[One Day Walk, One Thousand Characters] A Special Walking Tour with Yun Dong-ju ‘Modern Masil’

The Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum, located on Changui-mun-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul (address Cheongun-dong), was established in 2012 to commemorate the footsteps and poetic vision of Yun Dong-ju, a beloved Korean poet known for works such as , , and . Yun Dong-ju stayed as a boarder at the home of novelist Kim Song (金松) in Nusaeng-dong, Jongno-gu, and refined his poetic sensibility by climbing Inwangsan Mountain. Due to this connection, Jongno-gu remodeled the decommissioned Cheongun Water Pressure Station to create the Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum, which opened on July 25, 2012. The pressure station is a facility that applies pressure to slow-moving water to help it flow vigorously again.

The 2023 Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum Modern Culture Tour ‘Modern Masil,’ which explores the Buam-dong, Cheongun-dong, and Seochon areas where the museum is located, will be held over two months in June and July. This program follows the life of Yun Dong-ju, his precious works, and the traces of Jongno’s literary figures and artists who pondered and practiced alongside him during that era.

Yoon Dong-ju Literature Museum Video Souvenir [Asia Economy DB]

The program is organized into three thematic detailed courses: ▲Dongju and Modern Writers ▲Modern Literature and Architecture ▲Walking Modern Jongno with Notables. The first, ‘Dongju and Modern Writers’ (June 3?July 9), which enjoys Yun Dong-ju’s life, literature, and the modern city of Jongno, is divided into a short masil (Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum?Mugaewon exhibition viewing) and a long masil (Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum?Mugaewon exhibition viewing?Seochon). Each departs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively (short masil is free, long masil costs 10,000 KRW).

The second, ‘Modern Literature and Architecture’ (June 3?July 2), is planned as a literary masil that walks the site of the boarding house where Yun Dong-ju stayed and the surrounding literary traces, and an architectural masil that explores modern buildings built 100 years ago and the traces of writers associated with them. Departures are at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., costing 10,000 KRW.

The third, ‘Walking Modern Jongno with Notables’ (July 8?9), is divided into two: a literary masil with writers and a masil with modern architecture experts. The literary masil walks with Jeong Hyun-woo, the poet awarded the 4th Dongju Literary Prize, to learn about Yun Dong-ju, his works, and modern literature in Jongno. The architectural expert masil is led by architect Son Yeom, a researcher of modern architecture, offering a time to see, hear, and feel the history and value of modern cultural development.

Until July 31, the exhibition will also be held at Mugaewon (4 Changui-mun-ro 5ga-gil), one of the main courses of ‘Modern Masil.’

The exhibition plans to highlight the daily lives and works of various writers active around Jongno, such as Yun Dong-ju, Jeong Ji-yong, Lee Sang, and Baek Seok, and convey the historical and cultural value of the area to citizens.

Mugyewon [Asia Economy DB]

Mugaewon is a traditional cultural space in the city center opened in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, consisting of four hanok buildings (one basement floor, one ground floor, and two upper floors). It is a special place where visitors can experience hanok in a tranquil setting and feel the beauty of Korea through tradition and culture. The buildings of Mugaewon were constructed using materials from the building of Ojinam, Seoul’s first registered restaurant located in Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu. These materials were used for Mugaewon’s main gate, roof tiles, rafters, and pillars.

Ojinam, which was also the home of late Joseon-era calligrapher and painter Lee Byeong-jik, was a representative commercial urban hanok from the early 1910s. It is not only rare and highly valuable for preservation but also a historic site where the July 4th North-South Joint Statement, which led the Cold War division toward dialogue, was produced. The site of Mugaejeongsa, where Mugaewon is located, is a historically significant place said to resemble the Peach Blossom Land dreamed of by Prince Anpyeong, inspiring painter An Gyeon to create the Mongyu Dowondo painting in three days. It is also said that the prince built a pavilion there, composed poetry, and practiced archery.