Gangnam, one of the most bustling spots in southern Seoul, will sparkle on New Year’s Eve with special events to be held for the first time by its district office.

A festive mood prevails during the last week of 2011, with citizens writing their New Year’s hopes on “Wish Balls” set up along the 1 km Gangnam Boulevard from the Kyobo book store to Gangnam subway station.

“I promised myself that I will become a better person,” said 23-year-old Yoo Kyung-min, who visited there with her friend on Tuesday evening.

Friends, couples and families stopped by to write New Year’s resolutions despite the cold spell.

“We will love each other as always, and promised to keep smiles all the time,” said Lee Ju-ho, 26, after writing a message with his girlfriend Son Soo-yeon. 

The 90 Wish Balls, installed by the Gangnam district office jointly with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Hyundai Motor, will be let off into the air during the New Year’s Eve countdown to 2012.

“We plan to hold New Year’s events every year to make Gangnam one of the world’s popular places for New Year celebrations. I hope to see more visitors and tourists here,” said Jang Won-seok, the district office’s promotion director.

On New Year’s Eve the street will be brighter than usual as a media art show will play on the large screen at the CGV movie theater, showing attractions in Gangnam with laser lights.

Fireworks will welcome the New Year along with messages from celebrities such as figure-skating champion Kim Yuna.

Visitors and citizens can also send their own greetings to friends and family who can’t be with them through the media pillars along the street.

They can take pictures at the pillars with the built-in camera and email them by simply touching the LED screen. The pillars also provide real-time traffic updates and maps for newcomers unfamiliar with the area.

Gangnam Boulevard is lined with buildings that house famous brand stores. Shoppers can drop by stores such as ZARA, UNIQLO and ABC Mart on the main street or coffee chains including A Twosome Place, Starbucks or Baskin Robin’s desert cafe in between to take a break.

Blocks away from the CGV movie theater is a rising hot-spot where visitors can enjoy a variety of culinary pleasures as well as entertainment at state-of-the-art karaoke venues.

Behind the street, a variety of restaurants, bars and coffee shops are ready to please the various tastes of visitors.

Koo Seon-yeong, a manager at American hamburger franchise Johnny Rockets, said many foreign customers come to the shop, including native English teachers and Muslims who come for the beef.

“Most of our customers are usually young Koreans in their 20s and 30s, but we have many foreign customers too. I once saw 50 percent of our customers were foreigners,” said Koo.

Most employees at large restaurants, bars and coffee shops can speak basic English, with some speaking Japanese and Chinese.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)