A Closer Look at Gangnam Style

Before we get started, please feel free to hit play so you can enjoy some musical accompaniment with today’s blog entry. If for some reason you live under a rock and have not seen this video, then you need to go ahead and watch it right here.

 

 

 

Now, after watching that video, you probably have the same three letters running through your mind as I did when I first saw it…

 

“WTF?”

 

Don’t worry. I’ve got answers for you. (Though the answers are based on very little research, I’ve got them right here.)

What is Gangnam Style?

 

“Gangnam Style” refers to a lifestyle associated with the Gangnam district of Seoul where people are supposedly trendy, hip and exude a certain “class”.  Meaning ‘south of the river’, Gangnam refers generally to all of Seoul south of the Han River.

Development of the Gangnam area boomed for the 1988 Olympics and ever since has been associated with expensive real estate, upscale shopping and partying in chic neighborhoods. It’s that flashy, fashion-conscious style that Psy is rapping about.

 

Oooooh… they had me at flashy.

 

I’m always looking for design and style inspiration or entertainment, so I thought I’d dig a little deeper and see if I could bring some Gangnam-style flashy and fashionable inspiration to you, as it relates to the world of interior décor.

 

Honestly, I didn’t find a whole lot of flash.

 

According to a listing on B&B Hero, this is the “most popular apartment in Gangnam” to rent if you find yourself traveling there anytime soon:

 

 

You gotta admit, there’s not a lot of flash going on here. In fact, I see a major design don’t so please excuse me for a moment while I dish out a little design therapy for these innocent victims of my blog…

 

Dear Owners of the “Most Popular Apartment in Gangnam”, 

If you happen upon this blog in a link back, I just have one decorating tip: pull your furniture into the room and closer together. It looks as if you might be preparing your living room for a Gangnam style dance-off or a “hoedown”, as we call it in these parts.

Pulling your furniture closer together will actually make the space feel bigger, create a more inviting and conversational feel, and will also keep you from having to use binoculars to watch your television.

You’re welcome.

Love,

Me

 

 

I did come across this “House of the Day” featured in the WSJ, which I would describe as being modernly awkward at times. Except for the painting featuring what seems to be a Hispanic in a serape or poncho, this was more in line with the décor style I expected to see after watching the Gangnam Style vid…

 

 

 

And then, there’s Gangnam’s Art Noveau Hotel, which, in my humble opinion, looks less Gangnam style and more like an opulent bachelor pad where Donald, Leon, Wolfgang & Ludwig would reside. (As in Trump, Phelps, Mozart & Beethoven. I just like calling them by their first names.)

 

 

But still, I have to say I expected more color and flash. I mean c’mon, where do THESE people from the video live?

 

 

 

 

I just couldn’t seem to get anywhere with my internet searching, so being the good design detective that I am, I packed up my Nikon-D-8- and booked a flight out to Korea.

Just-kidding.  Taking cues from many of the professionals who work in today’s media, I just made some stuff up and was able to piece together a visual story (using no proper research or validation of sources whatsoever).

I’m happy to announce that I was able to come to some very questionable conclusions about where these people sleep.

Here’s what I came up with…

And this dude (or dudette). What a trend setter!

We can’t forget the Sexy “Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaady”. (Who looks like she’s 12, and that’s just not right.) Do her parents know she was in this video?

 

Have you traveled to South Korea? Do you have pictures of some flashy or outrageous decor and home stylin’? Please share your spin on this story right here, in the comments section of my blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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