First escape room in Hongdae, Seoul: DELIVER level 4 at Cube Escape
In short
Cube Escape Hongdae Branch is an escape room café on the 4th floor of Mugwang Building on Yangwha-ro 16-gil in Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul, and it runs 8 themes. A first-time player booked DELIVER, a horror theme rated 4 out of 5 for difficulty, played the full 1 hour, used all 4 hints and found the handcuff key but never got to use it, so the escape failed. Even without escaping, DELIVER was immersive enough to forget the summer heat, though beginners are better off starting with an easier theme.
Good to know
- Location
- 4th floor, Mugwang Building, 15 Yangwha-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Hours (Mon–Thu)
- 11:00 – 23:45
- Hours (Fri–Sat)
- 10:00 – 00:05 (late-night hours)
- Hours (Sun)
- 10:00 – 23:45
- Day before public and temporary holidays
- 10:00 – 24:00
- Number of themes
- 8 in total
- Theme chosen
- DELIVER (difficulty 4 out of 5)
- Playing time
- 1 hour
- Hints
- Up to 4 hints through 1 smartphone, plus 1 electronic memo board
- Facilities
- Slippers to change into, waiting area, restroom inside, lockers and chargers
as written by the visitor on Aug 7, 2026
I went to Cube Escape Hongdae Branch, a Hongdae escape room café that made me completely forget the summer heat!
Location: 4th floor, Mugwang Building, 15 Yangwha-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea Hours: Weekdays (Mon–Thu): 11:00 - 23:45 Weekends (Fri–Sat): 10:00 - 00:05 (late-night hours) Sunday: 10:00 - 23:45 Day before public/temporary holidays: 10:00 - 24:00
Why an escape room in the middle of a Seoul summer?
It was so hot I didn't even have energy to move, but I still wanted to play something without exerting myself too much. There wasn't a horror movie good enough to make me forget the heat, so I went and did an escape room in-per-son instead! It was my first escape room ever in my whole life... and it was genuinely so much fun!!
How to get to Cube Escape Hongdae Branch
The Cube Escape Hongdae Branch I visited was through the building entrance next to the mart, then up to the 4th floor.
Since I was going to do it anyway, I wanted somewhere genuinely scary, so I looked around and this place seemed like the best escape room in Hongdae. As soon as I stepped inside, the café was full of eerie decor and props.
To move around more freely, I changed into slippers before entering.
Waiting area and what to do before the game starts
Before starting, the waiting area was really well set up too. It was so hot outside that I sat and cooled off there before beginning.
There was even a restroom inside, which was convenient. Since I'd signed up for the 1-hour experience, I made sure to drink water and use the restroom beforehand.
While resting a bit, I signed a waiver and watched the customer guide video. It explained in detail how to enjoy the experience.
The 8 themes at Cube Escape Hongdae and how to book
Cube Escape Hongdae Branch has a total of 8 themes ready to play! I made a reservation in advance before going.
You can book through Naver too, but I booked through the official website since it shows more detailed theme descriptions and which themes are available at which time slots. (Once you book, you get a text reminding you to arrive at the store 10 minutes before your time.)
There were a variety of themes and difficulty levels, so I chose after reading the descriptions. I booked DELIVER (difficulty 4/5).
Before starting the actual escape room, I put my belongings in a locker provided at the store. There was also a separate charger, so I could charge my phone while playing, which was great.
DELIVER, difficulty 4: all 4 hints used and still no escape
We walked in with our eyes closed all the way to the inner room!! It made everything feel even more tense and thrilling.
After going in, listening to the instructions, and the moment the timer started — my mind went completely blank, I was so flustered. I didn't think my brain could freeze up that badly. Before starting, they give you 1 smartphone for using hints (up to 4 hints) and 1 electronic memo board, and I used a hint the second we started. Then my friend and I solved a few puzzles together before just using up all the rest.
Oh, and — we were so focused on the puzzles that when we found the handcuff key, we didn't realize it was for unlocking handcuffs and thought it was a hint for a different lock lol lol lol. It ended without us ever using the key, which was absurd. I really learned that you have to double-check you're actually using the clues you find correctly...
Is a Hongdae horror escape room a good pick for beginners?
This was my very first escape room, and I really think Cube Escape Hongdae Branch was the perfect place to try it! While waiting, I could faintly hear other teams playing, and the screaming sounded like so much fun, haha.
The theme I played had great content and the room's atmosphere was so well put together that I completely forgot the heat and just focused on escaping and having fun! Even though I didn't escape, solving the puzzles gave me such a dopamine rush that it was incredibly enjoyable, and I thought next time it'd be even more fun to try an easier difficulty, haha! For a chilling horror escape room this summer, Cube Escape Hongdae Branch — I really recommend it~!
Location: 4th floor, Mugwang Building, 15 Yangwha-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea Hours: Weekdays (Mon–Thu): 11:00 - 23:45 Weekends (Fri–Sat): 10:00 - 00:05 (late-night hours) Sunday: 10:00 - 23:45 Day before public/temporary holidays: 10:00 - 24:00
Where it is
4th floor, Mugwang Building, 15 Yangwha-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 마포구 양화로16길 15 무광빌딩 4층
