yeah i've used them a couple times, the one near gangnam station. process is straightforward, they take ur prescription and u pick frames from the wall, then they make them in the back while u wait. english was fine when i went, the staff there are used to tourists. just know the quality is what u'd expect for the price, like the frames aren't gonna last years but they're fine for a backup pair or daily beater. if u want something nicer i'd go to davich instead, but for speed and price alo does the job

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I've walked past their Hongdae location a few times and it's usually busy, which is a decent sign. They do have English-speaking staff at that branch, at least the last time I was in the area, so you shouldn't have trouble communicating. The whole one-hour thing is real if you pick from their in-stock frames, but if you want a specific brand or lens coating it might take a couple days. I'd say it's a solid option if you're in a hurry and not looking for anything too fancy.

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I actually used Alo near Sinsa station a few months ago when my regular pair broke right before a trip. The whole process took about 40 minutes including picking frames and they had an English menu on the tablet for lens options. One thing nobody mentioned to me beforehand is that their basic anti-scratch coating is included in the price, but the anti-reflective is a separate add-on that runs about 20,000 won extra. For the money it's fine, just don't expect the hinges to feel premium.

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honestly this is a really good base itinerary, i've lived here for a few years and i'd tweak a couple things based on actual experience

for day 1, if you're doing gyeongbokgung and bukchon, you're gonna be walking a lot. the ground in bukchon is uneven and those hanok alleys have steep stairs. wear actual walking shoes not cute sneakers. i made that mistake once and my feet were done by 2pm

the gwangjang market rec is spot on but go to the second floor if you want a seat. the first floor stalls are packed and people hover over your shoulder while you eat. there's a little spot up the stairs called mayak kimbap that does the tiny seaweed rolls for like 3,000 won and they're addictive

for day 2, coex mall is fine but honestly the starfield library is just a photo op. if you're there anyway, the coex aquarium is actually pretty good and not as crowded as the main tourist ones. 30,000 won entry but the mermaid show at 2pm is surprisingly fun

namsan tower at night is nice but the cable car line can be 40 minutes on weekends. if you're fit, hike up from the namsan park entrance near hankook university of foreign studies. takes about 25 minutes and you skip the queue entirely. free too

one thing nobody mentions is that the

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tbh this is a really well put together guide, the neighborhood grouping thing is key. one thing i'd add is that the t-money card works for the airport express too, but you have to tap separately at the all stop train gate vs the express one. saves you buying a separate ticket if you're coming from incheon

for day 1, if gyeongbokgung is closed on a tuesday, swap it for changdeokgung instead. it's a 10 minute walk east and the secret garden tour there is 8,000 won extra but totally worth it. the huijeongdang pavilion has this quiet courtyard that feels like a different century compared to the main palace crowds

day 3's itaewon rec is solid but for a more local nightlife vibe, head to haebangchon just up the hill. it's the same neighborhood basically but less touristy bars and more rooftops with a view of namsan. the fried chicken at a place called bbq chicken near the hbc church is my go-to after a long hike

one thing the guide left out is that most cafes in hongdae and insadong have a free refill policy on americanos if you ask. just bring the receipt back to the counter, saves you like 5,000 won per cup

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solid guide, one thing that always trips people up is the subway exit situation. some of the bigger stations like gangnam or hongdae have like 8 or 9 exits and they can be a 5 minute walk apart underground. i usually screenshot the exit number from naver map before i go up because guessing wrong means walking an extra block in the wrong direction above ground

for your day 2, if you are at coex anyway, skip the mall food court and walk over to samseong station exit 5. there is a little alley with three spots that do soondae and dukbokki for like 4,000 won. the older lady at the middle cart has been there for years and her sauce is way better than the tourist spots in myeongdong

the banpo bridge show is nice but honestly the view from the pedestrian bridge right next to it is just as good and way less crowded. just walk up the stairs at the sebitseom island end and you get the same water light thing without the crowd pushing for a photo

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