Gwanak District is densely populated with over 500,000 people. While it was once a rural area dominated by the presence of Gwanaksan (Mt. Gwanak), population booms in the late 1950s and early 1960s, accompanied by rapid industrialization of the
capital area, quickly changed the town into a mosaic of dense residential and industrial areas. Large slum quarters were formed by migrant populations from all over Korea who sought jobs in industrialized Seoul. A series of redevelopment projects starting in the 1970s, and the relocation of
Seoul National University to the district, led to a reduction of slum quarters and indigent textile industries and transformed the town into a residential uptown neighborhood of Seoul. The area is also heavily populated by university students from surrounding provinces.
Commercial zones Central commercial zones include the Seorim and Daehak area and the Cheongnyong area near
Seoul National University. These areas also form a large zone of private dormitories and small houses, which primarily target university students and national examination takers (
gosi-saeng) looking for an environment that is favorable for studying. Restaurants, supermarkets, bars and pubs in the area are centered in
Nokdu Street (
Nokdu-geori) in the Daehak area and near
Seoul National University Station. Other commercial zones for residents are located along the Nambu Beltway and two main roads. The main shopping district, the Bongcheon Central Market (
Bongcheon-jungang-sijang), is positioned in Jungang neighborhood, north from
Seoul National University Station. ==Transportation==