Hongdae Nail Art and Eyelash Perm at NailKimlee

A fresh set of nails can be a small but satisfying Seoul souvenir, and NailKimlee makes the appointment part of a Hongdae day out. The salon offers one-color manicures with glitter accents, more detailed nail art, pedicures, and a mascara-style eyelash perm. Its location between Hongdae and Hapjeong makes it easy to pair with nearby shops and cafés.

I like two things in particular: the careful, adjustable approach to nail shaping and design, and the chance to show a photo or browse examples with basic English or fluent Chinese support. One consideration: the advertised price covers a specific package, not every design or gel removal, so ask about any extra cost before work begins.

At a glance

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• A central Hongdae-area address: NailKimlee is at 30-32 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, around a 9-minute walk from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9 or 7 minutes from Hapjeong Station Exit 3.
• Several beauty options: Choose a simple gel manicure, a pedicure, a nail-art package, a hand-and-foot combination, or a mascara eyelash perm.
• Two glitter accents are included in the basic manicure: The one-color hand package includes premium glitter points on two fingers, plus premium oil and a cream finish.
• Bring a design reference: You can show the technician a screenshot, and you can discuss nail length, shape, color, and possible changes.
• Plan for extra charges: More elaborate art and gel removal cost extra, with removal fees based on nail condition.
• Book carefully: The salon is open Wednesday through Monday, 11:00 to 21:00, and closed Tuesdays. Arrive at least 15 minutes early.

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A small salon stop between Hongdae and Hapjeong

NailKimlee sits in the Jandari-ro area, between two of Seoul’s popular neighborhoods and near SangSang Madang. That location is useful if you want to make a beauty appointment part of a day in Hongdae rather than travel across town for it. The walk is about 600 meters from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9, or 500 meters from Hapjeong Station Exit 3.

The address is more helpful than relying on the salon name alone: enter 30-32 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul into your map app. The entrance and shop are described as cute and easy to spot, but allow a little time to find the door, especially if you are navigating unfamiliar streets. The walk from Hapjeong is slightly shorter.

The salon is reservation-only. Arriving 15 minutes early is not just a polite extra; it gives you a cushion to find the place, settle in, and start on schedule. If you are more than 10 minutes late, the booking is automatically canceled without a refund, so this is not the appointment to squeeze between two tightly timed activities.

Choosing between a simple manicure and custom art

The most straightforward package is Nail One-Color with premium glitter points on two fingers, listed from US$37.65. It includes slippers, the one-color nail service, two glitter accents, premium oil, and a cream finish. If you want a polished look without choosing a design for every nail, this is the sensible starting point.

For more detail, the Hongdae Nail Art package starts from US$49.69. You can browse designs at the salon or bring a reference image on your phone. A photo gives the technician a clear starting point, but it is still worth talking through the shape, length, and details you want. The final design can cost more than the package price, so ask for the price before you agree to add anything.

Other choices include a one-color pedicure with glitter on two toes, from US$45.19, and a combination package with one-color hand nails plus a foot glitter thumb point, from US$90.35. The mascara eyelash perm package, which includes a black nourishing serum product, starts at US$64. These packages address different needs, so compare the service itself rather than treating the lowest starting price as the price for every option.

Prices can vary, and the activity summary gives a starting figure of US$41.45 while individual package prices start at different amounts. Check the amount for the exact option and date you select. Design upgrades and gel removal are additional, paid at the salon, and you can decline optional additions.

What the appointment feels like

The salon is described as cozy and clean, with a style that fits its Hongdae setting. The appointment is personal rather than a large-group activity, and the technician can focus on your choices and check details as the work progresses. That matters if you care about a particular nail shape or want to make small adjustments instead of leaving the result entirely to chance.

For a manicure, expect time for nail preparation as well as polish and art. Careful shaping and cuticle work are recurring strengths of the service. One nail-art appointment took about 1 hour and 45 minutes, a useful planning guide, though your session can take longer if you choose intricate artwork or need existing gel removed. Removal may add around 30 minutes, and its fee depends on the condition of your nails.

The technician may ask you to confirm the shape, length, or color along the way. That back-and-forth is worth using: speak up early if you want a shorter shape, a different shade, or a simpler design. Basic English is available, and Chinese support is fluent. Communication is not guaranteed to cover every technical nuance, so a screenshot and a few clear preferences can help.

Customers have described the technician’s movements as gentle and the work as precise, including when tidying cuticles or working with brittle, short nails. If your nails have a physical condition the technician should know about, note it during the reservation. The salon does not accept requests for a particular technician.

Is the price good value?

For a Seoul beauty appointment, the starting prices make this a reasonable option if you want careful work in a convenient neighborhood. The base manicure includes two glitter accents and finishing products, rather than only a plain coat of color. The larger value, though, is the attention to preparation and the chance to discuss the design as it takes shape.

Custom art changes the calculation. The Hongdae Nail Art package starts at US$49.69, but the design you choose may bring an extra charge. Gel removal also costs extra, with the fee set according to nail condition. If you have existing gel, mention it when booking and allow extra time; do not assume it is included in the package.

You can keep the appointment within a predictable budget by choosing the basic one-color option and asking about any additions before the technician starts them. If you have a precise design in mind, send or show a reference and confirm the quoted price. The salon says additional charges are explained and optional, which gives you a chance to decide rather than accept an unexpected upgrade.

Nail art, pedicure, or eyelash perm?

The nail-art package is the best fit if the design itself is the point of the visit. There are styles to choose from, and bringing an image is a practical way to explain a look you have already settled on. If you prefer a simpler result, the one-color manicure with two glitter details offers a little decoration without committing to a more elaborate design.

A pedicure makes sense if you are already setting aside time for nail care and want to combine hand and foot services. The listed pedicure package includes one color and glitter on two toes. The hand-and-foot option, from US$90.35, combines one-color hand nails with a glitter point on the foot thumb. Check the details carefully, since those accents are not the same as full nail art across every nail.

The eyelash option is a mascara-style perm with a black nourishing serum product, from US$64. The available information does not specify its duration or explain the exact steps, so ask the salon if timing or technique is important to your plans. This service may suit you if you want an eyelash treatment rather than a manicure, but it is a separate package, not an included add-on to the nail services.

Timing, access, and booking details

NailKimlee is open Wednesday through Monday, 11:00 to 21:00, and closed every Tuesday. All services require a reservation. Your voucher is valid only for the date and time specified, so make sure the appointment fits your Seoul schedule before you book.

Changes made at least two days before the activity are free. A full refund is available if you cancel at least 48 hours before the activity date, using local destination time. Once a reservation is confirmed, last-minute changes or cancellations on-site are non-refundable. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, the reservation is automatically canceled and there is no refund.

Show your mobile voucher when you arrive. Same pricing applies to all ages. Design upgrades and gel removal are paid on-site, and the fee for removal varies with nail condition. Since removal can add about 30 minutes, include it in your time plan rather than scheduling another appointment right afterward.

Who will enjoy NailKimlee most?

I would consider NailKimlee if you are staying or spending the day around Hongdae or Hapjeong and want a beauty appointment that feels personal. It is especially appealing if you like choosing a design, want the technician to check your preferences as the work proceeds, or need a little help communicating in English or Chinese.

It also suits a small group or family outing, provided everyone books and arrives on time. The main limitation is the need to plan around a reserved time, plus possible extra fees for intricate art or gel removal. If you want an exact price and a quick, short appointment, confirm the design and removal costs in advance.

Should you book NailKimlee?

Book NailKimlee if the location works for your itinerary and you value careful nail preparation, a wide choice of styles, and the ability to discuss your design. The one-color package is a clear choice for a restrained manicure; custom art offers more room for personality, but budget for a possible surcharge. For an eyelash perm, confirm the timing and service details before committing.

I would arrive early with a reference photo, a preferred nail shape in mind, and a clear idea of how much you want to spend. That small bit of preparation makes it easier to enjoy the appointment and leave time for the rest of Hongdae.

FAQ

Where is NailKimlee?

The address is 30-32 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The salon is between Hongdae and Hapjeong, near SangSang Madang.

How do I get to NailKimlee by subway?

It is about a 9-minute walk, or 600 meters, from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9. From Hapjeong Station Exit 3, it is about a 7-minute walk, or 500 meters.

What days is the salon open?

NailKimlee is open Wednesday through Monday, from 11:00 to 21:00. It is closed every Tuesday.

Do I need a reservation?

Yes. All services are by reservation only.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your reservation time. Arrivals more than 10 minutes late result in automatic cancellation without a refund.

What does the one-color manicure package include?

It includes a one-color nail service, premium glitter points on two fingers, premium oil, a cream finish, and slippers.

Are nail designs or gel removal included in the package price?

Additional design work may cost extra. Gel removal also costs extra, with the fee based on the condition of your nails. Both are paid on-site.

How long can gel removal add to the appointment?

If gel removal is needed, treatment time may increase by about 30 minutes. The removal fee varies according to nail condition.

What language support is available?

The salon offers basic English communication and fluent Chinese support.

Can I change or cancel my reservation?

Changes made at least two days before the activity are free. A full refund is available for cancellations made at least 48 hours before the activity date, in destination local time. Last-minute changes or cancellations on-site are non-refundable.