8 Things To Do At Dongdaemun Design Plaza

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자), often referred to as DDP by locals, is one of those cool things to see in Seoul that is on numerous list after list of the architectural must-see’s in the capital city of Korea. Seoul was even named the World Design Capital in 2010 because of the DDP. The building is iconic and is actually the world’s largest atypical architecture. Often the home of artistic exhibitions, like TeamLab, but also home to Seoul’s fashion week, there is always something to see… if the building itself isn’t enough.

But really, it is. There are a ton of things to do in Dongdaemun but this is definitely one of the coolest things to see there. in 2015, DDP was the most tagged location in South Korea on Instagram. Dongdaemun can be a bit overwhelming that first time, so here’s a good place to start when you visit a shopper’s paradise that is Dongademun.

What to know about the Dongdaemun Design Plaza:

• How To Get There
• Basic Info
• Stay In Dongdaemun
• The Architect
• Things To Do At The Dongdaemun Design Plaza

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How To Get There

Address: 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 을지로 281 (을지로7가))

Directions: Make sure to have that T-Money card topped off and you can get to the DDP easily via subway. Head to the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station and go out of exit 1.

Seoul City Tour Bus: The DDP is a stop on the Seoul City Tour Bus route which is a great way to see the highlights of Seoul. This is also a great place to start your trip on the bus as there’s a tourist booth right out front with all of the information. Find out more about the Seoul City Tour Bus in this guide or just get your tickets now here.

On a Tour: Dongdaemun Design Plaza is an epic place to take photos. Head there for a photoshoot on this night photoshoot tour.

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Basic Info

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm (CLOSED Mondays) These are the building hours, but you can walk around the exterior and get cool photos without going in.

Admission: FREE, Exhibitions may require an entrance fee.

Website: www.ddp.or.kr

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Stay In Dongdaemun

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Hotel

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel

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The Architect

Zaha Hadid is a British Iraqi architect and winner of the 2004 Pritzker Prize. When I first arrived to Korea, there was a stadium where the culture complex now sits. The DDP was built to replace the stadium which was built in the 1920s under Japanese rule. 

The exterior of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza features more than 40,000 aluminum panels and none of them are the same. The DDP was even dubbed the ‘largest three-dimensional atypical structure in the world’. The interior houses galleries, event spaces, design shops, lawns that rise up to the rooftop and cafes and restaurants.

There aren’t any windows to let you know what’s going on inside so unlike other big buildings or malls, you sort of just need to open doors and see what you can find inside. No need to worry about walking in the wrong doors though, the ones that are open, are open to you.

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Things To Do At The Dongdaemun Design Plaza

1 Enjoy The Architecture

Obviously the first thing you have to do at Dongdaemun Design Plaza is just walk around and enjoy the façade. Whether you go in during the daytime or the nighttime… well actually maybe you should go during both, it’s cool and you’ll probably find people taking photos and enjoying the views at all hours of the day too.

2 Attend An Exhibition

There are art exhibitions, fashion exhibitions, and eco exhibitions that happen at the design plaza. There are two art halls inside of the building. We got to see a Teamlab exhibit most recently. There’s always something. Make sure to check the DDP website to see what programs are up and running when you want to go. Lines can be long on opening days for a lot of events, so try to book in advance if you can.

3 Take Your Kids To DiKi DiKi

The Design Playground, also called DiKi DiKi, is a children’s sensory playground. The kids might not appreciate the exterior design as much as you, but they will have fun in this creative design experience zone and you’ll get a kick out of the play activities that encourage and foster play.

• Admission: Children: W15,000 for two hours; Guardians: W5,000 for two hours
• Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 10:30am ~ 5:30pm
• Notes: Children should be between the ages of 2 and 9 for this playspace.

5 Take a Break From Shopping

Dongdaemun is a popular district for shopping with shops like Migliore and APm just across the street. DDP is a great place to just take a break. Or, if there’s someone in your shopping group that really isn’t into the shopping. Tell them to cook their heels at DDP. It’s a great spot for people watching, there are benches and places to take a seat, and it’s not crowded unless there’s an event.

6 Re-enact a Korean Drama

There have been plenty of Korean dramas filmed at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. If you’re a fan, you can re-enact a scene. Get ready by watching ‘You Who Came From The Stars’, ‘Producer’, ‘She Was Pretty’, ‘Record of Youth’, ‘Love Alarm’, ‘My First First Love’, ‘Perfume’, ‘Are You Human?’, ‘She Was Pretty’, ‘Fated To Love You’… well and so many more. Trust me, you’ll recognize DDP in numerous dramas once know what you’re looking for.

7 Be Amazed by SeouLight

SeouLight is a large scale light show that uses the 220 meter facade of the DDP as the canvas. The media façade festival is an annual event so if you’re here for it, definitely go see it! The show can be seen from all over but you’ll want to get up close so you can also have the music surround you as you’re enveloped by the lights. It’s pretty amazing. This year it was on display once in the spring and again in the winter. Maybe next year will be the same! DDP is one of the coolest things to see at night in Seoul… go and see.

8 Find The Light Garden

A new light garden was just installed at DDP this month (December 2021). The installation which lights up and even moves when you clap to it, is a beautiful sight. Definitely try to see it at night to witness it in all it’s glory.

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