The rise of Gangnam Style in 2012 brought international attention to South Korea's vibrant music scene, known as K-pop. The catchy song and dance by Psy became a global phenomenon, catapulting South Korea into the spotlight and making Gangnam Style the most viewed video on YouTube at that time, with over a billion hits. As South Korea's prominence rose on the world stage, so did the interest in visiting the nation's vibrant capital city, Seoul. The city offers a concoction of traditional culture and modern attractions enveloped in a warm hospitality. To accommodate the growing influx of international guests, Seoul boosted its hospitality scene with world-renowned luxury hotels which even come with K-pop-themed suites for the devoted fans. Whether you're planning a short trip or an extended stay to experience the K-pop culture firsthand, there are plenty of accommodations to suit your needs. To find the best place to rest after rocking at a K-pop concert, start your search at tophotels.com. The website offers an extensive list of best-rated hotels in Seoul, with detailed reviews and ratings to help you make an informed decision.
As South Korea continues to captivate the world, tourist officials and record companies are working together to create a K-pop experience in Seoul that goes beyond just one viral hit. In an effort to sustain and nurture the current interest, a YouTube guide showcasing the real Gangnam has been released, which has already garnered over 400,000 views. This is just one example of the government's push to make Seoul a destination for K-pop enthusiasts.
Located in the trendy Apgujeong shopping district, often referred to as the Beverly Hills of Seoul, Cube Cafe attracts a crowd of young girls who eagerly peer into its massive windows. The excitement and energy surrounding K-pop is palpable, as fans seek out the places and experiences that offer a glimpse into this influential cultural phenomenon.
Lee Mi-Hyun excitedly informs me that there is a possibility of Beast, the popular K-pop boy band also known as B2ST, paying a visit today. Mi-Hyun and her friends, being devoted fans of the band, are known as B2UTYs.
K-pop is a genre that encompasses kitschy and catchy music, backed by highly produced performances and flawlessly synchronized choreography. The genre primarily features young, attractive boy and girl bands who amass dedicated followings of tech-savvy fans. While the west is just starting to catch on to the phenomenon, those with preteen children are likely well aware of its popularity.
K-pop is a prominent aspect of the Korean wave, a cultural movement referred to as hallyu. This movement encompasses various forms of popular culture such as music, films, soaps, video games, and cartoons, and has been gaining widespread popularity and influence since the 1990s. In fact, in 2011 alone, hallyu contributed a staggering £2.3bn to the South Korean economy.
Apgujeong, a neighborhood in Gangnam, is home to the influential labels that dominate the K-pop industry. Even before the area gained global recognition thanks to Psy, fans were flocking here in large numbers. So much so, that Cube Entertainment label went on to establish a cafe within its office building to cater to the fans' needs.
With its infectious music and mesmerizing performances, K-pop continues to captivate audiences across Asia and beyond. If you're looking to dive into the vibrant world of K-pop, exploring the heart of Seoul is undoubtedly a must.
Inside Cube Cafe, I find myself among a group of dedicated fans who are savoring their lattes while browsing through an enticing array of merchandise. The shelves are adorned with Beast gold trainers, mugs featuring the iconic lips of band members, and an assortment of cushions and T-shirts flaunting images of the immensely popular girl group, 4Minute. Notably, the group's auburn-haired singer, Kim Hyun-a, has even made a memorable appearance in the Gangnam Style video.
The atmosphere is buzzing with anticipation as everyone's attention shifts hopefully towards every car that pulls up outside. We all yearn for a glimpse of our favorite label's stars, who frequent the dance rehearsal and vocal training studios upstairs.
Engaging in conversation, I meet Park Ji-su, the knowledgeable barista who casually reveals that she has had the opportunity to meet all the K-pop idols. Although inclined to be a fan, Ji-su was recruited primarily for her fluency in Japanese, a testament to the genre's global appeal.
Meanwhile, I notice Kayok Himatashi patiently awaiting her turn to order. Having just arrived from Tokyo, she is an ardent fan of K-pop, driven by the desire to meet Beast personally. I can't help but wonder, what is it about this band that captivates fans from across the globe?
Enhanced by robust training regimes and a penchant for aesthetics, K-pop stars outshine their Japanese counterparts in both dancing and singing, she comments. This is owed to their intense schedule of song, dance, and grooming lessons, not to mention their universally acknowledged good looks, she shared, shyly giggling behind her hand.
With no bands in sight yet but growing number of fans building, I decide to experience the known yet uncharted K-pop circuit, guided by a gathering of ardent admirers. Our path takes us through a quaint narrow alley, a haven of local boutiques and food vendors offering the popular tteokbokki - a delectable dish of chewy rice cakes bathed in a fiery red sauce; a delight way beyond what one might anticipate.
A mere two blocks away, we come across a mixed group of fans loitering around the famous Dunkin' Donuts, their eyes keenly searching for any K-pop icons heading towards JYP Entertainment , a label known for K-pop powerhouses like Wonder Girls, 2AM, and 2PM. However, it's a calm day at JYP, so we continue our adventure towards SM Entertainment, just another couple of streets away and home to big names like Super Junior, Shinee, Girls' Generation, and TVXQ. To pass the time, we indulge in donuts, savoring every bite of sugar icing as we wait in vain for any band member to emerge.
As an ancient city, Seoul fascinates with its rich cultural heritage and Unesco-certified buildings. It carries an intense history filled with invasions and occupations, clear relics from the time when Japan held Korea under its reign for more than three decades till 1945. This was soon followed by the North Korean occupancy, which was eventually overturned by the Americans in 1950, a part of history narrated by the war-battered Han river bridge from where General MacArthur led his troops.
South Korea, however, rapidly shed its war-torn skin, embracing industrialisation in the aftermath of the Korean War. Milestones such as the 1988 Olympics and the 2002 World Cup, significantly aided in Korea's evolution into a global economic powerhouse. This advancement is most conspicuous in the district of Gangnam. Walking along the buzzing streets of Apgujeong, it's common to see young women flaunting designer-handbag-filled arms. The area containing as many, if not more, western coffee chains and aesthetic clinics as high-end retail stores like Fendi, Jimmy Choo, and Louis Vuitton.
Realising this, it's no surprise that Psy chose Gangnam as a subject for satirical commentary. However, the true depth of the satire is often overlooked in the district's hustle and bustle. One might not even realise that organized tours of the district, referenced in the most recent Lonely Planet guide as being famous for its multitude of eateries and bars over its sightseeing spots, actually cover attractions like the COEX Mall (Asia’s biggest underground shopping center hosting the exceptional Kimchi Museum) and the vast Bongeunsa Buddhist temple situated across the street.
Accommodation in Seoul is in high demand, with the city experiencing a consistent growth in tourist visitation, seeing an impressive 15% increase yearly since 1988. The surge in demand led to an estimated deficit of approximately 26,500 rooms last summer, per the tourism office's announcement. This shortcoming initiated a newfound trend among the locals of Gangnam, who began leasing their apartments for around £40 per night. More details regarding these rentals are available on www.BnBhero.com
In addition, Seoul offers yeogwan - traditional inns, along with love motels, both of which often intersect in terms of features. Contrary to common misconceptions, Korean love motels are classy rather than crude, offering themed rooms and swimming pools. Situated around Insadong station, some of the agreeable options begin at £30 per night. However, remember that reservations are generally not accepted in most of these motels. In that neighborhood, the Sheel Motel stands as a hallmark of tradition.
For travelers seeking an upmarket experience, IP Boutique hotel in Itaewon is a chic choice with rates starting from £80 per night. Visit ipboutiquehotel.com for more information. Alternatively, you can opt for the W at Walkerhill, a noted favourite of pop icon Lady Gaga. Room prices start from £185 at this luxurious establishment. More details can be found at starwoodhotels.com/whotels.
The South Korean district of Gangnam will witness the unveiling of several new hotels in 2013. With plans underway by the South Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism to build an exclusive K-pop arena and a Hallyuwood Walk of Fame, there's even whispers regarding a Psy monument. In an ambitious and innovative approach to attract overseas travelers to Korea, slightly eccentric K-pop inspired ventures are being held. These events are accessible for free and are promoted on the Tourist Office website and Twitter. These include dance workshops, Gangnam Style flash mobs, hairstyling demonstrations and a weekly K-pop chart show that echoes the aesthetic of 'Top of the K-pops'.
An immensely popular attraction currently is the complimentary concert at Olympic Park. Conveniently reachable via Seoul's efficient subway system, the park is a vast verdant oasis peppered with more than 200 large-scale sculptures, and houses the Soma Museum of Art. The 1988 Olympic preparations led to the unearthing of expansive third-century environmental structures here. These have now been fully restored and the elevated fortification that stretches more than a mile and a half through the park, provides breathtaking glimpses of the beautiful mountains interweaving Seoul and North Korea, situated 40 miles to the North.
In the lively open-air plaza, security is heightened as boy band Infinite takes the stage, attracting a large crowd of dedicated fangirls. Eager ticket holders proudly display their numbered bibs, granting them entry to their coveted seats. Some even pay to capture a moment beside life-sized cardboard cut-outs of their beloved idols. For those not fortunate enough to possess tickets, tickletless fangirls rally together, bundled up in self-made "Infinite 4Ever" banners, braving the chilly temperatures that can drop as low as -15°C during Seoul's winters, while enduring sweltering 40°C summers. The electric atmosphere pulsates through the air, reminiscent of the hysteria surrounding Beatlemania or the heart-wrenching split of the iconic British boy band Take That.
The intriguing diversity of the K-pop phenomenon becomes apparent as I find myself seated amongst a group of foreign students who have all traveled to Seoul to study Korean language, deeply captivated by the world of K-pop.
"It's like a gateway drug," chuckles Lavinia Pletosu, a 22-year-old from Italy, her eyes glittering with excitement. "The deeper you delve into the music, the more you yearn to uncover the language, history, culture, and even the exotic flavors of Korean cuisine."
Mary Zhang, a young Canadian, heartily agrees, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "At the tender age of 15, I longed to learn Korean just to correspond with the extraordinary vocalist Kim Junsu. He is undoubtedly a divine figure in my eyes. However, over the years, my love for K-pop's melodies and synchronized dance moves propelled me to eagerly explore and learn about the fascinating country behind this compelling musical genre."
A lively open-air plaza packed with fangirls awaiting Infinite's performance. Image source: The Guardian
The atmosphere erupts like a blaring car alarm as Infinite gracefully takes over the stage. Their slender figures and androgynous appearance belie their composure in the face of a deafening chorus of screams. Clad in impeccably tailored brown suits, they could easily pass as aspiring accountants – until the music starts. With impeccable precision, Infinite seamlessly transitions into formation and launches into a complex, synchronized dance routine while flawlessly belting out their song.
A voice behind me exclaims, "It's the Scorpion!" Intrigued, I turn to inquire about the meaning, only to witness the entire audience, consisting mostly of Westerners, enthusiastically emulate the dance moves and sing along in flawless Korean.
With this electrifying display of K-pop prowess, it's evident that Korea has a global sensation on its hands.