I lived and worked in Seoul  for the last two-and-a-half months in 2010. It was a great experience, and it seems likely that I will move back there for another five months or so in the very near future. So before I get going on that trip I thought I would share some of my favorite photos from the end of last year with you guys.

 

Seoul is amazing. It's an extraordinarily busy city, and the world's third largest. The people and culture are beautiful, and I really cannot wait to go back and reunite with the many good friends I made there last year. Enjoy!

 

1. One of the first things I did in Korea, not including eat/drink/work, was a trip to the DMZ.

 

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4. Many older Koreans visit the site, mourn for those lost in the war, and yearn for the day when the Korean Peninsula is reunited.

 

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8. Dangerous

 

9. Yes, that's North Korea in the distance. I had to stand way back behind this line, then jump up to take this photo.

 

10. Dorasan Station is the northern terminus of Korea's KTX high speed rail system. It is presently not used, but was constructed as a symbol that one day they hope to be reunited with North Korea and that this will be the way they do it.

 

11. Inside Dorasan Station

 

12. And here's the plan to connect Asia with Europe via high speed rail.

 

13. Back in Seoul

 

14. And here's the part where you get to be real jealous...the view from my hotel room in Insa Dong

 

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17. Insa Dong is a historic area of Seoul north of the river. Immediately outside of my place was this historic shopping district.

 

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22. Mokkoli tasting festival in my backyard? Why yes please.

 

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25. I loved this street food vendor. There were many a nights where I hung out with these guys.

 

26. Korea is also famous for their street food tents called Pojangmacha. This one was also right in my neighborhood.

 

27. Made my way to the western part of the city to catch a soccer game.

 

28. And what's a soccer game without a little fire?

 

29. Lotte Department Store

 

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31. Kangnam district of Seoul

 

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34. People lining up for the bus to go hiking.

 

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39. Historic Bukchon residential district

 

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56. And so long from back in Insa Dong

 

And if you're interested in more about my Korean experience, take a look at these stories:

• South Korea: Initial Impressions
  
• The surprising story of sustainability in Seoul
  
• The surprising story of sustainability in Seoul

Wonderful! I don't think I've seen a lot on UO lately that can compare with this. The photos are excellent and intimate, and the location isn't something that's frequently shared here. I look forward to seeing more as you repeat your Korean experience.

Thanks Rob. When I return I hope to see more of the Korean countryside, and explore some other cities like Busan, Daegu, Daejeon and possibly Jeju. Fortunately it is easy to get around in Korea using the wonderful KTX high speed rail system.

As with most Asian cities, the "big city" factor seems drowned out by the intimate, comfortable settings, pocket parks, alleyways, street vendors, and sane people.  Wonderful tour.

Korea! I had the pleasure of visiting Seoul a few years back. I love the vibe, pace and culture(s) of that city. When I was on the train, there were a group of teenagers break danicing in the middle of the train. I completely wasn't expecting that, but I loved it. The people  were really cool and friendly (except the pedestrians) and an astonishing number of them are relatively fluent in English. I remember the cabs drivers being absolutely nuts! They are 10 times worse than the cabbies in Boston or Manhattan.

 

Everytime I visit new places, I always like to wander off the "beaten path." We found ourselves in the "hood" and ended up seeing a guy with a knife in his hand running from the KNP. There were also some very attractive Filipina women trying to lure us into bars and clubs. I'm thinking they were probably sex slaves. It was tempting, but I had to keep a rational head, thinking of the numerous possibilities of what could happen.

 

Seoul is a very fun and enjoyable city. I love the cultural diversity they have within a rather racially homogeneous  population.... Hopefully I can make it to Tokyo someday.

 

On a sidenote, during my visit there (summer 2006), the city seemed to perpetually smell like a**hole. The rice paddies out in the countryside produced some of the worst stench I have ever experienced. Other than that, no complaints.

I remember the cabs drivers being absolutely nuts! They are 10 times worse than the cabbies in Boston or Manhattan.

 

Yeah, the cab drivers are crazy. On my way to work one morning my cab driver scrapped up against another car and just kept on going. The real thing to look out for is the motor bikes all over. The drivers have no problem riding them up onto the sidewalk to beat the traffic. Pedestrians really must be aware of their surroundings there.

Beautiful photos. Intimate is a great way to describe how the city appears from your shots.

 

My father in law went to Seoul about 5 years ago for work, and came back blown away by the people, and also the level of technology over there. The way he described it, their cell phones are capable of things that we've only discussed here in the US.

My father in law went to Seoul about 5 years ago for work, and came back blown away by the people, and also the level of technology over there. The way he described it, their cell phones are capable of things that we've only discussed here in the US.

 

Yes, everyone is streaming movies and television shows on their mobile phones. Cab drivers are even streaming television shows on their navigation systems. The power of their Internet networks is truly impressive.

Excellent photo tour! I'm especially glad you showed off Bukchon as well, exposing a quaint village-like level of intimacy tucked away within the world's 3rd largest metropolis. A great contrast to the frenetic city scenes that immediately pop into my head when I hear the word Seoul.

 

In respect to their advanced technology, I keep reading about South Korea topping the rest of the world when it comes to average broadband internet speeds...I guess it's not surprising that their average BB speeds are over four times that of the U.S....but the extra kick in the d*ck is that the average monthly cost is about 1/4 the cost in Korea, compared to the U.S.

 

Source:

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-03-31/tech/broadband.south.korea_1_broadband-plan-south-korea-broadband-internet?_s=PM:TECH

 

 

In respect to their advanced technology, I keep reading about South Korea topping the rest of the world when it comes to average broadband internet speeds...I guess it's not surprising that their average BB speeds are over four times that of the U.S....but the extra kick in the d*ck is that the average monthly cost is about 1/4 the cost in Korea, compared to the U.S.

 

Yes. The same often holds true in regards to healthcare and transportation. They are far superior in terms of transportation and it costs much less. Meanwhile, many segments of healthcare (notably dentistry) are better than in the U.S. and for a fraction of the cost. I will probably get some cosmetic dental work done before I leave and come back to the states.

^You are not the first person to do something like that. When my mom went to S. Korea (her homeland) in 2004, she came back with some minor facial improvements. Her relatives also went back and they also came back with various dental work, facial improvements, etc. It is MUCH cheaper over there, despite the lack of insurance coverage.

 

That said, S. Korea routinely tops the list for internet coverage. And healthcare coverage. And technological improvements. It's an isolated country, one that was ruled by dictators and was under military rule for many years. If you ever look at photographs of S. Korea during the 1950s and early 1960s, you wouldn't believe that that tiny nation was once one of the world's POOREST. Japan had used the nation for "comfort," and military rule had all but drained away any other social-economic improvements. That's why my mom partially left.

 

So, it took initiatives to say we are going to overcome and top Japan, it's rival for much of the late 20th century. And going into the 21st century, it may just as well top Japan in economic importance. While Japan's population has stagnated, and has suffered two lost decades, and a rapidly aging population, S. Korea has taken the spotlight from Japan. I think it was in a WSJ article from 2010, that had one of S. Korea's biggest exports, Hyundai, top and center about how it's growth was defined by one goal: Beat Japan. That is prevalent in other corporations, such as LG (versus stagnating Sony) and other competing industries.

 

The GDP per capita is $30,200 as of 2010, and the GDP is $1.423 trillion growing at 6.1%.

Japan's GDP per capita is $34,200 as of 2010, is $5.458 trillion growing at 3.5%.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Eleven

 

Looks like you are really enjoying yourself over there!