Seoul's Industrial Chic: From Grit to Glam in the City's Trendiest Havens

Model @iamalexischang2 does current trends with a retro feel in a side alley of Dongdaemun during Seoul Fashion Week in September 2024.

In a city synonymous with futuristic skyscrapers and neon-lit streets, Seoul never ceases to surprise. Known for its vibrant culture and technological innovations, the South Korean capital is now seeing an unexpected twist in its urban narrative: the rise of its grittiest, most industrial districts as the ultimate destinations for those who are truly in-the-know.

Let’s talk about places like Seongsu-dong, Mullae, and the iconic Dongdaemun. These areas, once characterized by their bustling manufacturing zones and nondescript warehouses, are now sparkling with a newfound charisma that has captivated young creatives and culture vultures alike. It’s the quintessential industrial chic transformation: where rusty corrugated iron meets avant-garde art installations, and the scent of machinery blurs into the aroma of artisanal coffee.

A passersby in the industrial neighborhood of Mullae poses for a picture in September, 2023. The coffee shop she came out of to the left is now part of the Korean Mega-Coffee chain.

Seongsu-dong, affectionately dubbed the “Brooklyn of Seoul,” exemplifies this trend. Once lined with shoe factories, it now houses chic cafes, indie bookstores, and graffiti-adorned walls that serve as prime backdrops for Instagram OOTDs. The area seamlessly blends old and new, preserving a sense of its gritty past while embracing a fresh, stylish future.

Mullae, another industrial hub turned arty enclave, boasts an energetic vibe where art studios sit side by side with metal workshops. It’s a place where creativity thrives in open, rustic spaces that exude both history and innovation.

Model @clap_been79 (recruited from the Seoul Fashion Week ramp) poses inside a Mullae-dong machine shop in April, 2023.

And then there's Dongdaemun, a district rich in both historical and cultural significance. Once the epicenter of textile manufacturing, Dongdaemun was synonymous with bustling markets and the hum of sewing machines. The area has since evolved, with the Dongdaemun Design Plaza—a striking, futuristic landmark designed by architect Zaha Hadid—symbolizing its rebirth. Here, cutting-edge fashion shows, design fairs, and cultural events create a dynamic mix of traditional and modern influences that are irresistible to Seoul’s trendsetters.

A Seoul Fashion Week attendee/”paepi” poses in the most quintessentially Korean look possible on the street fashion “runway” ramp at Seoul Fashion Week in September, 2024.

So why are these industrial districts becoming so hip? Part of the allure lies in their authenticity. Unlike more polished neighborhoods, these areas offer raw, unrefined spaces where creativity can thrive unabated. The large, open interiors of former warehouses are perfect for experimental art galleries, underground music venues, and innovative co-working spaces. There’s an untamed beauty in the juxtaposition of past and present that fuels inspiration and fosters a sense of community.

A museum-style display at the Cafe 1953 with Audrey coffee shop (@cafe1953dowo) that channels the social semiotics of the space while hinting strongly at who the desired customer base of mostly 20 and 30-something women.

Moreover, Seoulites—especially its youth—are increasingly drawn to the narrative of reinvention these districts embody. There's something inherently cool about discovering a hidden gem in an off-the-beaten-path locale that resonates with the trendsetters' desire for uniqueness and authenticity.

Model @diwine.im enjoys the retro vibe of the Sangjin Dabang, a retro hotspot for the hip and in-the-know, which had survived intact since the 1980s (along with original Titanic film artwork) during an October, 2023 photoshoot. Sangjin Dabang has, unfortunately, gone out of business by the time of this writing.

Seoul’s industrial-chic districts are more than just trendy destinations; they’re the heart of a movement that values the beauty in repurposing what once was considered mundane. It’s about seeing potential in the overlooked and celebrating the city's evolution in the most unexpected places. For anyone looking to experience Seoul beyond the usual hotspots, these districts offer a glimpse into the city's soul—a gritty, glamorous blend of past hard-hitting industry and future-forward style.

Model @iamalexischang2 resonates with the retro vibrations of this old-school kimbap shop in a side alley of Dongdaemun, which is almost quite literally in the shadow of the Migliore fast fashion “department store” nearby, over Alexis’s shoulder.

In Seoul, as it turns out, the latest hipster haven wasn't built—it was found. So slip on your coolest sneakers, grab your camera, and explore the raw, uncharted, and utterly charming streets of Seongsu-dong, Mullae, and Dongdaemun, where grit meets glam with style in spades.

Seoul-based model @emnitviews had just beamed in from the future to check her status against mission parameters before her June 2024 mission.

Some credits:

Ramp assistants at Seoul Fashion Week:
Gawon Lee (main assist)
Ashleigh Edwards