SEOUL WEEKEND UPDATE (SEP. 11 - 14)

Seoul Art and Fashion week slides into party week!

Itaewon gets a new gallery, Gwanghwamun turns into an extreme sports park, DDP hosts Africa’s colors and rhythms, and clubs from Modeci to Grain Haus are throwing release parties like they’re allergic to sleep.

Seoul Hunters Festival filling the plaza with K-pop covers and group chants while literature nerds get their own international festival. It’s a cultural overload and your only job is to decide where your story begins.

Welcome to the Seoul Weekend Update

🎨 ONGOING EXHIBITIONS & CULTURAL PICKS

HMMM 흠 Itaewon Gallery/Offline Store — Soft Opening
Thu–Sun (Sep 11–14) | 12:00–21:30 | Itaewon
A fashion label that treats clothing like visual art opens a physical space that’s literally a gallery. Pop in for first looks, textures, and pieces you’ll pretend you “found before it blew up.”

Seoul International Writers’ Festival: “More Than What Meets the Eye ( )”
Fri–Wed (Sep 12–17) | Ground Seoul | Free programs
Global & Korean authors in talks, one-on-ones, workshops, and media art. Lit heads: this is your Frieze.

Literature Week (10th Anniversary): “Help—Reach Out”
Sat–Fri (Sep 13–19) | Marronnier Park (Daehangno) | Free
Theme stages, collabs, contests, exhibitions, and hands-on programs rotating daily.

Unhyeongung Hanok Concert (September edition)
Fri–Fri (Sep 12–19) | 19:00–20:00 | Norakdang Hall | Free (first 100 at 18:30)
Traditional performance and dance in a serene hanok. Peak autumn Seoul energy.

Seoul Mediacity Biennale: “Spell – The Art of the Soul”
Aug 26 – Nov 23 | SeMA + multiple venues
Artists explore mysticism, ritual, and spiritual traditions as an antidote to hyper-rational modernity. Expect vibes between séance and sculpture.

DDP Fall Special Tour: “Extreme Design Experience”
Aug 28–Sep 13 | Thu–Sat 15:00 | Reservation required
A guided hop from street design to collectible objects, tied to DDP’s “Design & Art.” Book early—two tickets max per person.

Superior Gallery: “Exhibition Filling the Heart” (Min Yul × Lee Dong Hoon)
Sep 2–24 | Superior Gallery | 10AM–7PM
Quiet skies, wooden chairs, a goose named Bruno—two painters mapping small, restorative joys for busy brains.

 THURSDAY – OPENINGS, WINE, DETROIT MASTER

• Afterwork Seoul: Wine Night (Yeouido)

  From 6PM | Conrad Hotel | ₩10,000 online / ₩20,000 door (incl. 2 tasting coins)

  Skyline views, curated pours by Vinesen, food pairings, and a sharply dressed crowd. Add tasting coins (₩5,000); glasses run ₩10–25k.

• NO MORE SHOT: “One More Shot” (itaewon)

  10PM - Late | Bolero | ₩15,000 Tequila 1+1 special

  Rotating DJ pairs (AZE & KEENOTE, MERPIK & DAUL, more) and a fall-kickoff tequila deal. IDs ready; excuses optional.

• Theo Parrish (Sound Signature) (hongdae)

  10PM – Late | Modeci | Reservation required (see Modeci bio)

  A marathon selector and living syllabus of Black dance music. If you know, you go.

FRIDAY – VELVET & RAVE ENERGY

• Dumbfoundead presents: LALALA (Again) (Apgujeong)

  10PM–2AM | Courte Cafe | Free

  Last week party was so good that Dumbfoundead “Lost his mind” and decided to throw another one: LA homies in tow, Danny Chung, and surprise guests. No cover, heavy nostalgia.

• Leon NDS (Live) + Friends (Gangnam)

  10PM - 6AM | Soho House | ₩15,000 door (incl. 1 drink)

  From Europe to Asia: a live set threaded with MAPP, JINAMIC, Animal Mode, and more. Clubby, melodic, moving.

• RYSE: Side Note Club — Retro Night (Hongdae)

  8PM - 1AM | Ryse Hotel (15F) | Door TBA

  Flip phones, CRT vibes, and throwback jams in a glass-box skyline room. Dress code: 00s main character.

IN OTHER NEWS

ICYMI — GSTV is now the official partner of the Visual Art Festival, OOP Fest! Join us for OOP Festival, from September 26th to 28th

Andy trust went viral making videos about the most viral ‘Shibal’

Andy Sama inspired the Squid Game’s actor Kang Haneul on the TV Show YouQuiz

Moon is back after a short break in the US, already hosted this week’s Seoul Weekend Update

BACK TO THE WEEKEND UPDATE

SATURDAY - POOLS & BLOCK PARTIES

• Heedamjae x Osteria Anna – Aperitivo in a Hanok (Yangpyeong)

  2PM–Late | Heedamjae (near Seoul) | VIP Invitation Only (DM for access)

  An autumn getaway just outside the city: Heedamjae opens its hanok doors for a refined aperitivo party in collaboration with Osteria Anna. The program flows from Chef Biagio Aprea’s Italian aperitivo spread, to a harp & cello ensemble, to a live set by Italian tenor Vincenzo. As evening falls, installation artist Vakki, DJ Minji, and Terry take over with eclectic sets. A blend of food, music, and architecture that turns a country retreat into a cultural moment.

• BBCB presents: IDIOTAPE (Live) (Itaewon)

  10PM - Late | BBCB | ₩30,000 door / ₩20,000 presale (Naver/RA)

  Electro-rock titans with Cityboy From Seoul, DGURU, BUMHO, KIM.QNA. Strict house rules; strictly worth it.

• Jameson Stage with Distilled Sounds (Banpo Hangang Park)

  2PM - 12AM | Banpo Hanging Park | ₩80,000 (+ 1 highball & reusable cup)

  A stacked cross-genre bill (ZICO, Silica Gel, CHANGMO, Kid Milli, YUMDDA, Moonsujin, Windy City). 19+ only; drink responsibly.

• Grain Haus: “SLIDIN’” Release Party (Itaewon)

  10PM - Late | Itaewon | ₩20,000

  3× Grammy winner David Yungin Kim drops his new single with DeVita & GRAY. Short live moment, big bragging rights.

• Khakii presents “PARKOUR (Remix) with Friends” (itaewon)

  22:00–late | Bolero | ₩15,000

  An energetic live from the artist Khakii! Groove-first, Latin-brushed rhythms with Plan8, JADA, SEMO, APRO, SKOPE, XENA, EUNHO.

• Seoul Extreme Sports Festival (Day 1) (Gwangwhamun)

  3PM–9PM | Gwanghwamun Square | Free

  Olympic-grade breaking battles, pro BMX showcases, and try-it zones for newbies.

• Pet Sounds Indie Live (Noksapyeong)

  7PM - Late | Pet Sounds | Free entry / Pay-what-you-want (min. ₩10,000 suggested) + 1 drink minimum

  A cozy stage for Seoul’s indie next-ups. 100% of performance pay goes to the artists.

SUNDAY - COMMUNITY, MUSIC & CAT LOVE

• Seoul Hunters Festival (K-Dance & Vocal Battles) (Gwangwhamun)

  18:00–20:00 | Seoul Plaza | Free

  MCs DinDin & Cho Hyun-young host 10 teams covering K-DEHUN OSTs and K-pop classics, plus mass sing-alongs, random play, K-Tigers, and more. Televised moments via VisitSeoul TV.

• Seoul Extreme Sports Festival (Day 2) (Gwangwhamun)

  1PM–4PM | Gwanghwamun Square | Free

  More BMX demos, lessons, citizen fitness zones, and K-traditional games. Pre-register if you want a spot in the try-outs.