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Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Media Art Show

The Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon was built during the reign of King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty. This place, where the essence of the castle architecture of the late Joseon Dynasty remains intact, has become a representative cultural property of Suwon City. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress has the tomb and temporary palace of King Jeongjo the Great's father, and Hwaseong Fortress was built according to King Jeongjo's plan. Every fall, various cultural events are held at Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon. Suwon Hwaseong Media Art Show is one of these events, and various works are displayed around Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, pleasing the eyes of citizens during the festival. If you plan to visit Suwon in Korea, we recommend that you choose the time when the event is held in the fall. Works using various light are exhibited around the promenade along the river around the Hwaseong Temporary Palace. We recommend visiting during the evening hours. Since the works are displayed around the outdoor river,

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong, Seoul

I went to the Hanok (traditional Korean house) village in Ikseon-dong, Seoul in the month of May.

Ikseon-dong is an area near Jongro 3ga Station where about 100-year-old hanok were concentrated. This area was the site of Nudonggung Palace, the private residence of King Cheoljong's father in the Joseon Dynasty. 

During the Japanese colonial period, Jeong Segwon, a real estate developer in Seoul, bought this area and built small hanoks less than 15 pyeong in this area of 10,000 pyeong. The sale to common Koreans was the reason why there were many small-scale improved hanoks in this area.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong, Seoul

Until the early 2000s, the redevelopment project, which was a densely populated area of hanok, almost turned it into an apartment complex, but the redevelopment plans were canceled, and since the mid-2010s, developers such as Ikseon-Dada have renovated the hanoks in the area and turned them into commercial districts, presenting a unique look. 

It is said that it has become a tourist commercial area with Personally, I felt the atmosphere and mood similar to Tianzifang in Shanghai, China, where an old commercial street I saw on my previous trip to Shanghai was rented to artists and then became a tourist destination.

Recently, it has become popular as a place for young people to take pictures and enjoy wearing 19th century blooming costumes.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

So, there is a representative rental store called Gyeongseongbok that rents hanbok here.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

My son and I didn't have the right clothes to wear, so only my wife and daughter tried on 19th century costumes.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

There are many famous and unique cafes and restaurants in Ikseon-dong.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

As a street frequented by young people, you can also take sticker photos.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

We even took a picture of it once.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong
Ikseon-dong Fusion Restaurant Windmill

And I stopped by the famous fusion restaurant in Ikseon-dong.


Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

It is so popular that you have to make a reservation on weekdays and wait on site on weekends and holidays to eat.

My family was also informed that we would have to wait for about 30 minutes.

So, I looked around for a while at an accessory store.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong
Windmill Fusion Restaurant Foods

I will post the dishes of this fusion restaurant Windmill separately when I get a chance.


Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

It is an area rich in things to see as there are cafes, restaurants, and accessory stores while maintaining the appearance of hanok and buildings.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Korea doesn't allow guns, so I enjoy BB air gun shooting ranges for fun, and there's one here in Ikseon-dong.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

There are many other things to enjoy, so if you're thinking about a trip to Korea, I'd recommend stopping by at least once.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

Tarot fortune-telling and Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling method, are also popular.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

From the name of Ikseon-dong Hanok Street, I imagined it to be like Jeonju Hanok Village, but it was not a street that exudes such a hanok feel. Rather than that, it was the surrounding scenery that reminded me more of the old local shops that stimulated a bit of retro nostalgia.

Hanok Village in Ikseon-dong

As I enjoyed the Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, it became night before I knew it. It was a very pleasant memory, and it felt like I was traveling for about half a day in Seoul.

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