Seoul/Gangnam-Seocho
one of the districts (gu) of Seoul
Gangnam (강남) (formerly Kangnam) and Seocho (서초) are districts in Seoul.
Gangnam is the central district of the southern half of the city. 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". Fifty years ago this entire area was rice paddies and pear orchards. Everything you see here has been built since then, the construction mirroring South Korea's rapid economic rise.
The other half of the Greater Gangnam Area is Seocho (서초), which is an upscale residential area and home to the Samsung headquarters, and the entertainment company Pinkfong, the creator of the children's song Baby Shark.
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.
