Gwangju likes to consider itself slightly different to the rest of South Korea. Known primarily as the site of a grisly student massacre in 1980, Gwangju has long been a hotbed of reactionary politics and unorthodox attitudes. The city remains very much a student town, and is also a thriving centre for modern art. Gwangju hosts a Biennale which has been attracting attention globally and in scope and scale is drawing itself level with those more established in Venice and Sydney. It is also known as the breadbasket of wider Jeolla province, with local restaurants reknowned for fresher, better tasting food than elsewhere...and at better prices!