Beyond palaces, Seoul emerges as undisputed favorite for young global travelers

In the concrete back alleys of Seongsu-dong, affluent young travelers weave through industrial-chic pop-up boutiques testing the latest Korean skin care regimens before drifting toward Gwangjang Market for sizzling mung bean pancakes and spicy rice cakes. By late afternoon, many of those same visitors trade high-fashion storefronts for hiking boots, ascending the granite ridges of Mount Acha to catch sweeping sunset vistas over the skyline — all without ever setting foot outside the municipal limits. This seamless fusion of high-concept retail, neighborhood gastronomy and urban wilderness has propelled Korea’s capital to an unprecedented milestone in international tourism. Seoul on Monday…