Tour The Ritzy Seoul District That Inspired Viral Hit 'Gangnam Style'

2012年09月20日T20:51:00Z

Facebook Email X LinkedIn Copy Link Impact Link

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? .

Gangnam Psy Style Seoul

YouTube

Korean pop sensation Psy has exploded in the US thanks to his viral hit, "Gangnam Style." The music video has so far garnered over 221.5 million hits on YouTube, and Psy has been featured on a number of American television programs, including "Today," "Good Morning America," and "Ellen."

The video mocks the opulence and showiness of Gangnam-gu, a wealthy Seoul neighborhood that's known for its materialism and superficiality, as well as nightlife, cafes, and shopping.

But apart from the silly choreography and catchy chorus, the dance hit also supposedly contains a subversive message about class and wealth in Korea, posits The Atlantic's Max Fisher.

More than anything, Gangnam is a haven of wealth. It's home to around 1% of Seoul's total population.

Gangnam Psy Style Seoul

YouTube

Source: AP

Here is an aerial view of Gangnam-gu in South Korea. "Gangnam" literally means "South of the river." The district is about half the size of Manhattan.

Gangnam Seoul Aerial View

Wikimedia

Source: AP

Gangnam-gu is considered to be the most affluent district in all of South Korea. The average apartment there costs about 716,000,ドル an amount that would take an average South Korean household 18 years to earn, according to the AP

Downtown Gangnam

Wikimedia

Source: AP

Because Gangnam is near the Han River, it has a huge culture of boating, beaches, and even wind surfing.

One of Gangnam's most famous cafes is called Baek Eok (100억), which means 10 billion in English.

Baek Eok Gangnam Cafe Seoul Korea

mushman1970 | Flickr

Drinking expensive coffee is a major way that Gangnam dwellers display their wealth. This is a cafe latte from the famous 5cijung Cafe.

5cijung cafe gangnam Korea

ubee0909 | Flickr

But more than anything, Gangnam is known for its nightlife. Here is one of the most popular clubs, Club Eden.

Club Eden Gangnam Seoul Korea

marina.bijelic86 | Flickr

This is Club Mass known for its hard-to-please bouncers at the door.

Club Mass Gangnam Seoul

music.on | Flickr

Many world-famous DJs can be found at Gangnam clubs. Here's Dead Mau5 at Club Answer.

Club Answer Dead Mau5 Gangnam Korea

Shin2chi |Flickr

Viewed from the sky at night, Gangnam resembles NYC or Tokyo.

Streets of Gangnam Seoul Korea

☺Yoshi☻ | Flickr

Much like in NYC, large billboard advertisements and neon signs are everywhere on the street of Gangnam.

Gangnam Street View

Jon Ã...slund | Flickr

Companies such as Google and IBM have headquarters in Gangnam, leading the district to be considered a major technology center. Google can be found on Tehranno Street.

Tehranno Gangnam Street Seoul

zane2hyperzane | Flickr

The COEX Mall, the largest underground shopping center in all of Asia, can be found in Gangnam.

Coex Mall Seoul Gangnam Korea

Coex Convention and Exhibition Center

Besides hundreds of stores, COEX Mall has a casino, arcades, an aquarium, and much more.

Inside Coex

JJ: | Flickr

Gangnam shopping is one of the most popular pastimes for both domestic and international tourists in Seoul.

Coex Mall Seoul Gangnam Korea

Seoul Korea | Flickr

Close to the modern COEX Mall is the Buddhist Bongeunsa Temple.

Bongeunsa Temple Seoul Korea Gangnam

Wikimedia

It was built in 794 AD and even has a "Temple Stay Program" where tourists can lead the life of a monk for a few hours.

Inside Bongeunsa Temple Seoul Korea Gangnam

kibutata | Flickr

Another popular shopping destination is Gangnam's Galleria department store.

galleria department store

decaf | Flickr

Here's a close up of the Galleria's front facade with 4,330 glass discs mounted to the outside.

Galleria department store close up

Gabriel White | Flickr

Tourists can find a range of both modern and traditional goods on Apjugeong Street.

Streets of Gangnam

sellyourseoul | Flickr

And for those who want to shop at high-end boutiques, head over to Garosugil ("tree-lined") Street.

Garosugil Street Gangnam Korea

jovijovijovi | Flickr

Garosugil offers a mixture of cafes, boutiques, and designer name shops.

Garosugil Street Gangnam Korea

那些时刻 | Flickr,

40 years ago, much of what is now Gangnam used to be farmland.

Gangnam Seoul

Wikimedia

If you haven't seen the video yet, watch it below.

[フレーム]

Now check out a more local Korean neighborhood

koreatown

Meredith Galante/Business Insider

Tour The Ritzy Seoul District That Inspired Viral Hit 'Gangnam Style'

More than anything, Gangnam is a haven of wealth. It's home to around 1% of Seoul's total population.

Here is an aerial view of Gangnam-gu in South Korea. "Gangnam" literally means "South of the river." The district is about half the size of Manhattan.

Gangnam-gu is considered to be the most affluent district in all of South Korea. The average apartment there costs about 716,000,ドル an amount that would take an average South Korean household 18 years to earn, according to the AP

Because Gangnam is near the Han River, it has a huge culture of boating, beaches, and even wind surfing.

One of Gangnam's most famous cafes is called Baek Eok (100억), which means 10 billion in English.

Drinking expensive coffee is a major way that Gangnam dwellers display their wealth. This is a cafe latte from the famous 5cijung Cafe.

But more than anything, Gangnam is known for its nightlife. Here is one of the most popular clubs, Club Eden.

This is Club Mass known for its hard-to-please bouncers at the door.

Many world-famous DJs can be found at Gangnam clubs. Here's Dead Mau5 at Club Answer.

Viewed from the sky at night, Gangnam resembles NYC or Tokyo.

Much like in NYC, large billboard advertisements and neon signs are everywhere on the street of Gangnam.

Companies such as Google and IBM have headquarters in Gangnam, leading the district to be considered a major technology center. Google can be found on Tehranno Street.

The COEX Mall, the largest underground shopping center in all of Asia, can be found in Gangnam.

Besides hundreds of stores, COEX Mall has a casino, arcades, an aquarium, and much more.

Gangnam shopping is one of the most popular pastimes for both domestic and international tourists in Seoul.

Close to the modern COEX Mall is the Buddhist Bongeunsa Temple.

It was built in 794 AD and even has a "Temple Stay Program" where tourists can lead the life of a monk for a few hours.

Another popular shopping destination is Gangnam's Galleria department store.

Here's a close up of the Galleria's front facade with 4,330 glass discs mounted to the outside.

Tourists can find a range of both modern and traditional goods on Apjugeong Street.

And for those who want to shop at high-end boutiques, head over to Garosugil ("tree-lined") Street.

Garosugil offers a mixture of cafes, boutiques, and designer name shops.

40 years ago, much of what is now Gangnam used to be farmland.

If you haven't seen the video yet, watch it below.

Now check out a more local Korean neighborhood

An Insider's Tour Of Koreatown, A Slice Of Seoul In The Middle Of Manhattan >

Read next