What if I told you that Bangi 2-dong has a story that goes back centuries? Bangi 2-dong is a neighborhood in Seoul’s Songpa District. It has a rich history dating back to the Joseon period.
In 1636, King Injo sought refuge from Manchu invasions. He went to Namhansanseong fortress. At that time, Bangi-dong was known as Bangigol. The village played a vital role in defending against Qing soldiers. Local defenders repelled invaders. They used arrows and stones from the mountain slopes. This act earned the name “Bangigol” for Bangi 2-dong. It means “blocking the barbarians.”
Around 1914, scholars at the village school changed the meaning of the name. They reinterpreted the characters. “Bang” changed from “defense” to “fragrant.” “I” changed from “barbarian” to “white mugwort.” This renaming led to the village being called Bangigol. The area was also known for its snug terrain. Rhododendron flowers grew abundantly there.
Historically, Bangi-dong belonged to Gyeonggi Province during the Joseon Dynasty. In 1914, administrative changes occurred during the Japanese colonial period. Bangigol and neighboring areas became part of Bangi-ri. Over the years, Seoul’s districts expanded. Bangi-dong was annexed to Seongdong District in 1963. It then went to Gangnam District in 1975. Later, it became part of Gangdong District in 1979. In 1988, Songpa District was formed from Gangdong District. Bangi-dong has remained within Songpa District ever since.
Bangi 2-dong is also home to educational institutions. Korea National Sport University is located here. It is next to Olympic Park. You can also find several schools in Bangi-dong. These include Seoul Bangi Elementary School and Bangsan Middle School.
The Bangi Food Street is a must-visit for food lovers. It’s often called “Bangi-dong Meokjagolmok” which means “Bangi-dong Food Alley”. Here, you can find many delicious restaurants. Office workers line up here during lunch hours. The Old Food Alley started in the early 1990s, when Songpa-gu Office opened. The New Food Alley began across from South Gate 2 of Olympic Park.
Bangi-dong also has ancient tombs that were discovered in 1975. Eight tombs were excavated. The site was restored into a park in 1983. The tombs are believed to date back to the Unified Silla Period.
Bangi 2-dong has transformed over the centuries. It went from a defense village to a fragrant neighborhood. It is now a vibrant part of Seoul. Bangi 2-dong combines its historical roots with modern life.