Upon first arriving in Seoul, I noticed and admired the various alleyways on every street, each leading to something different, maybe a hidden treasure at the end or maybe just a random pile of recycling at the end. Either way, I made it a goal to explore as much as possible during my time here. When I think of alleyways in America, they always tend to have an eerie and almost forbidden connotation to them. However, in Seoul, each alley I encountered felt like a new adventure and a new story waiting for me to explore.
One of the first alleys I came across, and though I felt slightly creeped out by it because of how dark it was, I would have never expected it to have the cutest cafe on the other side. A hidden gem I would never have come across if I had not taken this random detour that night.Some alleyways in Korea were home to the best food markets in town. These were the places foreigners would never expect to find popular restaurants, but my favorite foods I have tried in Korea have been in places like this. They weren’t the fanciest places in the world, but something about the crowds and the car exhaust from the nearby road made the food much better.
This food market located near Jongno 5 ga Station had almost anything you could ever think of and even had other small restaurants hidden away in alleyways that detached from the main one.
Moments like these remind me that these streets and alleys are home to families and are just regular old roads to the locals living there. Though they were just filled with boxes, garage doors, and random signs, the contrast from what I experienced in my usual everyday life back home makes these moments more beautiful.Though some alleyways didn’t have anything that exciting at the end of them, they were always something pretty to look at. The tourist in me always looks at them curiously, wondering what awaits me on each path. The artist in me loves looking at them for the perspective, lines, and colors that were unique to each one.
This one was located in Hongdae, and despite that area being known for its nightlife and crazy crowds, this hill gave the opposite feeling.
Each alleyway had its own personality and vibe to it. Some were filled with color and vibrancy, others were clean, modern and grey. Either way, they were an amazing sight to see on my adventures around Seoul.
Nighttime in a city is so different than ones in suburban America; the colors and smells all add to the experience.
Though this one may or may not count as an alleyway, this walkway on Nami Island is definitely one of the prettiest I have come across in Korea. 
This photo shows Seoul’s intricate maze from the top of the Lotte Sky Tower. From the collections of houses, apartments, and mountains, this city is a place of wonder and adventure.It’s been amazing seeing what Korea has to offer me, and I can’t wait for more hidden treasures that await me down each and every alley.
Sera Albers, Texas A&M University, is studying in Seoul, South Korea, with TEAN.
