Hyehwa-dong is the historical culture and performing arts hub of Seoul. It is also commonly referred to as Daehak-ro (sometimes spelled Daehangno, meaning “University Street”) after the area’s main street. Once home to Seoul National University (SNU), South Korea’s most prestigious university, Hyehwa-dong was where students and intellectuals hung out. Many key democracy protests took place here between the 1970s and 1990s as a result of the student movement. SNU moved their main campus south in 1975 and the empty buildings were taken over by theaters.
Considered to be Seoul’s “Broadway,” Hyehwa-dong today is home to over 150 theaters and performance art venues, of all sizes, clustered in the area. Visitors can experience plays, musicals, concerts, movies, comedy shows, non-verbal performances, and more. To keep theatergoers fed, the area is filled with cafes, restaurants, and bars. Plus, the backdrop of pine trees and red-brick buildings add to the area’s allure, making it a popular date-spot for young Seoulites. On weekends, the Daehak-ro street itself is a designated no-car zone and on Sunday, there’s a bustling open-air Philippine Market in front of the Hyehwa Catholic Church. The surrounding hills, set high above Daehak-ro, make up Naksan Park and Ihwa Mural Village. If you're looking for an area to stroll around at a slower pace in Seoul, Hyehwa-dong is the perfect place.
