Reasons Not To Hate Seoul
It was absurd that Lonely Planet came up with a ‘most hated’ list in the first place. No argument there. They sure ruffled a few feathers with that stint. Staff even rewrote the intro to the original post, arguing that the list was generated from readers comments and didn’t necessarily reflect editorial opinion. Either way, it seems they’re feeling the sting of it. A friend of mine pointed out to me this morning that linking to the Lonely Planet site will do nothing more than boost their Google ranking. An interesting point. So, I figured why not come up with a list of reasons not to hate Seoul? I welcome you to drop by, and briefly scribble down what makes Seoul special for you. I’ll update the post with ideas if and when they flow through.
Hmm, a reason NOT to hate Seoul?
How about the throngs of kind and hospitable Koreans at every turn in this city.
I admire Koreans, they remind me of my hard-working and salt of the earth family back home. Good people.
Felicia,
Blog: This Time in Seoul
While it’s true that Seoul doesn’t have an iconic image, it’s certainly improving; I think the best way to enjoy Seoul is to head for the older neighborhoods or the university districts, and get lost in the side streets, or to head for the nearest mountain peak. The side streets are always full of either stylish cafes or sweet old creaking houses with winding lanes and nifty odd shapes; the mountains are the friendliest place in the whole country: people are just nicer on the mountains than anywhere else. I do agree that Lonely Planet was way off base in publishing a list like that, and I also agree with GI Korea that the ancient wall really, REALLY should be developed into a defining feature of Seoul.
That failing, if one is patient with crowds, all the usual neighborhoods are goldmines of people-watching.
My two bits.
GI Korea,
That’s a damn good idea.
As mentioned above I can understand why at first sight Seoul may not seem appealing to first time travelers not used to large crowds, the towering apartment buildings, and general bali, bali attitude of Seoulites. However, once you get passed all that Seoul does have a lot to offer for those who know where to look.
Something that Seoul is missing though is some kind of icon to make it stand out from the rest of the cities in northeast Asia. That is why I have always believed completely reconstructing the old city walls would give the city a unique feature that other Asians cities don’t have.
Seoul is amazing because the energy that you can literally feel as soon as you step into the city. I mean, everything is simply pulsating with energy! Sure, at times it can be unnerving, but you can’t deny the fact that there is ALWAYS something going on in Seoul, and there’s always something you can do, even at night when all other cities are going to sleep. Not only that, Seoul has an (unexpectedly) diverse community. It’s possible to meet Nigerians, Westerners, Japanese, Chinese, Central Asians, and more as you peruse the streets on any given day.
I think that’s what makes Seoul so special – its unexpected vibrancy.
JT,
Your work is brilliant. Thanks for dropping by.
I live in what most would call an industrial armpit, Ulsan and I have for 5 years. I still find beauty in that city everyday. Seoul, is a an amazing place that is constantly getting better. It offers so much for the resident and the traveller. I also think that this blog helps show the beauty to the rest of the world. Keep up the good work.
I live in the Korean countryside and I remember feeling so dissapointed in my first visits to Seoul, but now I love it! I find it difficult to believe any one could simply fall in love with Seoul at first sight, but once you have taken the time to explore then you see a completely different side to the city.
In the deepest depths of the express bus terminal there is some amazing shopping for women’s clothes. Most of the sweaters are only 5,000 won each.
For those who prefer more upmarket shopping there are the amazing department stores, with the best food areas!
Hongdae is an amazing area for clubbing and in the day is an area where you can check out a much younger side of Korean culture.
And if you want to find something more serious then you can visit the palaces, Seodaemun Prison, the temples, Gwanghawmun plaza and Insadong etc etc.
It is in the simplicity that make Seoul beautiful. Where some see “Soviet Russia style block apartments” I see efficiency in fitting the millions of residents inside such a small (by comparison) city. But in doing this it doesn’t lose its beauty or luster. Streets are clean every morning, subways are fast, affordable and CLEAN (NEW YORK!!), hospitality is abundant from the moment you set foot in the country, and after thousands upon thousands of years it hasn’t lost its culture. Sure you see the stereotypical Asian man walking, hurriedly, to the subway as he starts his 16 hour day that will end with a few to many glasses of soju, but what you are missing is the lush country side that is still populated by families that are living in the same way their ancestors lived years ago. You miss the culture that is so inherently different from any other spot on the world that it would be a sin to not try and suck it up as a breath of fresh air.
One bad impression should never be an infallible truth and to say that Seoul is a disgusting place is not a proven thing.
The people, the culture, the food and the beauty all attest to Seoul being the “Soul of Asia”.
For me, there’s never a dull moment. From the day I first arrived right up until now, I never run out of options. Seoul is limitless in its appeal. It’s a photographer’s dream. I love the dynamic here – ancient history blending in with modern development.
After a grueling journey from Denpasar to Bangkok to Seoul, I still had a layover to endure there and in Seattle before returning home to Canada. I went down to the spa in the basement to have a shower. Unbeknownst to me, there were private rooms that one could nap in…or at least that is how I utilized the space. I fell fast asleep for THREE hours, went for another soak in the hot pool and finished it off with a dunk in the cold one. This made Seoul VERY special to me* and the rest of my journey a bearable one:)
*and let’s not forget bibimbap!
For the people who don’t take the time to look around, it might seem like Seoul is just one concrete block, but that is absolutely not true. There are parks, temples and palaces all over the city, funky artsy neighbourhoods, plenty of culture, delicious food, along with a cheap and efficient transport system.
Seoul is a great city to travel or live in, if you have the time to explore all it has to offer.