Seongwu barbershop which is the oldest barbershop in Seoul (성우이용원)

 

 Entering the back alley of the market in Malli-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, you will find a house with an old sign called 'Seongwu Barbershop'. This is not far from Seoul station, which is filled with tall buildings like the normal center of the city, but it has a completely different atmosphere. It was just like the neighborhood where I lived. So I like there more. 

 

 Seongwu barbershop is the oldest barbershop in Seoul. It has been in its third generation since 1927. (Therefore, it was designated as Seoul's future heritage.) Lee Nam-yeol, who is currently the owner of here, has been cutting hair here for 57 years. He uses four to five kinds of scissors to cut customer's hair and he also uses a 140-year-old razor to shave the customer's beard. Lee Nam-yeol, a barber, said he started hair cut in 1965 when he was 16 years old, but it took him 37 years to master skills. Some of the customers were the customer for 20~30 years. The customers are as old as this barbershop. Customers who have used this place for a long time sometimes wash their hair by themselves after cutting their hair. 

 It takes more than 30 minutes per person because he puts a lot of effort into his working. That often increases the waiting time but time passes fast when you see Lee Nam-yeol cutting his guests' hair in that old space. When you sit there, you may feel like you were traveling in a time machine. This place run by a couple without any employee. Sometimes, when his wife is out, he receives a guest by himself. It used to be possible to have a perm, but now it is only possible to cut, shave and dry due to lack of manpower. 

 The most surprising thing about this place was that most guests didn't request for the hairstyle they wanted. When the customer sits down, the barber picks up the scissors without saying anything and starts cutting hair. Guests trust him and let him do what he wants.  

 

Seongwu barbershop (Korean: 성우이용원)

- Address: 4-1 Hyochangwon-ro 97-gil, Gongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Korean: 서울특별시 마포구 효창원로 97길 4-1 (공덕동 7-30))

 

- Tel: (+82) 02-714-2968

 

- Operation time: Everyday 9:00~18:00 (Close on Wednesday)

 

- Price: 

 

- Video about Seongwu barbershop:

 

 

 

성우이용원

 

 

 This place will stay there unless Lee Nam-yeol, barber, retires. He said he would stop if his eyes were invisible and his left hand began to tremble. He said the key to a haircut is in the left hand. He cuts hair with his right hand but what really matters is in his left hand that doesn't shake the comb against hair. I hope he stays there for a long time. Do you want to have something special in Korea? How about cutting your hair and beard from here? 

 

 

I recommend this restaurant for those who:

- want to experience something special

- want a haircut in Seoul

- have a plan to visit Seoul

- want to visit a place that only locals know

 

 

 

* If you have any questions or need any help regarding the trip to Korea, please send me a message. I am always ready to help you. I hope everyone who visits Korea makes many good memories of Korea. You can search my chatting room in Telegram messenger t.me/welcometokorea