Real Places. Real Life. Real Seoul.

A Local Guide to the Hottest City in Asia

What’s the best way to tour around a foreign city? Unless you want to pilgrim through the obvious landmarks and take typical vacation shots at tourist restaurants, the best and the safest way would be to get help from a reliable local friend, especially if you plan to explore a newly emerging city in constant change like Seoul. But what if you don’t have a reliable friend in Seoul? A Curated Guide: SEOUL, put together by a local editor and expat authors, will gladly be your friend.

There’s more to Seoul than palaces, bibimbap, K-pop, and soju

Authors Robert Koehler, former editor-in-chief of SEOUL magazine, and Hahna Yoon, former editor of Time Out Seoul, have long been introducing Seoul’s kaleidoscopic aspects to readers around the globe. Their insights in identifying the hidden gems of the city as well as their social, cultural, historical, and artistic knowledge have already been verified by the readers of their magazines, and Robert Koehler’s last book, Seoul Selection Guides: SEOUL, even topped Amazon’s Seoul tour guides category.

Through this book, the two authors sought to present a selective curation distinguished from the humdrum travel information galore on and offline. Deviating from the beaten paths suggested by every previous Seoul guidebook, they curate lesser known enchantments: time-forsaken back alleys and exclusive local shops. While they don’t avoid famous sites altogether, they recommend spots according to their personal experiences rather than popularity, catering to various tastes. From elegantly aged hanok to the hippest clubs in town, the book covers a wide spectrum of interests and preferences.

Locals share the very best Asia’s hottest metropolis has to offer

A Curated Guide: SEOUL is comprised of 10 sections: Neighborhoods, Historic Architecture, Arts & Culture, Dining, Cafés & Teashops, Nightlife, Nature, Shopping, Experiences, and Accommodations. Want to get a rough idea of the huge metropolis and its layout? Warm up with the “Neighborhoods” section exploring the nine trendiest neighborhoods of Seoul. The authors’ favorites are Euljiro, where the atmosphere shifts dramatically from day to night, and Seongsu-dong, known as the “Brooklyn of Seoul.” If you want more in-depth stories about life and culture in Seoul, check out the essays and interviews of a local architect, indie musician, chef, coffee expert, and DJ featured in the book. With more than 400 photos of vivid moments in the city, the guide offers a fresh perspective on Seoul for travelers, expatriates, or anyone who is simply curious about the city.

About the Authors

Robert Koehler

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Robert Koehler has lived in Korea since 1997. He was the editor-in-chief of SEOUL, Seoul Selection’s monthly lifestyle and travel magazine, from 2006 to 2018. He spends his days exploring new neighborhoods, sitting in cafés, and shooting photographs.

Hahna Yoon

Based in Seoul and bred raised in New York, Hahna Yoon is a writer with nine years’ experience in radio journalism and magazine editing. She currently contributes to Lonely Planet and has previously worked at Time Out Seoul, UNESCO, KBS World and TBS eFM radio, among others. In her free time, she loves visiting hole-in-the-wall restaurants that serve spicy stews and talking to strangers.

Table of Contents

Neighborhoods

Historic Architecture

Arts & Culture

Dining

Cafés & Teashops

Nightlife

Nature

Shopping

Experiences

Accomodations

ESSAYS

The Other Truth about Bukchon

Korean Indie: The Next Big Thing?

INTERVIEWS

A Pioneer: Chef Yim Jung-sik

The Philosopher Chef: Jeong Kwan

Talking Joe with Coffee Magazine’s Hong Sung-dae

Seoul at Night with DJ Yuzo and DJ Nunchi