Seoul 서울 Korea

Afternoon light falls between the tall glass towers of Samseong-dong, picking out straight lines, sharp corners and long shadows on the street. Office workers slip out for coffee, students and shoppers weave between buses and cars, and the air is full of quiet movement rather than noise. This part of Gangnam is a mix of business high-rises, modern apartments, cafés and small restaurants, all set along broad roads and neat sidewalks, so the city feels orderly yet very alive. Walking here, you sense how strongly Seoul looks to the future: clean streets, clear signage, efficient transport and an architecture that feels closer to European business districts than to the image of “old Asia”, but with its own fast, focused rhythm.

Cheongun Park is a compact city park behind Seoul’s Blue House, covering approximately 6.6 acres. It operates 24 hours a day and offers tranquillity due to its discreet location. The park is wheelchair accessible, provides public toilets, and is welcoming to families and dogs. Its accessible trails are suitable for both hiking and kid-friendly walks, making it ideal for short visits or gentle outings. The peaceful atmosphere is accentuated by its limited traffic and proximity to cultural sites and museums in Jongno District, providing a subtle city escape for locals and visitors alike.

Cheonggyecheon, once a neglected urban waterway, now flows through the heart of Seoul as a remarkable six-kilometre green corridor, revitalised into an urban park that epitomises South Korea’s commitment to progressive city design. Long buried beneath concrete and a thundering elevated highway, the stream was an overlooked relic of the city’s industrial push. It was not until the early 2000s, when a decisive mayor championed its restoration, that the park’s transformation began—unearthing history, restoring nature, and recasting the city’s identity as a place where innovation and heritage might thrive side by side. The restoration itself was an audacious feat: over just 27 months, the city removed the ageing expressway, reengineered the stream’s flow, and crafted public spaces that draw both locals and travellers. Today, Cheonggyecheon beckons with pedestrian pathways and cultural installations among the willows—a cool oasis where biodiversity has rebounded, temperature has dropped by several degrees, and air quality has noticeably improved. The park’s effect ripples outward, not only providing relief from the concrete jungle but sparking fresh economic activity and turning the surrounding districts into bustling centres of business and recreation. It is a place that rewards curious wandering, its linear expanse crossing ancient bridges and modern art in equal measure. Here, step off the busy city streets and you’ll find yourself transported: sunlight flickers through leaves above the water, while the hum of a revitalised Seoul unfolds around you. Cheonggyecheon stands as living proof that even the most unremarkable slice of urban life—when reclaimed and reimagined—can inspire a city to reinvent itself and, quite literally, run greener and cooler for generations to come.

These photos showcase modern lantern sculptures displayed at a Korean Buddhist temple during the annual Lotus Lantern Festival, celebrated around Buddha’s Birthday in May. The scene blends cultural tradition with contemporary creativity: large effigy figures, such as children on bicycles and stylized trees, pair playful everyday motifs with classic Buddhist symbolism. The installations hold deeper significance in today’s Korea. They echo traditional Buddhist ritual—lantern-lighting as a symbol of wisdom and enlightenment—while also serving as vibrant, accessible public art. By portraying relatable themes like childhood and nature alongside sacred figures, they invite a broader audience, especially families and the younger generation, to engage with Buddhist heritage in a joyful, communal setting. Such displays exemplify how Korean Buddhism has transformed its visual culture to foster inclusivity and dialogue with urban society, bridging ancient practices and contemporary life through festive art and shared experience.

Insadong is where Seoul shows its old heart. Instead of busy roads and shiny towers, you’ll find small alleys lined with hanok houses and the smell of roasted chestnuts. Tiny art galleries and tea houses sit side by side, offering quiet spots to pause. Shops sell handmade paper, calligraphy tools, and antiques that feel full of stories. On the street, you might hear traditional music or see artists at work. Old and new mix here in a gentle way, making it a favorite for foreigners who want to slow down, sip tea, and explore the city’s history up close.

Korea’s “beonggeoji” (벙거지), or bucket hat, is a staple among elder women, valued for sun protection, comfort, and simple elegance. Once a purely practical item for farmers and fishermen, it has evolved into a fashion statement, often featuring subtle embroidery of traditional motifs such as flowers, tigers, or persimmons. The structured yet soft brim suits both casual and slightly formal wear, making it versatile for daily outings. K-pop, street style, and celebrity influence have propelled the beonggeoji from a common local accessory to a global trend, adopted by designers and worn from Seoul to major fashion capitals. It now represents a blend of functionality, Korean cultural heritage, and modern style.

The Starfield Library is defined by its sweeping glass roof, a striking architectural element that bathes the vast interior in soft, natural light from dawn to dusk. This transparent canopy creates an airy, uplifting atmosphere, blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors while showcasing the elegance of contemporary design. More than just a source of illumination, the roof acts as the library’s visual signature — a graceful fusion of function and beauty.

Ever wondered what happens when a shopping mall says, “Let’s make a library, but bigger, taller, and way cooler”? Welcome to Starfield Library at COEX Mall, Seoul! These HUGE shelves reach 13 meters up (seriously, no ladder is that long), packed with over 50,000 books and 600 magazines. Don’t expect to borrow, just sit, chill, and pretend to read while secretly people-watching. There’s always some event: poetry, music, or that guy loudly telling his friend every fact he’s read. All this, totally free and open to everyone. It’s probably the only place where adults whisper, take selfies, and look up pretending they can read the books way at the top. A must-see for book lovers and Instagram fans.

This panoramic black-and-white photograph captures the remarkable scope of contemporary Seoul, where a dynamic urban expanse climbs over rolling hills. The Han River carves through the frame, continuing its age-old role as the city’s lifeline—now paralleling high-speed trains and cutting-edge neighborhoods. In the distance, Namsan Seoul Tower rises as a symbol of the city’s blend of modernity and tradition, perched above one of the world’s most vibrant metropolises. Despite being a megacity with over 9 million residents, Seoul surprises with its green oases, like Namsan Park, interwoven among dense skyscrapers and bustling districts.