From Psy’s 2012 blockbuster song ‘Gangnam Style’ to 2024’s thriller series Gangnam B-Side, fans are intrigued about what and where Gangnam is, and why it’s so popular! Dazzling in southern Seoul, Gangnam is best known for its indulgent nightlife, fast lanes, and upscale retail outlets. Bringing its glamour and mystery to the fans yet again, Gangnam plays the set for the newest Ji Chang Wook starter Korean mini-series Gangnam B-Side. This show tugs at Gangnam’s good, bad, and gory side with a cat-and-mouse chase featuring outlaws, detectives, and prosecutors. In this story, we discover the swanky and scintillating bylanes of Seoul’s district through the shooting locations of Gangnam B-Side.
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Gangnam B-Side: Plot, cast, and reviews
This edge-of-the-seat series follows the disappearance of Kim Jae-hee (essayed by Kim Hyeong-seo), a pimp who’s on the run. A detective, broker, and prosector then team up to hunt down Jae-hee in this crime thriller. Together, they rummage through the darkest layers of vice, corruption, and narcotics. Park Noo-ri directs this crime thriller that features Ji Chang-wook, Jo Woo-jin, Ha Yoon-kyung, BIBI, Jung Ga-ram, Oh Ye-ju, and Hyun Bong-sik in pivotal roles.
The first three episodes of Gangnam B-Side went for a world premiere at the 29th Busan International Film Festival. The eight-episode series premiered on Disney+ on November 6, 2024.
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Exploring the shooting locations of Gangnam B-Side
The Korean crime thriller series, Gangnam B-Side, bares the dark underbelly of Seoul’s posh Gangnam district. Beyond the glamorous, the show scratches the sinister alleys, struggles, and secrets, all taped with slaps of neon, narcotics, and dingy backrooms. A very different side of Gangnam appeared in, yes, you guessed it, the year of ‘Oppan Gangnam Style’. Whether posh or petrifying, Gangnam has continued to remain a pop-culture favourite, and it’s time you added it to your Seoul itinerary.
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Things to do in Gangnam
- Pay respects and learn about Buddha’s teachings at the gorgeous Buddhist temple of Bongeunsa.
- Spend a day at the futuristic COEX Shopping Mall. Located under the Korea World Trade Centre, this mall is among the largest underground shopping destinations in South Korea. The key calling points include a Kimchi Museum, a sprawling aquarium, and Starfield Library, which houses over 70,000 titles and 600 magazines.
- Party until the wee hours of the morning at Gangnam’s famed clubs Club Bound, Club Octagon, Tokyo Jazz Club, and Jay & Jason.
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- Walk through the pages of history at Samneung Park, which is home to three tombs: King Seongjong (the 9th king of the Joseon dynasty), his wife Queen Jeonghyeon, and King Jungjong (the 11th king of the Joseon dynasty).
- Home to a K-pop Museum, seven cafes, three restaurants, skating arenas, and basketball courts, the Seoul Olympic Park is a must-visit.
- Explore the Jamsil Lotte World, which houses the Lotte World Aquarium, the Lotte World Tower (the tallest building in South Korea, spread across 123 stories and 555 metres), and the Seoul Sky Observatory.
- To shop, eat, and slurp, head to the vibrant bylanes of Garosu-gil. From Korean boutiques to global brands, this street has it all!
- Your next port of call at the Gangnam, the ritzy shooting location of Gangnam B-Side, has got it be Apgujeong, where high-heeled boutiques, luxury brands, hair and make-up studios, and quaint cafes reel you in. If you’re looking for Korean skincare, this is the place to be! Don’t forget to get snapped at the ‘Life Four Cuts’ photobooth.
- Get tickets to a match at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium and immerse in the sportive spirit.
- Among the most popular parks in Seoul, Banpo Han River Park delights with attractions like Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, and the Han River Boat Ride.
Book your stay at InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas via Booking.com
Book your stay at InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas via Agoda.com
Best time to visit Gangnam
The best time to visit Gangnam is between the spring months of March to May and the fall season from September to November. During this time, the pleasant weather elevates the district’s scenery, making it ideal for long strolls along boutiques and skyscrapers.
Best hotels in Gangnam
For a district synonymous with luxury, upscale hotels equipped with plunge pools, indulgent spas, and impeccable hospitality are integral. Our top recommendations for hotels in Gangnam include Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Gangnam, InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas, Park Hyatt Seoul, Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam, Hotel Cappuccino, and Hotel The Designers LYJ Gangnam Premier. Elevate your holiday with our guide to the best hotels in Seoul.
Book your stay at Park Hyatt Seoul via Booking.com
Book your stay at Park Hyatt Seoul via Agoda.com
Best restaurants in Gangnam
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For a bite crackling with flavour, cosy ambience (or eccentric), and unmatched service, consider eating at these restaurants in Gangnam:
- Mandujip for its Pyeongando-style dumplings
- Zoosindan for innovative cocktails crafted using ingredients unique to Korean
- Vinolic for a charming date night, European appetisers, and fine wine
- Ggupdang for grilled pork butt
- Gebangsikdang for its soy sauce-soaked crab
- Dihirang for authentic Korean fare and homemade kimchi
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(Feature image credit: IMDb)
Related | Discover The Soulful Charms Of South Korea’s Buddhist Temples
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Senior Digital Writer - Growth, TravelWriter by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has ..Read More
