22/02/2026

ON SUNDAY February 22, 2026 theSunday Special XII

Liveable cities in South Korea

BY AQILAH NAJWA JAMALUDDIN

W HAT if liveability wasn’t just about green space and public transport? What if it was about rhythm, soul and know ing when to slow down? In South Korea, cities don’t compete for attention; they seduce in different ways. Some shimmer with an urban edge. Others pull you in with calm grace. Beyond Seoul’s bright lights and global hype lies a country of rich layers and hidden pace. A place where cities live not just for the weekend but breathe 24 hours, seven days a week. So, if you’re looking not only to live but WR OLYH ZHOO WKHVH DUH WKH ¿YH FLWLHV WKDW do it best. Not loudly, but with intention. Busan Busan is Korea’s most relaxed metropolis. (̆ RUWOHVVO\ VW\OLVK ZLWK D WRXFK RI VDOW LQ the air. Think wide beaches, high-rise cafés and seafood markets that turn into culinary playgrounds after dark. T KH OLIHVW\OH KHUH LV ÀXLG

Daegu

Jeonju

from its vibrant textile industry to its evolving café and indie music scene. Daegu is one of the warmest cities in Korea, both in climate and character. It R̆ HUV D VORZHU SDFH ZLWKRXW VDFUL¿FLQJ connectivity, with short commutes and lower housing prices. Mountains fringe the city, giving it a natural calm that balances out its growing ambition. There’s no need to shout here. Daegu simply knows who it is. Jeonju Few cities in Korea blend modern living with cultural richness as well as Jeonju. It’s a city that invites you to slow down, take in the artistry and taste everything, starting, of course, with its world-famous bibimbap. Jeonju’s Hanok Village isn’t just for visitors. Locals stroll through its preserved alleys daily, stopping by galleries, tea houses and craft shops that celebrate tradition without being trapped by it. For those seeking a quieter, more grounded version of city life, one that prizes creativ LW\ DQG KLVWRU\ -HRQMX LV D UDUH ¿QG

Seoul

Did you know? • South Korea has one of the world’s fastest average internet speeds and UDQNV ¿UVW JOREDOO\ IRU * FRYHUDJH • Jeju Island was formed entirely from volcanic eruptions and features a lava tube system considered a Unesco World Heritage site. • There is a themed café for almost everything in Korea, including rac coons, sheep, robots and even crime scene role-play. • Korean convenience stores are open 24/7 and often serve hot food, delivery services and even banking. • The Korean subway system features underground libraries, mini-museums and even pianos for public use.

Seoul Seoul is relentless, electrifying and un apologetically ambitious. It’s where global trends land early and innovation never FORFNV RXW )URP IDVKLRQ WR ¿QWHFK WKH city moves fast and if you can keep up, it rewards you. < et behind the glossy skyscrapers and LED glow, there are pockets of calm. Leafy streets in Seochon, a book café tucked in Mapo, a late-night gallery in Hannam. 6HRXO R̆ HUV HYHU\WKLQJ HYHU\ZKHUH DOO DW once. For some, that’s overwhelming. For others, it’s the only way to live. Gwangju Gwangju is for the thinkers, the rebels, the makers. A city born from resistance and raised in community, it speaks not just in buildings but in brushstrokes, music and memory. The creative energy here is not perfor PDWLYH ,W LV SHUVRQDO 3XEOLF DUW ¿OOV WKH VWUHHWV

Busan

Gwangju