Myeongdong

Myeongdong ( 明洞, literally 'bright town') is a dong in Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea between Chungmu-ro, Eulji-ro, and Namdaemun-ro. It covers 0.99 km² with a population of 3,529 and is mostly a commercial area, being one of Seoul's main shopping and tourism districts.

Characteristic

 

Seoul's financial hub is divided between here and Yeouido where the Korea Stock Exchange is located. Major insurance, securities, financial services companies, and investment firms with headquarters in Myeongdong include Citibank, SK Corporation, Kookmin Bank, Korea Exchange Bank, Lone Star Funds, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, AIG Korea Insurance, Hana Bank, and HSBC. The Bank of Korea is also in the vicinity.
Other notable landmarks in Myeongdong include the Chinese Embassy, which was first opened on January 4, 1949. YWCA headquarters, UNESCO Hall, Myeongdong Theater, and the oldest Catholic cathedral in Korea, Myeongdong Cathedral.
Except for early morning and late night delivery hours, the main street and most of the alleys are blocked off for pedestrians to roam freely without being hindered by traffic.

Shopping

 

Myeongdong is one of Seoul’s main shopping districts featuring mid-to-high priced retail stores and international brand outlets, including Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, Forever 21, Bulgari and Louis Vuitton, as well as Korean cosmetics brands such as Nature Republic, Missha, The Face Shop and Skin Food. It is a particularly popular area for young people and tourists as a center for fashion and sight-seeing. Several large shopping centers and department stores are in the district including Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Migliore, M Plaza, and Noon Square.
In August 2012, as part of Lotte Department Store's expansion programme into China, a replica of the street of Myeongdong is featured in its new store in Tianjin, with outlets of Missha, The Face Shop and Skin Food.

The floating population of Myeongdong is estimated to be around 2 million a day and in terms of floorspace rents, Myeongdong is one of the most expensive shopping districts in the world. Many hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, and historical sites complete the diverse mixture of the area. In a poll of nearly 2,000 foreign visitors, conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in November 2011, stated that 13.4 percent named shopping in Myeongdong as their favorite activity in Seoul.

Apgujeong-dong

Apgujeong-dong is a residential, fashion, shopping, and educational district in the Gangnam district of Seoul. The dong originates from a pavilion with the same name founded by Han Myeong-hoe ( 한명회,  韓明會 1415-1487), a high-ranking government officer during the Joseon dynasty.
It is served by Apgujeong Station and Sinsa Station on the Seoul Subway Line 3.

Characteristics
The area contains upscale department stores, shops, boutiques, private educations, cafes and restaurants. It is also the location for the headquarters of K-pop entertainment agency S.M. Entertainment. The Caffè Pascucci coffee chain in Apgujeong was used as one of the main filming locations for Seoul Broadcasting System's 2001 drama Beautiful Days, starring Lee Byung-hun, Choi Ji-woo, Ryu Shi-won, Shin Min-a, Lee Jung-hyun and Lee Yoo-jin.

Apgujeong is an affluent area located in northern part of Gangnam district in Seoul. Apgujeong, well acknowledged as one the most affluent (nouveau riche) part of Seoul, must be looked at in two different aspects. The first is the luxury shopping and day-time activities one can find only in Apgujeong. The second is the unique nightlife that has sprung up in this high-class neighborhood.

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Apgujeong is an important high-priced shopping district in Seoul. The Cheongdam Fashion street houses some of the most famous brands from around the world like Prada, Gucci and Giorgio Armani. Department stores, shops and boutiques which abound in this neighborhood are devoted to the goods of fashion and beauty. Rodeo Street in particular is a sort of fashion mecca that leads fashion trends with its friendly shops and high quality products. Those who love shopping will find it hard to pull themselves away.
At night Rodeo Street is transformed. Apgujeong has a booming nightlife, but unlike the types of environments one might find in Hongdae or Itaewon, Apgujeong focuses on high culture. Many bars are expensive wine bars or jazz clubs. Most nightclubs are more exclusive than other areas leading to long lines as party goers wait patiently in hoping to get in. Theaters and centers for culture and art have also recently started emerging giving the neighborhood additional flare.

Cheongdam-dong

Cheongdam-dong is a ward of Gangnam-gu in Seoul, South Korea. It is referred to as "Fashion and Art Street" of Gangnam, "Rodeo Street" (a reference to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California) or "Yuppie Street" with a clientele of professionals in their 30's.

Characteristics
This area was originally named Chungsutgol for a clean pond that existed here during the Joseon Dynasty. It was underdeveloped up till 10 years ago, during which time, galleries moved to this area and formed the existing gallery street. It is now known as an upscale residential area, especially for Korean celebrities such as actors and K-pop artists. The area has shops of imported foreign brands, local fashion designers, and galleries near the upscale Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong-dong towards Cheongdam Park.
The major characteristics of the population of this area include experience living abroad, financial affluence, and a tendency to enjoy paintings and art products. Many children of rich parents studied abroad during their 20's. They returned to Korea and began work as high wage earning professionals. They migrated to Cheongdam-dong because of the galleries and first class fashion shops. The foreign brands, modern galleries, fusion restaurants, and exotic cafes seemed to satisfy their cultural needs. However, Cheongdam-dong is also criticized for its high prices for clothes and coffee which can be 3 or 4 times as much as in other places.
This region has created an inner circle for the upper class that is separated from outside.

The area is the location for the headquarters of K-pop management companies JYP Entertainment and Cube Entertainment.
In June 2012, luxury bridal gown designer Vera Wang opend her third global and first Asian flagship store 'Vera Wang Bridal Korea', helmed by President Jung Mi-ri, in Cheongdam-dong.

Gwangjang Market, Seoul