Gangnam
Made infamous by the popular PSY hit, the Gangnam district south of the Han river is all the glitz and glamour of modern Seoul. This major commercial and nightlife centre epitomises the futuristic luxury lifestyle of the current generation, and is the prestigious locale of some of the most expensive real estate in Korea. In addition to high-end luxury shopping, unique restaurants and boutique cafes, it also offers beautiful sights such as the Bongeunsa Temple and Banpo Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, the longest bridge fountain in the world.
Surrounded by a teem of high-rises, restaurants, upscale bars, and thousands of neon lights, Gangnam Station is the perfect example of Seoul’s underground shopping scene – literally, underground. The huge range of stalls offers a great selection of accessories, bags, and jewelry that aim to help you fit in to the Gangnam Style aesthetic at wallet-friendly prices. Linked via underground passage from Gangnam Station is COEX Mall, an enormous basement shopping and entertainment complex, boasting an aquarium, movie theatre, and a Hyundai Department Store.
Apgujeong-dong & Cheongdam-dong
Shopping in Seoul doesn’t get any more luxurious than on the streets of Apgujeong-dong and Cheongdam-dong – these are the stomping grounds of the famous, so lucky visitors might even get a chance to glimpse their favourite Hallyu stars The Galleria Department Store at Apgujeong-dong is the largest single luxury complex in Korea, and houses prestigious names like Goyard, Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Valentino. High-end fashionistas will love the boutique-lined streets of Cheongdam-dong, locally referred to as the Champs Elysées of Korea, home to international brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Burberry, and Prada. Also known as Celebrity Street because of its collection of entertainment companies such as SM, JYP, and Cube, Hallyu fans can do some idol-spotting around the neighbourhood at various cafes and salons. The Horim Art Centre is also a great place to do some art shopping, with a number of well-stocked galleries offering Korean ceramics, paintings, and sculptural pieces.
