Reporter’s notebook

SEOUL, South Korea – Beneath Seoul lies an enormous underground shopping mall made up of wide, neatly swept tile hallways lined with tiny shops. The hallways twist and turn and stretch for miles. Among the most popular wares are handbags, ceramic figurines and vases, ginseng products, eyeglass frames and amethyst, jade and pearl jewelry.

Just beside the Westin Chosun hotel is Hwangudan, or round altar. A large monument, Hwangudan was built in 1897 during the Joseon Dynasty. At Hwangudan, Emperor Gojong made offerings to heaven.

Most shops and restaurants in Seoul attempt to blend Eastern and Western cultures. One example is O’Kims, an Irish pub-themed bar in the hotel.

A strong affinity for high-end European fashion is evident throughout Seoul and especially in South Korea’s largest department store, Lotte, where a small section of the store displays Korean products and the rest is filled with rooms that stock Chanel, Gucci, Dior and other pricey labels.