[Report] "People Still Live Here" The Apartment from the Movie Celebrates 50 Years Since Completion

Since the 1970 Collapse of 'Wau Apartment', the Proudly Built 'Je2 Sibeom Apartment'
Popular Among Namdaemun Market Merchants, Central Intelligence Agency Staff, and Celebrities
Modern Apartments Surrounded by Scenic Namsan Foothills with Individual Bathrooms
Currently, Only 55 of 353 Households Reside... Remodeling Underway for Youth Artists' Rentals

The 2nd Pilot Apartment located in Hoehyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Built in the 1970s, this apartment reflects the architectural style of that era. Photo by Joohee Kang, intern reporter kjh818@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and Midam Heo, intern reporter Juhee Kang] "This apartment looks very different from the outside, doesn't it?"

Along Sopagil, which is located on the outskirts of Namsan in Seoul, there is an old apartment visible on the left as you climb the hill. This concrete-framed apartment, marked by red bricks that show the traces of time, has windows packed closely together, making it look like a 'chicken coop' from afar. However, when you turn around and approach it closely, you realize it is a 10-story apartment surrounded by the scenic slopes of Namsan.

This apartment is the 2nd Pilot Apartment located in Hoehyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, marking its 50th anniversary since completion (completed in May 1970). It is often featured in movies and dramas, such as , , and the variety show , earning it the nickname "the apartment from the movies."

According to the apartment manager, as of the 26th, only 55 out of the total 353 households are occupied, with 298 households vacant. Due to the lack of residents and the building style from half a century ago, the apartment atmosphere feels gloomy. The image seen in movies is exactly what you feel in front of your eyes.

'Do Not Hang Laundry' is a sign installed on the exterior railing of an apartment building as residents have been hanging their laundry there. The letters painted in white stand out. Photo by Joohee Kang, Intern kjh818@asiae.co.kr

On the 26th, the Asia Economy reporters met with residents of the apartment who expressed pride in living in the 'Pilot Apartment.'

Jin Mo (51), who said he has worked as an apartment accounting staff for over six years, explained, "This apartment is often used as a filming location for crime-themed movies. I think it's because of the gloomy atmosphere." He added, "In the past, they mainly filmed in stylish places, but nowadays, some people seem to be more attracted to old and worn places."

He continued, "Recently, when people come to film, they sometimes say the apartment is 'beautiful.' For example, some find the peeling paint charming." He also mentioned, "Some even deliberately climb to the rooftop to take pictures."

He added, "While others might think this apartment looks dangerous, the Seoul city officials come regularly to carry out repairs and inspections."

At around 11 a.m. on the 26th, a view of the apartment corridor. It is known that some outsiders who are not residents are surprised when they face this corridor. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

The residents emphasized that they do not pay much attention to the dark corridors and gloomy atmosphere.

Housewife A (83) said, "This apartment has always been a bit dark, it's on a hill, and there aren't many people, so it feels a bit unpleasant. My home is on the 4th floor, but since the surrounding rooms are all empty, it can be a little scary at night." However, she added, "It seems to appear a lot in crime movies, but since it's just a movie, I don't worry much."

She continued, "I've lived here for about 15 years, and there has never actually been any crime or bad incidents. However, I feel that passersby tend to avoid it because it's an old and dim apartment."

Another unique feature of this apartment is that despite being 10 stories tall, it has no elevator. Two sky bridges connect the apartment buildings, allowing direct access to the 6th and 7th floors.

Access to the 1st floor is via external stairs. Since the apartment is located on a mountainside, the stairs are quite steep. Residents living on the lower floors, such as the 1st floor, have set up a communal jangdokdae (traditional Korean earthenware jar stand) to make kimchi together.

Although it is a 10-story apartment building, there is no elevator. Instead, sky bridges have been installed at two locations in the apartment complex, allowing direct access to the 6th and 7th floors. Photo by Joohee Kang, Intern Reporter kjh818@asiae.co.kr

Although the apartment is located on a steep hill and lacks an elevator inside, residents did not express inconvenience.

Yoon Mo (72), whom we met near the apartment, said, "It's inconvenient without an elevator, but since it never had one, we just accept it." He added, "Because it's quiet and gloomy, many people came here to film movies, but these days, not so much."

At this point, a question mark arises about the apartment's name. Even apartments near the city center have names like 'Park,' 'Edu,' 'River,' and 'Central,' which usually indicate proximity to parks or lakes, suggesting a pleasant living environment.

So, what is the story behind the name 'Pilot Apartment'? To put it simply, 'Pilot' originated from a tragic accident.

In the early morning of April 8, 1970, the 'Wow Citizen Apartment' collapsed in a disaster. Afterwards, Seoul Mayor Yang Taek-sik said, "Build this place sturdily as a 'pilot' example," and the apartment was named 'Pilot Apartment.'

The door leading to the rooftop. External light seeps into the dark corridor, creating an impressive scene. The door to the rooftop remains locked. Photo by Joohee Kang, Intern Reporter kjh818@asiae.co.kr

Originally, this place was built as an apartment for displaced residents. On the site where 278 unauthorized buildings on national land were demolished, an apartment with 315 households was constructed.

However, due to expensive move-in fees, only a few displaced residents moved in, while merchants from the nearby Namdaemun Market, Central Intelligence Agency staff, police officers, broadcasting PDs, and celebrities such as the Eunbangul Sisters also became residents.

At that time, while other apartments were 9 to 10 pyeong (approx. 30-33 sqm) with communal bathrooms, this apartment had 16.38 pyeong (actual area 11.5 pyeong) with private bathrooms, making it a fairly upscale apartment. It was a kind of aspirational residence.

In March 1989, singer Yoon Soo-il, the protagonist of the hit song 'Apartment,' also lived in this apartment.

However, now, half a century after completion, this apartment only holds traces of time. The drainage pipes connected with iron pipes on the ceiling, a structure no longer seen in modern apartments, are still visible, and overall, it looks shabby. The front doors are made of iron and wood.

There is a dark corridor on one side, while on the other side, there is a corridor that lets in plenty of light. A front door made of wood stretched long on both sides is visible. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

Kim Mo, in his 90s, who climbed the steep stairs due to the lack of an elevator, said, "Rich people have all left, and only poor people remain. There aren't many people in the apartment." He added, "I first moved into this apartment six years ago. Back then, many people lived here, but now everyone has left."

He continued, "There have been talks about remodeling and redevelopment for several years. There have been many rumors, but I don't know when it will actually happen." He added, "I don't have much hope for redevelopment."

This apartment was designated as a disaster-risk facility with a D grade on November 19, 2004. Since then, Seoul city and residents have gone through a lengthy negotiation process regarding compensation for demolition. Recently, however, the plan shifted from demolition to remodeling.

An entrance door leading inside the apartment. Photo by Joohee Kang, Intern Reporter kjh818@asiae.co.kr

According to Seoul city, this apartment is expected to be transformed into an 'Art Village.' Design-related shops, workshops, and cafes will be established as neighborhood living facilities. Young artists will become new tenants of the apartment through rental arrangements.

According to the 'Hoehyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment Remodeling Project Design Competition' announced by SH Corporation, SH plans to design only about 9,602㎡ (54%) of the total floor area of 17,932㎡ as residential space, reducing the current 352 households to 253 households.

They plan to rent 200 units to young artists living alone or in two-person households, while some existing residents who still live in the apartment will continue to reside.

Additionally, SH Corporation plans to preserve the historical value of this apartment by pursuing regenerative remodeling, maintaining the current scale of basement 1 floor to ground 10 floors.

The residential space will also maintain the current exclusive area of 38㎡ (about 11 pyeong), with a living room, two bedrooms, kitchen, and bathroom layout.