Seoul’s history

원하시나요? Seoul’s history is so rich and so visible that you might wonder, What was life like in the past? ----------------------------------- Seoul’s history is like a living museum, where ancient palaces, old alleyways, and traditional hanok houses exist alongside skyscrapers and neon-lit streets. Let’s explore what life was like in the past in Seoul by looking at a few key periods: 🏯 1. Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897): Seoul as the Capital Daily Life: Seoul was called Hanyang, and it became the royal capital under the Joseon Dynasty. Life centered around the royal court (Gyeongbokgung Palace), Confucian scholars, and markets. Commoners lived in hanok (traditional wooden houses) and worked as farmers, artisans, or merchants. Society was structured: nobles (yangban) lived near the palace, while others lived on the outskirts. Highlights: City walls (Seoul Fortress Wall) still visible today on Mt. Bugaksan and Naksan. The layout followed geomantic principles (pungsu-jiri, like feng shui). 🏮 2. Late 1800s – Early 1900s: Modernization and Occupation Daily Life: Seoul began to modernize under King Gojong: streetcars, streetlamps, and Western schools appeared. Japanese occupation (1910–1945) brought major urban changes—often forcefully imposed. Korean language and traditions were suppressed, but cultural resistance grew underground. Historic Remains: Seoul Station (built in 1925), now a cultural complex. Jongno area still holds traces of pre-modern marketplaces and resistance movements. 🧱 3. Post-Korean War (1950s–60s): Survival and Reconstruction Daily Life: Seoul was devastated during the Korean War. Life was about survival—many lived in makeshift homes. Rapid urbanization followed: apartment complexes, factories, and roads emerged. People migrated from the countryside in search of work, reshaping the city. Notable Landmarks: Cheonggyecheon stream, once covered by a highway, now restored as a peaceful public space. Old photos of Dongdaemun or Namdaemun markets show intense street life and trade. 🌇 4. 1970s–1990s: The Economic Boom Years Daily Life: Seoul became a megacity: subways, highways, apartments, and department stores transformed daily life. Education, technology, and pop culture began booming. But urban growth led to displacement of older neighborhoods. Echoes Today: Gangnam grew from farmland to a business and pop culture hub. Contrast between Bukchon hanok village and nearby modern buildings reflects the city’s dual identity. 🕊 Today: The Past Lives On You can still walk through the layers of Seoul’s history: Past Element Where to Experience It Today Royal palaces Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung Traditional homes Bukchon Hanok Village, Namsangol Market life Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun Market Historical protest Seodaemun Prison History Hall Fortress wall walks Inwangsan, Naksan, Bugaksan