Just steps away from the futuristic spire of Lotte World Tower, a quiet transformation is redefining how international travelers experience southeastern Seoul. In a move to blend attractions with authentic local culture, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday the official expansion of the Jamsil Special Tourist Zone to encompass Songridan-gil, a bohemian alleyway renowned for its artisan cafes, alongside the traditional culinary hubs of Bangi Market and Bangi Food Alley. The expansion increases the zone’s total area from 2.31 to 2.75 square kilometers. By folding these vibrant neighborhood corridors into Jamsil’s existing tourism umbrella — which already draws nearly three million foreign visitors annually to landmarks such as Seokchon Lake, Olympic Park and Lotte World — city planners aim to evolve Jamsil from a quick sightseeing stop into an immersive, 24-hour cultural destination. The decision caters directly to shifting global travel trends. Modern international tourists, particularly Gen Z and millennial travelers, increasingly bypass conventional tour buses in