[비즈한국] The Han River is undoubtedly one of Seoul's most popular date spots. It’s not just for couples, either. The Han River embraces everyone: running crews, tourists looking to taste the famous "Hangang ramen," and families enjoying a light picnic. There are countless ways to enjoy the river, but today I’d like to introduce two spots where you can savor the ambiance while listening to music and watching the sparkling ripples of the Han River. Even if we can’t live in a Han River-view apartment, we certainly shouldn’t miss out on that Han River vibe.
First is "Vinyl Hangang," a music listening cafe where you can enjoy records while overlooking the river. If you come out of Exit 2 of Jayang Station (Line 7) and walk straight toward the river, you will see the Hangang Bus terminal building at the 11 o'clock position. Walk past the people waiting to board the bus and head up to the 3rd floor to enter Vinyl Hangang. It is an LP cafe with a panoramic view of the river, and each seat is equipped with its own turntable and headset, allowing you to choose and listen to the music you love. Admission is 18,900 won, which includes one drink. While there is a 2-hour usage limit when the cafe is full, at other times, you can enjoy the music and the scenery as much as you like between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Note that you cannot change seats once seated, so I recommend aiming for a quieter time if you have a specific view in mind.
There is also a wide variety of LPs to choose from. With over 5,000 records including old pop, K-pop, jazz, classical, and OSTs, you can select whatever suits your taste. At first, I started with Nirvana, Carnival, and the 'In the Mood for Love' OST to match the nostalgic sentiment, but it’s no secret that I later found myself enjoying modern musicians like Rosé, Hanroro, and Cortis, feeling just like one of the "young-tro" (young trot/retro) generation. For a smooth experience, you can select up to 3 LPs at a time and return them to the trolley when you're done.
Of course, there would be little reason to come all the way to Vinyl Hangang just to listen to music. The biggest advantage of this place is the wide-open view of the Han River and its banks. It is said to be beautiful on clear, refreshing days, lovely when it’s cloudy or rainy, fantastic during sunset, and stunning at night when the city lights reflect off the water. If you are a drinker enjoying a sentimental night, you might want to try the bar menu, which includes beer, house wine, whiskey, and cognac.
If you plan on spending the whole day on a date, a great strategy is to ride the Hangang Bus from elsewhere for a refreshing river cruise, then get off at the Ttukseom pier on the 1st floor and stop by Vinyl Hangang. Alternatively, you can enjoy Vinyl Hangang first and end your day with the Hangang Bus. Of course, besides dates, Vinyl Hangang is also the perfect place for "mul-meong" (staring blankly at the water) alone. I highly recommend it if you need some quality time to yourself. For reference, Vinyl operates not only this location but also several others across the country, including Jeju, Seongsu, Suwon, Cheonan, and Gangneung, so you can look for them based on the region and concept in the future.
Another Han River spot is "Gwangjin Bridge 8th Avenue," the only observatory in Korea located under a bridge pier. It is situated under the eighth pier of Gwangjin Bridge, which connects Gwangjin-gu and Gangdong-gu, and is within a 20-minute walk from Gwangnaru Station or Cheonho Station (a little over 1km). Around the middle of Gwangjin Bridge, you’ll find an entrance leading under the pier; follow the stairs down to find the lounge and performance space. You can not only see a 360-degree panoramic view of the Han River, but also walk on tempered glass sections of the floor, giving you the sensation of floating on the river. With only three such bridge-pier observatories in the world—in Paris, Tokyo, and here at Gwangjin Bridge 8th Avenue—it’s definitely a unique experience.
Gwangjin Bridge 8th Avenue is an urban sanctuary where you can enjoy various cultural programs for citizens. It is open annually from March to November. During September and October, as autumn deepens, it extends its operating hours from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, making it the perfect place to enjoy the sunset followed by the serene night view (closed on Mondays). In the lounge, which is filled with soft music, you can find citizens reading or simply staring at the water. Another advantage is that there is no admission fee. However, there is no cafe or restroom inside. Please bring your own drinks, and if you need a restroom, you’ll have to head back up to the bridge and use the public restroom on the other side.
The variety of programs is another reason to visit. From morning healing yoga and sunset yoga to photo/color classes, as well as various musical events, including planned and rented performances, anyone can feel comfortable visiting. While some programs require a participation fee and reservation, most musical performances are free to watch and open to the public, so feel free to drop by. A regular musical performance titled "Sunset Stage" will be held on Saturday, September 5th at 7:00 PM, where you can enjoy the melodies of pianist Kim Ye-kwon and jazz trio Soneta Classic. You can check the operations and programs on their Instagram.
The cool autumn is arriving. I encourage you to recharge your emotions at these spots where you can fully enjoy the charms of the Han River. As you know, the spring and autumn we get to enjoy disappear in the blink of an eye. So please, enjoy them to your heart’s content.