Cooking
Korea's cuisine is known the world over for being healthy and spicy. Learning how to make Korean dishes such as kimchi and bulgogi can be messy, but a lot of fun. Fortunately, there are several cooking institutes throughout Seoul catering to foreign tourists.
Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine(ê¶ì¤ììì°êµ¬ì)
As the name implies, you learn how to prepare royal cuisine, as well as rice cakes and hangwa Korean Cookies.
Son's Home(ìì¦í)
Son's Home specializes in teaching Kimchi preparation.
Sports
Taekwondo, Korea's most popular martial art:
Kukkiwon, WTF Headquarters, (http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/eng/).
Taekwondo in Seoul: Sangrok Gym, (http://www.sangrokgym.com).
World Gym, 765-2 Yeosam-Dong, Kangnam-Gu, closest metro is Hanti. The gym is OK, equipment is very 80s but has dumbells which go upto 50 kg, two smith machines and a couple of benchs among other machines. Not good by Western standards and not as good as Chicago fitness club in Busan but definitely good enough for short term training if you are staying in Seoul.
Korean Professional Baseball League
Baseball, Korean Professional Baseball League is very popular and has recently produced talent worthy of Major League Baseball.
Spas, saunas, and massage rooms
Saunas generally take the form of public baths in Korea, and are a popular form of relaxation. Services such as hair cuts and shoe cleaning are generally available. Some saunas also include sleeping areas for overnight stay. These are known as 찜질방, or jimjilbang, and can be a cheap alternative to hotels when you're just passing through an area.
Amusement parks
Lotte World
(http://www.lotteworld.com...). metro line 2, jamsil stn one of the world's largest indoor amusement parks that is located in seoul by the jamsil station. it has a folk museum where one can have an insight into ancient korean life. lots of rides, and reopened in the summer of 2007 after a massive reconstruction.
Everland
(http://www.everland.com/m...). the korean version of disneyland. it is south of seoul and transportation by bus is the easiest way to get there. non-stop buses to everland leave from various parts of seoul daily. has a miniature zoo where one can see a lion-tiger hybrid.
Seoul Land
(http://eng.seoulland.co.k...). theme park located in gwacheon. this park was opened just before the olympics in 1988. it is easy to get to by subway and is open year round.
Children's Grand Park
In neung-dong, gwangjin-gu (http://english.seoul.go.k...). the park was constructed after the decision of the city planning facility in 1971 and was opened on may 5, 1973. the park has a zoo, amusement facilities and restaurants. to get there, simply take the subway to children's grand park on line 7. avoid the weekends as it can get very crowded.
Performing arts
Seoul Art Center
700 seocho-dong, gangnam-gu, line 3 nambu bus terminal stn, (http://www.sac.or.kr/eng/...). another great place for performing arts and korean traditional art.
KBS Hall
line 9 national assembly stn. home of kbs philharmonic orchestra and kbs traditional music orchestra.
Sejong Center for Performing Arts
81-3 sejongno, jongno-gu, line 5 gwanghwamun stn, (http://www.sejongpac.or.kr/). oldest and one of the largest multi-purpose theatre in downtown seoul and home of seoul philharmonic. biggest pipe organ in east asia is in its great auditorium, and several video art pieces from nam june paik are in the entrance of auditorium.
Pottery making
Korean ceramics are known around the world for their simple beauty unique designs. Visitors can learn how to make pottery at the National Museum of Korea and the pottery villages just outside of Seoul in Incheon and Yeoju.
National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)
Horse Racing
Seoul racetrack in gwacheon. races are normally only held during weekends, night racing also takes place during august. during the week, visitors can take guided tours of the grounds.