HIT IT GANGNAM STYLE

Inside Gangnam, Seoul’s most affluent and ritzy neighbourhood

- Gabriel Martin

One of the most popular pop culture moments in the last decade took place in 2012 when K-pop star PSY launched his international mega-hit “Gangnam Style” —popularising Seoul’s most affluent district to the entire world with its addictive beat. Also known as South Korean’s Beverly Hills, the notoriously ritzy Gangnam is home to luxury fashion houses, plastic surgery clinics as well as the rich and famous — including some of the country’s biggest celebrities in the entertainment industry.

Gangnam, which means ‘south of the river’ is also laden in cultural nuances thanks to its rich historical sites. One can stroll around Samneung Park that holds the burial grounds of kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty, which have been inducted as UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2009. Besides, the Bongeunsa temple that’s located in the middle of the metropolitan city is a great place to immerse into the serenity of the Buddhist mantras surrounded by manicured landscapes.

Beyond the fandoms, glitz and glamour, Gangnam is quite the charming neighbourhood to explore for its cultural sites, endless shopping, authentic Korean food and exciting nightlife. And the best way to explore this affluent neighbourhood is by being in the centre of it all.

Local food market, Image Credit: Moujib Aghrout

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