14 Memorable Photos from Bukchon Hanok Village

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14 Memorable Photos from Bukchon Hanok Village

Walking in Bukchon Hanok Village is a relaxing and magical experience for both tourists and locals alike. The neighborhood contains an estimated 900 Korean traditional homes (called hanok). Come on a sunny day to enjoy a view of the Namsan Tower at the photo hotspot. Or visit on a snowy winter afternoon for an added layer of romance.

bukchon hanok village sign

When skies are clear even on a cold winter day, you can see the famous Namsan Tower from Gahoe-dong Alley. The street is easily filled with a hundred tourists at any given time. On the snowy day I went, a maximum of ten people walked up the popular street.

bukchon namsan tower
It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how many people pass by this bike, it doesn't get stolen. Faith in humanity restored. Partially.

It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how many people pass by this bike, it doesn't get stolen. Faith in humanity restored. Partially.

The electricity pole caught red-handed shaking its hip. It's not the first time to see many wires come together in the streets of Seoul.

The electricity pole caught red-handed shaking its hip. It's not the first time to see many wires come together in the streets of Seoul.

The view of Namsan Tower from Gahoe-dong Alley at sunset.

The view of Namsan Tower from Gahoe-dong Alley at sunset.

The following photo looks like a car commercial. I cringe. But it proves that people inhabit these old traditional homes.

The following photo looks like a car commercial. I cringe. But it proves that people inhabit these old traditional homes.

View standing from the edge of Bukchon-ro 5na-gil.

View standing from the edge of Bukchon-ro 5na-gil.

The building which houses the Glass Dish Museum and Silk Road Museum located on Bukchon-ro 5na-gil.

The building which houses the Glass Dish Museum and Silk Road Museum located on Bukchon-ro 5na-gil.

Couple rings, couple t-shirts, couple undies... and even a viewpoint just for couples. This country is made for lovebirds.

Couple rings, couple t-shirts, couple undies... and even a viewpoint just for couples. This country is made for lovebirds.

On the stroll to the famous Gahoe-dong Alley.

On the stroll to the famous Gahoe-dong Alley.

Hungry? Walk up from the Gahoe-dong Alley and turn to your left. You might get lucky and encounter the baked sweet potato man! He'll have his truck of other winter favorite produce ready for your taste buds.

sweet potato man
Drool. If baked sweet potatoes were a person, I'd marry them. Unconditional love to the maximum. Well... as long as Mr. Sweet Potato remains sweet. Otherwise he'd be just a potato.

Drool. If baked sweet potatoes were a person, I'd marry them. Unconditional love to the maximum. Well... as long as Mr. Sweet Potato remains sweet. Otherwise he'd be just a potato.

Another shot from Bukchon-ro 5na-gil. Looking towards Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Another shot from Bukchon-ro 5na-gil. Looking towards Gyeongbokgung Palace.

On the walk back to Insadong. A tree admiring its naked self on the mirror. Dang girl, look at those curves!

On the walk back to Insadong. A tree admiring its naked self on the mirror. Dang girl, look at those curves!

Directions to Bukchon Hanok Village (the Information Box where you pick up a helpful map): Exit 2 at the Anguk Station. Walk one block and look to your right.

To walk through Bukchon Hanok Village, watch KWOW episode 134 below:



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Visiting Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae, Seoul

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Visiting Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae, Seoul

When visiting the Trick Eye Museum, bring a camera and a friend. I asked have strangers take photos for me since I went in solitude. It would be way more fun to come with someone. The museum was packed with families and tourists. There were a handful of couples as well. And boy was it busy for a Tuesday afternoon! Admission fee: 15,000 won (approximately $15 USD).

You stroll through the museum and take photos in front of three-dimensionalized paintings, including Van Gogh's "Cafe Terrace at Night."

You stroll through the museum and take photos in front of three-dimensionalized paintings, including Van Gogh's "Cafe Terrace at Night."

A framed version of the previous painting. Trick Eye Museum must really love Van Gogh.

A framed version of the previous painting. Trick Eye Museum must really love Van Gogh.

Hug a bamboo tree with your panda buddy.

Hug a bamboo tree with your panda buddy.

Stick your head on Superman's body and feel awesome.

Stick your head on Superman's body and feel awesome.

Or sneak a peek at a ding dong.

Or sneak a peek at a ding dong.

One day I will ride a real camel in the real Egypt. For now this desert scene will suffice to take my mind off from Korea's cold winter.

One day I will ride a real camel in the real Egypt. For now this desert scene will suffice to take my mind off from Korea's cold winter.

I don't know about you, but if I had wings I'd ditch the bike.

I don't know about you, but if I had wings I'd ditch the bike.

The Trick Eye Museum is comparable to visiting a wax museum: just for fun, but nothing revealing about the country you are visiting. It serves as an icebreaker for people on dates and is ideal for children who need a little break from historical museums.

The end! Haha. Get it? That was punny...

Trick Eye Museum
Address in English: 357-1, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul Seogyo Plaza B2
Address in Korean: 서울특별시 마포구 홍익로3길 20 (서교동)



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Meet Caricature Artist Marcus Sakoda

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Meet Caricature Artist Marcus Sakoda

In KWOW episode 133, I visit my friend Marcus Sakoda who draws for the various Fun Caricature locations around Seoul. We have a meetup at the entrance of Trick Eye Museum and he gives us a tour of his workplace. He's the one in the middle wearing the red hat.

You'll see Marcus' work showcased around the shop. Recognize the famous Korean actor in the caricature below? There's also a handsome version of Kim Soo-hyun, which appears in KWOW episode 133.

Here's the caricature Marcus made of Professor Oh. He drew it from scratch on the computer under two hours! Watch his speedpainting video below to see his process.

Interested in getting your own caricature done? The Fun Caricature shops are located at the following locations: Ssamziegil in Insadong, Lotte World, Trick Eye Museum and a shop in Hongdae. Go to the right location and the right day, you just might get to meet Marcus!



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