Visitors to Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong neighborhood this weekend can experience a perfect blend of high-energy entertainment, relaxed dining, and creative exploration. The eastern Seoul district, often dubbed the "Brooklyn of Seoul," offers everything from adrenaline-pumping arcade challenges to intimate Japanese-style bars and unique stationery shopping experiences.
Mission Five Arcade stands out as a hidden gem in Seongsu-dong, providing an intense digital gaming experience that combines physical activity with stress relief. The arcade challenges participants to complete five demanding missions within an 18-minute time frame, testing reflexes, stamina, and teamwork between two players. The facility offers complete privacy, accepting only one team per session, making reservations essential for securing a spot.
The five stages at Mission Five Arcade include a variety of activities designed to get hearts racing and adrenaline flowing. Players encounter a shooting game, a running-and-jumping activity, and a recreation of the infamous "Red Light, Green Light" game from the hit series "Squid Game," where participants must dodge blocks while moving forward. The arcade offers both casual and hardcore modes to accommodate different skill levels and preferences. The entire 18-minute experience costs 18,000 won for two people, and the facility is located at 77 Seongsuiro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
After working up a sweat at the arcade, visitors can unwind at Yakitori Tomeiru, a cozy neighborhood bar that addresses the surprising lack of casual drinking spots in the otherwise bustling Seongsu-dong area. Located just a three-minute walk from Exit No. 4 of Seongsu Station, the establishment is tucked away from the main street's hustle and bustle, offering a peaceful retreat.
The bar recreates the atmosphere of a classic Japanese izakaya with only five tables inside, creating an intimate and relaxed environment. Yakitori Tomeiru excels in its food offerings, serving all the essential drinking snacks, known as anju in Korean culture. The menu features assorted yakitori skewers, crispy karaage, and hearty oden stew, each dish pairing perfectly with cold draft beer or sake. Unlike many bars that struggle to maintain quality across a diverse menu, Tomeiru consistently delivers impressive flavors throughout their offerings.
The drink selection at Yakitori Tomeiru is equally impressive, ranging from traditional soju and house sake to refreshing highballs and beer. The establishment enhances its nostalgic appeal with a carefully curated playlist featuring exclusively hits from the 2000s to early 2010s, creating an atmosphere that naturally leads patrons to want to continue their evening at a karaoke room. The bar operates daily from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and is located at 7 Yeonmujang 5ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
For those seeking a more creative outlet, Rolledpaint in nearby Seogyo-dong offers a unique stationery wonderland dedicated entirely to masking tape artistry. Upon entering the shop, visitors are immediately struck by the walls covered entirely in masking tape displays – not just neatly arranged rolls, but intricate postcards designed and decorated with masking tape, decorative sheets, and full displays that demonstrate the creative potential of this humble office supply.
The shop's inventory spans hundreds of masking tape designs, from simple monochrome rolls to elaborate patterned, textured, and glittering varieties. The selection includes everything from basic stripes and pastel shades to bold primary colors and ornate decorative motifs. Beyond the tape itself, Rolledpaint stocks complementary stationery accessories including specialized cutters and small tools, along with instructional books on masking tape design techniques.
Rolledpaint encourages hands-on exploration of their products through an interactive shopping experience. Upon entry, staff members provide each visitor with a thick sheet of paper to test different tape varieties, allowing customers to examine texture and color variations firsthand. Throughout the store, tip boards and sample diaries demonstrate creative applications, such as using translucent tape as a book highlighter or layering different tapes to create complex design elements.
The testing paper transforms into a personalized souvenir, as customers can create their own bookmark using their selected tape samples, finished with a ribbon of their choice. When customers make purchases, staff members wrap items in envelopes sealed with masking tape, with each package receiving its own unique decorative treatment. Rolledpaint operates from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily except Tuesdays, occupying the second floor at 57-6 Yanghwaro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, situated above a bookstore on the first floor with another stationery shop on the third floor.
