Alley tour uncovers hidden gems of Seoul

On a crisp autumn Sunday, 10 Seoulites gathered at a subway station near Gyeongbok Palace.

From an architect to a housewife and retiree, the group was composed of people from different walks of life, but their mission for the day was the same: discover the hidden charm of a town called Seochon.

“Many may consider Seochon as an area that has recently gained popularity among foreign tourists, but Seochon has numerous historical sites that boast rich traditional value as well as an artistic atmosphere,” said Youn Sung-gi, the guide.

Meaning “west town” in Korean, Seochon is located to the east of Inwangsan and the west of Gyeongbokbung. In the early Joseon era, the area was famous for its serene natural beauty, which attracted flocks of artists and poets, said 68-year-old Youn, who has given tours in Seochon for over a decade.

Sunday’s tour was part of a Seoul Metropolitan Government program launched in August to offer its citizens a chance to uncover public art in their neighborhoods. 

Under the “Art on Seoul’s streets found by citizens” project, participants find and promote lesser-known public art and landmarks in groups of 10, joined by field experts and art connoisseurs.

Once a week, each team goes out to the corners of Seoul to excavate relatively unpopular or undiscovered artworks, take photos and write logs on how to continue to excavate to promote these hidden spots, as well as how to preserve it for the next generation.

The day began cold but warmed up slightly in the afternoon, as members moved through more than 20 spots in alleys and boulevards of Seochon leading to the front gate of Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office.

The tour stopped by sites like Artspace Boan 1942, located in Tongyi-dong, which used to be the Boan Inn where painter Lee Jung-seob and poet Seo Jeong-ju hid out during the Japanese colonization period.

“I have lived in Seoul my entire life, but never knew that there were historical places on the streets that we pass by every day. I love how I can now realize the hidden beauty of Seoul through this program,” said Jung Tae-young, 61, the eldest in the group.

Kwon Yun-hee, 38, an artist manager at Artist Pension Trust who joined the tour as a leading field expert, stressed the importance of constantly searching and unearthing public art for citizens’ interest.

“Like how we toured and found today, there are so many traces of art and history left undiscovered on the streets, alleys and corners of buildings in Seoul. I hope more kinds of municipal citizen programs are introduced to arouse citizens’ excitement and interest in Seoul’s hidden beauty,” said Kwon.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)