Seoul's Studio 41: The Secret Studio You NEED to See!
Seoul's Studio 41: Secret Studio? More Like Secretly Awesome (And a Few Minor Quirks!) - A Totally Honest Review
Okay, alright, so you're looking for the "secret studio" in Seoul, Studio 41, huh? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip, and let me tell you, I've got a lot to say. Prepare for a review that’s less TripAdvisor and more… well, me spilling the tea (or, you know, green tea latte, depending on the mood).
First Impressions? Good, But Not PERFECT.
Finding the damn place was a bit of an adventure. The GPS, bless its digital heart, tried to send me down a dead-end alley at one point. But finally, voila! Studio 41 appeared. It's pretty unassuming from the outside, which, I guess, adds to the "secret" vibe. The doorman (yes, there is a doorman!) was lovely, though a little stiff, and the lobby… it’s… clean. Very, very clean. And the air conditioning instantly hit you. Pure bliss after the humid Seoul summer.
Accessibility - Mostly There, But I Still Have Questions.
- Wheelchair Accessible? Mostly, yes. There's an elevator (a godsend!), and I saw ramps in certain areas. However, I didn’t check every nook and cranny, so I can't claim 100% accessibility perfection. Double-check if specific accessibility needs are paramount.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: This is where I feel like they’re trying, which is great. They have some amenities, but it’s not super detailed on their website, and this is important, you know? Because someone using a wheelchair might really need a fully accessible room, and this isn’t mentioned - not fully specified, as in, with actual dimensions and photos.
Rooms: Ah, the Sanctuary! (With a Few Minor Gripes)
My room? Chef's kiss. Or as close to a chef's kiss as you can get when you're operating on almost no sleep. I got a room on a high floor, (yay me!) that was spacious, with a killer view. The blackout curtains were phenomenal; I slept like a baby (until jet lag hit me at 4 AM, but hey, can’t blame the hotel for that). The complimentary bottled water was a lifesaver. And the bed? Heavenly. Seriously, the extra-long bed was perfect for stretching out. There was a desk for trying to get some work done (which, let’s be honest, didn’t happen much), a seating area to relax and soak in the view (which did happen), and a lovely sofa where I might have, perhaps, accidentally napped.
Available in All Rooms: This is a lot to unpack. There's air conditioning, but sometimes it gets a little… too chilly. The alarm clock functioned, the bathrobes are comfy (and I may or may not have worn one for breakfast – don’t judge!), the bathroom phone is there (why?), the bathtub is gigantic, and the blackout curtains are the real MVP . There is carpeting, which is usually a plus. The closet is decently sized, the coffee/tea maker is a crucial life-saver. Complimentary tea, daily housekeeping, and desk. The extra-long bed is a gift from the hotel gods. Free bottled water is something to be expected at this price. The hair dryer works. Rooms have high floor access, there’s an in-room safe box, and interconnecting room(s) available. An ironing facilities? Yes! Ironing facilities, and it actually works! Laptop workspace, which I ignored, linens, amazing! Mini bar, mirror, non-smoking, On-demand moves (that I never used). Private bathroom (thank god), reading light, refrigerator, safety/security feature. and more. I did not have the chance to fully inspect all the amenities, but they are all there!
Gripe Alert: The lighting in the bathroom was a tad… clinical. And the Wi-Fi? Okay, here's the thing. Wi-Fi in all rooms, and free Wi-Fi in all rooms - brilliant! But it occasionally had a mind of its own. Some days it was lightning fast, other days… not so much. I'm blaming the humidity.
Internet/Connectivity – The Good, The Bad, and the Occasionally Glitchy
- Internet: Functional, but not always the star of the show. I experienced minor lag spikes in the evenings.
- Internet Access – Wireless/LAN: This is where the hotel shines! The "Internet access – wireless" and "internet access – LAN" are pretty good.
Cleanliness and Safety - They're Taking It VERY Seriously… Possibly TOO Seriously?
The staff clearly takes hygiene seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere (which is a relief, given the current world situation), and the rooms are sanitized between stays. They’ve got anti-viral cleaning products and even offer a room sanitization opt-out, which I appreciated. They are also using daily disinfection in common areas, with a professional-grade sanitizing services. The level of cleanliness actually felt a little overzealous at times, but, hey, I’d rather be safe than sorry.
- Safety/security feature - Smoke detectors are available. There is a fire extinguisher and security is 24-hours. The front desk is operating 24-hours. They have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. Non-smoking rooms, and soundproof rooms are a huge plus.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Adventures Commence!
Oh. My. Goodness. The food! This is where Studio 41 really shines.
Breakfast in Room: I treated myself to this once. It was absolutely decadent, (get the French toast, trust me!), but a bit pricey if you do it every day.
Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet itself was a tour de force. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, everything you could possibly dream of. The Asian cuisine in restaurant offered everything from delicate congee to spicy kimchi. The Western cuisine in restaurant was also a solid choice. There are restaurants, a bar, and even a coffee shop (essential for this coffee addict!). The coffee was excellent. So. Excellent. I definitely visited the coffee shop at least once. The Coffee/tea in restaurant is a must. A la carte in restaurant, and Buffet in restaurant.
Restaurants: Several restaurants with a variety of cuisines. The Happy hour is a must (I may have indulged a teensy bit).
Poolside bar: The poolside bar? Super chill. Perfect for a late-afternoon cocktail. (I opted for the espresso martini. Again, no regrets.) This bar is the best, I can’t live without it!
Poolside Bar: Heaven. And the Pool with view is amazing!
Snack Bar: A handy option for those mid-afternoon cravings.
Desserts in restaurant - absolutely amazing.
Soup in restaurant: A true delight on a chill winter day!
Bottle of water: Essential.
Daily housekeeping: And the staff are attentive and nice.
Room service [24-hour]: A blessing after a long day of exploring the city.
Vegetarian restaurant: There is!
Salad in restaurant: Delicious and fresh.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Pamper Yourself (You Deserve It!)
Okay, so this is where the "secret" part of Studio 41 comes in. They've got an amazing Spa/sauna.
- Pool with view: The Swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous, with a view that'll take your breath away. They also boast a Swimming pool. The pool with view is a must.
- Spa: I had a massage, and it was pure bliss. The masseuse was an angel. Actually, they Spa is incredible.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Sauna, and Steamroom - it’s a whole experience.
- Fitness center: They also offer a gym, but I can’t confirm because I was too busy eating and drinking.
Services and Conveniences: They've Got You Covered (Mostly)
- Concierge: The Concierge was helpful, though a little busy at times.
- Contactless check-in/out: A definite plus in these times.
- Cash withdrawal: Helpful to withdraw cash if needed.
- Currency exchange: Very convenient, if
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is… well, it's me, loose screws and all, experiencing Studio 41 in Seoul. Let's go!
Studio 41: My Seoul-ful Symphony (or, How I Almost Died of Kimchi Overload, and Loved Every Minute) - A Messy Travelogue
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and a Desperate Search for Noodles (Lots of Noodles)
- 6:00 AM (Seoul Time): Landed in Incheon. Did I sleep on the plane? Nope. A tiny, screaming human kept me company. Bless her heart. Now, I’m a zombie with a suitcase and a vague sense of dread that I'd left my passport in my other jacket. (I didn't. Thank Odin.)
- 7:00 AM: Airport chaos. The sheer humidity slapped me like a wet fish. My hair immediately transformed into a frizzy, unmanageable mess. Found the AREX train to Seoul Station, which was surprisingly easy. Score one for efficient public transport!
- 8:00 AM: Arrived at my Airbnb near Hongdae. Cute apartment! But the key situation was a total disaster. Took me a good twenty minutes to figure out the lockbox (still don't fully understand it, tbh). Already starting to feel the full force of jet lag. My brain is… porridge.
- 9:00 AM: The hunger. It’s primal. It's gnawing. I NEED NOODLES. So, I stumbled out, eyes bleary, and found a street vendor serving ramyeon. Oh. My. God. It was…heaven. A spicy, salty, umami-bomb of deliciousness. Pretty sure that bowl saved my life.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Noodle-fueled wanderings. Hongdae is amazing. Street art, indie shops, buskers belting out K-pop. I got thoroughly lost (a recurring theme, I sense) and ended up buying a ridiculously oversized hat. Regret? Maybe. Style? Absolutely not.
- 1:00 PM: Collapsed in a coffee shop. (Needed caffeine to fuel my impending existential dread. And there’s a slight chance I’ll try a coffee shop in every place I go). The barista, bless her, spoke perfect English. I ordered a latte and people-watched for a solid hour, feeling strangely content.
- 3:00 PM: Checked (and re-checked) my itinerary. Realized I didn't actually book any tours or activities. Panic set in, quickly followed by a wave of “meh, I’ll figure it out.”
- 4:00 PM: Back to the Airbnb for a desperately needed nap. Slept for four hours and woke up wondering if I was living in a parallel universe. The jet lag is a beast.
- 8:00 PM: More noodles (obsession justified). This time a jjajangmyeon place. Black bean noodles are the holy grail, people. Seriously. I could eat this every day. And maybe I will.
- 9:00 PM: Attempted Instagram scrolling – got distracted by a video of a cat and ended up watching cat videos. Still do this.
- 10:00 PM: Bed.
Day 2: Studio 41! (Finally!), Bukchon Hanok Village, and So Much Kimchi
- 8:00 AM: Woke up feeling…alive! Jet lag is (maybe) receding. Breakfast (leftovers from yesterday’s noodle adventure) was a culinary masterpiece.
- 9:00 AM: After all that, getting ready to… Studio 41! I'd secured a spot through the official website, so I could get the authentic experience. First, I had to find it. (Getting around Seoul is hard. But in a good way). Took the subway, got off at the right entrance, and finally found it.
- 9:45 AM - 12:00 PM: Studio 41 Experience. Now, this is what I came for! It's a studio that does interactive and immersive experiences, so I went for painting. Okay, let's dive in. I'm not a "painter" in the true sense, but this appealed to my inner child. The staff were super friendly, speaking good English. It was a chill vibe: Good music playing, with plenty of room for us to paint, and an even better view of the city skyline. I’d call the experience "fun," but it was so much more than that. The lighting was perfect—cool, but not cold. The staff were incredibly helpful, offering little tips or color corrections with a smile. I ended up spending 3 hours, totally immersed in my creation. I won't be putting the end result in the Louvre, but I'm incredibly proud of it.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch: Went to a local place near Studio 41 and ordered…you guessed it… Kimchi Jjigae! (Kimchi stew). Okay, maybe a little too much kimchi for a single day. (Honestly, it was amazing though).
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Bukchon Hanok Village. So picturesque! These traditional Korean houses are stunning. Got some killer photos. But…it was crowded. Like, dodging-tourists-with-selfie-sticks crowded. Still, worth the visit for the architectural beauty.
- 3:00 PM: Wandered the streets. Got lost (again). Randomly discovered a tiny tea shop and had a delicious yuzu tea. Heaven.
- 4:00 PM: More kimchi. This time, kimchi pancakes. I’m pretty sure I’m slowly morphing into a giant, kimchi-fueled creature.
- 5:00 PM: The end of the day? I was so full I had to lay down in the airbnb.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner: I just grabbed some kimbap; the rice rolls were delicious.
- 7:00 PM: Netflix and self-loathing. (Kidding…mostly).
- 10:00 PM: Bed.
Day 3: Namsan Tower (Almost Got Lost), Myeongdong, and Soaked Kimchi
- 9:00 AM: Woke up. Did I say bed? I lied. I stayed up until 2 AM!
- 10:00 AM: Spent time at the Namsan Tower. The cable car ride up was pretty cool. The view from the top was breathtaking (even if it was a little hazy). Tried to find the little shop with the love-sculpture locks.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in Myeongdong, a shopping mecca. The sheer energy of the place is dizzying. I sampled street food, mostly deep-fried and delicious. But I was starting to reach kimchi saturation point. My gut felt like a kimchi fermentation tank.
- 1:00 PM: More shopping. Browsed beauty products (Korean skincare is amazing!), but mostly bought things I didn’t need. Tourist trap, check.
- 3:00 PM: This is where it went wrong. Got very lost. Wandered in circles. Almost started crying (mostly because I was hungry). Found a little cafe and ordered a coffee that tasted like… coffee? Maybe I’ll keep that on my "must visits" list.
- 4:00 PM: Found myself, eventually. In an alley. With…a lot of kimchi. So I thought: "When in Rome…" Found a place. Ordered a plate of kimchi.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the Airbnb. More rest.
- 6:00 PM: Okay, so the next time I'm in Seoul, I'm going to try to eat something besides kimchi. (Maybe this time, I'll make it a life goal).
- 7:00 PM: Bed, but I just know I slept until noon, and I was going to miss my flight.
Day 4: Departure (Goodbye, Seoul! I’ll Be Back…for More Kimchi)
- 9:00 AM: Woke up.
- 10:00 AM: Airport.
- 11:00 AM: Flight.
Reflections (and Regrets):
- Kimchi: I overdid it. I know. But also… I don’t regret it.
- Getting Lost: Embrace it! Some of my best experiences came from getting hopelessly turned around.
- Plan: Maybe have a little more of one.
- Seoul: Absolutely incredible city. Diverse, safe, delicious, and full of surprises.
- Me: Still a work in progress. But I survived! And I’m pretty sure I’ll come back. Maybe with a slightly less kimchi-centric diet. (Famous last words).
- Studio 41: Amazing.
Seoul's Studio 41: FAQ - Prepare to be Confused, Amazed, and Maybe a Little Bit Disappointed (But Mostly Amazed!)
The Basics - Or, Where Do We Even *Start*? 🤯
What *is* Studio 41, anyway? Sounds vaguely ominous...
Okay, first off, it's Studio 41. Not "The Studio of Doom." (Although, depending on your photography skills, it *could* feel that way initially! 😉) It's a self-portrait studio in Seoul. And when I say self-portrait, I mean, like, *fully* self-portrait. No photographer needed, no posing guidance (unless you're fluent in Korean, which... I'm not). You're basically given a room, a camera, and the freedom to... well, to make a mess. I mean, take photos. It's a pretty cool concept.
Where is it located? Don't wanna get lost in Seoul...again.
It's in the Hongdae area, which is a student area. A vibrant area. But, ah, finding it... that's an adventure in itself. Seriously. My GPS kept trying to lead me down alleys that, let's just say, smelled suspiciously like kimchi fermenting. Okay, fine, I *think* it was kimchi. But yeah, get the exact address and maybe a screenshot of the route, because Google Maps sometimes has a mind of its own. I ended up just asking a street food vendor for help, and he pointed me in the right direction (after offering me a questionable-looking sausage...).
How much does it cost? 'Cause, you know, broke traveler here.
Pricing varies depending on the package you choose. They have different time slots and options for print size, and even some add-ons. Check their website for sure – do I sound like a travel blogger? Ugh. Anyway, it’s not cheap. But, you know, that's the price of cool, right? And it's a unique experience. I justified it by telling myself, "Self, you'll never get these photos anywhere else!" (And I was probably right).
The Experience - Prepare for Feelings! 🤪
What can I expect *during* the session? Any actual tips?
Okay, buckle up. It's a blast. And also, a bit awkward. You're in a room. By yourself. With a camera. And the pressure to create "art." They give you a remote to trigger the shutter, so... you pose! I personally spent the first five minutes just awkwardly adjusting the lighting. Lighting! I had NO CLUE what I was doing. Then I looked at my options, and it was just... a complete mind-blank.
My BIGGEST TIP: Look at the other people's pictures before you go. REALLY. Like, study them. Get a feel for the angles, the backgrounds, the overall vibe. I didn't do that. I just walked in there, thinking I was some sort of photography genius. Spoiler alert: I am NOT. I was fumbling with the lights, the remote, and my own existential dread. Also, wear interesting clothes! Or at least clothes that *aren't* my usual comfy travel uniform of black everything. Regrets. Major regrets.
Oh, and the music! They let you choose your own music (which is a huge plus!), so be ready with a playlist. I went with, like, a random mix of K-pop and angst-ridden indie rock, which was... interesting. Probably not the best mood setter, but whatever.
What if I'm COMPLETELY awkward in front of a camera? Like, *really* awkward.
Oh, honey, you're in good company. I am *the* reigning queen of camera awkwardness. I have a resting "deer in headlights" face. If you're shy, *anticipate* the awkwardness! That's half the battle. Let it happen! Use it! Embrace the silliness. Try different poses, even the ones that feel ridiculous. Pretend you’re a supermodel (even if you feel like a confused potato). One of my favorite shots was me just laughing hysterically because I'd just fallen over trying a "sexy" pose. That's the beauty of it - it's YOU. Messy, real, and (hopefully) hilarious.
What's the actual *quality* of the photos like?
Okay, this is where the "depending on your skills..." comes in. The equipment is GREAT. Seriously, top-notch. The cameras are pro-level, and the lighting options are plentiful. But... if *you* don't know how to use them, well... you're at the mercy of trial and error. Expect a few blurry ones. Expect some overexposed ones. Expect some where you're mid-blink. That's part of the fun! The prints are on nice paper, though, and they look great! So, overall, the *potential* is incredible. My actual results? Mixed bag. But, hey, that's part of the adventure, right?
The Aftermath - The Good, the Bad, and the "Oh, God, What Was I Thinking?!" 🥴
So, are you going to go again?
Absolutely. Maybe. I don't know! Honestly, I had such a whirlwind of feelings after. I loved it! I hated it! I was exhausted! I was exhilarated! I looked at the photos and thought, "Wow, I'm actually kind of cool!" And then I cringed at another photo and thought, "Oh, dear God, what *was* I thinking?" I guess I would. If only to try and take better pictures this time. And because, admit it, there's something oddly compelling about seeing yourself in a series of self-portraits. And, hey, it's a great way to document a trip. Assuming, of course, you don't hide all the photos in a drawer, never to be seen again. Which, I haven’t (yet!).
Is it worth it for *everyone*?
Not everyone, no. If you're the type who hates being in photos or are terrified of not knowing what you're doing, you might experience more stress than anything else. If you hate a little bit of mess, skip it. If you're super picky about your photos, perhaps bring a friend along who does photography. But if you're up for a fun, awkward, creative, and potentially disastrous experience, then yes! Totally. Give it a go. Just... prepare to laugh at yourself. A *lot*.
