Seven of the Most Instagrammable Places in Seoul
31 March, 2015
- Photos by
- Ken Lum Lee
Gallery
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group huddles over a pinewood table with a spread of baked
eggs, wilted spinach and freshly buttered gluten-free toast.
“Quick! The lump in the butter is disappearing!” shouts one voice.
“Climb on the tabletop for a better angle!” shouts another. “Does
anyone have a manicured hand?” Silence…and then panic.
This is what I imagined when I first heard the ‘InstaMeet’, the
new phenomenon that connects the virtual networks of Instagram by
encouraging like-minded Instagrammers to link up in the real world.
The product is far more inspiring than another generic breakfast
shot. With ‘InstaMeets’ motivating mobile photographers to connect
and share photogenic locations, the imagery created – from city
skylines and architecture to urban and undiscovered neighbourhoods
– is bona fide art.
One fan of the ‘InstaMeet’ is photographer Ken Lum Lee. Born and
bred in London, he later moved to Seoul and started the blog Seoul
State of Mind. Initially a private photo diary for friends and
family, photo-walks and InstaMeets have opened up the blog,
inviting followers to walk alongside the photographer and his
Korean travels.
Here Ken Lum Lee of Seoul State of Mind shares with us the seven
most Instagrammable spots in Seoul:
Dongdaemun design plaza is a futuristic
landmark designed by Zaha Hadid. The centrepiece of South Korea’s
fashion hub and popular tourist destination features a walkable
park on the roof, exhibition spaces, retail stores and a restored
section of the Seoul fortress. Yeouido is a large
island located in the Han River in Seoul and is the city’s main
business and investment banking district. It includes five parks
and hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival every April.
Samcheong Dong is an idyllic neighbourhood in
Seoul, which according to feng-shui is said to have the best
location. It was given its name in reference to the three
characteristics that make it a primitive area including clean
water, beautiful mountains, and charming residents and is famous
for its Bukchon Hanok (Korean Traditional Houses).
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art was
created by architect Mihn Hyun Jun and spans 27 x 264 square meters
over six floors (three above ground, and three below). It includes
a library, theatre and multi purpose hall.
Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean
village now preserved to show the 600-year-old urban environment
and for visitors to get a sense of life under the Joseon
Dynasty.
A group huddles over a pinewood table with a spread of baked
eggs, wilted spinach and freshly buttered gluten-free toast.
“Quick! The lump in the butter is disappearing!” shouts one voice.
“Climb on the tabletop for a better angle!” shouts another. “Does
anyone have a manicured hand?” Silence…and then panic.
This is what I imagined when I first heard the ‘InstaMeet’, the
new phenomenon that connects the virtual networks of Instagram by
encouraging like-minded Instagrammers to link up in the real world.
The product is far more inspiring than another generic breakfast
shot. With ‘InstaMeets’ motivating mobile photographers to connect
and share photogenic locations, the imagery created – from city
skylines and architecture to urban and undiscovered neighbourhoods
– is bona fide art.
One fan of the ‘InstaMeet’ is photographer Ken Lum Lee. Born and
bred in London, he later moved to Seoul and started the blog Seoul
State of Mind. Initially a private photo diary for friends and
family, photo-walks and InstaMeets have opened up the blog,
inviting followers to walk alongside the photographer and his
Korean travels.
Here Ken Lum Lee of Seoul State of Mind shares with us the seven
most Instagrammable spots in Seoul:
- Dongdaemun design plaza is a futuristic
landmark designed by Zaha Hadid. The centrepiece of South Korea’s
fashion hub and popular tourist destination features a walkable
park on the roof, exhibition spaces, retail stores and a restored
section of the Seoul fortress. - Yeouido is a large island located in the Han
River in Seoul and is the city’s main business and investment
banking district. It includes five parks and hosts the Cherry
Blossom Festival every April. - Samcheong Dong is an idyllic neighbourhood in
Seoul, which according to feng-shui is said to have the best
location. It was given its name in reference to the three
characteristics that make it a primitive area including clean
water, beautiful mountains, and charming residents and is famous
for its Bukchon Hanok (Korean Traditional Houses). - The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art was
created by architect Mihn Hyun Jun and spans 27 x 264 square meters
over six floors (three above ground, and three below). It includes
a library, theatre and multi purpose hall. - Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean
village now preserved to show the 600-year-old urban environment
and for visitors to get a sense of life under the Joseon
Dynasty. - Naksan Park or Nak Mountain was once guarded
the eastern boundary of Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty. Much of
the mountain was destroyed during Japanese rule and later became a
residential area for the working class of Seoul. In 2006 the
government began to transform the neighbourhoods and derelict
spaces into cultural art spaces. Visitors can still visit and walk
along the old Seoul Fortress walls with views over the city. - The Han River is the fourth longest river on
the Korean peninsula located at the border of the two Koreas. The
lower stretches of the Han river are lined with pedestrian
walkways, bicycle paths, public parks and restaurants, making it
one of the most scenic locations in Seoul.