Response and a Sneak Peak of Seoul

1) Choose one passage that you found the most interesting and explain why?

• In page 5, the passage that described why Pomegranate was the most beautiful places in the 17th Century to visit. I really liked how the author mentioned why the place attracted many visitors and how the place looked like at the time. Moreover, it also made me want to visit the place myself.

2) Use examples to illustrate the interaction between economics and culture

• There were many examples in the reading but out of those many, I would like to focus on two specific ones.  

  • The first was on page 4 where the author mentioned how tools benefited the working force such as a fax machine. He said that Pomegranate changed quickly because "working men were museum pieces" because they had experience using the tools.

  • The second was that there was some miscommunication of words represented on the main street. Because "English and German had rendered Turkish a minority language" the word was replaced as "handburgers" which is now known as hamburgers.

3) For your study abroad country, identify the leading destinations for tourists. What draws people to those places?  

Snap Shots of the Popular Attractions in Seoul

• Location: Seoul, South Korea

  • The popular attraction places are as follows: Myeongdong, Hongdae, Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Insadong, Sinchon, and Itaewon, respectively. 

    Myeongdong 

    
    

    

    
    

    It is one of Seoul's popular place for young people and tourists as a center for fashion and sight-seeing. There are many designer brands stores, department stores,  entertainment.

    Hongdae

    

    Hongdae centers on young art. The area is a home of hundreds of bars, restaurants, nightclubs. There is also an attraction of  coffee shops, and cafes which attracts young adult population. Therefore, most of the fun happens at night.

    Namdaemun

    

    Namdaemun is the "Great South Gate" that is one of the oldest, and largest retail markets in Seoul. There are many stores that line in the streets. A variety of products sold such as souvenirs, shoes, and clothing.

    Dongdaemun

    

    Dongdaemun is the "Great East Gate" a fashion center, where shopping districts, several underground shops, and markets open during the day and night. It is now grown to be the largest shopping center.

     Insadong

    

    Insadong is a "unique area of Seoul that truly represents the cultural history of the nation." There are nation's antique shops, art galleries, and traditional stationery shops. It is a focal point of Korean traditional crafts and culture. 

    Sinchon

    

    Sinchon is close to Yonsei University, Hyundai Department Store, and CGV Cinemas. It is a mecca of nightlife in Seoul with international restaurants, bars, and pubs that draws young adults, and a vicinity of bus stations that takes people out to the suburbs.

    Itaewon

    

    Itaewon is known for international cuisines (India, Thailand, and Mexico) foods that are not widely available in South Korea. There are dozens of street shops in the alleys that sell clothing, Korean traditional products and clubs.