“Curious about what life was like for the aristocracy of Seoul?” asks a voice filled with enthusiasm. This is Songbockeun Hanok. This hanok stands as a testament to Seoul’s rich cultural heritage. It offers a glimpse into the traditional Korean way of life.
Bukchon Hanok Village is where Songbockeun Hanok resides. The village is a residential neighborhood in Jongno District. It is famed for its many restored traditional Korean houses called hanok. This makes it a popular destination.
These hanok date back to the early 20th century. During Seoul’s rapid growth, efforts preserved these homes. Bukchon Hanok Village gained popularity in the late 2000s. In 2024, it hosted 6.4 million visitors.
Residents and the local government manage overtourism here. Visitors can now only enter between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., showing respect for residents.
Bukchon means “north village” because it is located north of the Cheonggyecheon stream and Jongno. The area includes neighborhoods like Wonseo-dong and Insa-dong.
In 2014, about 920 hanok served commercial purposes. Some host artisan businesses. One such business is Kum Bak Yeon. It embellishes clothing with gold leaf.
Regulations manage the high volume of tourists. Since November 2024, visiting hours are limited. Residents ask tourists to respect their privacy. The Seoul tourism website advises minimizing noise and avoiding littering. It also encourages small group sizes.
Historically, the area housed high-ranking officials during the Joseon period. A 1906 register showed that 43.6% of residents were such officials. Notable figures like Pak Yŏnghyo and Kim Okkyun lived here.
During the colonial period, Seoul’s population increased quickly. This led to a housing shortage. Japanese settlers began acquiring land in Bukchon, displacing Koreans.
Korean real estate developer Chŏng Segwŏn played a role in the Bukchon Hanok Village we see today. Around 1920, he founded Kŏnyangsa. This was the first Korean-owned modern real estate company. Chŏng focused on redeveloping Bukchon to prevent Japanese takeover. He intentionally built hanok despite colonial pressure.
These modernized hanok included glass windows and electricity. They were smaller than elite homes, allowing diverse Koreans to reside here. Chŏng funded Korean nationalist efforts. He faced punishment after the 1942 Korean Language Society incident.
Hanok construction continued until the early 1960s. In the late 1960s, Gangnam’s redevelopment caused institutions to move. In 1976, the area became a folk landscape. Restrictions limited building heights.
In 1994, Jongno District managed the standards. Height restrictions eased, causing hanok demolitions. Major projects in 1993 and 1996 demolished dozens of hanok.
In 1999, policies were revised to prevent further hanok loss. New regulations incorporated resident opinions.
In 2007, 30,000 people visited. After being featured on TV, the number rose to 318,000 in 2010. In 2024, the area had 6.4 million visitors. This led to overtourism complaints.
As you stand before Songbockeun Hanok, remember the history and the people who shaped this village. Their stories are etched into the very walls around you. This hanok is more than just a building. It’s a window into Seoul’s soul.