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Got cheated hundreds at a hair salon in Seoul. What do I do??
I will be coming back to Seoul in about a week. Never thought this would happen as this salon has an instagram presence and a couple thousand reviews on naver :(
since you have photos and a receipt, post a detailed review on naver with the before and after shots. korean businesses care a lot about their naver ratings, especially smaller salons, and they'll often reach out to make things right once they see a public complaint. avoid places in tourist-heavy zones like hongdae or gangnam station next time, they mark up prices for walk-ins and rush the work. try a salon in seongsu-dong or near hangangjin station where the stylists tend to specialize in one thing, like just perms or just color, and book ahead for a consultation in korean if u can
honestly that 380 bucks figure hurts to read, thats way too much for a same day perm and dye even in gangnam. some of these insta-popular places in hongdae or myeongdong just ride on their social media hype and hire junior stylists who mess up chemical treatments
when you come back, go in person with your receipt and photos of how it looks now. korean salon culture is big on saving face, so if you show up calm but firm and ask to speak to the manager or head stylist, they'll prob offer a free redo or at least partial refund. if they push back, mention you'll report them to the korea fair trade commission through the 1372 consumer hotline, that tends to speed things up
one thing nobody mentioned yet is to check if they used a semi-permanent dye instead of permanent, that would explain it washing out in a day. also the perm might have been over-processed if they did both on the same day, which is a rookie mistake. next time try booking at a salon near euljiro or in the apgujeong side streets where the older master stylists work, they charge similar but actually know what they're doing
oof that sucks, sorry. since you're coming back in a week, try contacting the salon directly first with photos of your hair now, some places will fix it for free to avoid a bad review. if they ghost you, file a report with the Seoul Global Center or the Korea Consumer Agency online, they handle tourist disputes and might get you a refund.
Seoul on a Budget: Tips 2026
Stay in guesthouses or hostels in Hongdae or Myeongdong for as low as 20,000-40,000 won per night. For a private room, try a goshiwon (student housing) starting at 300,… 🏠 Affordable Accommodation
Stay in guesthouses or hostels in Hongdae or Myeongdong for as low as 20,000-40,000 won per night. For a private room, try a goshiwon (student housing) starting at 300,000 won per month. Book directly with the property or use local platforms like Yanolja for discounts.
🍜 Cheap Eats
A bowl of bibimbap or kimchi jjigae at a local restaurant costs 6,000-8,000 won. For budget meals, visit convenience stores like GS25 or CU for triangle kimbap (1,200 won) and instant ramen. Street food like tteokbokki (3,000 won) is filling and cheap.
🚇 Transportation Savings
Use a T-money card for subway and bus rides at 1,400 won per trip, with free transfers within 30 minutes. A day pass costs 5,500 won for unlimited rides. Walk between nearby attractions like Gyeongbokgung and Insadong to save even more.
🎫 Free Attractions
Many palaces, including Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, offer free admission on the last Wednesday of each month. Cheonggyecheon Stream and Namsan Park are always free to explore. Visit Bukchon Hanok Village for a glimpse of traditional Seoul without spending a won.
💰 Local Money-Saving Tips
Locals often use apps like Coupang Eats for discounted meal deliveries or visit traditional markets like Gwangjang Market for cheap, fresh food. Avoid tourist-heavy areas for souvenirs; instead, shop at Daiso for affordable Korean snacks and gifts.
🎭 Free Cultural Experiences
Watch a free traditional performance at the Korea House or at the Namsangol Hanok Village on weekends. Many museums, like the National Museum of Korea, have free permanent exhibitions. Check out Hongdae street performances for live music and dance.
🍺 Nightlife on a Budget
Join a free walking tour of Hongdae or Itaewon to discover cheap bars and pubs. Many places offer happy hour deals from 5-7 PM with 50% off drinks. For a unique experience, visit a pojangmacha (street tent bar) for soju and anju under 10,000 won.
📱 Essential Apps
Download Naver Map for accurate transit directions and KakaoTaxi for affordable rides. Use Mango Plate to find restaurant discounts and coupons. For free Wi-Fi, connect to the city's public network at subway stations and parks.
this is a solid list, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card also works for the airport railroad express (arex) and you can get a discount if you buy a "climate card" from the subway machines for like 62,000 won a month, unlimited rides on seoul metro and buses. also, for free stuff, the seoul city wall hiking trail from naksan park gives you amazing views of the city and bukchon without paying a thing, plus it's way less crowded than namsan. gwangjang market is great but go for the sundubu (7000 won) at the stalls in the back, not the front ones near the entrance which are pricier for tourists
honestly the guide nails it, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card deposit is refundable at any convenience store when you leave, most people forget and just toss it. also for free stuff, the seoul philharmonic does free outdoor concerts at seoul plaza in spring and fall, just show up with a blanket. if you're near hongdae on a friday night, the playground area has buskers that are genuinely talented, way better than the overhyped clubs
i live here and a few things this guide nails. one tip that saves me money is the "climate card" for 62,000 won a month, unlimited subway and bus, even works on the airport express if you're staying a while. for cheap eats, skip the main streets in hongdae and go into the alleys behind the art center, there's a place that does dwaeji gukbap (pork soup) for 7,000 won and it's way better than the tourist spots. also, the seoul city wall trail from naksan park is free and gives you killer views without the namsan tower price tag, way less crowded too