More than 10 million people live in Seoul, South Korea’s vibrant capital, where ultra‑modern skyscrapers such as Lotte World Tower stand alongside ancient palaces and Buddhist temples. While residents honour their history, Seoul is firmly focused on the present and future. The city is widely regarded as one of the world’s most tech‑driven metropolises, with ubiquitous 4G and public Wi‑Fi and a fast pace of innovation.
Digital Media City, a dedicated high‑tech district in downtown Seoul, brings together networked offices, residential complexes, exhibition halls, conference centers and cultural venues. It has become a magnet for broadcasters, filmmakers, game developers, musicians and e‑learning companies. In February the science ministry opened KoVac within the complex, a facility designed to foster virtual reality and augmented reality industries as Korea positions itself as a global leader in those fields.
Seoul’s public transportation system is efficient and easy to use. Nine major subway lines crisscross the city, with trains arriving roughly every five minutes and stations kept clean. Bilingual signage in Korean and English helps visitors and newcomers navigate the system. Buses come in four colors: green and blue buses operate within city districts, red buses connect to the suburbs, and yellow buses run circular downtown routes for convenient access to shopping and business hubs. Taxis are plentiful, and if you’re not at a taxi stand you can typically hail one from the street.
Geunjeong Hall © ELLEN CLARK
In Seoul, many business relationships are built over shared meals and drinks, so accepting an invitation to dinner is often essential. Business partners commonly use dinner to evaluate trustworthiness, compatibility and potential for collaboration.
Drinking plays a significant role in Korean business culture. Socializing in bars and clubs after work is common, and colleagues often deepen trust and camaraderie over several rounds of drinks. It’s not unusual to be invited out after office hours, and karaoke frequently becomes part of the evening’s entertainment.
To recover from a late night, a morning visit to a jimjilbang — a traditional Korean bathhouse — can be restorative. Open 24 hours and typically gender‑segregated in bathing areas, jimjilbangs offer hot and cold pools, saunas, massage services, entertainment lounges and communal rest areas. Larger facilities often provide additional services: Siloam Sauna, for example, offers haircuts, shoe repair, luggage storage, table tennis and karaoke, making it easy to refresh before heading back into the city.
Downtown Seoul has many business hotels, and several stand out for their convenience, service and on‑site dining and entertainment ideal for business meetings.
Lotte Hotel Seoul, a five‑star property in the Central Business District, caters well to business travellers with a full business centre offering printing and digital services, translation and secretarial support, and even business card printing. The hotel’s fine‑dining French restaurant, led by acclaimed chef Pierre Gagnaire, provides an impressive setting for entertaining important clients.
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul adds another upscale option with a comprehensive business centre and an Executive Club Lounge that handles needs from garment pressing to arranging urgent meetings. The hotel features multiple restaurants and bars suited to business lunches and dinners. One distinctive venue, Charles H., is an intimate, dimly lit bar inspired by the cocktail travels of writer Charles H. Baker, offering a refined spot for after‑work drinks.
National Museum of Korea © ELLEN CLARK
If your schedule allows, visit the National Museum of Korea to explore the city’s long and varied history, from prehistoric times to the modern era. Food enthusiasts can learn to make Korea’s signature spicy side dish at Museum Kimchikan, which offers hands‑on experiences. For a peaceful break from the city’s energy, stroll through the tranquil botanical gardens at Changgyeonggung Palace for a quiet hour among historic surroundings.