Having heard about Gangnam, you most certainly associate this word with the high lifestyle, expensive apartments, entertainment and fashion. Perhaps you will recall the song Gangnam Style by Psy, which reached a global audience, making millions interested in this amazing area of Seoul. However, Gangnam is not merely a musical or a posh city, but it is the symbol of South Korean success, modern life and fast fast-growing culture.
This short article will show you how Gangnam attained cultural status and its rise as a business, fashion and entertainment center.
Humble Origins of Gangnam
Until Gangnam became the most beautiful neighborhood in Seoul, it was simply open land with rice paddies and tiny villages. The name Gangnam means south of a river in Korean, indicating that the city is located on the southern bank of the Han River. Gangnam was not thought of much by people for a long time, with most activities happening in the north, in the older regions such as Jongno and Myeongdong.
However, in the 1970s, everything started to change. The government of South Korea aimed at developing the city, and they felt that Gangnam was the right locality to develop a new modern town. They built roads, schools and houses in a short period. Residents, banks and businesses came in, and Gangnam began shooting up.
1980s and 1990s: Expansion and flashiness
South Korea’s economy gained speedy growth in its development way back in the 1980s and 1990s, and this was also the case with Gangnam. The area became full of expensive apartment houses, private schools and shopping centers. Gangnam started to be perceived as a place for successful and wealthy people. Living there or working meant that you were doing fine.
Meanwhile, Korean pop culture started to emerge. The K-pop idols, movie stars and TV dramas began to start hanging out in Gangnam. Hip brands had set shops in Apgujeong and Cheongdam, two of the fashionable streets in Gangnam. Cafes, fashion shops, as well as plastic surgery clinics came.
Gangnam stopped being just a district. It turned out to be a way of living. Gangnam was the place where you wanted to be if you were trendy, ambitious, or fashionable.
Gangnam Style
Gangnam became known to the entire world quite unexpectedly by 2012, with the help of a viral song, Gangnam Style, performed by the musician Psy. The song was making fun of the high life in Gangnam. However, it also revealed the popularity and potential of the region. The music video gained more than a billion views on YouTube, making millions of people aware of Korean pop culture and the style in Gangnam.
The world began to ask, “What is the Gangnam style?” The answer was obvious: it is fun, self-confident, somewhat excessive, and at the same time stimulating and energetic. This popularity contributed to attracting even more tourists and businesses to Gangnam.
Modern Culture of Gangnam Entertainment
The steady increase in popularity and wealth of Gangnam also led to an increase in various types of entertainment spots, such as private room salons. The most notable ones were the Jeom-o venues. These are the top-quality, exclusive entertainment and business rooms which offer guests a facility to relax in comfort, style and discuss business.
Jeom-o salons are the favorite amongst business people who desire to entertain their clients in a personal environment. Celebrities, creatives, as well as even tourists visit them as they wish to explore the best of entertainment in Gangnam in a rather elegant manner. Since upscale salon rooms in Gangnam can vary in services and style, it’s important to check Gangnam jeom-o-system, pricing, and reviews beforehand. This helps ensure you choose a venue that suits your needs, whether it’s for a business engagement or entertaining important guests.
Gangnam as the Symbol of Modern Korea
Gangnam is a district that narrates the story of the way the nation went out of poverty to power, out of local traditions to global influence. You find the newest technology, hip fashion and the top trends in beauty in Gangnam. You can also encounter hardworking students in a tutoring center, young businessmen at the coworking spaces, and tourists taking selfies at the K-Star Road. It is a combination of ambition, style and energy.
Even the food in Gangnam has got the story. Traditional Korean food will be next to international cafes and restaurants. There is a blend of everything, including the old and the new, and the local and the international.
