By Korea.net Honorary Reporters Kevelyn Ravelo and Fatima Muñoz
Photos = Fatima Muñoz and Korea.net DB
Since the late 1990s, Korean pop music, TV shows and movies have been growing in popularity across East Asia and elsewhere. The phenomenon began when Korean soap operas were sold and transmitted in mainland China, where this growth in popularity of Korean pop music, TV shows and movies was called "Hallyu" in Mandarin, or the "Korean Wave" in English. At present, Korean pop media has conquered the West, too, and counts thousands of followers who have the goal of traveling to Korea to enjoy all the attractions of this rich body of pop culture.
Korea is one of the countries where history means the most, represented by old architecture that's still preserved, traditional customs and food. Together with the great technological advances that make Korea so globally recognized, this is the reason why every year Korea receives millions of tourists from all over the world. In light of this, we've compiled a top 10 list of those places that fans of K-pop and Korean pop culture have always dreamed of knowing.
Entertainment companies
Many K-pop fans in the West learn about Korea through their Korean pop star idols. The followers of this popular genre of music dream of going to the offices of the four main management companies or agencies that manage pop stars. Imagine the aisles crowded with pop stars, rehearsal rooms filled with dreaming trainees and recording studios full of the beats and rhythm that we all love.
These buildings are not only home to talented artists, but are also located in luxurious neighborhoods full of commerce, galleries, youth, fashion and entertainment items, just like the Seoul neighborhood of Cheongdam-dong.
Gangnam-gu District
When we think of 2012, many of us remember our bodies doing the horse dance while we sang the popular chorus to the viral hit "Gangnam Style." The whole world exploded with reproductions of the dance on YouTube, while adding to our vocabulary the popular Seoul neighborhood of Gangnam-gu District.
Gangnam is undoubtedly one of the most crowded and expensive boroughs in the capital. It's a large area for business, commerce and entertainment. According to some, it's the ideal destination for young non-Koreans who, in addition to sightseeing, want to learn Korean at one of the language schools there. If you're a lover of great fashion, fine coffee and luxury restaurants, let yourself be carried away by the best in Gangnam-gu District.
Jeju Island
The wonderful Jeju Island, located 120 kilometers south of the Korean Peninsula, is home to some of the most romantic filming locations from Korean TV shows, movies and music videos. This beautiful volcanic island is, since 2011, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and has also been noted as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, a Global Geopark and a biosphere reserve. Do you need more reasons to visit? Then let's talk about Hallasan Mountain. It's the highest mountain in the country. It's an imposing extinct volcano, sometimes covered with snow, with white sand beaches and tea fields across the island.
Street Food
If Gangnam-gu District's fine restaurants are not your taste, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the famous Korean street food stalls, although we must warn you that the pungent flavors can make more than one non-Korean red in the face. If you're on a busy street and you see tables full of different dishes, we recommend ordering a plate of rice cake in a red spicy sauce, tteokbokki, some blood noodle sausages, or soondae, or try some sugary hotteok nut cakes.
Universities
If there's something that Korea is known for worldwide, it’s its dedicated students, who study hard to enter some of the most prestigious universities in their country. Universities in Korea, in addition to their educational excellence, have extensive and beautiful campuses that more than one fan of K-pop music would like to see first-hand thanks to their numerous appearances in TV soap operas as shoot locations. Surely you want to be part of one of those sites, and for that there are all kinds of exchanges and scholarships for which you can apply so that you can live the experience of being a student in the demanding educational system of Korea.
N-Seoul Tower
Many Korean TV soap operas have filmed memorable scenes at this tower because the place is the perfect environment to spend a memorable cute moment with your loved one admiring the beauty of Seoul. In addition, the base of the tower is famous because many people have locked padlocks to the fence there, representing the eternal love that the couples share. Many families also visit the tower to spend some time in the cafes and restaurants there at the base of the tower, on top of Seoul's central Namsan Mountain.
Noraebang Singing Rooms
Korean noraebang singing rooms are famous because they are the perfect place to release your stress and to become a singer. In addition, you can choose from a great variety of genres and have a fun time with your friends. The important thing is not to sing well!
The Hangang River
Families come to have picnics, people carry their guitars and singers perform for passers-by. The many river-side parks across the capital region are very crowded at night and on weekends, and you can find great events there officially organized by the city, like fireworks displays and outdoor concerts.
Busan
Before the famous zombie movie "Train to Busan" (2016) (부산행) came out, this southern city was already special because of its variety of attractions. There's Haeundae Beach, which is very famous among young people. The Gamcheon Culture Village is a neighborhood full of color and famous houses and murals. Other places to visit are the Gukje Market, the Gwangandaegyo Bridge and Dongbaekseom Island. If you decide to go, bear in mind that you will need a lot of time to see the wonders of this city.
Joseon Palaces
The five royal Joseon palaces in Seoul are a must-see for any traveler who wants to immerse themselves in the ancient history of Korea. Besides that, many historical dramas have been filmed on location there. You can also take some great and wonderful pictures wearing beautiful traditional Korean Hanbok clothes.
wisdom117@korea.kr
