There are various important location factors when choosing a home and workplace, such as jobs, proximity to transit stations, school districts, and shopping facilities. Among the upper class, one of the key considerations is Pungsu-jiri (Korean geomancy). Pungsu-jiri, which holds that the energy of the land influences human fortune and misfortune, has been utilized since the Three Kingdoms period to determine the location of capitals, palaces, and royal tombs.
Even in modern times, Pungsu-jiri continues to influence decision-making among key figures in politics and business. Notable political figures such as former President Kim Dae-jung, who relocated his parents' graves during his presidential candidacy, and former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil, as well as the Samsung Group’s 2008 relocation of its headquarters to Seocho-dong, are said to have sought advice from Pungsu-jiri experts.
The influence of Pungsu-jiri is also evident in the map of affluent neighborhoods in Korea. Samseong-dong, where many political and business leaders have owned homes, is considered a prime site known as Geumgye Poran-hyeong, a geomantic formation believed to attract wealth and produce distinguished individuals. Hannam-dong, famous for housing chaebols and numerous celebrities, is also regarded as a Yeonggu Eumsu-hyeong site, known for accumulating wealth and producing excellent descendants.
Thus, Pungsu is an indispensable factor in the residential choices of the upper class, and recently, ultra-luxury villas have been built on the most auspicious sites in Busan.
Atherton Upper House, located in Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, is an ultra-high-priced villa with a top sale price reaching 10 billion KRW, drawing attention for being about 3 billion KRW higher than Busan’s record apartment transaction price of 7.5 billion KRW.
The site of Atherton Upper House also holds significant value from a Pungsu-jiri perspective. Professor Shim Jae-yeol, president of the Yosan Pungsu-jiri Association and Korea’s top Pungsu expert who has been invited to advise on many chaebol family grave sites, evaluates this location as a highly auspicious Pungsu site.
According to Professor Shim, the site of Atherton Upper House, like Hannam-dong, is a ‘Yeonggu Eumsu-hyeong’ geomantic formation shaped like a sacred turtle drinking water. It is said to generate wealth and produce talented individuals by creating gold from the land where the turtle drinks the waters of Haeundae. The surrounding mountains form a Baekho-guk (White Tiger Country) auspicious site symbolizing wealth, and together with the Haeundae sea, it creates a Baesanimsu (mountain at the back, water in front) and Jangpungdeuksu (beneficial wind and water) geomantic formation. Professor Shim describes the Atherton Upper House site as “a prosperous and auspicious location where wealth gathers, talents are born, and one gains wealth and honor, opening a future of hope and happiness.”
The locational value of Atherton Upper House, situated on the most auspicious Pungsu site, is also evident in its views. Positioned at the highest point of Dalmaji Hill, on clear days, one can see Tsushima Island, and the night views of LCT, Centum City, and Gwangandaegyo Bridge are all visible at a glance.
The developer, Goldwater Korea, after long consideration to create a product befitting the prime location, has transformed Atherton Upper House into a true gallery house.
Collaborating with global media artist Krista Kim, known as the founder of Techism and having collaborated with premium brands such as Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, and Mercedes-Benz, they have brought her NFT art pieces directly into the home. Atherton Upper House, consisting of 11 units, features a total of 12 pieces of Krista Kim’s work titled ‘Zen Garden’ applied throughout the individual units and common areas. This is the first time NFT art has been directly incorporated into real estate.
A sales representative stated, “Atherton Upper House, which provides ownership of NFT art to each contract holder, is a special product symbolizing Korea’s first NFT art house and is expected to create significant economic value depending on the blockchain market situation. Additionally, the Busan sea view from Atherton Upper House is itself a work of art, and the exterior of Atherton Upper House harmonizing with the surrounding scenery also holds value as another piece of art.”
Atherton Upper House operates a showroom.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
