Donuimun Museum Village (돈의문박물관마을)

4.1Km 2024-07-22

14-3 Songwol-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Donuimun Museum Village is a historical and cultural space situated in the city center reborn through Seoul-style urban generation while still maintaining its historical value as the first village within the western gate of Hanyangdoseong as well as the lives and memories from the city's modern and contemporary era.

Together with the neighboring area surrounding Gyonam-dong, Jongno-gu, Donuimun Museum Village was selected for inclusion in the "Donuimun New Town" in 2003 for which all of the existing buildings were to be torn down to construct a neighborhood park. But the city of Seoul had another plan in mind; it wanted to maintain this small village, where the old lives and memories are still well-preserved, as a village museum to not only spread the historical significance of Saemunan Village, the first neighborhood within the western gate of Hanyangdoseong (the Seoul City Wall) but also establish the village as a historical and cultural asset for all Seoul citizens. The village was remodeled while keeping the buildings as untouched as possible and, in a few sites where houses had been torn down, broad yards were created. As a result, the warm and affectionate appearance of the village including modern structures, urban-style hanok, and streets with 100 years of history still remain today in their original places to be reborn as a place of new culture enjoyed and experienced by citizens.

Today, Donuimun Museum Village welcomes visitors with a new concept, "100 Years of Seoul, Time Travel Playground in the City." The village has undergone a significant overhaul to fill itself with "participation-style" spaces and contents where exhibits, experience sessions, performances, and marketplaces are held year-round while keeping 40 or so existing buildings intact in order to solidify its identity as a "living museum village," which is the original intention behind the village's creation.

Olive Young - Dongnimmun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 독립문)

4.1Km 2024-04-18

99, Songwol-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

4.1Km 2025-06-25

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

Hwanghak-dong Flea Market (Dokkaebi Market / Manmul Market) (황학동 벼룩시장 (도깨비시장/만물시장))

4.1Km 2025-04-11

11-7 Majang-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Hwanghak-dong Flea Market was named after the way how merchants travel from one place to another all over the country, as if like fleas hopping around from one spot to another, to collect rare and valuable items. This market was once a haven of antiques and collectibles, but with the formation of old-fashioned art street in 1983 in Janganpyeong, many classic art shops had moved out, leaving only used item and general goods stores. Now, visitors can find stores selling antiques, used furniture, electronics, clocks, jewelry, musical instruments, camera, and machinery – pretty much anything one can name. Hwanghak-dong Flea Market is also referred to as Dokkaebbi Market, to describe how even the most rundown items become just like new, as if like the work of a dokkaebi (Korean folk goblin).

Jingogae (진고개)

4.1Km 2024-03-12

19-1 Chungmu-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-0955

Jingogae is a standing store that opened its doors in 1963. Its signature dish is the eobok jaengban (boiled meat slices hot pot), where thick slices of meat are stacked along with vegetables, mandu, rice cakes, and eggs, all boiled together. In addition to this, they also serve dishes such as gejang jeongsik (marinated crab set menu), gopchang jeongol (small intestine hot pot), galbitang (galbi soup), and yukgaejang (spicy beef soup). The spicy and richly seasoned yangnyeom gejang (spicy marinated crab) is also a popular menu item, which when paired with rice, enhances its flavors even further.

Eyedaq Optician (아이닥안경)

4.1Km 2020-04-24

6, Myeongdong 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-754-0110

Associated with Eye Matrix of Japan, Eyedaq offers every kind of eyeglasses: from high myopic lenses to progressive lenses and sports glasses. Its main customers include those in need of special eyeglasses: police officers, firefighters, professional sports players (such as football and baseball players), and skin and scuba divers. As a service to its Japanese clientele, the shop provides overseas shipping options to Japan. Customized eyeglasses can be ordered online. In addition, Eyedaq boasts an array of famous imported brands such as Hoya, Seiko, Pentax, and Zeiss.