Usadan Street Stroll

[Anchor Lead]

Seoul’s Itaewon neighborhood is known for its international and exotic appeal. In particular, Usadan Street has very unique charms for visitors of any background. Let’s check it out.

[Pkg]

Itaewon is nicknamed a small global village in Seoul. Today, we will take you to Usadan Tenth Street. Rituals praying for rain were held here during the Joseon Dynasty.

[Soundbite] Kim Jae-hoon(PR Official, Yongsan-gu District Office) : "Usadan Tenth Street is at the center of the Hannam Renovation Promotion District. With the revampment delayed, young artists and merchants have opened very unique stores. It has become a popular attraction for young people with its exotic culture, like the mosque."

You can come across a white-walled store during a walk along an uphill slope.

[Soundbite] Lee Eun-bin(Tea Store Owner) : "I will clear the cups away. The first course began with today's tea. The name of the second course is a 'river with melting purple ice.'"

A different flavor appears with the meting of ice. It is a special course of savoring tea, which takes at least two hours. The appreciation of the finest tea is allowed to only four teams a day.

[Soundbite] Oh A-reum(Gangam-gu District, Seoul Resident) : "I like the unique experience of drinking teas that I have never tasted before."

This store in an old building looks extraordinary with its black iron-plate sign board. This is a second-hand bookstore. Its shelves are stacked with more old-fashioned items. There even are cassette players and tapes, which are rare to see these days.

[Soundbite] Nam Seung-min(Antique Shop Owner) : "It is a German radio, which is the most expensive item in my store with the price of KRW 800,000."

A slightly scratchy song id played on the turntable.

[Soundbite] Im Eun-jeong(Yongsan-gu District, Seoul Resident) : "I come to read books and listen to the good music a lot. The owner is really friendly. So I come here frequently."

A walk through an alley of Muslim restaurants and groceries leaks to the mosque. This is the Seoul Central Mosque.

[Soundbite] Lee Joo-hwa(Imam, Korea Muslim Federation) : "The Seoul Central Mosque opened in 1976 and serves as a mecca for muslims in Korea."

It is open to the public and anybody. But visitors must avoid wearing revealing clothes. Only Muslim believers are allowed to enter the chapel. Let's move on to a store where you can pamper yourself with relaxing, aromatic scents. This is a scented candle store, which only uses botanical ingredients.

[Soundbite] Jeong Ha-kyung(Perfumer) : "Today, we are going to make macaroon candles as requested."

Wax made with natural soybean oil is meted and mixed with colors and scents of choice. The liquid is poured into a mold and a wick is planted in. Now a beautiful scented candle has been created.

[Soundbite] Kim Do-yeon(Nowon-gu District, Seoul Resident) : "I always wanted to make candles. I am satisfied to make this unique candle by myself today. It is pretty."

Usadan Street is a hidden jewel in Itaewon, with its serene atmosphere and various unique attractions.