Background of the Ihwa Mural Village
During the Joseon Dynasty, Ihwa-dong, also known as Ssanggye-dong, was a popular entertainment spot for noblemen. During the Japanese imperial period, high-end housing complexes were built for Japanese citizens, and after independence, during the Syngman Rhee government, national housing was established to improve poor-quality housing in the Ihwajang area.
Naksan Project
In 2006, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism used lottery funding to launch an urban art program to enhance living circumstances. The Public Art Promotion Committee, a private group, hosted this campaign, which included 11 regions. Murals were painted in the Ihwa-dong and Dongsung-dong regions between September and December 2006, with the help of citizens, artists, college students, and volunteers, on a budget of around 350 million won. As a result, paintings and sculptures were produced around Ihwa Village.
As a result of this action, the Ihwa Mural Village’s buildings and environs, including flower pots, electric poles, stone walls, stairs, and even wall cracks, became part of the art. Later, additional visiting artists arrived to carry out similar initiatives across the country. Ihwa Mural Village has become a renowned tourist attraction since it serves as a setting for TV shows, dramas, and films.
Expansion and demolition
In 2013, the artists worked together again, bringing over 100 paintings and 60 displays to the Mural Village. Professional painters and students from Kookmin University, Konkuk University, Chung-Ang University, Dankook University, and Ewha Womans University all contributed to the mural’s creation. The ‘Ihwa-dong Village Museum’ project began in 2014 in the region of neglected national housing on the left and right sides of Naksanseonggwakseo 1-gil, increasing the number of tourist sites visited by both locals and visitors. In 2016, as the popularity of experiencing numerous local cultures in Korea grew, it was ranked as the fifth most searched destination by Chinese tourists.
Visitors to the Ewha Mural Village have caused numerous issues for surrounding people, including intrusions into privacy. Residents who couldn’t take the overabundance of tourism tore down some murals in April 2016. The Flower Stairs and Fish Stairs, which were made in 2013, were the most well-known in Ihwa Mural Village, but they were later painted gray.
But that doesn’t mean there’s still nothing to see in this town. Even now, there are murals dotted all over the village’s alleys, so there are many things to see. However, we recommend that you move around quietly, as there are residents.
Which station is Ihwa Mural Village near? and How to get there
It is advisable to travel to Ihwa Mural Village from Hyehwa Station. This village is roughly a 15-minute walk from Hyehwa Station. For this reason, I recommend visiting Ihwa Mural Village after exploring the streets surrounding Hyehwa Station. The map below is the Korean Naver map. It may be difficult because it is in Korean, but let me explain. Google Maps does not work well in Korea. It is still not working right now. (Check the link below to see why it isn’t working.)
<Read More about why you should not use Google Map in Korea>
The thin, sky blue square above and below on the map is Hyehwa Station. And the thick, dark blue line that runs from Hyehwa Station is the road to the village. It takes 15 minutes to walk and is not difficult to do.
But how do I get to Ihwa Mural Village from Myeongdong?
Take the subway at Myeongdong Station, then take Line 4 and get off at Hyehwa Station, then walk as described above. It takes about 30 minutes.
Is entry into the village free? Is there an entrance fee?
There is no fee to enter the community. Visitors are welcome to come and go as they want. However, disturbing households late at night or early in the morning is impolite.
When is the best time to go?
I recommend visiting the Mural Village during the afternoon when the murals are clearer to see and photograph. The roads are dark at night, making it hard to see the paintings, and neighbors dislike it.
What should I do there?
As it is a mural village, the main point is to see the murals. Time flies when you look at art while searching for paintings hidden in the village’s alleys and staircases. Of course, it’s not a place to remain for long, but it’s worth stopping by if you’re headed to Hyehwa Station.
Ihwa mural village walking map
As it is a complex town, this map will be helpful.
Recommended local cafe
I recommend ‘cafe reading cat’ or 책읽는고양이 in korean.
This cafe is located on the road that connects the village entrance to the Naksanjeong Pavilion. This two-story cafe has a large space. I recommend this cafe because to its unique props and outlook. Cute cat accessories may be found throughout the cafe, making them both adorable and ideal for photographing. Also, the panoramic view of Seoul pairs well with a cup of coffee. You can also buy cute cat accessories inside the cafe. A cafe like this is perfect for taking a walk through the Coffee Mural Village on a nice day and enjoying the view while having a cup of coffee.
Overall, you’ll probably want to explore the neighborhood for an hour or two and end with a break at a cafe. After that, it’s a good idea to go towards Naksan Park and see the night view of the fortress wall and then go home. 🙂
If you want to know everything about Hyehwa-dong, where this village belongs, please follow the link.