[One Day Walk] From the Breath of Independence Movement to the 'Hip' Vibe of Gangnam... Apgujeong Rodeo Station

Editor's NoteThe subway is not only a transportation method that anyone can easily access and travel safely with, but also an important point for daily walking. We introduce places around subway stations that are good for walking.

Today's course starts from Apgujeong Rodeo Station on the Suin-Bundang Line, passing through SongEun Art Space, Dosan Park, Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil, and heads toward Jamwon Hangang Park.

The place name Apgujeong originates from the pavilion built by Han Myeonghoe, a prominent early Joseon dynasty political figure who played a significant role in the Gyeyujeongnan coup that led to King Sejo's ascension and held power through three generations?Sejo, Yejong, and Seongjong. The pavilion's name means "living with seagulls" and was located overlooking the Han River. However, the pavilion no longer exists today, and only a monument remains within the Apgujeong Hyundai Apartment complex marking its location. Nowadays, Apgujeong, along with Dosan Park, Apgujeong Rodeo Street, and nearby Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil, has become a place where youth and the image of affluent neighborhoods coexist.

Song Eun Art Space, Gangnam-gu, Seoul [Photo by Song Eun Cultural Foundation]

The first destination is SongEun Art Space. It is the new headquarters and exhibition space of the SongEun Cultural Foundation, named after SongEun Yoo Seong-yeon, honorary chairman of Samchully Group, an energy business company he co-founded. Designed by world-renowned architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron of Herzog & de Meuron (HdM), the building features two long, slender rectangular shapes with a bold facade that has become a new landmark on Dosan-daero. The space hosts various exhibitions, and currently, the "PANORAMA" exhibition is on display, showcasing works by 16 artists exploring diverse themes and media. All exhibitions at SongEun are free, making it easy to enjoy casually.

The gravesite of independence activists Ahn Chang-ho and Lee Hye-ryeon, located at Dosan Park in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
[Photo provided by Seoul Institute]

Dosan Park, as the name suggests, is named after the independence activist Dosan Ahn Chang-ho. After his death in 1938, Ahn Chang-ho was buried at Manguri Cemetery, and his wife, Lee Hye-ryun, also an independence activist, passed away in Los Angeles in 1969 and was buried in the United States. However, in 1973, when the park was established, the couple was reinterred together here. The park includes the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho Memorial Hall, which displays 71 photographs and 19 letters reflecting their lives, as well as a statue of Ahn Chang-ho. Covering a total area of 29,816 square meters, the park has well-maintained walking paths and serves as a major resting place for local residents and tourists.

The Dosan Park area has recently become one of Gangnam's premier upscale commercial districts, with famous streetwear brand Supreme opening its first domestic store here, alongside the nearby Apgujeong Rodeo Street. The area is home to flagship stores of renowned fashion designers, including the flagship store "Manmade Dosan" by designer Woo Young-mi, as well as luxury brands like Herm?s and various popular restaurants, making it a space where diverse trends can be observed.

Next is Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil, another representative commercial district in Gangnam. It is home to Apple's first official store in Korea, and along with Itaewon's Gyeongridan-gil and Seoul National University’s nearby Sharosu-gil, it has inspired similar commercial districts across the country.

Citizens are taking a walk at Jamwon Hangang Park. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Walking northwest along Garosu-gil leads to Jamwon Hangang Park. Although the Apgujeong area, lined with apartment complexes such as Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments along the Han River, is known for limited access to the river, the presence of schools like Hyundai High School and Sinsa Middle School, as well as public spaces like Sinsa Neighborhood Park along the street, reduces the psychological barrier to accessing the Han River. The park offers various sports facilities including multipurpose fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and swimming pools. It also has many boat docks for enjoying various water sports, making it a renowned spot for water leisure activities within Seoul.