Halloween-themed worry dolls (Duridu Art Shop)
Halloween-themed worry dolls (Duridu Art Shop)

Blow away cobwebs with hanji worry dolls

Need a respite from the humdrum of everyday life and seeking ways to blow away the cobwebs? Try making your own "worry doll," a tiny, handcrafted doll to put by your bedside and tell your worries so the problems go away by the next day.

Duridu Art Shop, a craft workshop in Ssamzigil -- a cultural space in Insa-dong, central Seoul -- offers a one-day class to make a worry doll using hanji, or traditional Korean mulberry paper.

A worry doll is easy to make. First, roll up a piece of hanji for the torso and dress the doll in hanji threads in the color of your choice. Give the doll eyes, lips, arms and legs using black hanji and a cool hairstyle with colored hanji threads. Once you are done, the instructor places the one-of-a-kind worry doll in a glass bottle for you to take home.

Cute handmade items, such as hairbands, rings and postcards, are displayed at Duridu Art Shop. (Park Jun-hee/The Korea Herald)
Cute handmade items, such as hairbands, rings and postcards, are displayed at Duridu Art Shop. (Park Jun-hee/The Korea Herald)

Apart from the one-day doll-making class, the art shop also sells an array of cute handmade items, such as hairbands, rings and postcards.

Duridu Art Shop is open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The one-day class is 29,000 won ($20). For more information, visit the shop's official Instagram account, @duri_du.

Duridu Art Shop

38 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Cafe Comma (Cafe Comma)
Cafe Comma (Cafe Comma)

Quiet book cafe after holiday buzz

If you’re looking for a quiet space to reflect and recharge after the bustle of Christmas, Cafe Comma might just be the perfect spot to ready yourself for the new year.

True to its name, the cafe invites you for a “comma” -- a pause in the middle of the day -- nestled among towering bookshelves and countless volumes. And what better time for a reflective break than now, as we find ourselves between 2024 and 2025?

This bookstore and cafe hybrid offers a cozy place for a retreat surrounded by books. With any drink purchase, you can freely browse and read titles marked for in-store use. And should a book catch your eye, you can take it home right away at a 10 percent discount.

Cafe Comma (Cafe Comma )
Cafe Comma (Cafe Comma )

Seating options range from plush armchairs to roomy sofas where friends can sit side by side, each lost in their own book. Prefer to spread out? Spacious tables make it easy to read, write or chat -- whatever suits your mood.

The Hapjeong branch of Cafe Comma spans five floors, offering plenty of room to work, journal or simply unwind. You can pair your reading session with specialty coffee and organic baked goods, adding a touch of indulgence to your downtime.

You’ll also find Cafe Comma at other locations, including Yeoksam, Yeouido and Hongdae in Seoul, Songdo in Incheon and Gwanggyo in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Cafe Comma is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., closing only on New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok.

Cafe Comma Hapjeong

49 Poeun-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Bar counter with small stalls at Vin's in Seoul (Kim Jae-heun/The Korea Herald)
Bar counter with small stalls at Vin's in Seoul (Kim Jae-heun/The Korea Herald)

Warm and welcoming neighborhood wine bar

Located near Beotigogae Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, wine bar and bistro Vin’s has become a favorite hangout spot for neighborhood residents.

One of the bar’s greatest strengths is its cozy, quiet atmosphere, perfect for casual conversations. The menu offers a wide variety of options, ranging from hearty meals like pasta, chicken and steak to side dishes such as cheese, fruit platters and french fries — all pairing beautifully with alcoholic concoctions. Most menu items are priced under 20,000 won, also making it an affordable choice.

Cheese platter menu served at Vin's in Seoul (Kim Jae-heun/The Korea Herald)
Cheese platter menu served at Vin's in Seoul (Kim Jae-heun/The Korea Herald)

The bar’s name comes from its owner, Bang Geuk-young, who is also a certified sommelier. Bang is often present to offer detailed insights into the wines available and offer personalized recommendations based on customers’ preferences. Adding to its credibility, Vin’s is certified by the Korea International Sommelier Association, ensuring that the wines on the menu are thoughtfully curated.

Beyond wine, the bar also offers a selection of other alcoholic beverages, including draft beer, hard liquors and whiskey. The space caters to various needs with larger tables for year-end gatherings and a counter with smaller stalls for solo visitors. Whether you’re looking for a lively group setting or a quiet moment alone with a drink, Vin’s welcomes all nature of patrons.

Vin’s is open daily from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., except on Sundays.

Vin’s

56 Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Park Jun-hee junheee@heraldcorp.com