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Modern architecture of Gangnam-gu, Seoul

elcanguro76 — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 07:18:42 +0000

A couple of months ago I went to Seoul to attend a friend’s wedding . Whilst there I stayed in the very well-heeded Gangnam financial district south of Seoul and took some photographs of the modern architecture and street scenery whilst there. Many people probably will not like the excess glass and concrete of these modern structures but being a fan of architecture – both modern and traditional – I love taking photographs of interesting buildings and structures when I come across them. Gangnam – being the main financial district of Seoul is criss-crossed with wide, grand boulevards, Western boutiques and coffee shop chains, global headquarters and subway lines. While, it doesn’t have the traditional, gritty, down-to-earth homeliness of most Korean neighbourhoods, it does have plenty of flair and you find yourself thinking you’ve suddenly been flung into any large, affluent, generic modern metropolis – be it Tokyo, Chicago or New York. It’s an interesting place to visit especially if you’re used to living in the Korean boonies like me.

One of the buildings making up the Samsung World Headquarters complex in Gangnam, souther Seoul

Interesting scrap metal art piece outside the POSCO Steel World Headquarters building

Golden frog and children art piece coming from a traditional folk tale of which I forgotten its significance

Interesting form and lines on this modern corporate skyscraper

The architect was obviously given a lot of free rein and went to town on this building. But, it looks great all the same.

More photos of southern Seoul and a more recent trip to northern Seoul – where alas my camera wasn’t working properly - are located here.

One thing you don’t expect to see in Itaewon ..

elcanguro76 — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:01:40 +0000

I was just surfing the Korean blogosphere and came across Paul Ajosshi, where he has a post on a rifle-wielding Korean magpie hunter trawling the streets of Itaewon (the foreign ghetto of Seoul) for the dastardly birds. You expect to see a lot of things in Itaewon, but a gun-toting bird hunter is one thing you don’t expect. Frankly, I’d be darn scared if I rounded the corner to encounter this bloke. More photos are located here.

Deoksu Palace

elcanguro76 — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:53:57 +0000

The second photography installment from my tripping last week comes from Deoksu Palace in downtown Seoul. Deoksu Palace (or Deoksugung : 덕수궁 : 德壽宮) is the former residence of Korean royalty on and off until Japanese occupation in 1910. One of Korea’s last kings, Gojong, lived on the site and oversaw the construction of several Western-style buildings on the site.

It’s a beautiful location filled with terrific architecture, and well worth the look if you are a fan of Korean architecture. I can’t believe I took five years to visit the place! Photos are below with the full set located on my Facebook page.

Changing of the guards ceremony at Daehanmun, the entrance to Deoksugung

Impressive columns on the Western-style building

Art Museum building, another example of Western architecture on site

As you can see, Autumn's a beautiful time to visit Deoksugung

Traditional and modern architecture blend in central Seoul

Guards in readiness for their next ceremony

No work for 10 days~ awesome!

elcanguro76 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:41:42 +0000

Where I'm going, Gangwon-do! Highlighted in purple

I’m off work next week for a holiday up to Gangwon-do (province) – on the top right-hand side of South Korea, and Seoul. Whilst on my journeys, I hope to visit Seoraksan, the DMZ, and get down and dirty in downtown, dirty Seoul. She’s gotta be cold, Gangwon-do’s the coldest part of the country and there’s already been snow flurries round me in Suncheon, one of the warmest parts of the country. Looks like I’ve missed the Autumn foliage, though will probably get some snow, better bring the long johns!

I’ll come back armed with pics and hopefully my life, which could be on the cards considering news reports like this!