A Walk in Seongbuk-dong

[Anchor Lead]

The city of Seoul is blessed with many great walking paths to enjoy in the mild spring weather. Today, we take you to Seongbuk-dong, where the streets are alive with the traces of renowned Korean writers and artists.

[Pkg]

This trail along a fortress seems to stretch into the blue sky. Seongbuk-dong alley is found below it. The vestiges of famous writers are found throughout the neighborhood. Renowned writers such as poets Han Yong-un and Cho Ji-hun are said to have lived in Seongbuk-dong.

[Soundbite] Park Byung-ho(Culture Guide) : "Seongbuk-dong is home to lots of historical and cultural relics so that it was designated as the first historical and cultural district in Seoul. The vestiges of greatest writers in the Korean literary history can be found during a walk along the alley."

The intense red walls arrest attention. Let's go into this distinctive, eye-catching building. It looks like a cafe. But it is a culture and art space. Black-and-white photos rouse a feeling of warmth and nostalgia.

[Soundbite] Yoon Woong-seok(Culture and Art Space Owner) : "While staying here, I wanted to capture and keep the warm hearts, lives and appearance of Bukjeong Village in photos. So I prepared this space."

This space is open to anyone who wants to come in and appreciate the photos. Filled with a cultural and artistic atmosphere, it serves as a good resting place in Seongbuk-dong alley.

[Soundbite] Chang Myung-jo(Visitor) : "I can see picture-like photos. It is cozy with birds' singing heard. I feel relaxed and healed."

A walk along the alley leads to a small but elegant Korean house known as a hanok. It is Shim-Woo-Jang where the renowned poet Manhae Han Yong-un once lived. The house features manuscripts and a collection of poems handwritten by Han Yong-un, the author of the poem "Silence of Love" and also an independence activist. In the kitchen is a cauldron used by the poet.

[Soundbite] "Sir, are these real?"

[Soundbite] "Yes, they are."

The spirits of Han Yong-un remain intact at the house.

[Soundbite] Park Ji-young(Visitor) : "I happened to enter Shim-Woo-Jang while walking along the alley. it was good to remember his poems and the nation's history."

Buddhist temple Kilsang-sa on the southern side of Mount Bukak is at the end of a street decorated with lotus lanterns. However, this was not a Buddhist temple at first.

[Soundbite] Hong Jeong-geun(Secretary-general of Kilsang-sa) : "This used to be a restaurant. But the restaurant owner Kim Young-han was so impressed by Venerable Beopjeong's non-possession philosophy that she donated the land and building to him. And the Buddhist temple Kimsang-sa opened."

The Venerable Beopjeong followed through on his philosophy of non-possession, which advocates a simple life. Those who miss the respected Buddhist monk remember his spirit at Kilsang-sa in Seongbuk-dong.

[Soundbite] Hong Jae-hyun(Visitor) : "I like that I can reflect on myself and empty my mind for a while."

Seongbuk-dong alley is alive with traces of writers and nostalgic sentiments from the past.