The last Hanok Village in Seoul, Ikseon-dong
Ikseon-dong is a place where is always mentioned among various traditional and trendy alleys town in Seoul. We are going to introduce the first “our neighborhood walk”. In fact, it is not the town where I am actually living in, so I’m not sure if the phrase “walking around my neighborhood” is right.
Ikseon-dong is located in Insadong to the west, Jongno 3-ga station to the south, and Jongmyo-dong to the east, and Bukchon to the north. I do not know how I explain where Ikseon-dong exactly is in words. Let’s check the map below capture.
As you can see from the location, it is in the center of Seoul, but here is not a good place to visit. Despite of ambiguous location, how suddenly became famous? Some people say that a lot of artisans’ workshops have come in this area because of the low rental fee in Jongno. Furthermore good restaurants, local stores have been introduced together.
Some other people also say that a lot of things happened in this alleys because of the people who came in to feel the good alley atmosphere. But the most common thing to say is that there are many Hanoks (Korean traditional house). The best way to check it is to see the appearance at the entrance of alley. Most of the shops in Ikseon-dong maintain the traditional Hanok style and added a little modern interior, so the Hanok seems the most important factor.
Actually these Hanoks in Ikseon-dong are made during the Japanese occupation. People once considered this Hanks unworthy and non-tradition because it has just only 100 years history. Ironically, however, many of the more traditional Hanoks in Seoul have disappeared with redevelopment, so Ikseon-dong becomes the last remaining and most historical Hanok village. And the symbol of the last remaining Hanok village made Ikseon-dong a famous alley.
The main alleys of Ikseon-dong
This is the main alley of Ikseon-dong. Just a year ago, most of the well-known restaurants were crowded at the main alley. Perhaps most of the photos that come up when you search for the site are taken here. Let’s follow the AlleysMap, video map for exploration. Videos are much better way to virtual-walk around alleys. Click this link. (On mobile, after downloading the app, click on the link again to see it.)
It was a year ago when I was walking on the side of the main alley. I do not know how I got to say it, but I had a small talk with a local grandmother. There were still few stores in the alley. According to that grandmother, the outsiders kept coming and suggesting to sell their house. Over time, many residents sold their own houses and told me that she also worried about selling her own house. One year later, I saw the new stores in Ikseon-dong when I visited again, grandmother who talked to me before would have sold her house.
Ibis Ambassador Hotel Insadong is the best place to look at Ikseon-dong at a glance. However, it is not possible to stay at a expensive hotel because of Ikseon-dong views, there is a good alternative to Jongno Tax Office. If you go up to the rooftop, you can see the panoramic view of Hanok Village.
This video map shows the way from Jongno 3-Ga Station.
There are a lot of shops to the right from the starting point of the main street of Ikseon-dong. As you walk along the shops, you will see a meat alley well-known for skirtmeat. It was introduced to famous broadcasting a while ago, and it is cheap and delicious.
Ikseon-dong was originally a one town with Insa-dong and Donui-dong which had Piccadilly theater across the street. After the Nagwon Arcade and the Samil-daero are located in this united town, these three areas are separated into each zones. In the 90s, Insa-dong becomes one of the famous neighborhood enough to introduce to foreigners visiting Korea. And now Ikseon-dong is becoming a famous neighborhood like Insa-dong. Two of the three separated areas have become famous, so the next one may be Donui-dong…?
