Choi Sunu House (최순우 옛집)

2.5Km 2021-12-21

9, Seongbuk-ro 15-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

The Choi Sunu House is the old residence of Hyegok Choi Sunu (1916-1984), who lived in this house from 1976 until the day he passed away. The house is designated as Korea’s Registered Cultural Property. Choi Sunu was a leading art historian who served as the director of the National Museum of Korea. He devoted his life to rediscovering the beauty of Korean art and made many academic accomplishments in the areas of Korean ceramics, traditional woodcraft, and the history of painting.
The house has been open to the public as the Hyegok Choi Sunu Memorial Hall since 2004. The memorial hall displays Choi Sunu’s relics as a permanent exhibition and holds special exhibitions in the fall as well as cultural programs every spring and fall.

Mok In Museum Mok Seok Won (목인박물관 목석원)

2.5Km 2021-09-01

46-1, Changuimun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Mok In Museum Mok Seok Won relocated in 2019 from Insa-dong to Buam-dong. Six exhibition halls offer visitors a look at wooden figures from around the world. Mokin refers to traditional wooden sculptures carved in shapes of human figures or various animals. The museum holds around 12,000 wooden folk sculptures including those used to decorate funeral carriages and temples mostly from the Joseon dynasty up to modern times. The museum also has an outdoor exhibition hall that harmonizes the sculptures with nature.

HOTEL QB (호텔큐비(호텔QB))

2.6Km 2024-12-23

322-10 , Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hotel QB in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is conveniently located a 3-minute walk from Dongdaemun subway station and close to the airport bus stop. Rooms range from single rooms for individual travelers to a quad room, and there is a studio and fitting room where selfies and photos can be taken. The hotel cafe has a microwave, water purifier and refrigerator, and customized travel consulting and free luggage storage are provided in the lobby. Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, Dongmyo Flea Market and a variety of fashion wholesalers are all nearby.

Alleys of Changsin-dong (창신동골목길)

2.6Km 2025-11-05

38, Jibong-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

K-movie <PARASITE> - A town full of nostalgia
On the day Kitaek's family returned home, the torrential rain flowed ferociously in streams. The alleys of Changsin-dong, with its narrow and steep stairs, were a good backdrop for visually representing the condition of the Kitaek’s family, who were about to fall. Changsin-dong is a warm and charming neighborhood where traces of the 70s and 80s can be felt.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

2.6Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

2.6Km 2024-12-02

251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Prison was built under the Japanese administration to imprison independence movement activists. It first opened on October 21, 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Prison. Eventually, so many activists were imprisoned that the building had to be expanded. At that time, the name changed to Seodaemun Prison on September 3, 1912. Eighty years later, the prison was turned into Seodaemun Independence Park on August 15, 1992 to commemorate the Korean patriots who were tortured in prison, giving their lives for freedom. Of the many buildings, only seven were preserved for their historical significance, among which three prison buildings and the execution site were designated as a Historic Site. In 1998, the park underwent another transformation into today's Seodaemun Prison History Hall to educate the public on the importance of Korea's independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

2.6Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Detention Camp. It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in the 1960s. When the prison was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do in November 1987, the area was restored and turned into a memorial park in August 15, 1992 to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno.

One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated a Historic Site. Nearby is Dongnipgwan (Independence Hall), originally called Mohwagwan, which was used to greet Chinese envoys during the Joseon dynasty. Today, the hall enshrines 2,327 tablets inscribed with the names of Koreans who died for the cause of national independence. Standing right next to Dongnimmun Gate are the remnants of Yeongeunmun Gate, another Historic Site. Other sights inside the park include the Patriotic Martyr Monument, Declaration of Independence Monument, and Statue of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who was an independence activist and publisher of Korea’s first independent newspaper. The main highlight of the park is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former prison building that was renovated into a history museum.

Jangchung Gymnasium (장충체육관)

2.6Km 2024-03-12

241, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Jangchung Gymnasium is Korea's first domed gymnasium and opened in 1963. It was renovated in 2015 to become what it is today. It is famous for hosting the Korean Professional Volleyball League during the winter months. The gymnasium also boasts a variety of athletic competitions, cultural performances, and events. Nearby are Jangchungdan Park, Jangchung-dong Jokbal Street, and Dongdaemun Historical and Cultural Park, which are all worth exploring.

Seungjin Toy (승진완구)

2.6Km 2025-01-06

30, Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seungjin Toy is a toy store that carries almost every kind of toy imaginable from stuffed animals to character dolls and much more. What makes this store even more attractive to many customers is that their merchandise is, on average, 30% cheaper than that of their competitors.

Seongbuk-dong–Bukchon Hanok Village Course (성북동고택북촌산책길)

2.6Km 2025-11-06

68, Seonjam-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

The Seongbuk-dong–Bukchon Hanok Village Course is a nostalgic path connecting famous old houses in Seongbuk-dong and Bukchon Hanok Village, divided by the old city walls. Along the way, you'll find historic sites like Gilsangsa Temple, Jeongbeopsa Temple, Han Yong-un’s Simujang House, and novelist Lee Tae-jun's House. The trail also features charming cultural spots, such as the traditional tea house Sooyeon Sanbang and the Seongbuk Museum of Art.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "Parasite"
The scene in the alley where Ki-woo visited Mr. Park's house in a wealthy neighborhood for expensive tutoring was filmed in a residential area in Seongbuk-dong. Seongbuk-dong, an old wealthy village, has luxury mansions lined up in. There are many pretty cafés and galleries here and there, so it's good to take a leisurely look around. Mr. Park's house was a filming set, which was demolished after filming.

Choi Sunu House (최순우 옛집) - Area information - Korea travel information