Influencer's Pick

Creator Lira's
Gangnam Wellness & Beauty Day

8 wellness & beauty spots in Gangnam personally visited by Russian creator Lira

Lira illustration

Lira

Lira
7 years in Seoul lirais
Russia Video Creator
Lira, who moved to Korea for her love of K-Beauty Lira, who moved to Korea for her love of K-Beauty

Hi Lira! Could you introduce yourself?

Hello! I'm Lira, a video creator from Russia. Living in Korea, I've fallen deeply in love with K-Beauty and primarily create content around cosmetics reviews, K-Beauty trends, and the daily life of a Korean-Russian couple. I believe beauty isn't just about outward appearance — it's a force that makes everyday life more joyful and healthy. That's why every time I discover new beauty and wellness experiences in Gangnam, I feel inspired and reflect them in my content.

How did you come to live in Seoul?

I went to school in Russia through high school. I was very interested in Korean culture and language, so I decided to come to Korea. I eventually moved to Seoul to study Korean at the Ewha Womans University Language Education Center. That was already seven years ago! Before I knew it, Seoul became a big part of my life — I now work here and have built a family. The experiences I've accumulated in Korea form the foundation of my YouTube activities, and I hope to continue serving as a bridge between Korea and Russia.

A foreign wife's mindset — Lira Truly passionate about beauty, wellness, and a healthy lifestyle!

Do you visit Gangnam often? What does Gangnam mean to you?

Seoul has so many things to see and do, but Gangnam is hands down my favorite area! The trendy and vibrant atmosphere gives me energy just by walking around. Best of all, it's home to the second-largest Olive Young flagship store in the country, where you can check out the latest K-Beauty products and trends at a glance. With cafes, restaurants, shopping, beauty, and experience spaces all in one place, I never get bored even after spending an entire day here. I think Gangnam isn't just a commercial district — it's the stage that best showcases Seoul's lifestyle.

Creator Lira's Gangnam Wellness & Beauty Day Course is a guide featuring 8 wellness and beauty destinations in Seoul's Gangnam district, personally visited and recommended by Russian video creator Lira, organized by time of day.

Starting at 8:30 AM with a temple stay at Bongeunsa Temple, the course takes you through sound bath meditation, a healthy lunch, a Korean tea experience, K-Beauty shopping (Olive Young's 1,150 m² flagship store), aesthetic treatments, Chinese cuisine dinner, and tea yoga — a full day in Gangnam dedicated entirely to wellness and beauty.

No. Place Time Category
1 Bongeunsa Temple 08:30 Temple / Meditation
2 Zen Therapy 10:00 Sound Bath / Meditation
3 Positive Hotel 11:30 Healthy Food / Brunch
4 Mumidajeom 13:00 Korean Tea / Dessert
5 Olive Young Gangnam Town 14:30 K-Beauty Shopping
6 Beauty Line-up 16:00 Aesthetic / Skincare
7 Tienmimi 18:00 Chinese Cuisine / Dinner
8 Cha Yoga 20:00 Yoga / Wind-down
Bongeunsa Temple panoramic view 1 Temple / Meditation
08:30

Bongeunsa Temple

Located right behind COEX in the heart of Gangnam, Bongeunsa is a thousand-year-old temple that feels like an oasis in the city. Visit early in the morning and you can experience a temple stay in the serene grounds, as well as participate in programs like 108 bows, tea ceremonies, and meditation. Lira described it as "the morning calm at Bongeunsa makes you feel like you're not in Seoul at all." English-guided programs are available, making it easy for international visitors to participate.

🚶 15 min walk
Zen Therapy sound bath meditation 2 Sound Bath / Meditation
10:00

Zen Therapy

A wellness space where you can experience sound bath meditation. Surrender yourself to the sounds of singing bowls and crystal bowls for a deep relaxation experience. Lira said, "When I close my eyes, the sound wrapping around my entire body is truly something special." Sessions run for 50 minutes, and reservations are required. It's conveniently located near Gangnam Station.

🚶 10 min walk
Positive Hotel healthy brunch 3 Healthy Food / Brunch
11:30

Positive Hotel

A multi-purpose cultural space dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. The first-floor cafe serves healthy brunch dishes and drinks made with organic ingredients, along with a wide selection of vegan menu options. Lira recommended it, saying "The granola bowl at Positive Hotel is delicious and incredibly photogenic." The natural and warm interior is particularly impressive.

🚕 10 min taxi
Mumidajeom traditional Korean tea 4 Korean Tea / Dessert
13:00

Mumidajeom

A tea house offering a modern reinterpretation of traditional Korean teas. You can enjoy a variety of Korean teas — Boseong green tea, Jeju citrus tea, jujube tea, and more — served in beautiful traditional teaware. Lira said, "Russia has a tea culture too, but the delicacy and mindful tea time of Korean tea is a completely different experience." Traditional Korean confections (hangwa) and rice cake desserts are also available.

🚶 10 min walk
Olive Young Gangnam Town exterior 5 K-Beauty Shopping
14:30

Olive Young Gangnam Town

The second-largest Olive Young flagship store in the country, this 1,150 m² shopping paradise brings together the best of K-Beauty trend products. Lira said, "As a K-Beauty creator, this place is like an amusement park! It's where you can discover new products the fastest." There's a dedicated tax refund counter for international visitors, making it convenient for tourists. They also offer experience programs such as personal color analysis and skin assessments.

🚕 8 min taxi
Beauty Line-up aesthetic salon 6 Aesthetic / Skincare
16:00

Beauty Line-up

A premium aesthetic salon in Gangnam specializing in skincare and body care treatments. Lira raved, "The delicate touch and state-of-the-art equipment used in Korean aesthetics are an experience you simply can't find anywhere else in the world." Hydration treatments and lifting treatments are especially popular, and their extensive experience with international clients means you can visit without worrying about the language barrier.

🚕 10 min taxi
Tienmimi Chinese restaurant 7 Chinese Cuisine / Dinner
18:00

Tienmimi

A popular premium Chinese restaurant in Gangnam. You can enjoy a wide range of dishes from authentic Sichuan cuisine to Cantonese dim sum. Lira said, "The charm of Korean-style Chinese food is a world of flavors I never could have imagined in Russia," and recommended the mala tang and dim sum set. The sophisticated interior and private dining rooms make it perfect for a special meal.

🚕 12 min taxi
Cha Yoga studio 8 Yoga / Wind-down
20:00

Cha Yoga

A premium yoga studio that offers the perfect way to end your day. Its unique program combines tea and yoga — before and after class, you can sip warm tea to settle both body and mind. Lira said, "After a full day of exploring Gangnam, the time spent at Cha Yoga is the perfect ending." A variety of beginner-friendly classes are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is Lira?
Lira is a video creator from Russia who runs the YouTube channel 'lirais.' She creates content about K-Beauty, life in Korea, and the daily life of a Korean-Russian couple. She has been living in Seoul for 7 years.
Q. Can this entire course be completed in one day?
Yes, the course is designed to cover all stops in a single day from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM. However, since Zen Therapy and Cha Yoga require advance reservations, we recommend booking your schedule ahead of time.
Q. Can foreigners participate in the Bongeunsa Temple Stay?
Yes, Bongeunsa Temple offers English-guided programs for international visitors. Programs including temple stays, 108 bows, and tea ceremony experiences are conducted in English, and you can make reservations through the Bongeunsa Temple official website.
Q. Can I get a tax refund at Olive Young Gangnam Town?
Yes, Olive Young Gangnam Town has a dedicated tax refund counter for international visitors. Simply bring your passport to receive an on-the-spot tax refund. It applies to purchases above a certain amount.
Q. What is the best way to get around?
We recommend a combination of walking and taxis depending on the route. It's a 15-minute walk from Bongeunsa Temple to Zen Therapy, and 10 minutes on foot from Zen Therapy to Positive Hotel. For the remaining sections, taxis take about 8 to 12 minutes. The Kakao Taxi app is a convenient way to hail a ride.
Q. How much should I budget for this course?
For the full course, expect to spend approximately KRW 200,000–400,000 (about USD 150–300), including meals and cafes (KRW 50,000–80,000), Olive Young shopping (varies by individual), aesthetic treatments (KRW 100,000–200,000), and sound bath/yoga sessions (KRW 30,000–50,000). The Bongeunsa Temple Stay is either free or available for a small donation.
Q. Are there any vegetarian (vegan) dining options on this course?
Positive Hotel offers a healthy brunch menu that includes vegan options, such as granola bowls, salads, and vegan smoothies. Mumidajeom also provides vegan-friendly options, as their menu primarily features traditional Korean teas and confections.
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