In a recent LinkedIn post, Hung Lee shares a series of observations from a five-week trip across East Asia, offering insights into public spaces, innovation, and cultural nuances in cities like Seoul, Tokyo, and Shanghai. Lee, who recently returned to the UK, detailed nine key takeaways from his extensive travels, highlighting stark differences and unique characteristics of the regions he visited.
Public Spaces and Urban Order
One of Lee’s most striking observations concerns the nature of public spaces. He notes a pervasive sense of safety and inclusivity across all cities visited, where spaces appear to be genuinely shared by all age groups and abilities. This contrasts with his experience in London, where certain public areas can feel dominated by specific demographics. Lee posits that this multigenerational use of public areas plays a role in moderating the behavior of younger adults.
Furthermore, Lee was particularly impressed by the cleanliness of public areas in Korea and Japan, especially given the apparent scarcity of public bins. He drew a parallel to the ‘Reverse Broken Windows theory,’ suggesting that a lack of visible receptacles might encourage greater personal responsibility for waste disposal.
“PUBLIC SPACES ARE OBVIOUSLY SAFE, EVERY CITY. Space belongs to everybody – old, young, able / disabled. Not dominated by ‘youths’ or young adults. Multigenerational public spaces moderate young adult behaiour.”
Innovation and Infrastructure
The post also delves into the realm of innovation and infrastructure, with Lee expressing admiration for China’s train stations. He views them as a testament to first-principles thinking required to manage the movement of vast numbers of people.
Lee also reflects on the nature of innovation in Japan, describing it as ‘additive.’ He suggests that once an innovation becomes convention, it tends to persist, creating a unique cultural landscape where established practices remain prominent.
“Innovation turns to convention which then just stays there. Fascinating to experience addictive innovation in Japan.”
Another area of interest for Lee was the diversity of payment systems encountered. From QR codes and cash to various digital wallets like Alipay and WeChat, he observed a complex and varied ecosystem of transaction methods, differing significantly from place to place.
Cultural and Global Observations
Beyond infrastructure, Lee touched upon cultural elements, noting the ubiquity of ‘Otaku culture’ as a form of youth counter-culture. He also highlighted the Canton Fair as a powerful representation of globalization, providing a firsthand view of global supply chains.
On the technological front, Lee singled out Korea’s public Wi-Fi infrastructure as exceptional. He described experiencing ubiquitous 5G connectivity with no limits or sign-in requirements, allowing for seamless internet access.
“KOREA PUBLIC WIFI IS NO1. 5G everywhere, no matter where you go. No limit, no sign in, just surf.”
Lee concluded his observations with a lighter note, marveling at the unique and adventurous ice cream flavors he encountered, even singling out a particular ‘Rice Cream’ as the best he had ever tasted.
The post also included announcements for upcoming events Lee plans to attend or participate in, including a session on Customer Experience (CX) in London and a breakdown of the ‘Zapier Framework’ for hiring AI fluency.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Hung Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on May 18, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →