-dong. The neighborhood is known for cafe streets and small patches of greens and other natural colors.

Nowon Train Cafe displays many features of this old railway road concept. The cafe spans three floors, with the renowned mini train operating primarily on the first floor, which tends to fill up more quickly than the second. The second floor features an inviting outdoor terrace, while the third floor boasts a rooftop area. Consequently, on sunny days, these spots fill up rapidly with patrons seeking to bask in the sunlight. People can enjoy the view of the park nearby, Hwarangdae Railyway Park, at the terrace and the rooftop.

@gicha_punggyung 〈i style="font-size: inherit;"〉608 Hwarang-ro, Nowon District, northern Seoul (서울 노원구 화랑로 608) Operation hours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)Phone number: 02-2116-4399

BY KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]