The Best Part About Working in Jamsil
It has already been two years since I started working in Jamsil. Back then, it was probably the most unfamiliar part of Seoul to me. But after commuting here every day, I've gradually discovered many charms that I had never noticed before. Here are a few of my favorites.
1. The Parks
Whenever I decide where I want to live, one of the first things I look for is whether there's a nice park nearby. Having a place to take a quiet walk and recharge is surprisingly important to me.
Jamsil has both Seokchon Lake and Jamsil Hangang Park within walking distance. Compared to many other riverside parks in Seoul, Jamsil Hangang Park feels much quieter, making it a wonderful place for peaceful walks.
Seokchon Lake is famous for its cherry blossom festival in spring, but every season has its own charm. Personally, summer is my favorite. There was something incredibly refreshing about the slightly humid air, the bright sunshine, and the deep green colors of the trees and the lake. It always felt full of life.
2. Lotte World Tower and the Ever-Changing Shopping Scene
Another advantage is the incredible variety of commercial spaces around Lotte World Tower.
From Lotte World Mall to the department stores, trendy brands and pop-up stores from all over Korea seem to compete for space here. New stores open and close almost every month. Simply walking to work gives me a sense of what people are interested in these days and which trends are becoming popular.
Ordinary concepts rarely survive for long here. If something lacks originality, it quickly disappears. Without realizing it, I developed a better eye for interesting design, branding, and aesthetics.
To be honest, I was never particularly interested in shopping or trends before. But now, simply because of the environment I'm in, I find myself wandering into new stores, seeing what's new, and occasionally trying their desserts or products.
3. Songridan-gil
As impressive as Lotte World Tower is, it can also be exhausting. The crowds are enormous, and most of the stores are either luxury brands or large chains.
But once you walk past Seokchon Lake and enter Songridan-gil, the atmosphere changes completely. There are stylish cafés, bakeries, cozy little bars for an after-work drink, quiet residential streets, and even small playgrounds. It feels like a place where you can finally breathe.
Some evenings after work, I would simply choose a café I had been wanting to visit and stay there until late before heading home.
Some of my favorites include:
View Cleanse
Okuku Bakery
Thirsty Ant
4. The Views
Last but not least, the views.
Whether it's looking out from the tower or looking up at it from the streets below, Lotte World Tower never fails to impress me. I especially enjoy the free night view from the Signiel lobby, the magical castle view while walking around Seokchon Lake, and the panoramic windows at the café next to the gallery on the sixth floor of Avenuel.
These little viewpoints have quietly become part of my daily routine. Without them, life here might have felt just a little more ordinary.
When I first joined the company, I had the choice between working in Myeongdong or Jamsil. I chose Jamsil simply because I enjoy stepping into unfamiliar places rather than staying with what I already know.
Now, Songpa has become one of the neighborhoods where I feel comfortable. People often say that as we grow, our world grows with us. Looking back, I think that's exactly what happened. I'm happy that I can now write about Jamsil as somewhere that has become part of my own story.
As for Jamsilsaenae, I personally don't enjoy its lively food alley very much, so I decided not to include it here. I also haven't explored Seokchon Station or Songpa Naru Station enough yet. Hopefully, I'll have time to wander around those neighborhoods someday.