Everyone flocks to the same tourist spots in Seoul. As a frequent visitor, I prefer these 4 lesser-visited areas.

I think Haebangchon is one of the coolest parts of Seoul.

Haein Jung

As a Korean-American with family and friends in Seoul, I've come back to the Motherland quite frequently over the last few years.On my most recent visit, I decided to explore a little differently. By this trip, I had already taken in the city's most popular hot spots: Itaewon, Myeong-dong, Hongdae, and Seongsu-dong.For those unfamiliar, Itaewon and Hongdae offer bright lights and nightlife, whereas Myeong-dong and Seongsu-dong are shopping havens for the city's trendiest brands.These locations are fantastic and worth a visit, but after several trips, I wanted to explore newer-to-me neighborhoods that felt more local and lived-in.Through my adventuring, I discovered four neighborhoods, each distinct and full of charm, that I'd recommend for those looking to explore outside Seoul's frequented tourist spots.Yeonnam-dong is a cozy neighborhood tucked away next to Hongdae

Yeonnam-dong is scenic and charming.

Haein Jung