Once upon a time

Welcome, historians, cinephiles, and cultural observers, to this expansive physical recreation of 1940s Seoul, then known as Gyeongseong, as depicted in the 2008 heist comedy film, Once Upon a Time. Our traversal today is not…

Our journey begins on the platform of the recreated Gyeongseong Station (modern-day Seoul Station). This architectural marvel is a monument to colonial logistics and imperial ambition. …

Leaving the strict regimentation of the station, we plunge into the sultry, dimly lit interior of the Mirage Jazz Club. This environment is a radical architectural departure. …

We transition from the seductive warmth of the jazz club into the brutal, austere environment of the Japanese Military Headquarters. The architectural language here is designed entirely to intimidate and crush the human spirit. …

Escaping the military compound, we retreat into the cluttered, dusty confines of a traditional Korean antique shop in the winding alleys of Jongno. This space represents the preservation of Korean identity under the crushing…

We descend now into the subterranean depths, the secret underground vault beneath the military headquarters where the diamond is truly kept. This is a space of absolute, paranoid security. …

Our final section brings us out of the darkness and into the chaotic, sprawling environment of the Incheon harbor at night. This is the designated escape route, the liminal space between the oppressed colony and the freedom of…

As we conclude our immersive journey through the Once Upon a Time 1940s Set, we leave behind the shadows of Gyeongseong and return to the modern era. This exhibition has utilized physical space to analyze the multifaceted nature…