Seoul/Gangnam-Seocho

Gangnam  (강남) is the central district of the southern half of Seoul. Though Jongno and Jung to the north may claim to be the center of Seoul, in many ways Gangnam is the true center, of both Seoul and the entire country. This district has become famous worldwide due to South Korean singer Psy's hit song "Gangnam Style". Believe it or not, fifty years ago this entire area was rice paddies and pear farms. Everything you see here has been built since then, the construction mirroring South Korea's rapid economic rise.

The former spelling the area's name, Kangnam, may still be seen in many addresses.

The other half of the Greater Gangnam Area is Seocho (서초), which is an upscale residential area and home to the headquarters of the electronics giant Samsung. The area is also the main headquarters of The Pinkfong Company, an entertainment company, whose properties include Pinkfong and Baby Shark for the children's song.

Understand
Gangnam in and of itself is large enough to split into two main districts, Apgujeongdong and Cheongdamdong to the north, and Gangnam/Tehranro/Samseongdong to the south. Apgujeongdong and Cheongdamdong are both by the Han River, and earn the distinction of being perhaps the richest neighborhoods in all of Korea. Posh cafes, brand name handbags, Mercedes and Porsches, ritzy department stores, and rows upon rows of luxury brand clothing stores characterize this neighborhood. Unsurprisingly, many of Korea's movie stars and singers make their home here, and are occasionally spotted enjoying some Patbingsu or sporting new sunglasses. There is also a sizable nightlife scene here, though it is relatively laid back compare to the chaos that is Hongdae and Sinchon. Most of it caters to upper-class Korean teenagers and young adults. Strangely enough, the apartment buildings here look no different from the rest of the city; if anything, the apartment buildings here are some of the oldest and shabbiest looking. This can be explained by the fact that the upper-class elite who reside here are fiercely opposed to new renovations and expansions, as they fear an influx of new residents will drive housing prices down and make the area unbearably crowded.

Tehranro, in stark contrast, is a long avenue with many glass skyscrapers running along both sides. Nicknamed "Tehranro Valley", after Silicon Valley, most of Korea's hi-tech companies are headquartered here, such as Naver and Samsung. The east end of Tehranro is Samseong Station, which has COEX and Bongeunsa. Seolleung Station, in the center, has a park with some ancient royal tombs. The west end of Tehranro is Gangnam Station, the busiest subway station in the country. The station opens onto Gangnamro, a futuristic avenue that is bursting with modern skyscrapers, high-end shopping (though not quite as high-end as Apgujeongdong), cafes, bars, restaurants, huge television screens, neon advertisements, and thousands of pedestrians drinking it all in. Strangely overlooked by many tourists and the Seoul Government as a tourist attraction, Gangnamro truly epitomizes the modern, hi-tech country Korea has become in the past 60 years.

Further south, along the Yangjae stream, the area becomes much quieter, with mostly residential tower blocks, parks, and schools. Many families move here to be near cram schools seen as essential to educational success and social advancement.

On the far west end of Seocho-gu is a low-rise, wealthy enclave called Seorae Village. The restaurants, businesses, and schools here are oriented to French expats, but also draw many local visitors.

By plane
Many "limousine" bus routes operate direct service from Incheon and Gimpo airports to locations throughout Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu. These "limousine" buses tend to be very spacious and comfortable. Inform the staff at the airport ground transportation zone of your specific destination, and they can probably find you a bus that takes you very close to there. You can likely return to the airport on this very route as well.

COEX mall at Samseong station houses the ("CALT"), which also provides direct bus service back to the airport. Several airlines operate check-in counters at this bus terminal, allowing you to check in to your flight, drop off luggage, and pass immigration checks prior to boarding the bus. Once at the airport, you can use a special express entrance to bypass the immigration check.

By bus
The is a sprawling transit complex on the north side of Seocho-gu. It serves long-distance routes to all parts of the country, but primarily in the southeast direction towards Busan. Across the street, Central City Terminal serves more routes to the southwest. Both terminals are connected by a vast underground concourse, which also links with subway lines 3, 7, and 9. To the south, the much humbler (line 3) serves several intercity routes.

acts as a de facto bus terminal, connecting line 2 to many street-level bus stops serving routes to Gyeonggi province. serves the same purpose for line 3.

Dozens of Seoul bus routes begin, end, or pass through the Gangnam-Seocho area, which is designated area 4 in the route numbering system. Look for blue and green buses with route numbers with 4 as the first or second digit (e.g. 472). Numerous rapid routes (red buses) also connect the area to suburbs and neighboring cities; check a transit app or bus maps for options.

By metro
Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu are well-served by dozens of subway stations and multiple lines: 2, 3, 7, 9, Shin-Bundang, and Suin-Bundang. Generally, lines 2, 7, and 9 run east-west while the Shin-Bundang and Suin-Bundang lines run north-south, with line 3 nearly circumscribing Gangnam-gu. Major transfer hubs include Express Terminal Station (3/7/9), Gangnam Station (2/Shin-Bundang), and (2, 3). The Bundang lines connect to parts of the Bundang satellite city in the southeast, but continue as far as Suwon to the south and Incheon to the west.

By train
(lines 3 and Suin-Bundang), in the southeast corner of Gangnam-gu, provides high-speed rail service via the SRT train to major cities throughout the country, including Busan, Gwangju, and destinations en route.

Two high-speed commuter rail lines (called GTX-A and GTX-C) are under construction that will connect the area to cities throughout Gyeonggi province, with a massive terminal planned near COEX that will also link Samseong Station (line 2) and Bongeunsa Station (line 9).

By car
The Gyeongbu expressway enters Seoul at the south end of Seocho-gu, with access at multiple interchanges and exits as it passes between Seocho-gu and Gangnam-gu up to where it meets the Han River. The Olympic expressway runs alongside the Han River on the northern boundaries of both boroughs. It connects with the elevated Tancheon expressway, along the eastern boundary of Gangnam-gu.

Despite the wide avenues, traffic congestion in this part of Seoul can be just as bad as the rest of the city, even late at night. Public transportation will usually be the fastest way to get in and out.

See

 * You can reach the Seonjeongneung Station via Line 9 and Bundang Line.
 * You can reach the Seonjeongneung Station via Line 9 and Bundang Line.
 * You can reach the Seonjeongneung Station via Line 9 and Bundang Line.
 * You can reach the Seonjeongneung Station via Line 9 and Bundang Line.

Buy
Apgujeong (압구정), widely known as "The Beverly Hills of Seoul" is the land of luxury, brand name goods. International brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci and Prada sit alongside Korean designer brands.



Near the lies the heart of the Korean shoe scene. Cutting edge shoe shops include Sue Comma Bonnie, Hyaang, Heels and Namuhana.

Famous for its designer clothing boutiques and unique galleries, (가로수 길) is definitely worth a visit. As the main street is adorned by ginkgo trees, the meaning of its name, tree-lined street, is quite literal. Stores of international clothing brands, Korean designers, ateliers, cafés, and restaurants co-exist in this about 750m long street in Sinsa-dong. The easiest way to get to Garuso-gil is by taking the subway to (Exit 8) or  (Exit 5), both being stations of Line 3.

Apgujeong
Apgujeong (압구정) is the upmarket area of Seoul. Walk around the streets and you'll see teenagers valet parking their new Benz or Audi, strutting their new designer threads, and looking generally, well, rich. That said, a lot of people who party here aren't necessarily rich and live far away. Apgujeong is rather subdued when it comes to nightlife though it has a few posh clubs and bars. Places where valet is unavailable are unlikely to be great hits traditionally. There are, however, a few small clubs in the area. Expect English to be more commonly spoken in this area, too, due many Koreans in the area having studied abroad or received a lot of private tutoring. This has also meant, however, a certain desensitization to foreigners, so don't expect people to stare or approach you as much as they would in other parts of Seoul. Consider Apgujeong a great place to hang out, not party. If you want to impress a date for example, this is a great place to go to. The backstreets of Apgujeong tend to sprout and lose new clubs seemingly at random throughout the year, so getting off the main drag from time to time can yield a new "hot club of the month."

Gangnam
Gangnam station (강남) is probably the No. 2 club area in Seoul. Also set up in a grid structure, clubs, bars, restaurants and other entertainment venues decorate this upmarket location. While not as upmarket as Apgujeong, it definitely is busy and lively. If Apgujeong is the place for rich kids to hang out and look cool, Gangnam is the place for those rich kids to party and look sexy. The station is a transit hub and a ton of buses run through the heart of the entertainment area, so finding your way there is extremely easy.

Connect
PC Rooms are available everywhere.