A quiet evening walk through Seoul’s Hongdae district led Tess to one of the coziest music experiences she’s ever discovered.
Transcript:
I was wandering through Hongdae one evening when I noticed a little neon sign that simply said “LP Bar.”
I had no idea that stepping through that door would become one of my favorite music memories in Seoul.
While I was visiting Seoul, I spent a lot of time exploring Hongdae and wandering its colorful streets filled with little cafés, shops and live music venues.
Then I noticed a small neon sign that simply said “LP Bar.”
I’d never seen one before, so my curiosity got the better of me and I walked inside.
The room was warmly lit, with comfortable couches and shelves filled from floor to ceiling with thousands of vinyl records.
It didn’t feel like a busy bar at all.
Honestly, it felt more like sitting in someone’s cozy living room with friends.
Then something really caught my attention.
A customer asked to hear a particular album.
The bartender climbed a ladder, carefully pulled the record from the shelf, placed it on the turntable and gently lowered the needle.
Within seconds, everyone in the room was listening to the same music together.
Nobody was staring at a phone.
Nobody seemed to be in a hurry.
People were simply relaxing, talking quietly and enjoying an album from beginning to end.
I honestly thought I’d stay for just a few minutes.
Instead, I stayed much longer.
In a world where so much of our music is streamed through headphones, it felt surprisingly comforting to share the same album with a room full of complete strangers.
Looking back, I think I discovered much more than an LP Bar that evening.
I found one of my favorite music memories in Seoul.
Funny how music can make a place you’ve never been feel a little like home.
I’m Tess with JRok Music.
Have a wonderful afternoon, and I’ll see you in the next story.