Around Seongbuk-dong

Welcome to the upper environs of Seongbuk-dong, a fascinating, high-altitude district where the ancient historical boundaries of the city dramatically intersect with the complex, layered realities of modern residential life. As…

We begin our ascent on the incredibly scenic northern section of the Hanyangdoseong, the Great City Wall of Seoul. Originally constructed in thirteen ninety-six by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, this massive…

As we locate the small, incredibly steep staircase leading downward from the ridge of the City Wall, we officially enter the dense, complex labyrinth of Bukjeong Village. The transition is instantaneous and somewhat jarring. …

As we navigate deeper into the heart of Bukjeong Village, we must seriously address a critical, ongoing issue that threatens the very fabric of this community: overtourism. In recent years, fueled by social media aesthetics and…

Near the uppermost boundary of the village, situated quietly against the very base of the fortress wall, lies a deeply secluded, fascinating institution: the House of BokJa Sarang, a dedicated Catholic retreat center. This…

As we conclude our intensive walk through the high environs of Seongbuk-dong, descending from the majestic heights of the Hanyangdoseong back through the incredibly tight, winding alleys of Bukjeong Village, we are left with a…