Hapcheon 1. Movie Theme Park
Hapcheon 1. Movie Theme Park
- 1 - The place where you can start a time travel to the 1. Entrance past.
The Hapcheon Movie Theme Park was first built to film the Korean blockbuster movie titled 'Brotherhood', which was directed by Kang Je-gyu and released in 2004. The movie is about a tragic story of two brothers who were drafted into the South Korean Army at the break of the Korean War in 1950. Hallyu stars Jang Dong-geon and Won Bin played the two brothers, and over 2,500 extras were hired for the movie. For this movie, large film sets were built to reproduce the city of Pyeongyang and streets of Jongno in South Korea. These are the film sets.
They became a popular tourist attraction after the movie became a blockbuster hit. It was only after the release of the movie that people decided to reproduce Seoul in the 1920s during the Japanese Occupation of Korea, Seoul in economic development after the Korean War and also Seoul in the 1970s and 1980s. As a result, these film sets became streets of history and memories as you see today. There is an array of buildings showing the everyday lifestyle of the city as well as the modern politics, economy, society and culture of Korea.
- 2 - The buildings in these film sets of 'Brotherhood' were originally built for temporary purposes, but were given street addresses later. Today, there are more than 150 buildings in the film sets, all with an actual street address. Having a street address means that they're registered as a real estate property. Still, the buildings are used for filming movies, and it's fun to watch how they can be changed to serve different purposes simply by switching the hanging board. Inside the buildings, you can enjoy various exhibitions, learn how movies are made and watch old movies. The theme park also turns into a ghost park during the summer nights. The cultural heritage commentator will tell you some interesting stories about the movie stars who came here to shoot a film. If you're lucky, you might be able to see a filming location in action - all because you're here in the Hapcheon Movie Theme Park.
- 3 - Gyeonggyojang, where the Korean political 2. Gyeonggyojang leader 'Baekbeom' Kim Gu was killed.
'Baekbeom' Kim Gu was a Korean independence activist and one of the most respected politicians in Korea during the Japanese Occupation of Korea. He served as the President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, which was organized in Shanghai, China in 1919 during the Japanese Occupation of Korea. 'Gyeonggyojang' is a two-story building on the left side of the street that starts from the front gate of the Movie Theme Park. Kim Gu used 'Gyeonggyojang' as his official residence and headquarters of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea upon his return from China after Korea's Liberation from Japan in 1945.
After his assassination, the building was used as the Embassy of Taiwan and then headquarters of the U.S. Special Forces before it was purchased by the Samsung Foundation in 1967 to be used as the main building of Gangbuk Samsung Hospital. In 2004, it was rented out to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and was restored. Now it serves as a memorial hall. The restoration took four years. The window glass with two bullet holes was also restored at the memorial hall. The two bullet holes were made when the bullets killed Kim Gu. The memorial hall also displays the bloody traditional Korean vest that he wore when he was killed.
In movies and TV dramas, the buildings may look as big as the actual building, but most of the buildings in the Hapcheon Movie Theme Park are only about 60% of the original size. It's the same with
- 4 - 'Gyeonggyojang'. While this building mostly appears as 'Gyeonggyojang' in most of the movies, it's also sometimes transformed into a school in some other movies. It can be fun to find out what other purposes this historic building serves in the movies and TV dramas.
- 5 - Donamjang and Ihwajang, where the First 3. Donamjang and President of the Republic of Korea Rhee Ihwajang Syngman lived.
After Korea's Liberation from Japan in 1945, Dr. Rhee Syngman returned from the U.S. with his Austrian-born wife Francesca Donner. At first, they unpacked at the Chosen Hotel. They checked out of the hotel and moved to 'Donamjang' in Dongsomun-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. They didn't buy or rent the house because the house owner was a man of wealth and let them stay there for free.
After two years of living there, Dr. Rhee and his wife moved to a house called 'Mapojang' and lived there for a short period, and then moved to another house called 'Ihwajang'. The money to buy this house was raised by more than 30 of his friends, and they gave this house to him as a gift. 'Ihwajang', located at the foot of Naksan Mountain, Seoul, is a historic place not only because Rhee Syngman lived there, but also because it was the residence of one of the princes of the Joseon Dynasty.
He and his wife lived there for two years until he moved to the Blue House after becoming the first President of the Republic of Korea. And after living at the Blue House for 12 years as the President, he moved
- 6 - back to Ihwajang upon his resignation on April 28, 1960. But this time, he stayed there for only one month because he left for Hawaii as a political refugee. He died in Hawaii five years later. Francesca Donner, the widowed first First Lady of the Republic of Korea, returned to Korea in 1970 and lived in Ihwajang until her death.
In the Hapcheon Movie Theme Park, 'Ihwajang' is located right next to 'Gyeonggyojang', the official residence of Kim Gu. It is ironic to have the two buildings next to each other, since they were political rivals when they were alive. The 'Ihwajang' in this theme park serves as a traditional Korean restaurant despite its exterior resemblance to the original one.
- 7 - 4. Japanese The Japanese Government-General of Korea Government-General Building as a symbol of Japanese occupation of Korea
The Japanese Government-General of Korea was headquarters for Japan's colonial rule of Korea. In 1926, the Japanese Forces built their Government-General of Korea building in the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds in order to demonstrate their power. This reinforced concrete structure covered with granite slabs, this domed building represented the most modern architecture at that time. The building was used by the Korean government after the Korean War and then as the National Museum of Korea after 1986. However, the building was demolished in 1995 to give way to the restoration of Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula for 35 years from 1910 to August 15, 1945, and such oppression was unprecedented in the history of Korea. The Japanese Government-General of Korea demanded Koreans to have a Japanese name and live as a Japanese citizen. Even Sohn Kee-chung, the 1936 Olympic Marathon gold medalist, had to wear the Japanese flag. After the Olympics, some of the Korean newspapers put him on their paper with the Japanese flag erased on his chest. However, they couldn't escape the watchful eyes of the Japanese Government-General of Korea. Those newspapers were forced to shut down or suspended, and their employees were arrested. Sohn Kee-chung is still one of the most loved athletes of all time in Korea.
- 8 - Bando Hotel, the first business hotel in 5. Bando Hotel Korea.
'Daebul Hotel' in Incheon was the first hotel ever built in Korea. It was built in 1889 by a Japanese man, who saw business opportunities in the tourists who flocked to the city after the opening of Incheon Port. Then which was the first hotel built in Seoul? It was 'Sontag Hotel', built in 1902 in Jeong-dong, Seoul. It was the first European style hotel established by Antoinette Sontag. The building was bestowed to this French-born German woman by Gojong of the Korean Empire and then renovated into a hotel. Neither Daebul Hotel nor Sontag Hotel remains today. The oldest hotel still in service is the 'Chosun Hotel', which is now called the 'Westin Chosun Hotel'. Built in 1914, it was the first hotel furnished with an elevator, European restaurant, buffet and ballroom. This hotel was one of the reasons why Sogong-dong became the center of the new western culture in Korea. But the first business hotel built in Korea was Bando Hotel. It was built by a Japanese entrepreneur named Noguchi Shitagau. A story has it that he decided to build a bigger hotel right next to the Chosun Hotel after being rejected by the Chosun Hotel for having shabby clothes on. He ended up building an eight-story hotel next to the four-story Chosun Hotel. After Korea's Liberation from Japan, Bando Hotel was used as the headquarters of the U.S. Forces and lodging for their officers. In the 1950's, Korean politicians used to meet there. Bando Hotel was sold to Lotte in 1974 and replaced by Lotte Hotel, which has been in service ever since. On the first floor of Lotte Hotel Seoul, there is the Hotel Museum displaying the items used at some of the first hotels built in Korea as well as photos of the hotels. It should be easy for you to recognize some of the items if you saw the replica of Bando Hotel in the Hapcheon Movie Theme Park.
- 9 - Daeheung Theater and The movies of the 6. Daeheung Theater good old days.
The first movie theater in Korea was 'Danseongsa'. It opened in 1907. It was followed by Umigwan, Gyeongseong Theater, Hwanggeum Yeonyegwan, which was renamed to Gukdo Theater in the 1940's, and many others. Only those who are middle-aged and older still remember these theaters. And two of the most popular movie theaters were Gukdo Theater on Euljiro-4-ga and Daeheung Theater in Mapo, Seoul. The 'Daeheung Theater' in the Movie Theme Park still plays 'Daehan News'. It was a three- minute news on Korean government affairs, and all the movie theaters in the past played it before the movie. Every old Korean would still remember watching the news at the theater. The 'Daeheung Theater' in the Movie Theme Park plays the news saying that a farewell ceremony was held for the Korean soldiers who are being sent to Vietnam and that Gyeongbu Expressway is now open. These events took place in the 60's and 70's. You'll also get to see some of the old commercials as well as one of the old movies still paying at the theater. Anyone who was a student during this period would remember watching a movie in one of the in the darkness of the theater. This kind of theater will be a new experience for younger generations who are used to going to multiplex theaters.
In the lobby, there are old movie posters and equipment that were used at the time. The theater also stages performances and events. You can even make a reservation to borrow the theater. The theater with 100 seats can be used also as a lecture hall, singing room, or recreational space just for you.
- 10 - 7. Gyeongseong Gyeongseong Station: A Gateway to the Station Seoul of the Past
"I went to Gyeongseong Station, despite the fact that I got nearly hit by the streetcar several times. The seat in front of me was empty, and I wanted to get rid of the bitter taste in my mouth. Coffee? A good idea. But as I stepped into Gyeongseong Station Hall, I suddenly remembered that I didn't have a penny in my pocket."
This is a passage from the short Korean novel called 'Wings'. The book was written by Yi Sang, one of the most famous poets of the 1930's. This poverty-stricken poet frequented the tea cafe on the second floor of Gyeongseong Station, where he would sit there until the closing hour. Sometimes, he was penniless just like the hero in his novel, and had to turn on his heels at the door. Gyeongseong Station was one of the most popular backgrounds of the poems and novels of the time.
'Gyeongseong Station' opened in 1900, changed its name to 'Namdaemun Station' in 1905 and then renamed back to 'Gyeongseong Station' in 1923. The station building was completed in 1925. It was designed by Tsugamoto Yasushi, one of the students of
- 11 - Tatsuno Gingo, the architect of Tokyo Station in Japan. Although Yasushi insisted that the train station is modeled after Lucerne Station in Switzerland, anyone would agree that it somehow resembles Tokyo Station. For this reason, the Japanese people at that time boasted that Tokyo Station is the best and Gyeongseong Station is the second best in the Orient. Gyeongseong Station is regarded as the most beautiful structure among the ones built during the Japanese occupation of Korea.
It wasn't until 1946 - 1 year after Korea's Liberation from Japan - that the station was renamed to Seoul Station. This is how the station looked like in 1925. It was restored to its original shape and designated 'Culture Station Seoul 284' to serve as a cultural space. Here, the number '284' means that the Old Seoul Station is now a cultural heritage site designed 'Historic Site No. 284'. The tea cafe that Korean poet Lee Sang frequented is also on display in the exhibition room.
- 12 - 8. The Houses of the The Houses of the Enemy where Enemy and Japanese-Style Japanese People Lived and Japanese-Style Houses Houses
In South Korea, there still are many Japanese-style houses in many regions. These are the houses that were built during the Japanese Occupation of Korea. This type of houses are most common in Gunsan, Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, Yeosu and other port cities where a majority of the Japanese lived.
Such houses are called "Jeoksan Gaok" in Korean, which literally means "the real estate properties of the enemy within my country or within the land occupied by the enemy". In a real sense, they refer to the houses and buildings abandoned by the Japanese when they returned home in 1945.
The Movie Theme Park has a small town designed to look like one of the actual Japanese towns with alleyways and such houses. When filmmakers shoot a scene of horse-mounted Japanese police officers patrolling the area, some of the Korean tourists nearby would still get mad and curse at them even though they know it's just a scene for the movie.
- 13 - These Japanese-style houses come in handy for the filmmakers who need to go to Japan to shoot their movie but can't. When you step into the Japanese-style house named 'Punggyeong' with a garden and pond, or dine at the ryokan-style restaurant called 'Hyangwon', you will feel as though you're in Japan. The movie 'My Way' starring the Hallyu star Jang Dong-geon, Japanese actor Joe Odagiri and Chinese actress Fan Bingbing was also filmed here. The movie was about the friendship between a Korean marathoner who dreams of winning the gold medal at the Olympics and the best Japanese marathoner during the World War II. This Japanese-style house is where some of hottest actors and actresses shot their film.
- 14 - The Bank of Korea: The first bank building 9. The Bank of Korea built in Korea.
This building was intended for the Seoul branch of Japan's Cheil Bank. However, when it was completed in 1912, it became the main branch of the Bank of Joseon. It's because in 1909, when the building was still under construction, the Bank of Korea was founded as the central bank of Korea to serve as the Seoul branch of Japan's Cheil Bank. Shortly after the Bank of Korea was founded, Korea was occupied by Japan and the 'Bank of Korea Act' was enacted, changing the name of the bank from 'The Bank of Korea' to 'The Bank of Joseon'. It wasn't until Korea was liberated from Japanese rule in 1950 that the Bank of Joseon was renamed to its original name, the Bank of Korea.
This bank building resembling a Renaissance-style castle has a large vault in the basement floor, and it has a capacity of 1,600 people. A new building was built in 1987 right behind this historic building, which now serves only as the Bank of Korea Money Museum.
Here is one interesting fact about the replica of the original Bank of Korea in the Hapcheon Movie Theme Park: It serves as a motel despite how it looks from outside. That means you can sleep in the bank with your family or friends. Who knows? You might hit a jackpot in your dreams!
- 15 - 10. Seoul Central The First Central Post Office of Korea: The Post Office Beautiful Building in Gyeongseong. Built in 1915, Gyeongseong Post Office was the first central post office built in Korea. At that time, the capital of Korea was called 'Gyeongseong', not 'Seoul'. Just like the Bank of Korea and Japanese Government-General of Korea, the Gyeongseong Post Office building had a dome in the center and arched windows. Being one of the most modern buildings in the country, this three-story red brick building with a band of granite stone around was regarded as the 'Beautiful Building' of Gyeongseong. But only the framework of the building remained after the Korean War. So it was demolished and replaced by a new modern building in 1957 for the Seoul Central Post Office.
The Hapcheon Movie Theme Park has a replica of the original post office building with red bricks, just as it once looked like in the past. What's odd about the building is that while the facade of the building takes the form of a post office building, the side resembles the Embassy of the United States in Seoul. It was built by attaching a reinforced concrete structure to the post office building. The 80's style structure was added in order to shoot a scene of a protest. It's a film set after all.
The inside of the post office building will take you by surprise as well. It's a vampire mansion inside! The inside of the building was designed to serve as an event hall for students to test their guts by lodging there. There are other buildings where you can enjoy various activities. At the Daehan Ilbo Building, you can get to use the real broadcasting equipment and pretend to be a news anchor or weatherman. You can also take photo stickers and make a reservation to participate in one of the traditional art programs such as pottery and beads craft. You can even hold wedding ceremony at Sogong-dong with a streetcar and all. How about it? Why don't you indulge in the fun activities that the Hapcheon Movie Theme Park has to offer?
- 16 - 11. 70-80 Jongno The 70-80 Jongno Streets: When Mom and Streets Dad were young.
When you enter the 70-80 Streets of Memories on the right side of the Hapcheon Movie Theme Park, the first thing you'll see is the Railroad Underpass at Namyeong Subway Station. Namyeong Station is located between Seoul Station and Yongsan Station on Subway Line 1. The name 'Namyeong' simply means "the military camp in the southern part of Seoul" in Korean. The replica railroad of the Namyeong Station in the Movie Them Park is not made of iron, but wood. The railroad and houses of the 70's and 80's are about 40% the original size. The stair steps between the houses and restaurants nearby may appear to be leading to the neighbor, but it actually leads to a dead end alley. It's only in movies and TV dramas that the alley opens out onto a street.
The most memorable place for Koreans who still remember the 70's and 80's is Jongno with its narrow alleys. At the time, Jongno was the hottest place for young men and women to be in, as it was the center of the Korean pop culture. There were many music cafes where the disc jockey played acoustic guitar music among the array of theaters, bars, publishing companies and bookstores. These shabby buildings are nowhere to be found nowadays, because starting from the 80's, the old shabby buildings began to give way to the rise of tall buildings, particularly in and around the Gwanghwamun district.
However, you can still see the old signboards of the 70's and 80's at the Hapcheon Movie Theme Park.
- 17 - If you're a Korean belonging to the older generation, you might find yourself diving into your memories just by walking in the street, and some of the restaurant signboards might make you hungry as well. If they do, go to 'Pimatgol' in Jongno. The word "pimatgol" literally means "avoid the horses". The word came to use and eventually became the name of a small district in Jongno because it was where high officials of the Joseon Dynasty used to pass through on horseback, and people were forced to give way to them to avoid getting run over by a horse. The heavy traffic of pedestrians made the narrow streets a perfect place to open a restaurant, and many restaurants actually opened in the area. Even today, 'Pimatgol' is still a great place to dine. The 'Pimatgol' in the Movie Theme Park actually has an array of restaurants, serving hot rice soup, noodles in anchovy stock, makgeolli bars and street vendors selling roasted sweet potatoes. Take a pick and have your fill - the traditional way.
- 18 - 12. Train Exhibition Train Exhibition Hall: The last stop for your Hall time travel.
There is a train station inside the Hapcheon Movie Theme Park. You won't be able to find it in the KORAIL list of train stations, because it's not in service. It's called 'Gaho Station', and only actors and actresses have any business visiting the station. The word "Gaho" literally means "beautiful lake" in Korean, and it's the name of a town that exists in the Movie Theme Park. The official name of the town is Gaho-ri, Yongju-myeon, Hapcheon-myeon. After the construction of Hapcheon Dam in 1988, a saddle or auxiliary dam was built in this town, and wet fog started rolling in over the town every dawn. The saddle dam is a popular place among Korean photographers.
The train station named after the town has an old electric locomotive. But the train never departs the station, although it actually can. However, it takes about 6 million won worth of coal to move the train just one meter. In movies or TV dramas, it appears to be traveling 100 kilometers when it moved only 1 meter.
Once you have finished your tour of the Movie Theme Park and pass by Gaho Station, you'll come to the last stop of your time travel. It's a wholesale market selling local food. It's where tourists can purchase
- 19 - local produce and little souvenirs. How about buying some healthy local food as a gift for your friends and family?
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