DOSSIER - Seoul: design destiny

The metamorphosis is striking: from a colourless, almost tasteless city in the 80s, Seoul has become a fashionable megalopolis. So much so that it was elevated to the rank of "world design capital" in 2010. Under the impetus of a mayor who is now President of the Republic, the Korean capital has rethought its urban character, with the aim of transforming the country's economic success into a real quality of life. The only weak point is a hotel industry that is slow to keep up with the pace of development. But the city is working hard to catch up. Reported by Luc Citrinot - Photos by Ludovic Maisant