The best (lesser-known) things about Seoul for solo residents
A city perfect for solo dwellers has karaoke, barbecue joints and watering holes custom-made for a party of one
I love to sing, but as a kid, belting out tunes on a karaoke machine usually meant rallying at least one friend to go to the local noraebang (singing room). For a boy who was a bit of a loner, this could be challenging.
Then came the 2010s — and with them, a delightful invention: the coin noraebang (pay-per-song karaoke). A sanctuary for solo singers, it offered sweet salvation to those who want to sing their hearts out without the judgmental stares of others.
Coin noraebang is just one of many urban pleasures catering to Seoul's growing population of solo dwellers. From one-person barbecue joints to bars and restaurants designed for a party of one, these spaces embrace those who choose to stay in their cocoon of voluntary solitude.
And so, Seoul has become a haven for the "honjok," or people like me who choose to do things by themselves. Honjok is a portmanteau of 'hon' from the Korean word 'honja,' meaning alone, and 'jok,' meaning tribe.
Movies, music and comics for solo escapes
A common perception is that the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 and the ensuing social distancing forced Koreans to spend more time by themselves, but this is only part of the story. A 2019 survey by the recruitment platform Saramin of 3,635 people showed that 67.7 percent of respondents identified as honjok, particularly 72.6 percent of those in their 20s.
Being honjok doesn't mean being a loner, but rather taking the time to do as one pleases. The most popular reasons in the survey for doing things solo were "It's more convenient (72.5 percent)," "I don't have to be interrupted," and "There's no need to be emotionally spent," implying that the stress of social interaction puts pressure on many people.
Going to the movies is widely considered an activity for couples, friends and family, but the pestering from the next seat -- "What just happened?" -- can be less than ideal. Local multiplex cinema franchises CGV and Megabox have adopted wide seats throughout their theaters, which have been promoted to one-person viewers.
As mentioned, coin noraebang were among the first businesses to actively accommodate honjok, with some open around the clock and at cheaper prices than conventional karaoke. You can sing two or three songs for 1,000 won ($0.70), and most shops accept credit cards and offer time-based payment systems.
If you are a fan of comics, comic book cafe chains like Beoltoon and Nolsoop are a great place to relax and read. Both chains operate similarly in that they offer not only a place to read comics but also sell simple dishes like tteokbokki and donkatsu that are of decent quality.
Desks and chairs are available, but the preferred option is to hide out in isolated sections with curtains, blankets and cushions. It's actually a great place to kill a few hours or take a quick nap if you're caught between appointments.
Grilling and booze, no friends required
The popular 90s sitcom "Friends" had an episode in which the young adult character Rachel Green feels some shame and self-consciousness dining by herself. But a growing number of eateries here are offering dishes for solo diners, some installing one-person booths complete with dividers between seats to create partitioned areas for individuals.
The founder of franchise eatery Ssaum Eui Gosu (Ssago) said his business started when he realized it was hard for a solo diner to find a place to eat bossam (boiled pork and side dishes). Ssago offers single portions of meat dishes that are more often eaten in groups, including bossam, samgyeopsal and jokbal, and most of its seats are tailored for those visiting alone.
Barbecue joints are also typically for group dining, but some allow you to grill away by yourself.
Hongo in Haebangchon, Yongsan-gu, takes its name from the Korean for "barbecue by yourself" and provides guests with mini grills in side-by-side seats.
Seongsu-dong, known for its trendsetting establishments, has numerous one-person seats where individual diners can grill samgyeopsal and other types of barbecue. Each customer is blocked off from view by dividers, which can be easily removed if you want to sit with a friend.
Mangwon-dong in Mapo-gu is another trendy neighborhood, and Chaeg Bar (book bar) is one destination in keeping with the honjok trend. As its name suggests, visitors have the option to pick up a book and read as they sip cocktails, although groups can sit in the "talking area" as well.
The bars, eateries and other entertainment venues in Seoul are too numerous to cover in full, but what's certain is that honjok are a rapidly growing customer base, and businesses are attending to the needs of those who prefer to unwind and engage in their favorite activities by themselves.
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