Three months is a good chunk of time. If you want to get out of the Itaewon bubble, take the subway out to Mangwon-dong for a day. It's a quieter neighborhood near Hongdae but feels totally different. There's a small market street with a few old-school bakeries and a really good handmade dumpling place called Mangwon Mandu that costs like 3,000 won for a huge plate.

For making friends, skip the language exchange apps and go to a jjimjilbang late at night. The one near Seoul Station, Dragon Hill Spa, is open 24 hours and you'll end up chatting with strangers in the sauna rooms or the food court. It's a weird but very Korean way to meet people, and everyone is too tired to be awkward about it. Also check out the Seoul Lantern Festival on Cheonggyecheon Stream if it's running while you're there, the whole thing is free and packed with locals.

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honestly 3 months in itaewon is a solid base but you'll get sick of the expat bubble fast. for making friends check out the gongdeok/dongjin market area on a friday night - there's a spot called "the river" that does cheap beer and live music with a mixed local/foreign crowd. way less clubby than itaewon's main drag.

for hidden stuff go to seonyudo park - it's a former water treatment plant turned into gardens on an island in the han. takes like 20 mins from you on the subway and its dead quiet on weekdays. also the jeongdong observatory near deoksugung is free and gives u a killer view of the city without the myeongdong tourist chaos.

for meeting koreans your age try the seoul global center in jongno - they run free language exchange and cultural workshops that actually get real locals not just other travelers. also the hongdae playground area after 10pm has random people just sitting on mats drinking and playing guitar. bring some soju and sit down, nobody cares

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ngl 3 months in itaewon is gonna be fun but yeah you'll want to escape sometimes. for a totally different vibe hit up euljiro - it's this old industrial area that's becoming artsy but still feels raw. there's a building called seoul salon that's basically a multi-floor maze of tiny galleries and workshops in an old printing factory. go on a thursday night and you'll find random openings where people just hand you free wine and you can talk to whoever's standing next to you

for friends try the seoul hiking club on meetup - they do bukhansan every saturday morning and it's like 80% koreans in their 20s/30s who actually want to chat with foreigners. bring proper shoes tho the rocks are no joke. also there's a vinyl bar in haebangchon called gilmoto that's super small and the owner will just put on records and chat with you if it's quiet. it's a 10 min walk from itaewon station but feels like another world

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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

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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

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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

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