Seoul’s Shinjiku – Gangnam Station 강남역
There is an area of Seoul where the young come out to play. Just old enough to go stay out late, but not that late. Known by the subway station nearby, Gangnam Station 강남역, this area is arguably the most popular area in Seoul. Brimming with shops, restaurants, and street vendors, this chilly night appeared to me that it hardly made a dent in foot traffic. Thigh high boots girls and suave dudes stood out as we were strolling around.
Interestingly, there were these tall towers on the main street with large screens, which featured internet touch screen devices. It showed basic directly information and some online access. One cool thing about it, was that you could take a snapshot of yourselves and email it or SMS. Seoul truly is an interconnect internet city.
As we walked around, we spotted a small arcade, as a group of Taiwanese tourist walked by. Perhaps just to warm up, we stepped inside. There were these DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) games in which you used your hands, rather than your feet. I thought this was more like Whack-A-Mole, than DDR.
Bars, Lounges, and Restaurants in buildings three or four stories high littered the crowded back alleys. This area has been compared to Tokyo’s Shinjiku area. But I would also compare it to Taipei’s Eastern District – the Chung Hsiao East Area. I read on wikipedia, that in 2007, this area was the 10th most expensive shopping street in the world with an average rent of USD 431 per square foot.
Gangnam Station 강남역
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