Traveling Seoul: Retro streetscapes

 

A narrow alley in a retro neighborhood that captures the essence of 1970s and 80s Korea

Vintage cartoon posters. The popularity of robots was amazing at the time. Kids back then would sit glued to the TV watching cartoons, dreaming they could have their own robot.

The 1970s in Korea was a turbulent era. As the country began to emerge from the devastation of war, the economy rapidly developed and swift changes swept through society and culture.

Now, traces of those changes are disappearing. Old neighborhoods have been quickly filled in with towering buildings, and the dynamic footsteps of those who drove that era of change exist only as faint afterimages in our current time, like sleet scattered in the depths of winter.

However, before the 2000s arrived even up until the 1990s such streets could still be found without much difficulty. So the young adults of the 80s and 90s who live in today's world still carry those wistful memories in their hearts as they shoulder the responsibilities of being family providers, following in their fathers' footsteps while gazing up at the sky from within forests of buildings.

Connected to their gaze toward the blue sky beyond glass windows, in their hearts may arise memories of their childhood: the countryside villages of grandparents who welcomed them warmly, the neighborhood corner stores with creaking wooden floors, old newspapers fluttering in the breeze from ancient electric fans, and public bathhouses.

When even they disappear, there will no longer be anyone left to reminisce about those bygone days.

Korean retro streets from the 70s and 80s can be found at the National Folk Museum in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

National Folk Museum    <--- click for Adress

The word 'super' comes from 'supermarket.' Back in the day, people used to say 'I'm going to the super' instead of 'I'm going to the mart.' 

These days, we naturally say 'I'm going to the convenience store' or 'I'm going to the mart.

A pojangmacha (street food stall). It was selling tteokbokki and various fried foods."

Or alternatively

If there's one thing that has consistently preserved the essence of that time, it would be pojangmacha. 

Among all the retro-themed street installations, these were the spaces that felt most familiar and authentic

*Dambae' means 'cigarette' in Korean. Hwarang was an actual cigarette brand that was sold. The name comes from the elite warrior class of nobles from the Silla period.

 

Those cigarette brands from back then that have all vanished now. Especially 'Hwarang' and 'Dambae' - these two words likely weren't in actual use even back then, but they stayed with me as common examples of military passwords from my days in service.

I believe I may have spotted the wrapper of that cigarette called 'Doraji' on the bottom right once at a highway rest area, though I can't be certain.

The retro street scene. It's about a 30-50 meter stretch. It's not as big as you might expect, but it was sufficient for sightseeing

Being situated near Gyeongbokgung Palace, many international visitors would walk through this area in hanbok after touring the palace.

Visitors will find a well-maintained museum with lots to explore and Gyeongbokgung Palace within close proximity, making it perfect for spending around 2-3 hours without feeling rushed