Discovering Hidden Gems: Seochon & Bukchon - King Sejong's Birthplace and the House of Yi Sang
Nestled near Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeonggung Palaces, Seochon and Bukchon have been vibrant areas since long ago!
Thanks to their geographical proximity to the royal palaces, these neighborhoods are rich in historical sites.
Wandering around, you'll often be surprised to stumble upon something unexpected, thinking, "Wow, this was here all along?"
I recently discovered two such places that I never anticipated finding! So, I'm excited to share them with you.^^
King Sejong the Great's Birthplace Monument
While strolling down the street, you'll suddenly notice a monument with the inscription "King Sejong Was Born Here."
This monument marks the place where King Sejong the Great, a revered sage of the Korean people, was born in the northern Junsubang area of Seoul (near here) in 1397 (the 6th year of King Taejo's reign) as the third son of King Taejong.
This monument was erected in 1986. One can only imagine what kind of building once stood here.
Walking around this area, you'll find several similar monuments. It's fun to discover them! ^^
The House of Yi Sang
This is the former home of Yi Sang, a genius writer. Selected as a Seoul Future Heritage site, this is where the poet Yi Sang actually lived from the age of 3 to 23.
Currently, it's used as a memorial and cultural space!
I didn't know it, but it opened in 2011 and has been operating ever since!
Upon entering, a friendly staff member will ask, "Is this your first time here?"
If you answer yes, they'll show you a short video introducing the life of Yi Sang.
Postcards of Yi Sang are available for sale!
I was happy to see familiar images from various videos.
As this place is free to enter, donations are welcome!!!
This house, which was almost torn down, is being maintained through donations from citizens and corporate sponsorships!
Originally, this was part of Yi Sang's great-uncle's residence, a large house with a main building, servants' quarters, and a detached house, totaling 300 *pyeong* (approx. 10,677 sq ft)!
But now, it has been divided into 10 plots, and only a portion remains as the memorial hall.
You can see Yi Sang's works here.
Although there aren't many chairs, there are spaces where you can sit and read.
The walls here serve as an archive, displaying his works by year!
Opening them, you can see the original novels.
Vertical writing isn't very comfortable for us to read these days. ^^
The poem, *Architectural Infinite Hexahedron*, is truly incomprehensible.
There have been many theories that it is a code.
There was even a novel with the same title!
No matter how much I look at it, I still don't understand it... ;;;
You can move it to the side like this and use a magnifying glass to view it.
The staff member who gave the tour was very passionate! ^^
There are also books published in a modern, easy-to-read format!!
Although he lived a short life,
He was not only a poet and novelist.
He was also a genius or an eccentric who worked as an architect.
The reason he lived with his great-uncle was because his great-uncle, who had no son to carry on the family line, requested it.
Thanks to his great-uncle, who was a technical manager for the Japanese Government-General during the Japanese colonial period, Yi Sang was able to live a prosperous life.
I really liked this paperweight!
It's not decorated in a fancy way, but I couldn't help but think it was charming!
In the courtyard, which feels like a *jungjeong* (inner courtyard), there is a bust of Yi Sang.
Yi Sang lived from 1910 to 1937, passing away at a young age.
His real name was Kim Hae-gyeong, of the Gangneung Kim clan.
In 1922, Yi Sang transferred to Boseong High School, where he became interested in art and aspired to be a painter.
And his academic performance was excellent!
Then, in 1926, he entered the Department of Architecture at Gyeongseong Higher Technical School.
He was such a talented individual that he graduated at the top of his class in 1929.
Rather than being named Yi Sang because he was a strange person, the pen name Yi Sang (李箱) means *plum tree box*.
It is said to have originated from a toolbox made of plum wood.
In 1929, after graduating at the top of the Department of Architecture, he was appointed as a technician in the Architecture Section of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Japanese Government-General through a school recommendation.
In November of the same year, he moved to the Construction Section of the Accounting Department of the Government-General of Korea.
Later, he won 1st and 3rd place in the cover design competition for the Japanese-language academic journal *Joseon and Architecture*!!!
In 1930, he serialized his novel *December 12* in *Joseon*, a magazine promoting the colonial policies of the Japanese Government-General.
In 1931, his Western painting *Image* was selected for the 10th Joseon Art Exhibition.
He showed talent in various fields.
His actions are sometimes seen as pro-Japanese.
However, opinions are divided as to whether or not he actively participated.
On the side, you can see a concrete building.
That protruding part in the middle!
Is a small observatory!!
Let's open the heavy door inside the building and go inside.
In the narrow space, there is a space where you can watch a video about Yi Sang's life!
It looks like a small theater.
Sitting on the stairs and watching a short video, you can learn more about him.
Eventually, in 1931, he was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Since then, his symptoms worsened, and he had conflicts with his new Japanese boss.
His last years were filled with many difficulties.
If you turn around after watching the short video, you'll see these stairs.
Going up, it's about 2 stories high!!!
From the small observatory,
You can look down on the house. ^^
Only a portion remains now,
And you can't fully understand its proper form.
But it's fortunate to be able to see even a part of it.
As you can see from his works,
They are highly experimental!!!
Yi Sang's works, with their code-like content, were fascinating.
He passed away early in life,
But his various works and memories remain.
If you ever visit Tongin Market,
Be sure to stop by here too. ^^
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