Exploring South Korea's Silicon Valley: A Tour of Pangyo New Town on 'Save Me! Holmes'

On the October 2nd episode of MBC's 'Save Me! Holmes', the spotlight was on 'Pangyo New Town'.

The episode highlighted Pangyo New Town, often referred to as 'South Korea's Silicon Valley', a hub for the gaming industry. Located in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Pangyo is a prominent new town known for its concentration of IT and gaming companies. It is divided into East and West Pangyo by the Gyeongbu Expressway. Following their notable performance in the Yeouido episode, Choi Go-min-soo and actor Ahn Jae-hyun joined host Yang Se-chan as guests.

Yang Se-chan and Ahn Jae-hyun first visited the Alpha Dome City Plaza in Pangyo, where they conducted live interviews with local office workers. The interviews shed light on the trending 'Pangyo language', the work environment, and real estate in Pangyo, capturing viewers' attention. They then visited a prominent apartment complex near Pangyo Station, equipped with department store infrastructure. Yang Se-chan was impressed by the advanced home appliances, including smart thermostats, adjustable desks, and robot vacuums, exclaiming "It's IT!" repeatedly, adding a lively atmosphere to the scene. Notably, Yang Se-chan's older brother, Yang Se-hyung, is known to own a building worth 10.9 billion won.

The cast then moved to Pangyo Techno Valley, home to major domestic gaming companies like NCSoft, Nexon, and NHN. Choi Go-min-soo made a surprise appearance with the signature B4 script. They visited a nearby mixed-use apartment complex, captivated by its stylish, café-like ambiance and sophisticated furnishings. The remodeled M-shaped circulation structure, seamlessly connecting two living rooms, left them in awe.

While strolling through Pangyo Techno Valley, they met various gaming industry professionals, including developers and planners. One office worker revealed that they reside in a Pangyo officetel, with a management fee of 580,000 won, surprising the cast. They visited the officetel, located right in front of the worker's company, featuring a terrace with a panoramic view of Pangyo Techno Valley and a window between the living room and bedroom for an open feel.

The trio then moved to West Pangyo, known for its distinct atmosphere compared to East Pangyo. With a green space ratio of 38%, it offers a pleasant living environment and is home to famous corporate executives. A house designed with two separate entrances for independent family living caught their attention. The dining room, connected to the living room, featured a skylight for natural lighting, and the second floor boasted a spacious bedroom and a loft space for children, tailored to modern lifestyles.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr