Call it what you will: A historic landmark or a run-down eyesore. Despite its weathered exterior, Yujin Mansion, also known as Yujin Sangga, was once the embodiment of modern, high-end living. With the term “mansion” implying a high standard of living at the time, the building houses larger-than-typical units for the era, ranging from 109 to 221 square meters each. Built in 1970 in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, it was one of the country‘s earliest mixed-use apartment complexes, designed to s

A steep stairway of 108 stone steps winds up and down through one of Seoul's relatively older neighborhoods: Huam-dong in Yongsan-gu. Ambitiously named the 108 Heaven Stairway, the staircase serves as a direct route for residents and visitors traveling up and down the steep slope between the lower and the upper villages. Yet, some stairway users are unaware of the historical significance beneath their feet. In fact, the origin of the stairs is associated with anguish for Koreans, tracing back to

Quarry-turned-village attracts hipsters with unique cliffside houses, hidden eateries in alleyways A row of houses sits perched on a rocky cliff, squeezed between large boulders, creating a stunning landscape that contrasts from the dense cluster of Seoul’s typical apartment and office buildings. Changsin-dong Cliff Village is a distinctive residential area that lies 125 meters above sea level on Naksan, one of the mountains in inner Seoul, along which still stands remnants of a fortress from th

Imagine a neighborhood in Seoul where metal workshops collide with colorful street art. It’s an unexpected fusion — industrial and artistic, raw yet creative — but somehow, it works. Welcome to Mullae-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Just five minutes from Mullae Station’s exit 7, this neighborhood hums with energy. Spot a metal giraffe? You’re in the right place. Keep walking, and you’ll find a giant welded mask — an iconic sculpture representing Mullae’s ironworking legacy. Old-school steel shops

In the heart of Seoul‘s ultramodern cityscape, a dilapidated apartment complex stands as an eerie reminder of the city’s past. The Hoehyeon Simin Apartment, which sits at the foot of Namsan, has gained fame in recent years primarily for its decrepit, post-apocalyptic appearance, making it a sought-after filming location for dark productions such as Netflix‘s “Sweet Home.” Yet, believe it or not, this elevator-less, 10-story apartment was once a symbol of modern urban living. Its 352 identical 38