Today's Walk
Today’s Walk
September 30, 2025
I walked from Seoul Station to Haebangchon. It was a long-awaited stroll with a friend. Excited to show my friend the Shinheung Market, which they had never visited before. While the market was great, the time we spent walking together before reaching it was incredibly enjoyable.
Haebangchon is a charming neighborhood filled with old buildings and attractive sights due to its hilly terrain.
Having worked at the KDB Life Tower near Seoul Station, I was very familiar with the area. We casually searched for Shinheung Market on Naver Maps and made our way to Haebangchon. Since we love exploring alleyways, we wandered around, enjoying our leisurely walk.
There were many old shops, including one that dried fish on a clothes drying rack. One of the area's charms is that you can easily spot Namsan Tower while wandering through the alleys.
Many elderly residents in our country tend to grow flowers, so it’s common to see pots overflowing on stairs and sidewalks. While some may dislike it, I find it appealing.
The sight of ivy wrapping around buildings is always beautiful. You can tell an old building by its window frames and construction materials, which gives them a unique aesthetic that cannot be replicated, even with retro-style new constructions. If there’s light and greenery, it becomes even more beautiful.
I was captivated by the alley scenes, the neighborhood views, and the charming old buildings.
We spotted dogs and cats along the way! I hope all the cute pups and kitties stay healthy.
When I saw a low mirror, I got excited to take a selfie! (There aren’t many short mirrors around! Haha, and this one was surprisingly clean!)
At the highest point in the neighborhood, there are stairs leading to Namsan Park and an elevator. There’s also Huam Elementary School with a very tall wall.
Since it’s near an elementary school, there are small, cute cafes where parents can stop for coffee. They have a rustic charm that feels warm and inviting. I’d love to visit one next time.
As we reached the top of the hill, we could see beautiful views below. The narrow alleys and steep, uneven stairs were captivating. Rooftops of old buildings were filled with pots. Being next to Seoul Station, surrounded by tall buildings, offers a striking contrast between modernity and the charm of old architecture.
We often find ourselves entering intriguing alleys, even if they lead to dead ends. Peeking into other people's homes, we feel a sense of wonder.
While the charm of old buildings captivates us, I’ve seen people criticize the trend of demolishing them for new apartments. They argue that those who live there face real challenges, and viewing neighborhoods like art exhibits is distasteful. Perhaps residents are renters, not owners, which changes the perspective.
It’s likely that many economically challenged individuals would be displaced by redevelopment, and many elderly people might find new environments frightening.
If we could preserve the charm of old buildings while creating more comfortable living spaces, it would be ideal. I hope we don’t lose the unique beauty and character of our country’s architectural structures.
We discovered a fascinating space across the road where there was only one sidewalk. There were stairs leading down under a bridge, so we crossed over and descended.
Below, we found a small enclosed area with several old houses clustered together. I worried about flooding during rain, but it felt like a very unique space.
As we climbed back up, we saw two buildings side by side. One was tiny and appeared to be an abandoned house with broken windows, yet it was incredibly charming. The other building was brand new, contrasting sharply with the old one, but it also had a unique design that made it appealing. I wouldn’t oppose redevelopment if it included beautiful, well-designed buildings.
However, any new construction should harmonize with the surrounding landscape and contribute to the overall beauty, rather than standing alone awkwardly.
In this sense, I seem to prefer small, cute old buildings.
With many old buildings possessing unique personalities, we often encounter diverse and interesting views, adding to the enjoyment of neighborhood walks. These places are filled with emotion, regardless of the path or scenery.
The walk continued into the night. As I glanced at the darkening alleys and steep stairs, I spotted a cat.
A white cat was meowing, and from a window halfway up the stairs, a lady greeted the cat. She often came out to feed it.
It was a warm scene.
Beautiful Haebangchon. If I had more time and less pressure from daily life, I would love to stroll through every neighborhood with old buildings and document the scenery.
Today’s walk ends here!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/guzzi_koo/224187167388
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