Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CdnTeacher]

Does anyone know where this is: Apkujung

And can anyone tell me anything about the area??

[Bulsajo]

Apkujung-dong is part of Gangnam-gu in S.E. Seoul, and is considered to be the fashion district- it's trendy and expensive. Lots to do and generally a decent location. Perhaps not the first choice for those who like a quiet pastoral setting, it's still one of the better parts of Seoul to be living in. Make sure any job in Apkujung pays for your rent or your bank account will take a severe beating.

[Harpeau]

It seems that the richest people are living in the Apkujong area. People seem very Jones next door conscious- kind of like a prison, really. One Korean friend says he hates golf, but must play because it's where he rubs shoulders with colleagues, etc. I suggested that he takes up scuba diving or something more interesting to him. Go figure. The place is a tad $urreal.

Regards,
Harpeau

[mack the knife]

Apgujeong is an upscale area of seoul, but you wouldn't know it if you were just traveling through. it looks like every other area of the city, but with more "brand-name, upscale" shops like armani, versacci(sp?), etc. it's just as dirty and polluted as other parts of seoul, and the apartment buildings are the same heinous, monolithic, concrete structures you see everywhere else. hogwon ads may make it sound like gangnam and apgujeong are areas a "step above" the rest...forget about it...even mok-dong is much nicer...in my opinion the word "gangnam" translates into "same @#$%, higher prices"

[tomwaits]

[quote="mack the knife"]Apgujeong is an upscale area of seoul, but you wouldn't know it if you were just traveling through. it likes like every other area of the city

Couldnt agree more and the same goes for Jamsil and Kangnam. Why these dirty overcrowded areas are considered coool and trendy is beyond me..

[mykrobb]

it seems like all the upscale areas of korea can be distinguished by merely the newness of the buildings and the lesser degree of dirt and garbage. its all the same boxy architecture and chain restaurants and stores that you find everywhere else.

[pkang0202]

Here's a rule of thumb in Korea:

If there's a Hooters then you are in the "nice" part of town.

[kiwiduncan]

A horrible, tacky, vulgar nouveaux riche shit hole full of Starbucks outlets, designer handbag shops and plastic surgery clinics.

[Coffeeprincess]

I live in Cheongdam which is right next door to Apgujeong. It's a nice part of town with lotsa bars and restaurants, many of which are overpriced...you definitely have to know where to go. Cheongdam, Apgujeong and Shinsa make up the center of all that Koreans deem as hip and happening... it's like the Beverly Hills of Seoul...but it's definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea.

I hear there are a lot of room salons in the area as well. Not surprising given that a lot of entertainment companies are based in this area and that it's the playground of Korean celebrities. I rarely see any non-Koreans in Apgu though...

[Paul_Zerzan]

I love the wannabe "Rodeo Drive"

Tacky.

[Coffeeprincess]

[moosehead]

[Coffeeprincess]

[Return Jones]

As some other posters alluded to, it's New Money Central. More money than sophistication. Kind of how I imagine places like Dubai must be...

[kiwiduncan]