Introducing South Korea
Asian Tiger, a seriously wired country or the world’s most heavily fortified border? All are accurate descriptions of South Korea though none fully captures the essence of this fascinating, complex nation. Social relations may be grounded in ancient Confucianism but South Korea is most decidedly a forward thinking country thanks to its hurry-hurry approach to everything, an insatiable appetite for technological advancement and an indomitable can-do attitude. No one knows where the country is headed, but it’s fast-forward all the way. That’s what makes South Korea so exiting and at times unnerving; it’s a country of endless possibilities with limits imposed only by you.
New York might be the city that never sleeps, but Seoul is the city that never stops. Late night traditional markets, early morning cinemas and 24-hour public baths are all available before and after you’ve visited the galleries and toured the palaces. There’s an infectious energy in Seoul and it’s easy to get caught up in the Korean joie de vivre, one best experienced with a group over a barbecue dinner and several bottles of soju (the local, distilled brew) to bridge cultural gaps, nullify language barriers and build a spirit of conviviality that could last well into the morning, and perhaps a lifetime.
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Hyangwon-Jeong Pavilion, Gyeongbokgung Palace.
- Neil Setchfield
- Lonely Planet photographer
