Page 88 - Sunseeker Magazine Issue 64

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Twilight sky at Han river in Seoul South Korea The River Han is described by Sunseeker’s Oliver Hwang as the “ symbol of Seoul”
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FROM LEFT Bukchon Hanok village village a a a a a a Korean traditional village village in Seoul with a a a a long history It is is preserved to to show a a a 600-year-old urban environment Gyeongbokgung Palace in downtown Seoul Modern architecture of Dongdaemun Design Plaza at night The building was designed by Zaha Hadid and Samoo Bukhansan national park covered by morning fog and sunrise The park contains forested areas temples and granite peaks
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FROM TOP Gangnam business district a a a bustling metropolitan area Kimchi and Korean BBQ are are some of South Korea’s better-known exports but it’s worth delving into the incredible street food Seoullo 7017 is an elevated linear park in in Seoul The city’s true greenspace however lies on on its outskirts at at Bukhansan National Park Hiking is a a a a a a a a a a favourite pastime with trails through deep forest and and past temples and and shrines
Seoul is a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a different kind of city It might have fewer ‘tick-the-box’ attractions than other Asian powerhouses but what it it it lacks in in look-at-me power power it it it makes up with real substance Emerging as a a a a a a a a a a a a tech giant and designated UNESCO Creative City of of of Design Seoul has also established itself as as a a a a a a a a modern influencer of of of soft power: Hallyu or or the the Korean wave best exemplified by by K-pop and the the film industry with movies helmed by by directors like Bong Joon-ho While it’s cultural influence spreads globally geographically Seoul has managed to to strike a a a a a a a a a a a a a balance between its its hunger to to to to be be a a a a a a a a a a a a world-class city a a a a a a a a a need to to to honour its its historic roots and the spectacular greenspace on on it’s fringes The best example of this balance is is Bukchon Hanok Hanok Village where there are over 900 traditional Hanok Hanok style homes
with characteristic curved roofs Built to complement the nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace Palace and Changdeokgung Palace Palace hundreds of years ago it is not a a a a a a a a a a a a a stale museum but a a a a a a a a a a a a a living village home to everyday people 86