Seoul's Tongin-dong The power of messages that transcend time, in remembrance of poets Yi Sang & Yun Dong-ju
2019.12.09
This issue's “Book Trip” begins at Sejong Village, just outside of Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Subway Station in Seoul. Sejong Village is where King Sejong's former residence was, and the region was given its name in 2010 out of respect for King Sejong's achievements. In the Joseon Dynasty, this area was where the ordinary people lived their lives in harmony while in contemporary Korea, artists and writers like Lee Jung-seob, Pak No-su, Yi Sang and Yun Dong-ju show off their talent. Currently, some 600 hanok (traditional Korean houses) call the place home while unique stores are nestled in all the alleyways in between.
Genius poets Yi Sang and Yun Dong-ju who lived through an age of misfortune
Yi Sang and Yun Dong-ju were poets who lived during Japan's military rule of the Korean peninsula, and they are writers who are loved by the Korean public to this day, with few Koreans unaware of their names and most famous work.
Yi Sang and Yun Dong-ju
'Yi Sang's House' A Space Cherishing the Memories of Genius Poet Yi Sang
Walking a short distance from Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station will lead you to Yi Sang's House close by. This location was designated as one of Seoul's future heritage sites, and it was created by renovating a part of what was formerly Yi Sang's residence. One wall of the building is an archive of Yi Sang's work (which includes first editions), and his poems, novels, essays, photographs, drawings, blueprints, illustrations are all divided by year. A small area that is connected to outside the house has a bust of the poet on display, which compels visitors to feel his presence is still filling the house in a certain way.
Selected works by Yi Sang (First Edition)
Interior and exterior of Yi Sang's house
Five Senses that shows uncommon ideas and Yi Sang's leading work The Wings printed in a newspaper
The Yun Dong-ju Literature Center, where Yun, the poet of stars, still shines
The Yun Dong-ju Literature Center takes about 30 minutes by foot from Gyeongbokgung Station, so visitors are recommended to take a bus to the building.
Sky, Wind, Stars and Poems (First Edition)
Interior and exterior of the Yun Dong-ju Literature Center (ⓒ Yun Dong-ju Literature Center)
The hill of poets located behind the center and a boulder inscribed with Yun's poem, Foreword
Best 3 independent bookstores in Tongin-dong
In the Tongin-dong area are many independent bookstores, big and small. Among these, word of three bookstores has spread like wildfire among book lovers for their unique but sure concepts. All three locations are quite close to Yi Sang's House, within 5 minutes walking distance.
One Book
Add. 24, Jahamun-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
One Book is an independent bookstore with a special concept that is definitely worth more than one visit. Every first day of the month, just one, new book begins its month-long journey. The glass pane facing passersby on the street as well as a wall within the small space is decorated with stories about books, like a writer's monologue. Like a stage of a play with no actors, 'One Book' comes alive as the main character of its own special story, keeping visitors' eyes and ears focused.
The Book Society
Add. F2, 22, Jahamun-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
This particular bookstore is an independent store that specializes in artistic books where one can easily believe they stepped into a project workshop of an artistic team. Books on art that are usually difficult to find in regular bookstores draw one's attention. Here, the owners only sell independent publications on design and art. This unique factor has been maintained for a long period, and the store also sells secondhand books.
BOAN Books
Add. F2, 33 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
This location first opened its doors in 1942 as the 'Tongeuidong Security Inn', offering many who came and went a place for rest for the past 77 years. Today, with the sign 'BOAN 1942', the location offers lodging for artists and is also all these things: a community club, a cafe, an exhibition space, a market and a bookstore. BOAN Books on the second floor sells eye-catching independent books on art and literature in addition to magazines. It is also home to several big and small book clubs. One corner of the store also sells secondhand books, and it is worth checking out for books you might have missed at regular bookstores.
Written by Ji-hye Gwon Ji-hye Gwon |
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