It has been portrayed continuously in South Korea's popular culture as an oasis of wealth and luxury, thus becoming the subject of numerous domestic films, television series, and popular music references.

Initially not included within the Yongsan ward, during the Japanese colonial period it was a small hamlet called Han River Village (한강리/漢江里) within the Hanji township (한지면/漢芝面), Goyang County (고양군/高陽郡) and lying close to the Han River.

Many celebrities and executives live in three well known residential areas in the neighborhood: UN Village, The Hill, and Nine One Hannam.

The area also has a large concentration of foreign and expatriate residents, mainly corporate executives and diplomats.

In 1985 it moved to Seorae Village in Banpo-dong, Seocho District.