Seoul is one of Asia’s most visited and talked-about cities. K-pop, K-dramas, Korean food, beauty, shopping, and traditional culture attract travelers from around the world.
But an interesting debate keeps appearing among travelers online.
Is Seoul actually overrated?
Some visitors say yes. Others argue that tourists who leave disappointed may simply be visiting the wrong parts of the city.
Why Some Travelers Say Seoul Is Overrated
A recent traveler on Reddit shared a list of Seoul experiences that were worth the hype — and several that were not.
Among the disappointments were Myeongdong street food, long waits at famous cafés, and visiting Namsan Seoul Tower when the weather was poor.
Myeongdong is especially controversial.
It is one of the most famous tourist districts in Korea, filled with cosmetics stores, fashion shops, restaurants, street food stalls, and international visitors.
For a first-time traveler, it can be exciting.
However, some travelers complain that the street food is expensive compared with food found elsewhere in Seoul. Others feel that the neighborhood has become so focused on tourism that it offers only a limited picture of everyday Korean life.
The debate is not new. Discussions among Korea travelers frequently describe Myeongdong as both a convenient place for first-time visitors and one of Seoul’s biggest tourist traps.
So which side is correct?
Perhaps both.
The Problem May Not Be Seoul
There is another argument gaining attention among travelers and Seoul residents.
The problem may not be that Seoul has nothing interesting to offer.
The problem may be that many tourists visit almost exactly the same Seoul.
A typical first-time itinerary often includes Myeongdong, Gangnam, Hongdae, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village.
These places are famous for good reasons.
But Seoul is a city of nearly 10 million people, and the experience can change dramatically within only a few subway stops.
Leave the major tourist routes and the city begins to look different.
University neighborhoods such as Hyehwa have small theaters, restaurants and independent cafés. Traditional areas around Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung can feel very different from the busiest sections around Gyeongbokgung.
Residential neighborhoods reveal another Seoul entirely: small restaurants, local markets, neighborhood cafés and ordinary streets where tourism is not the main attraction.
This is the Seoul that many short-term visitors never see.
Even Koreans Debate the Famous Markets
The same argument applies to food.
Foreign travelers often search for the most famous Korean food destinations before arriving. That naturally sends thousands of people toward places such as Myeongdong and Gwangjang Market.
But popularity does not necessarily mean that a place represents everyday Korean dining.
One Korean Reddit user described visiting Gwangjang Market after living in Seoul for more than 20 years and expressed disappointment with the quality and prices of several foods there.
Other travelers disagree and still consider traditional markets an enjoyable part of visiting Korea.
That disagreement reveals something important.
A tourist attraction does not have to be “fake” to be touristy.
But tourists should understand what they are experiencing.
Should First-Time Visitors Avoid Myeongdong?
Not necessarily.
Myeongdong remains extremely convenient for shopping, transportation and sightseeing. It is centrally located and easy for international visitors to navigate.
For someone visiting Korea for the first time, spending an evening there can still be fun.
The mistake may be expecting Myeongdong to represent all of Seoul.
Eat the street food if you are curious. Visit the cosmetics stores. Enjoy the lights and crowds.
Then get on the subway the next morning and go somewhere completely different.
Walk through a neighborhood that was not recommended by TikTok.
Eat at a restaurant without a giant line outside.
Visit a smaller market.
Sit beside the Han River with convenience-store ramen.
That contrast may actually be the best way to understand Seoul.
So, Is Seoul Overrated?
Perhaps the better question is:
Which Seoul did you visit?
Someone who spends three days moving between internationally famous attractions may experience a very different city from someone who explores its neighborhoods.
Seoul can be crowded, commercial and highly polished.
It can also be quiet, old-fashioned, inexpensive and surprisingly local.
Both versions exist at the same time.
So before deciding that Seoul is overrated, it may be worth leaving the most famous itinerary behind for just one day.
You might discover that the Seoul you were looking for was only a few subway stops away.