당신은 주제를 찾고 있습니까 “living in songdo – Expectations vs Reality as an international student living in Songdo“? 다음 카테고리의 웹사이트 https://chewathai27.com/you 에서 귀하의 모든 질문에 답변해 드립니다: https://chewathai27.com/you/blog. 바로 아래에서 답을 찾을 수 있습니다. 작성자 The Yonsei Annals 이(가) 작성한 기사에는 조회수 1,869회 및 좋아요 69개 개의 좋아요가 있습니다.
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[Yon-say] Episode 2: Expectations vs Reality as an international student living in SongdoYon-say is a video series created by the Contents Team of The Yonsei Annals that conducts street interviews on Yonsei campus. This series hopes to gain more insights from Yonsei students on various topics, ranging from social issues to college life.
In this episode, we visited our Songdo international campus. We asked 20 international students questions about their expectations before coming to Korea and how different or similar it was with reality. Check out their responses!
Produced by: Lim Hyerin
Filmed and Edited By: Choi Jo-Viviane
Starring: Dyson Katsumi Lee, Leow Pei Han, Grace Margaret Harsch, Pelin Akkaya, Venugopal Sankarshana, Ecem Dilara Dogan, Namkung Seung Jae, Mun JunSeo, Elvi Eliina Sillanpaeae, Lara Straatman, Jigme Namgyal, Bielasik Anna Julia, Margarita Pou, Narai Adaya Maldonado Riva, Asiegbunam Anthony Kachikalum, Demi Melanie Weggen, Mereseini Rachel Lewabua Leano, Andrew Wade, Zara Caulfield O Dwyer, Tina Katharina Trippner
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What is it Really Like Living in Songdo: The World’s Smartest …
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Exploring life in Songdo … Many foreigners join the IFEZ. Each person’s time is colored in with his or her own colors. Here’s a small but heart- …
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주제에 대한 기사 평가 living in songdo
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- Date Published: 최초 공개: 2021. 12. 4.
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Expat Life in Songdo: The Smart City of Korea
Expat Life in Songdo: The Smart City of Korea
Built intentionally to be the world’s smartest city, Songdo has become the home of foreigners who come to experience the technological and international friendly green city. The city has attracted the attention of both people in Korea and outside Korea as it was built from scratch on reclaimed land from the Yellow Sea to be an international utopia. The government’s intention was to attract foreign and Korean entrepreneurs with the promise of a highly modernized, self-sustaining, and family-friendly global city. Whether this has been achieved or not heavily relies on the perspective you look at, but for this article, we will look at what expat life is like in Songdo at the surface level. The expat experience in Songdo is different from that of traditionally built older Korean cities like Seoul because Songdo is a newly built unique city made to fit and attract foreigners. Since I go to school at SUNY Korea in Songdo, I have primarily lived in Songdo during the semesters, only traveling to Seoul for vacation or random visits during breaks and weekends. My experience living in these two very different cities gives me the juxtaposition that I need to highlight the unique things about expat life in Songdo. Whether you are considering living in Songdo or are just curious about the city, this article is for you. Korean government intentions and online critiques aside, what is expat life in Songdo really like? Read on to find out.
What marks expat life in Songdo?
1. Proximity to international organizations
Being an international business district, Songdo is the home to various international organizations with foreign workers. These organizations strictly use English at work, which is convenient for foreigners who want to work in Korea in prestigious companies that do not require Korean. An example of such an organization is the Green Climate Fund (GCF) situated in G- Tower. GCF employs people from all nationalities, who mostly come with their families and live in Songdo, thus contributing to the international population. There are also global research centers such as the recently opened Stanford research center at Incheon Global Campus and other centers belonging to various universities such as Yonsei University and Inha University, whose staff consists of both Koreans and international people. Being an expat in Songdo thus means that you get to be part of a global community of working individuals who will prove to be important resources in both the social and career setting. For churchgoers, you will meet most of these people at Lifespring International Church, a church in Songdo with an impressively big international community consisting of people from over thirty nations, where I met most of my international friends.
2. Proximity to international schools
The major international campuses in Songdo are the Incheon Global Campus and Yonsei international campus. These campuses have students from all over the world since they use English as the medium of instruction. The Incheon Global Campus consists of prestigious foreign universities, namely The State University of New York (SUNY Korea), The University of Utah Asia Campus, Ghent University Global Campus, and George Mason University Korea.
Additionally, there is Chadwick Songdo International School which has classes from Kindergarten level to high school. The children of GCF foreign employees go to Chadwick, where they are taught in English. Due to the presence of these schools, Songdo has many international students, making the city more enticing to expats, especially other students, as they can easily find a community during their stay here. As an expat, having many international students around me has diversified my friend group, invigorated my social life, and enriched my college experience, things you will rarely hear from someone who goes to a traditionally Korean university elsewhere in the country.
3. Where to shop
The main shopping area for people in Songdo is Triple Street, a mall with almost all the stores you can think of. Examples of significant stores for clothes are H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo. There are other clothes stores lined along the pathways in the mall, which are mostly seasonal and affordable. I would advise you to check out for discounts and offers that are available almost every season, especially around the holidays, if you want to shop in big stores like H&M and Uniqlo so that you save as much as possible. However, expats in Songdo typically prefer to take the forty minutes long subway ride to Bupyeong to shop for clothes and shoes at the underground mall instead of shopping at Triple Street. Dongchun, which is six minutes away by subway from Triple Street, is a popular alternative for shoe shopping. For other essentials, there is Daiso and Homeplus in Triple street, which are very affordable options. You will find groceries and other cooking ingredients in local marts around, such as Eden Mart, Emart, Homeplus, Lottemart in Songdo Lottemall, or the GS supermarket at Campus Town, among other places, even online. All in all, Triple Street mall has everything you need; the decision whether to shop there or not will just depend on how much you are willing to spend.
4. Where to eat
Although the restaurants might not be closely packed next to crosswalks like Seoul, Songdo, like any other Korean city, does not run short of eating options. To begin with, the malls (Triple street, Hyundai Premium Outlet, and Songdo Lottemall) have a variety of restaurants. Some restaurants specialize in Korean food, Italian food, Mexican food, Indian food, Japanese food, Chinese food, etc. You will also find fast-food restaurants such as KFC, Mcdonalds, Burger King, Mom’s Touch, and Lotteria and different coffee shop chains when you walk around Songdo. Being an expat, you will most likely want to buy ingredients and cook your food from time to time, but you will have plenty of welcome options when you want to have a nice meal out.
5. Large parks with few people
Songdo has many parks distributed all over where people go to stroll alone or with friends, for family picnics, workouts, or runs. Examples are Global Park, Haedoji (Sunrise) park, Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, Michuhol Park, Central Park, etc. The parks in Songdo have few people; hence you can freely walk there if you need a quiet open space to relax. The main park in Songdo is Central Park, which will remind you of Central Park in New York. This park has impressive architecture and is generally a magical view at night. It has waterways and boats that the public can rent. When the weather is nice, you will find yourself at Central Park enjoying the view or engaging in various activities. Its beauty also makes it a perfect spot to take pictures that will highlight your stay in Korea.
6. Primarily a residential area
Songdo is primarily a residential area; therefore, most of its buildings are blocks of apartments. International people who work here are provided with spacious and fancy apartments where they live with their families. During your walks around the neighborhood, you will come across identical residential high rises built to suit families, with kids and sometimes adults playing outside, which will make you appreciate the possibility that Songdo can be a second home to anyone who wants to live in Korea.
7. Quiet and peaceful
Songdo has way fewer people than Seoul; thus, it’s relatively quiet and peaceful. Contrary to the crowded sidewalks in Seoul, you will rarely find many people walking around in Songdo, except in places around campuses. Triple Street will be crowded in the afternoons and evenings, and weekends when people come to eat in restaurants and shop in stores or when families come to spend quality time. For students who want to study abroad in Korea, I would suggest considering universities in Songdo because there isn’t much going on around; hence, you will focus on what’s important and still go out and have fun in designated areas when you need to unwind.
8. Attractions to visit
Songdo has brilliant and modern architecture that forms the majority of its attraction sites. An example is Songdo Convensia, a modern, aesthetic build with many facilities and is used mainly for conferences. Tall buildings like Posco Tower and the 33-story G-Tower provide a pleasant view of the smart city. The Canal Walk and Central Park are also attractions that will provide plenty to see.
Additionally, you could travel to equally pleasant places close to Songdo like Wolmido and Chinatown to get a feel of beautiful places and engage in fun activities without traveling to Seoul.
9. Pubs and bars
Even though Songdo lacks loud and populated clubs like Seoul, it has several pubs and bars to visit if you are looking to embrace the Korean drinking culture. Many bars have recently opened in Triple street. They are mostly frequented by college students, especially during the weekend, and they have become good places to socialize and meet new people. The most popular bar for expats of all ages in Songdo is The Cinder Bar, serving both food and drinks. The bar has a jovial atmosphere and is reasonably priced. Campus Town is also a popular drinking place for college students and was the major one before Triple Street opened similar places. The Noraebangs (karaoke places) at Campus Town are a good place to wind up your night of drinking.
Pros of living in Songdo as an expat
Below are some pros of living in Songdo that will shed more light on expat life here.
1. An hour from Seoul
Going to Seoul from Songdo is very convenient using public transport. At most times, the buses 9201, M6724, and 1302 will take you directly from Songdo to Seoul. It’s also easy to connect to Seoul by subway, with the estimated time of travel ranging from 1 to 1.5 hours. Expat life in Songdo will, therefore, expose you to the best of both worlds; beautiful Songdo and the busy capital Seoul.
2.Connecting with other expats on Facebook
The international community in Songdo has formed Facebook groups to connect. Examples of such Facebook groups that you can look up and join are Songdo Community and Songdo Expat Buy and Sell message board. In these groups, people give reviews of places, promote events, ask questions, give recommendations, sell their products and even ask for company when visiting places. These groups will help you feel less lonely and give you a sense of belonging while providing helpful information during your stay in Songdo.
3.Close to the airport and the sea
Songdo is located close to the Incheon International Airport, making it convenient for those who want to visit their country from time to time. Since its land was reclaimed from the Yellow Sea, Songdo is also located next to the sea. I sometimes take walks in the evening to the sea to observe the beautiful sunsets above the waters of the Yellow Sea, which is an excellent way to get away from everything.
4.Very few people on the street
As mentioned earlier, Songdo has few people in the neighborhood, and you will find even fewer people on the sidewalks. This is because of the small population and the wide roads and sidewalks that are a signature feature of Songdo roads.
This makes it easy to take walks or cycle around the neighborhood as it’s very peaceful, especially at night, which isn’t something you can say of other places like Seoul.
5. Less pollution
Air pollution is a rampant problem in Korea, such that people wear masks to deal with the bad air quality, especially in Seoul. Luckily, Songdo has less pollution, hence better air quality than the other cities, partly because it’s a green city. Furthermore, Songdo’s trash goes through an underground recycling system; therefore, you won’t find smelly garbage trucks around like you would in other places in Korea.
6. Use of English
Songdo is an international district; therefore, you will find many English speakers around, perhaps the most you can find in one place in Korea. This is due to the international campuses whose students speak in English and the international organizations with foreign employees and English-speaking Koreans. You will also find that restaurant staff can speak English which is very convenient for non-Korean speakers. Other facilities such as dental hospitals and pharmacies also have English-speaking staff. Songdo, therefore, proves to be a comfortable place to live for expats who don’t want to learn Korean.
Cons of living in Songdo as an expat
Like any other place, there are some negative aspects of expat life in Songdo. Below are a few of them;
1. Korean natives stay on their own
Part of the Korean experience that expats in Korea look forward to is interacting with the locals. However, Korean natives in Songdo mostly stay in their private friend groups or with their families and hardly interact with foreigners unless they have to, like in a school setting. This means foreigners can only interact among themselves, which waters down the Korean experience. Therefore, you will find either purely Korean or foreigners’ friend groups, something common in Korea but more pronounced in Songdo due to the larger international community.
2. You might forget you’re in Korea
Songdo is a city built to fit the postmodern context with imitations of the Western architectural designs of buildings and facilities. Visiting older Korean cities and villages will quickly reveal what’s lacking in Songdo; the Korean touch. There is also no street food in Songdo and no nightclubs, which are a big part of Korean culture. Living in Songdo, therefore, means you might not get the full Korean experience. That’s why I would advise you to travel out of the city as much as possible to have a wholesome experience.
3. Nothing to do
Fun activities are few in Songdo and are mainly located far away from residential places. Therefore, you will have to deal with the fact that sometimes there will just be nothing to do in your neighborhood. People who especially hate traveling will be forced to stay indoors, contributing to feelings of loneliness and depression.
4. Loneliness
Songdo’s population is made up of families and college students. Therefore, you will be treated to sights of families hanging out together or couples walking hand in hand when you go to the malls or parks. This can make you feel lonely, especially if you are single and don’t have your family here. This is partly why you will find younger people going to Seoul as much as possible to look for a more lively group of people. Songdo is, therefore, best for older people with families or young college students who want to focus on studying.
All in all, I have found life in Songdo to be very rewarding, and it has become a second home for me away from my home country, which is why I think it’s one of the best places to live as a foreigner in Korea. You might, however, want to look into the cost of housing, which, unless you get housing from elsewhere (on-campus/ company apartments), can prove quite expensive, which can prompt you to look for accommodation elsewhere.
What is it Really Like Living in Songdo: The World’s Smartest City?
Since the day we’ve arrived here in South Korea, we’ve been fascinated by the culture of this incredible country. This is the most culturally distinct place we’ve ever lived or traveled to. We’ve been asking ourselves since day 1, how does a typical South Korean family live?
That’s not the easiest question to answer, however, because one thing we’ve discovered is that we aren’t living in a typical South Korean city. We are living in Songdo. A city designed and created to be a “ubiquitous city”. Ubiquitous in the sense that it intends to be the World’s Smartest City.
The problem is, you’d never know it. Park Yeon Soo has been designing this city for over 30 years and considers himself a visionary. Yet, he says he built a Mercedes and now he needs someone to drive it.
What is it Really Like Living in Songdo:
The World’s Smartest City?
Songdo was built in tandem with Sejong. Officially, Songdo is Songdo International Business District. Officially, Sejong is Sejong Special Autonomous City. No one in the world wants to say either one of those names more than once in their lives.
Both cities were built to house the upcoming generation.
The generation of Koreans who are supposed to have more than two children.
The generation that must proliferate or the culture and nationality of Korea will begin to decline in less than one single decade from now.
Starting in 2030, Korea will need to begin importing people. 80,000 people annually to drive their economy.
Insert: Songdo.
The City Where People Want to Live, Where People Build the Future Together.
Located southwest of Seoul as an attraction for families, businesses, and the future, Songdo was billed as the World’s Smartest City.
Nine years ago with $35 billion dollars developers set out to build Songdo in much the same way Boston was built, with 500 tons of sand poured onto the mud flats of the Yellow Sea on reclaimed land. This is also interesting because Songdo is the same size as Boston.
Boston isn’t the only city that has acted as a muse for developers. There are also canals that mimic Venice; a Convention Center that is modeled after the Sydney Opera House in Australia; and a Central Park much like New York’s.
What Makes Sondgo the World’s Smartest City?
The plan for Songdo, and Sejong alike, includes three main components. No trash, no cars and knowing what you need before you need it.
Instead of trash bins and sorting organic from inorganic material manually, pneumatic tubes are installed citywide to whisk the trash magically away from view and deep underground.
At least that was the idea.
The World’s Smartest City didn’t intend for anyone to have a car or much less drive, however government mandates require a 8-10 lane highways that make up the composition of the city, and are impossible to ignore.
At home, elevators can anticipate when you are leaving your apartment and when you are coming home and have an elevator waiting for you.
Your TV can provide you with a private tutor for language or math classes.
500 cameras ensure total grid coverage to regulate or detect ‘suspicious’ behavior.
That’s both the least of humanity’s problems and the greatest.
Songdo falls somewhere in between The Stepford Wives and The Truman Show. It’s not that anything nefarious is going on behind closed doors, it’s just something feels a little bit off. The picture of Songdo doesn’t match the caption.
A Day in the Life Living in Songdo
At the Incheon Global Campus we take our garbage downstairs to a large room in the basement that overflows each night. Then it is sorted by an individual who oversees that everything is in its proper place from used diapers to kiwi peels.
Not exactly smart, if you ask me.
There are elevators, but they don’t all work.
There are keypads to unlock doors, but the doors don’t lock.
There are video cameras, but they delete everything after 30 days.
There aren’t flying cars or robots cleaning the streets, but there are shimmering glass buildings that touch the sky. The World’s Smartest City is full of 39-60 story apartment buildings with everything you could ever need.
Every community has exercise machines.
Every community has a playground for children.
Every community has a name.
Every community has a little shopping center with kids cafes, salons, a popsicle store, restaurants and take out diners, and schools.
Living in Songdo is not unlike what you’d expect in any neighborhood anywhere in the world. The difference is elsewhere everything is sprawled out over a distance, here everything is located in compact high rise building communities.
There are places to shop and spend your money with rotating vendors that change every weekend. Bins full of wares and goods and commodities. The World’s Smartest City has everything you need, and apparently the people here need a lot of stuff.
And it stinks. No, literally, it stinks.
Despite having a distinct lack of garbage trucks, the smell of rotting waste is putrescent. It’s not so pervasive that you can’t walk around without being offended, but far too often the wafting smell is overwhelming.
The one place you can’t get rid of the smell is at home. You can even smell it in the water.
No one here drinks from the tap, and bottled water is often a scarcity depending on the time of day or the day of the week that you go to the store. Dishwashers must remain open, and clothes need a lemon added to every load.
All anyone in the world ever talks about is the plastic problem. Living in Songdo, you have to pay for plastic single use grocery bags, yet the water is so bad here you can’t drink it and have to buy water bottles.
If anything, The World’s Smartest City should have figured out how to reduce plastic, not contribute to it.
What’s Missing in Songdo, The World’s Smartest City?
People, affordability and individuality.
When we first drove through the city, leaving the airport and crossing the 7 ½ mile bridge that links Yeongjongdo Island to Songdo, we were taken aback by the uniformity that imprints itself upon the city.
The only distinguishing attribute to the sea of high rise apartment buildings are the bold typeface names plastered along the top floor. Everything looks the same, everything feels the same, and everything repeats itself.
Songdo means Pine Island as the city is intended to have 40% green space.
Everything is built to be within 12 minutes walking distance to Central Park intending to serve as a gathering place for the residents and large families drawn to Songdo.
It is meant to be a hub for the thriving communities that are said to absent throughout the rest of Korea.
The apartments, as grand as they are sucking away garbage through pneumatic tubes, are largely vacant. Only 100,000 people live in Songdo a town built for 300,000 and scoped for double that.
The playbook for building Songdo was taken directly out of “Field of Dreams”: Build it, and they will come. After a decade they still haven’t come.
Living in Songdo: The World’s Smartest City is a ghost town. You don’t have to travel anywhere to do anything, unless you want to attend a play, go to a museum or experience anything cultural beyond spending money on material things.
If you want street food, one of the things that put Korea on the map, you won’t even be able to find it anywhere living in Songdo.
Take a few steps outside of Technopark, Songdo’s most recent development, into Dream City or Tomorrow City and see what happens to a neighborhood in the World’s Smartest City after only a few years.
Smog and pollution are higher in Songdo than they are in Seoul, creating a teeming environment for grime. Escalators are so rusted you might mistake them for an apocalyptic waste zone.
Electricity is coal powered and still comes from China. Many suspect that these plants are the reason for the foul smells that fill the air and penetrate the water supply. Because of the pollution, windows cannot be opened most of the year, while heat runs all winter and air conditioning all summer.
Not to mention, The World’s Smartest City doesn’t have central A/C.
Part of the problem with heating and cooling is that the Air Conditioning unit is located in the main living areas. Only in the main living areas. It’s a corner tower that runs full blast, all day and all night, to achieve any sort of reasonable living temperatures.
It’s such a poor use of inefficient electricity.
Tomorrow City was fashioned after Tomorrow Land at Disneyland. Here you could get the classic futuristic ice cream dippin dots and view scaled models of what was coming to Songdo.
After just 6 months city officials shut everything down and declared tomorrow was yesterday, much like the tired tagline of the ice cream no one wants.
Everything is too expensive. Songdo is considered a neighborhood for the elite wealthy. So much so, that Psy filmed part of his Gangnam Style music video in the Songdo Subway Train system.
Even the agency that manages investments and services for Songdo admits they can’t live in Songdo.
People who do live here claim it feels like prison.
Every weekend, everyone from Songdo takes the two hour commute to Seoul to experience museums and culture and street food, while everyone from Seoul comes to Songdo to get away from the dirty garbage strewn streets covered with cigarette butts and filth.
There is supposed to be a speed train from Songdo to Seoul, but it’s just another thing that is missing.
So, What’s it Really Like Living in Songdo?
Songdo, The World’s Smartest City, is more of a test bed that didn’t come to fruition. It’s basically no different than any other city, other than a few minor behind the surface tweaks that you can’t really see, and definitely don’t feel.
Despite everything though, it’s truly astonishing how much has been accomplished here. Standing in the middle of Songdo, you’d never believe 10 years ago this place was a sloshy mudpit covered in seagulls, snails and rats.
For that reason alone, it’s a masterpiece.
Check out our experience on our Korea DMZ tour and what you need to know before you enter no man’s land.
5 Interesting Reasons to Live in Songdo, Korea
Songdo is home to a growing number of foreigners from different parts of the world. The city, intentionally designed as an international city and multicultural hub, supports foreigners in more ways than one. Here are five interesting reasons why Songdo is the best:
One, Songdo’s ecology is both diverse and attractive. Various birds are spotted in Songdo because the city has extended huge green areas. Songdo also has ecological parks that brings you closer to nature’s flora and fauna. So, you can walk around the beautiful city and breathe fresh air. Additionally, there are lot of frogs in Songdo. You can hear frogs sounds at night!
Two, Songdo is user-friendly to foreigners. Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) oversees the development of Songdo and ensures good quality of life for foreigners. IFEZ is preparing for the transition from the Korean export industrial complex, which was the main income of Incheon citizens, to the financial, service, information, and high-tech industries.
IFEZ consist of Songdo, Youngjong, Cheongna in Incheon. Songdo is designated as a business IT/BT hub. Via global friendly ways, IFEZ authority has been promoting multiple projects to expand living infrastructure such as housing, transportation, and promote Korean languages. As a result, Songdo is fast becoming the best place for foreigners who want to successfully and safety settle down in Korea.
Three, Songdo boasts of one of the best residential area in South Korea. At 6 PM, during the weekdays, Seoul city suffers from extreme traffic jam. However, Seoul city, ocassionally called the new Seoul is one of the best places to feel and enjoy good, long-term residence. There are few floating populations in Songdo, so you don’t have to worry about hustle and bustle.
Four, Songdo has convenient transportation system. Incheon International Airport is less than half-an-hour away. Besides, Songdo is well-connected to Incheon subway line that feeds into the national rail network system perfectly So, you can visit any other part of Incheon and South Korea through Incheon subway line 1 and 2. Additionally, you can easily visit to Seoul by taking 9201 bus. You don’t have to transfer buses or subways to get to Seoul.
Five, there are numerous shopping mall and restaurants in Songdo. For example, Tripple Street is an exclusive huge multi-complex shopping mall. Next to Tripple Street is Hyundai Outlet- a major designer shopping mall with shops selling luxurious products at reasonable prices.
From these five reasons, a visit to Songdo will convince you!
Songdo: In the City of Blinding Lights
Incheon, a sprawling satellite city — roughly an hour away from Seoul, is a viable living option for many. Finding affordable housing, in Seoul, can prove to be a gargantuan task. Apartment/housing costs keep rising every year and living in the outskirts isn’t a bad idea when public transportation is so efficient. Scores of office-goers travel every day to Seoul from Incheon (and neighbouring provinces) — in an hour or so. Incheon is also known for its rapid development. Its smart ‘cities’ (townships) attract those who want to live a modern life — away from the bustle of Seoul.
Songdo is one such smart city in Incheon. Reaching Songdo, from Seoul, isn’t too difficult. However, travelling to Central Park Station (the stop for Songdo) on Incheon 1 (not to be confused with Metro Line 1) — after taking the AREX (airport line) — can feel like eternity. Central Park Station’s exits can be confusing and the POSCO (South Korean Steel Company) building is a helpful landmark to keep in mind.
Aliens have captured the imagination of science fiction writers and seekers of alternate adventures for eons. I am skeptical about the portrayal of extraterrestrial lifeforms in popular shows and movies. However, it’s also extremely narcissistic to believe that we’re the ‘only ones’ in a universe that’s beyond our comprehension. Looking at a landscape of soaring slabs of modern construction and engineering — I was tempted to believe in the possibility of an alternate reality. Possibly contact was made on earth — in exchange for a couple of humans. How else could one explain that view (from our hotel window) and the lack of human presence. Another theory, one that my overactive mind slowly cooked, was that we had somehow found a wormhole in the spacetime continuum. We were living in another century on earth.
Songdo is a reflection of what South Korea stands for today. The country is triumphantly moving into the future at lightening speed. However, it will do every bit to preserve its roots and find a spot of history in the midst of modernity. Hanoks (traditional Korean housing) formed a small cluster — dwarfed by towering skyscrapers in the background.
As daylight faded and the lights in the glass palaces were turned on, we set out on a trail to explore this modern marvel. The Hanok Village turned out to be a group of restaurants and hotels.
A couple of water taxis broke the silence of the evening. The walking trails were deserted and a treat to explore. During the day, the waterway can be explored with kayaks, canoes, and boats.
Occasionally, we’d stop by boards and spot a couple strolling in the evening. Although we didn’t have anywhere to be or go, we were hoping to find a nice place to eat dinner.
We’ve always preferred green to grey and most of our trips are far away from concrete jungles. And yet, here we were, marvelling at the glittering stars that seemed to be within our reach.
We found a cluster of eating and shopping options at the edge of this paradise of light and glass. We binged on pasta and wine and wondered how life would be in this secluded human-made wonder. Would it better than staying in the midst of a busy office district? It’s been a long-standing tradition of ours to imagine our lives in every new place or country we visit.
We had a long way to the hotel and that gave us an opportunity to digest the heavy meal that we had consumed. Walking paths were lit with light and lined with dense foliage. I’m sure there was CCTV surveillance at every corner, but I couldn’t shake off that eerie feeling. Was it possible that I was so used to being surrounded by people (in Seoul) that I secretly found safety by not being alone?
We spotted interesting structures that commanded our attention and held their own despite being surrounded by ginormous skyscrapers. Tradition and modernity were blending together with ease.
Last June (2019) was one of the hottest months of summer. In the morning, this concrete haven heats up and it’s hard to walk without letting the piercing rays of the sun burn your skin. At night, the temperatures dipped making walking a soothing experience.
The waterway was eerily silent and mirrored the lights of sparkling buildings on its surface.
We came across this unique bridge that connected two different sides of the park. We could spot all the major landmarks of Central Park. If you walk a little further — you’d probably see the stunning Incheondaegyo Bridge.
We had passed G-Tower (not in pic) on the way to the bridge. G-Tower offers a spectacular view of Central Park and it might be good to explore — if you’re not staying for the night.
It’s strange how different places can look surprisingly similar or dissimilar — depending upon what you’re looking at. The cityscape reminded me of Lujiazui — Shanghai’s business district, and Kowloon Bay in Hong Kong. The musical show at Kowloon Bay was stellar and memorable because it was my first international business trip. Shanghai was the second international city that we lived in and I remember being awestruck by the light. Songdo’s Central Park was equally spectacular, but surprisingly desolate. Our travels have also taken us to nondescript villages, in India, that don’t have electricity for even a single bulb. We’ve eaten in a stilt house in a national park, dimly lit with a kerosene lamp and filled with the warmth of our host — a tribeswoman. The contrast between the haves and have-nots couldn’t be more pronounced.
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity is one of the most complex theories in physics to comprehend. It requires a penchant for math and the desire to let go of everything you already thought you knew (classical/Newtonian physics). Imagination is the only constant required to solve this complex equation. To explain General Theory of Relativity and gravity, most teachers simplify complex equations by asking students to imagine the space-time continuum (3 spacial and one temporal) as a taut surface. If you were to put a circular object (of significant weight) on this surface, it would create a depression or a sinking hole. Greater the weight of the object — greater the depression. Tri-bowl is a perfect example of this theory and further solidified my assumption of being in a different epoch in time.
The aliens had made contact here. Tri-Bowl’s entrance is cleverly camouflaged in a unique pattern of architecture. This multimedia theatre is an offbeat venue for performances, educational programs, and art exhibitions.
It was hard to escape the strong gravitational pull of Tri-bowl. We couldn’t get enough of its unique structure and architecture.
We reluctantly walked back to our hotel. The silence was a bit creepy despite all the blinding light around us.
Our hotel offered stunning views of this maze of development and urban marvels. Songdo is a part of the Incheon Free Economic Zone and was designed for business and living spaces to coexist in modernism. There has been some debate on the success of the plan, but such criticism doesn’t take away from the spectacular feat the planners have achieved so far.
On the next morning, the sun was out and scorched every inch of land we saw. It was time to go back to Seoul and return to the present.
Additional Reading:
Sleepy in Songdo, Korea’s Smartest City
Smart city expert unimpressed with Songdo
Tomorrow’s cities: Just how smart is Songdo?
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키워드에 대한 정보 living in songdo
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