According to Nationmaster.com, South Korea used 402,000,000,000 kWh of electricity in 2009. South Korea ranks in at #11 in the whole world. Number 11... That's not even in the top ten, but when you think about the size of this place... God Damn. Countries like China, Russia and, of course, the US stand ahead of South Korea. Those places are huge. It's no wonder you can't see any stars in the Seoul sky.
I couldn't believe it when I first arrived in Korea- How bright it could be at night. I would sit at the top of my street at the busiest intersection in my town, Byeongjeom (Nothing compared to Seoul) and just take in the neon blanket that lit up the town. It's crazy to look up in the day time and realize how many lights stay on 24/7. I live in Gangnam now. There's more than a few giant-ass TV screen atop buildings that play nothing but commercials... all day, all night, all the time.
While Korea's energy consumption seems wasteful and unnecessary, the nightlife in Seoul, or any other city or town here, wouldn't be the same. I love it. I'll even go as far to say it's beautiful. To walk around the backstreets of downtown Gangnam (especially on the weekend) is an amazing and energizing sight. Everything's happening, everyone's there and every light creates a collage of neon luminance in your eyes and in your brain. The photo above isn't even really the brightest or busiest it gets, but I took it in the moment that I realized how awesome something so simple can be.
Over the past few years here in Korea, you'd think I'd have gotten used to the bright lights and big buildings. I still haven't and I refuse to. I say- Let it be beautiful. Green friendly? Kiss my ass. This is awesome.
