Editor, Min Je Son

Spring in Korea is notoriously short. There's even a running joke among Koreans that spring isn’t really “봄” (which means Spring in Korean), but just the letter “ㅂ”—a fleeting moment. In contrast, “여름”(which means “Summer”) is exaggeratedly drawn out as “여어어어르으으음,” capturing how long and intense it feels. About a decade ago, spring used to last a solid two months. But these days, it barely seems to stretch three weeks—and even that feels generous. 

That’s why it’s important to savor spring while it lasts. The perfect harmony of cool breezes and warm sunshine doesn’t last long. Yet the sweltering summer is already looming over us, ready to take over. Maybe it's just the intense sunlight, but our backs are already sweaty. Still, doesn’t it feel a little too soon? Let’s pretend we don’t notice just yet. The temperature may scream early summer, but the calendar still says spring. And the tail end of spring is still spring—so let’s make the most of it.

When asked what comes to mind first when thinking of spring, the answer is almost always “flowers.” But the beloved cherry blossoms are already gone for the season. So, does that mean flower viewing is over? Not at all. In May, tulips, hydrangeas, and roses bloom in full glory. The weather is bright and pleasant—perfect for enjoying the floral beauty that this time of year has to offer.

Top 4 Spring Flower Viewing Spots in Seoul/Gyeonggi-do (May)

1. Seoul Forest Park

Seoul Forest is a healing space in the heart of the city where you can enjoy a variety of spring flowers even in May. Tulips, daffodils, roses, and many other blooms make it a perfect place for a relaxing walk or picnic.

2. Children’s Grand Park

Located in Gwangjin-gu, Children’s Grand Park offers a wide variety of flowers in bloom throughout May. It’s a popular destination for families, featuring a zoo, amusement rides, and spacious lawns for leisure. This place is very popular for canola flower fields in May.

3. Olympic Park

Situated in Songpa-gu, Olympic Park is another ideal spot for enjoying spring flowers in May. The Songpa Dulle-gil trail near North Gate 2 is especially famous for its scenic flower paths, making it a great place for walking and photography.

4. Seoul Grand Park Rose Garden

Located in Gwacheon, the Rose Garden at Seoul Grand Park comes alive from late May to early June with a stunning array of blooming roses. A rose festival is also held during this time, offering plenty of attractions and photo opportunities.

Also, there are some tips before you enjoy spring flowers. First, check the blooming status before visiting. Flower blooming times vary depending on the species. To avoid disappointment, check real-time flower blooming updates on the official websites or social media of the parks before you go. Second, visit on weekday mornings if possible. Parks can get crowded on weekends and public holidays. Visiting during a weekday morning will allow you to enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere and you’ll be able to take better photos. Third, explore nearby cafes or restaurants. If you want to make the most of your trip, search for good cafés or restaurants near the park in advance.

To fully enjoy spring without regrets, the surroundings of flower-viewing spots are just as important as the flowers themselves. Wouldn’t it be a bit disappointing to end the day with only viewing flowers when there’s so much more to explore? Now that spring is in full bloom in the ever-popular Seongsu-dong, it's the perfect time to enjoy both flowers and a variety of activities. For those looking for a well-rounded date course, combining flower viewing with diverse activities in Seongsu is highly recommended.

Seongsu-dong, located near Seoul Forest Park, is often called the mecca of the latest trends and serves as a gathering place that encapsulates Korea’s current styles. It is filled with trendy and aesthetically pleasing cafés, earning the nickname “Café-sacred place” on social media, and is well-known as a spot that represents the lifestyle of the MZ generation with various exhibitions, pop-up stores, and flea markets taking place. In addition, the area is lined with selected clothing shops, making it a suitable place for shopping.

In Seongsu-dong, the “Sacred place” of the latest trends, many companies prepare various events and attractions in the spring to promote their brands and attract customers. Since it is not far from Seoul Forest Park, enjoying a tour of Seongsu after flower viewing completes a rich and perfect spring outing course. From now on, a simple spring outing course in Seongsu-dong, enjoyable with family or friends, will be introduced. Use this to enjoy the last moments of spring with no regrets.

☞ Seoul Forest Park(Address: 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea)

- Take a flower-filled walk around the Central Lawn and the Insect & Plant Garden trails

☞ Café Dasique(Address: 2F, 6, Yeonmujang 5-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea)

- Savor colorful spring-themed desserts and beverages and capture pretty moments by the window with Dior Seongsu as a picturesque backdrop.

☞ Point of View(Address: 18 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea) -Experience premium stationery and design objects, admire the sophisticated interior and take aesthetic photos using the stylish lighting and displays.

☞ Nonfiction Perfume Pop-up(Address: 14 Seongsui-ro 14-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea)

- Period: May 1 to May 31

- Have fun participating in a 10ml perfume giveaway event and a hands-on booth where you can create your custom scent.

☞ New Balance 990v6 Limited Edition Pop-up

- Period: May 3 to May 12

- An exclusive keyring giveaway is available for 990 purchasers, with a retro-themed exhibition zone and photo booth also on site.

☞ Musinsa Store Seongsu@DaelimChanggo(Address: 74 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea)

- Limited edition items and brand experiences are available, along with shopping for popular women's fashion brands.

- Store signage and digital displays are provided in English, Japanese, and Chinese, and a tax refund kiosk is located at the rear entrance for convenient shopping by international visitors.