{
  "id": 8065722,
  "title": "Seoul's Jongno 3-ga rises to world's coolest neighborhood",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/seouls-jongno-3-ga-rises-to-worlds-coolest-neighborhood-8065722",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T17:37:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260918/seouls-jongno-3-ga-rises-to-worlds-coolest-neighborhood"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul's Jongno 3-ga neighborhood has transformed from a cool spot to the world's coolest, securing the top spot on Time Out's list of the most trendy areas globally for the year 2026. Five years ago, Jongno 3-ga had only ranked third on the list. The historic downtown area has gained its newfound popularity due to a blend of traditional Korean charm and modern vibrancy. This includes late-night food stalls called pocha, independent businesses, and the preservation of traditional Korean houses known as hanok. Time Out's assessment indicates that Jongno 3-ga has only become increasingly more appealing since its last appearance on the list, thanks to the surge in popularity of late-night outdoor dining, independent enterprises, and shops. The neighborhood's growing attractiveness transcends age groups; younger people are increasingly making it their go-to destination, lured by its budget-friendly dining options and laid-back, open-air ambiance. Time Out describes Jongno 3-ga as a social hub where individuals from various age groups and backgrounds have consistently intersected. Nearby Ikseon-dong has become a hotspot for cafes and boutiques housed within century-old hanok structures, while Seosulla-gil offers yet another facet of the neighborhood, featuring craft workshops, jewelry studios, and bars. The ranking has significantly boosted Jongno 3-ga's reputation.",
  "summary": "Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga has gone from cool to coolest, taking the No. 1 spot on Time Out’s list of the world’s coolest neighborhoods in 2026 after ranking third five years ago. The historic downtown neighborhood was praised for its mix of old Seoul and new energy, from late-night food stalls, or \"pocha,\" to independent businesses and traditional Korean houses, or \"hanok.\" Time Out said Jongno 3-ga…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul's Jongno 3-ga rises to world's coolest neighborhood",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/seouls-jongno-3-ga-rises-to-worlds-coolest-neighborhood",
        "published": "2026-09-17T16:52:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}