Layers of Seoul

Layers of Seoul is a weekly blog post consisting of the stories of Seoul’s structures and neighborhoods. From the first apartment in South Korea to the last remaining hanok villages, this blog aims to uncover the layers of history, culture, and transformation that shape the city. Specifically, our members hope to explore the connections between how architecture can play a role in creating communities, especially in South Korea’s highly developed and technologically advanced landscape.

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The Amazing Hanok Village: Seochon Village!

Seochon Village, which translates to “West Village,” is the nickname for one of Seoul’s oldest neighborhoods, situated west of the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It dates back over 500 years to the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). The village was originally a preferred residential area for the royal family and other influential figures. During the late Joseon period, Seochon became a hub for middle-class artists and writers, fostering the Wihang literature movement. Notable figures s

Christine Cho

Apr 9, 20252 min read

More Than a Greenhouse

The Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung is a western-style greenhouse within the Joseon-era palace complex of Changgyeonggung. The struct...

Tyger Byun

Apr 2, 20252 min read

Samcheong-dong

Samcheong-dong is an old village renowned for its charming side streets lined with small art studios, cafes, and restaurants. It was once...

Roy Lee

Mar 19, 20252 min read

Lights, Camera, Nostalgia: The Legacy of Daehan Cinema

For decades, Daehan Cinema stood as a bridge between generations of film lovers, a cultural hub that connected the past and present of So...

Christie Hwang

Mar 12, 20252 min read

Ikseondong Hanok Village: A Preserved Piece of History Woven Into the Modernized World/Present

Most people choose to visit well-known cities like Myeongdong or Gangnam when touring Korea, often drawn by the trendiness and its modern...

Lisa Kim

Mar 5, 20252 min read

The Miracle: Unveiling the Secrets of the Beauty of the Seokguram Grotto

Ancient architecture is always found by digging through mud. People clean and exhibit it in their places to show people the new and ancie...

Chloe Park

Feb 26, 20252 min read

This Building Tells a Story: Gyonam YMCA

History isn’t always tangible - when the people involved pass away, stories stop being told, and sacrifices are taken for granted - what...

Woosung Choi

Feb 19, 20252 min read

The Heart of Seoul: Culture Station 284

Stepping into Culture Station Seoul 284 feels like uncovering a hidden gem in the heart of the city. Once a bustling train station, now a...

Lauren Lee

Feb 12, 20252 min read

This Library Has a Better View Than Your Apartment—And It’s Free

Perched at the foot of Inwangsan Mountain, overlooking the charming hanok-lined alleys of Seochon, the Cheongun Literature Library (청운문학도...

Minji Kim

Feb 5, 20252 min read

T(h)anks for Our Culture

While visiting the recently opened gallery of my artist friend, SillySally, I found myself at Oil Tank Culture Park, the exhibition’s ven...

Teresa Chang

Jan 29, 20252 min read

The Rise, The Fall, The Rebirth, and The Collapse of Ihwa Mural Village

Though Ihwa Mural Village (이화벽화마을) rose in popularity only recently during the late 2000s, it dates back as far as the 1950s. It is one o...

San Schwede

Jan 15, 20253 min read

Hanok Redesigned: Su-o-jae

Su-o-jae, designed by Sutido_GAON, is a contemporary take on the traditional Korean hanok, completed in 2017. Located in Eunpyeong Hanok...

Lauren Lee

Dec 11, 20242 min read

Namhansanseong: the Sanctuary of Protection

Namhansanseong, a fortified city, was used in the mountains as an emergency capital by the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) in Gwangju, Gyeongg...

Christine Cho

Dec 4, 20242 min read

Geungnakjeon Hall (Andong)

Geungnakjeon Hall, located in Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, is one of Korea’s most important cultural treasures and the oldest wooden bui...

Minji Kim

Nov 27, 20242 min read

Jungmyeongjeon Hall: A Symbol of Korea’s Modernization

Jungmyeongjeon (중명전) hall is a red-brick building hidden away in the Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, South Korea. Built in 1897, it marked a...

Christie Hwang

Nov 21, 20242 min read

63 Building: (Formerly) The Tallest Building in Korea

Imagine standing before a building so tall that its summit seems to vanish into the sky, a feat of architecture stretching toward infinit...

Roy Lee

Nov 13, 20242 min read

The Gunsan Customs Office: An Example of Trade and Commerce during the Colonial Rule of Korea

Lying on the western coast of Korea lies the city of Gunsan. Its history is long, but arguably the most important era in Gunsan’s history...

Tyger Byun

Nov 2, 20243 min read

Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments

Name: Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments Architect: Hyundai Engineering & Construction Date: 1975 Materials: Mainly concrete and steel...