Though we dream of a trip to somewhere far away, it is hard to take it into action while stuck in our busy lives. As an alternative, people turn to places relatively nearby, especially by visiting particular streets that specialize in certain categories. It is no surprise you will be excited when strolling down a path with rows of little stores, restaurants, and cafés waiting ahead. And one of these streets is Bangbae 42-gil (road). The number 42, when pronounced in Korean, means a term indicating a gaps between something in Korean. It not only covers spatial gap, but also about relationships as well. Therefore, the term refers to the cultural and social relationship between the people living here and the tourists. The street started off with ten artists and it gradually developed into now as an art street in Seoul. If you want to fill your heart with art, let’s head to Bangbae 42-gil!

Way: Heukseok Station - Shinbanpo Station (Subway Line Number 9/12min) Sinbanpo Station -Bangbae Plaza (Bus number 148) – Walk (4min)
Total Time: 26min
Recommended Course: The page-Musee de Parfume-Gallery Toast-Lee Boulanger-Cerawork
1. Musée de Parfume: Korea’s First Perfume Museum  
Musée de Parfume is a museum that specializes in perfume and the first such museum to be opened in Korea. The museum offers A, B, and C courses and you can choose from depending on the diversity of activities you want to experience. If you wish to have a profound knowledge about perfume and also make a DIY perfume to take home, the C Course would be suitable for you. It is notable that all three courses include a docent program, so you can get to know about vintage perfumes from 1792 to the early 1920s and their historic background more deeply. Not to mention the chance to actually smell different kinds of vintage perfume fragrances, you will be immersed in a sense of nostalgia that will take you back to the old days.  
Location: 50-2 Chungyoon Building, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Operating Hours: 09:00~17:00
Contact Number: 02-554-6290
Price: Course A: 20,000 won Course B: 30,000 won Course C: 50,000 won
2. Cerawork: Making Your Own Pottery
Cerawork is a workroom where you can make your own ceramics by designing unique patterns or drawing pictures. The first step is choosing which pottery to work on and there are different kinds, ranging from round plates to teapots. Time to contrive your design! Do not hesitate to roughly sketch it by pencil since the marks will be erased after it is baked. Then, the most important part is to paint it with special paints. When that is finished, your job is done. It will be glazed and baked to transform it into usable pottery. There is also a cafe that sells ice cream made from fresh milk and other drinks, just in case you get hungry or thirsty. Why not go and make your one and only pottery?
Location: 11 Bangbae 42-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Operating Hours: Weekdays: 10:00~21:00/ Weekend: 11:00~22:00
Contact Number: 02-796-4498
Price: Adult: 15,000 won (minimum)
3. Gallery Toast
Gallery Toast is an art gallery that brings art into our daily lives in a more friendly way. It started off with a delightful cooperation of several artists in order to create an artistic place for people to easily come visit. As the name suggests, Gallery Toast features various recent works, like a crispy toast fresh out of the toaster. What’s more, it offers a space for the public to interact with artists. Apart from regular exhibit, it holds special ones as well, so it is recommended to check out its homepage(gallerytoast.com) beforehand.
Location: 46 Bangbae 42-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Operating Hours: Tue~Sat: 11:00~18:00 (Mon Closed) / Sun: 13:00~18:00
Contact Number: 02-532-6460
Price: Free
4. The Page
The Page is a brunch café, and when you enter the building, its ceiling is stretched high, all the way to the third floor. Orders are taken on the first floor and the dining area is located on the second and third floor. What is special about the third floor is that the room is decorated as a small gallery, thus you can enjoy your meal while surrounded by art works that gives off the sense of modern pop culture. Menus are divided into the categories of Brunch, Paner, and Hamburger Steak, and you can choose from several options. The main menu is not all, as it also sells bakery goods, cakes, and drinks for dessert. Bon appetite!
Location: 77 Dongang-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Operating Hours: 09:00~20:00
Number: 02-536-5961
Price: Oatmeal Stake 12,900 won, Cream Shrimp 12,900 won , Pancake Bacon 11,900 won
5. Lee Boulanger
Lee Boulanger is a French bakery, located in the same building with Gallery Toast. It is notable that the bakery does not add any artificial ingredients and bakes with flour and organic yeast, imported from France. As the kitchen is open, you can take a chance to watch the baking process. If you go up the stairs to the second floor, Cecilia Factory, which makes special cakes, is located there, so you can order one by ringing a bell.
Location: 46 Bangbae 42-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Operating Hours: 10:00~20:00 (Mon Closed)
Contact Number: 02-532-6410
Price: Carrot Cake: 8,800 won, Croissant 2,700 won, Cranberry Champagne Bread: 3,800 won
Bangbae 42-gil is not that long, even on foot, as its length is about 300 meters. However, various eye-catching sites will make you stop for a while and take a look inside. The walk around the gallery will inspire your love for art and fill you with scents of perfume from your memory. What’s more, you will have your own creative works to hold tightly in your hand. It is time to go outside and take a stroll down Bangbae 42-gil!
 
 
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