{"id":344119,"date":"2025-06-18T15:50:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T19:50:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/?p=344119"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:50:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T19:50:50","slug":"spotlight-on-seoul-the-cosmopolitan-capital-of-calm-luxury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/spotlight-on-seoul-the-cosmopolitan-capital-of-calm-luxury\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotlight on Seoul: The Cosmopolitan Capital of Calm Luxury"},"content":{"rendered":"

As South Korea exports K-Pop and \u201cSquid Game\u201d to the world, many of its residents lean towards a quieter, more harmonious design sensibility, writes Soo Kim<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>Hannam-dong, Seoul<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Korea Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

From \u201cSquid Game\u201d<\/span> fever to the global K-pop craze, South Korea\u2019s international currency has grown exponentially in recent years, with the country attracting a new wave of popularity and visitors. Its bustling capital, Seoul, has drawn particular interest for its eclectic cultural offerings and unique design scene, as showcased in its luxury districts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeoul has emerged as a compelling presence in the global luxury real estate landscape,\u201d says architect Sim Hee-Jun, co-founder of Seoul-based design firm <\/span>ArchiWorkshop<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWhile the city has long offered traditional premium neighborhoods, a new generation of high-end residences is shifting the definition of luxury beyond aesthetics or exclusivity.\u201d Among the city neighborhoods with the highest concentration of luxury properties are Cheongdam-dong and Hannam-dong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheongdam-dong, and the nearby ward of Apgujeong-dong, is an area \u201cwhere residential and commercial realms blend seamlessly,\u201d according to Sim. Located within Gangnam\u2014the district south of the Han River that bisects the capital\u2014Cheongdam-dong is home to celebrities and the wealthy \u201cchaebol\u201d families whose electronics, energy and telecommunication firms have driven South Korea\u2019s economic growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is also rich with high-end fashion boutiques and galleries, so it\u2019s no wonder art is a fixture of its high-end homes. The luxury residence <\/span>PH129<\/span><\/a>, with its double-height walls and elegant finishes, embodies this emphasis on sculptural aesthetics, says Korea Sotheby\u2019s International Realty.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Cheongdam-dong, Seoul<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Korea Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Long favored by diplomats and embassies, Hannam-dong is home to exclusive residential clusters such as the UN Village and the high-end apartment complex Hannam The Hill. Residents enjoy a beautiful outlook thanks to the neighborhood\u2019s sloping terrain above the Han River. An apartment in the elevated <\/span>La Terrasse Hannam<\/span><\/a>, located in the UN Village, offers townhouse-style private gardens, natural light and privacy, and uninterrupted riverside views.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seoul\u2019s luxury design values have been shaped by traditional Korean sensibilities, says Sim, as typified by \u201cthe quiet curves\u201d of the Korean ceramic moon jar and \u201cthe spatial poetics\u201d of the \u201chanok,\u201d the traditional Korean house, \u201cwith its voids, asymmetry and harmony with nature.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

K-pop\u2019s bold aesthetics may have been exported to the world, but Hoon. Lee, founding director of the interior design firm <\/span>Studiohoon<\/span><\/a>, says many locals still favor traditional Korean beauty, leaning toward \u201cwarm wood and calm white tones\u201d in the home. This sensibility likely stems from the Korean phrase, \u201cwhite-clad folk,\u201d a self-identifier from a time when most of the population wore the color for its symbolic association with cleanliness and heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Lee, many of his company\u2019s design clients prefer \u201cthe harmony and balance between materials and shapes that are not excessive and restrained.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Samseong-dong, Seoul<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Korea Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Wellness and the harmonious blend of interior and exterior spaces are among the key design trends seen in neighborhoods such as Samseong-dong, in Gangnam. This upscale area is home to <\/span>L\u2019Arbre 27<\/span><\/a>, a private enclave of residences set on a hillside. According to Korea Sotheby\u2019s International Realty, the complex was informed by the principles of neuroarchitecture, which aims to create spaces centered around emotion, happiness and well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hwon Yoon, from the Seoul-based <\/span>D-Werker Architects<\/span><\/a>, says much of Korean apartment culture focuses on combining convenience with \u201cluxurious interior materials similar to those in resorts.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span>Sincheon-dong, Seoul <\/span><\/a>| <\/span>Korea Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Signiel Seoul Penthouse<\/span><\/a> in Sincheon-dong, a neighborhood in the Songpa district, offers exactly this hotel-style aesthetic and lifestyle, sitting at the top of <\/span>Lotte World Tower,<\/span><\/a> the tallest building in South Korea and the sixth tallest in the world. Home to a mix of c<\/span>elebrities, political figures and business executives, the<\/span> building includes a private swimming pool and spa, full concierge service, and breathtaking views of Seoul from its panoramic windows and terraces.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the neighborhood experiencing the most dynamic transformation is Seongsu-dong, a former industrial area often dubbed the \u201cBrooklyn of Seoul.\u201d The area is being reimagined as a cultural and design-driven luxury district by a new generation of creatives, says Sim. With its converted warehouses, concept stores and hybrid residential buildings, \u201cSeongsu-dong is a living laboratory for how design and urban identity can evolve together,\u201d he notes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Seongsu-dong, Seoul<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Korea Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The elegant and earthquake-resistant towers of the hybrid <\/span>Acro Seoul Forest<\/span><\/a> development are one of the area\u2019s most noticeable additions. Inside their gridded structures, apartments are fully customisable, combining warehouse-style living with a suite of luxury amenities including an on-site gym, caf\u00e9, sauna and golfing facilities, plus integrated smart technology and full forest views.<\/span><\/p>\n

Architect <\/span>Leehong Kim<\/span><\/a>, whose firm operates in Seoul and New York, says that Seongsu-dong is slated to see a new influx of wealthy residents, with further high-end residential areas planned around its Sampyo site and the riverside. Luxury design in Seoul is no longer simply about square footage or status, as Sim says, but rather is \u201cdeeply intertwined with architectural authorship, cultural narrative and a thoughtful way of living.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out <\/span><\/i>our spotlight on Hong Kong<\/span><\/i><\/a>, another city of exciting design contrasts<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As South Korea exports K-Pop and \u201cSquid Game\u201d to the world, many of its residents lean towards a quieter, more harmonious design sensibility, writes Soo Kim Hannam-dong, Seoul | Korea Sotheby\u2019s International Realty From \u201cSquid Game\u201d fever to the global K-pop craze, South Korea\u2019s international currency has grown exponentially in recent years, with the country […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770370,"featured_media":344120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1403],"tags":[1523],"class_list":["post-344119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-market-insights","tag-south-korea"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Z-header.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1rwj","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":345765,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/where-youll-really-want-to-be-in-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":344119,"position":0},"title":"Where You\u2019ll Really Want to Be in 2026","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"January 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"From Milan to Mexico City, these are the luxury locations to head to this year, writes Francesca Perry Mexico City, Mexico | Mexico Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Looking ahead, a number of exciting, high-profile events and openings will animate cultural hotspots around the globe in 2026\u2014but where are the biggest draws?\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A Home in Mexico City, Mexico","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WTB-2026_CDMXLomas1.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WTB-2026_CDMXLomas1.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WTB-2026_CDMXLomas1.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WTB-2026_CDMXLomas1.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WTB-2026_CDMXLomas1.webp?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WTB-2026_CDMXLomas1.webp?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":345545,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/spotlight-on-bangkok-home-to-a-cultural-and-luxury-renaissance\/","url_meta":{"origin":344119,"position":1},"title":"Spotlight on Bangkok: Home to a Cultural and Luxury Renaissance","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"December 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Thailand\u2019s capital is riding a creative and cultural wave, with the world-class real estate and lifestyle to match, writes Lisa Gries Khlong Tan, Bangkok | List Sotheby\u2019s International Realty In the 2025 World\u2019s 50 Best Hotels ranking, two of the top three\u2014the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok and Capella Bangkok\u2014are in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Bangkok tower luxury residence","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Bankgok_Porsche2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Bankgok_Porsche2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, 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You\u2019ll Be in Good Company if You Buy This Midtown Manhattan Townhouse\u00a0\u2013 The Spaces Inside a $4.4M Midcentury Compound in the Mountains Above Malibu\u00a0\u2013 Robb\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brand News"","block_context":{"text":"Brand News","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/brand-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":343875,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/perfecting-a-southern-style-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":344119,"position":4},"title":"Perfecting a Southern-Style Home","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"May 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Cozy colorful rooms, luxurious outdoor entertaining and acres of space are perfect for welcoming guests and connecting with nature, writes Elizabeth Fazzare Lexington, Kentucky | Bluegrass Sotheby's International Realty Each year, on the first Saturday in May, horse-racing enthusiasts don frocks, seersucker suits, and chapeaus of all kinds to attend\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-9.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-9.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-9.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-9.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":343852,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-march-2025-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":344119,"position":5},"title":"Significant Sales: March 2025 Highlights","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"April 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From a \u20ac164M sale in Sardinia, Italy, to a US$31M sale in Palm Beach, Florida, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in March. Sardinia, Italy Lodovico Pignatti Morano | Italy Sotheby's International Realty, \u20ac164M View properties in Sardinia, Italy Palm Beach, Florida Judge Moss,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-8.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-8.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-8.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/header-8.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/232770370"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=344119"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344119\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/344120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=344119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=344119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=344119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}