What would you really want to do if you visit Seoul, the capital city of Korea? Maybe ask anybody "Where is the hottest town these days?" would give you the best answer.
Today, I'll let you know about ITEAWON the most popular downtown in Seoul these days. Actually, Iteawon is apart from my home just a bus stop, so it's my favorite spot.
In Korean, Iteawon this term means 'Foreign' of 'Unique'. In the past, there was nothing but US Army. The army soldiers developed first foreigner town and afterwards people from so many different countries came into Iteawon. Presently, many embassies are there and Iteawon became a representative foreign settlement.
(Seoul in 80s)
My mom also lived in there when she was young. In those days, a young woman walk down the Iteawon street was very irreverent behavior because the older generation really hate and afraid of association with foreigners. But today it's totally different from the past and western culture is much more generalized in this society.
The biggest difference of Iteawon among many other downtowns is that it has MULTICULTURAL atmosphere. So many original tasted foreign restaurants with its foreign owners - Turkish, Chinese, Indian, Spanish, Swedish and so on - are needless to say.
(Sukcheon Hong)
Iteawon is the biggest concentration of gay bars. There are 5 big restaurants run by the most popular gay in Korea, Sukcheon Hong. After his honest coming out several years ago, he had to stop all of his career as a comedian half-willingly and half not. But then he successfully complete his transformations as a restaurant owner in Iteawon. These kinds of features explain well the character of Iteawon.
(a quiet flea market in a weekend)
Secondly, there are less people than primary downtowns like Gangnam or Sinchon. The main reason is that Iteawon has not so good transportation and high prices.
I think the song <Iteawon Freedom> helped make it more popular. The singer called UV is very similar to Lonley Island. Their songs are really comic and exciting. Lyrics of this song explains how free and good it is.
I live in Seoul for the first time in my life,so I always want to go around Seoul every week. ITEAWON is one of the place that I would like to go and I am very happy to get much information through your post. Thank you a lot!!!
답글삭제I'm citizen of seoul but I had never known about Iteawon. After reading your post i became interested in iteawon. Especially multicultural restaurant. can you recommend some restaurants that have exotic atmosphere? Thank you for good information about Iteawon!
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