5 Songs About Seoul Neighborhoods

How well do you know Seoul?
Since K-Pop is created largely in Seoul, many songs have paid tribute to the city. Here are our top five songs about different neighborhoods in South Korea's capital city to show off all the glitz and glam each area has to offer.

"Gangnam Style" by Psy

The most widely known song about a Korean neighborhood is Psy's successful song, "Gangnam Style." More than just a funny music video with Psy dancing the famous horse dance, "Gangnam Style" is a critique of Seoul's upscale neighborhood Gangnam. The neighborhood hosts wealthy inhabitants and big companies and has become a symbol of South Korea's success in overcoming war and financial instability. Psy is critical of Gangnam, and "Gangnam Style" serves as a parody of the partying, wealthy lifestyle associated with its residents.

"Seokyeogdong" by Seo Taiji

South Korea was under dictatorship in the 1980's, and Seo Taiji's neighborhood Seokyeogdong was home of the defense ministry that actually ruled over Korea rather than the country's National Assembly. Growing up in that place and that time, Seo Taiji was highly aware of the political situation and "Seokyeogdong" makes this apparent, showing students in military uniform and ending the video with soldiers heading into the house of the female lead.

"Gangnam Avenue" by Orange Caramel

Less critical than "Gangnam Style," "Gangnam Avenue" is a song about breaking up in Gangnam. The three Orange Caramel members walk through the brightly lit streets of Gangnam as Cinderella-like street cleaners who rip off their outfits and turn into fashionable girls. Even though Gangnam is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in South Korea, Orange Caramel depicts the average people who make the neighborhood function.

"I Can't Go To Sinchon" by Postment

Sinchon, a popular neighborhood that is the home to Yonsei University, is known to be filled with college students thanks to being close proximity to not only Yonsei but also several other universities. With numerous restaurants, bars, stores, and activities, Sinchon is a popular date neighborhood and Postmen's song is narrated by a singer who is saying that he can't go back to the neighborhood, out of fear of seeing the places that he and his ex made memories at.

"Itaewon Freedom" by UV feat. JYP

Similar to "Gangnam Style," "Itaewon Freedom" is a complete parody of a neighborhood, this time the Itaewon neighborhood that is the home of the majority of Seoul's international residents. The song is ridiculous and looks like something out of the 1980's, including the flashy lights and outfits, and is meant to depict how Itaewon is like another world than the rest of Seoul. As the title says, Itaewon is "free," where anything goes.

Tags
Gangnam Style
gangnam avenue
itaewon freedom
can't go to sinchon
seogyeokdong
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