[Joyongjun's Travel Journey] Retro Sentiment, A Nostalgic Trip to the Past

Dongducheon Donggwang Theater, the Only Single-Screen Theater Nationwide
Gunwi Hwabon Retro Vibes Evoking Nostalgic Memories
Gunsan Alley Scenery, a Heartwarming Time Travel to Memories
Buyeo 80-Year-Old Tobacco Shop Transformed into a Creative Bookstore

A nostalgic lunchbox displayed at the 'When Dad and Mom Were Young' exhibition set up in the closed school in Gunwi

Japanese-style house in Sinheung-dong, Gunsan

Retro is gaining popularity as a travel concept. Retro refers to trendy elements that evoke nostalgia for the past. It offers warm memories to those who lived through that era and curiosity and interest to generations who did not, making it a concept that bridges generations. Across the country, there are many travel destinations brimming with retro vibes. Here, we introduce carefully selected prime retro travel spots. Coincidentally, the Korea Tourism Organization also recommended ‘Our Neighborhood Retro’ as a theme for places to visit this month. How about embarking on a time travel journey into landscapes that fully preserve the old-fashioned charm?

◇Reminiscing the Good Old Days: Gunwi Hwabon Station and “When Mom and Dad Were Young”

Gunuie Mom and Dad in their childhood, exhibited from the 1960s to 1970s

Classroom of Memories

Gunwi, located at the northernmost part of Daegu, has recently emerged as a popular travel destination that stimulates nostalgic feelings. Old buildings such as the station, school, and farmhouses, which naturally fell out of use due to population decline, have been revitalized as tourist attractions. Hwabon Station and “When Mom and Dad Were Young” are at the heart of Gunwi’s retro tourism.

Hwabon Station began operations as a regular station on the Jungang Line in February 1938 and remains the only station in Gunwi where passenger trains stop. The quaint station interior, reminiscent of a drama set, the water tower installed in the late 1930s to supply water to steam locomotives, the “Hwabon Station” sign, and the rail caf? made from a retired Saemaeul-ho train car (operating on weekends and holidays) are all fascinating features. “When Mom and Dad Were Young” is a rural cultural experience center that uses the old Sanseong Middle School building, which opened in April 1954 and closed in March 2009, to exhibit the lifestyle of Hwabon Village in the 1960s and 1970s. It recreates classrooms, stationery stores, comic book rooms, barbershops, small grocery stores, briquette shops, photo studios, and radio shops, and offers experiential programs such as wearing old school uniforms, riding four-wheeled bicycles, and making dalgona (Korean sugar candy).

Gunwi Amitabha Triad Stone Cave (a National Treasure) is a temple built inside a naturally formed granite cave on the northern cliff of Palgongsan Mountain. Hanbam Village, known as the “Jeju Island of the inland,” features rustic yet natural stone walls that are beautiful, and the filming location of the movie Little Forest, which captures simple everyday moments with delicate attention, shines with its unique light and colors as time passes. How about starting this year energetically amidst Gunwi’s nature and culture?

◇For a Retro Trip, Let’s Go to Dongducheon! Donggwang Theater and Bosan-dong Tourist District

The exterior of Donggwang Theater preserving the old atmosphere as it is

Traces of splicing a broken film strip

Donggwang Theater opened in 1959 and has been operated by CEO Ko Jae-seo since 1986. It gained popularity as the “Wakanda Theater” after appearing in the 2015 drama Reply 1988 and the 2018 YouTube channel ‘Wassup Man.’ Last year, it was selected as one of the ‘12 Representative Long-Established Stores in Gyeonggi Province (Gyeonggi Nopo).’ This is because it is the only single-screen theater in the country. It is a living theater museum and a retro theater in progress that transcends generations.

In the lounge, a projector purchased in the 1980s and used for over 20 years, as well as an old aquarium that used to be in theaters, catch the eye. The auditorium, which seats 283, feels different from the outside. Brown leather chairs shine, and it is equipped with recliners like those in multiplex special theaters. Some seats have tables and auxiliary supports for added comfort. Seating is not assigned; the first to sit is the owner of the seat. With a ticket price of 9,000 won, you can watch the latest releases cheaper than at multiplexes. Bosan-dong Tourist District (Camp Bosan) is home to a U.S. military base, with foreigner-only clubs and big-size clothing stores clustered together. Some call it the “Little Itaewon” because it reminds them of the old Itaewon.

Dongducheon Nolja Forest is popular with family travelers as it features indoor adventure facilities. It is advantageously located next to Dongducheon Natural Recreation Forest, which opened in 2020. Nijimori Studio & Ryokan is a theme park-style drama set that recreates an Edo-period Japanese street and is a popular spot for SNS photos.

◇Retro Village Created by Young Artisans: Buyeo Gyuyam Village

CEO Kyung-A Park explaining Buyeo Chaekbang Segan

Baekmagang River seen from Nakwham Rock in Buyeo

Gyuyam Village, which once thrived around a ferry terminal and a traditional market, declined after the Baekje Bridge was built in the 1960s. As people left and empty houses and shops remained, artisans gradually gathered, transforming it into a retro travel destination. The bookstore Segan, which creatively reinterpreted an 80-year-old tobacco shop without demolishing it, helped popularize Gyuyam Village. Park Kyung-ah, a former craft designer and CEO, created Caf? Suwolok, the restaurant Jaon Brewery, and the lodging Little Hanok following the bookstore, naming the street where these four spaces are located ‘Jaon-gil.’

Buyeo County operates the 123 Sabi Craft Village and supports 12 workshops scattered throughout Gyuyam Village. Through the 123 Sabi Creative Center and 123 Sabi Residence, it provides studios and accommodations for young artisans. ‘123 Sabi’ is a name that expresses the hope that Gyuyam Village will be reborn through the hands of artisans based on the 123-year history of Sabi Baekje. The 123 Sabi Art Cube & Observatory hosts exhibitions of artists’ works and flea markets (scheduled to resume operations from March 2024).

Subukjeong (Chungnam Cultural Property) is a pavilion with a panoramic view of Baekmagang (Geum River) and Baekje Bridge. The rock protruding below Subukjeong is Jaondae. Its shape, with only the head sticking out as if someone is peeking, is why it is also called Gyuyam (窺岩). The Buyeo Gwanbuk-ri Site (Historic Site) is known as the royal palace site of the Sabi Baekje period, and Busosanseong Fortress (Historic Site) was a defensive stronghold and garden protecting the palace at that time. Miam Temple, located in Jeodong-ri, Naesan-myeon, is famous for its giant reclining Buddha and Rice Rock (Chungnam Monument). The Rice Rock next to the Sanshingak Shrine is a quartz mass that is white like rice.

◇Shall We Go on a Nostalgic Trip? Gunsan Time Travel Village

Old Gunsan Customs House Preserving the Characteristics of Modern Japanese Architecture in Gunsan

Seonyudo, famous for its beautiful scenery

Gunsan Time Travel Village is a representative retro travel destination. It is charming with various modern architectural buildings and alleys that fully preserve the sensibilities of the 1980s and 1990s. The best starting point to explore Time Travel Village is the Gunsan Modern History Museum, where you can view Gunsan’s modern history in one place, though unfortunately, most of the records focus on exploitation during the Japanese colonial period.

To the left of the museum is the Honam Customs Museum, housed in the former Gunsan Customs Main Building (Historic Site). To the right are the Gunsan Modern Art Museum, restored from the former Japanese 18th Bank Gunsan Branch (Registered Cultural Property), and the Gunsan Modern Architecture Hall, utilizing the former Joseon Bank Gunsan Branch (Registered Cultural Property). Behind these is Jinpo Marine Theme Park. Passing through Gunsan Haemanggul (Registered Cultural Property), built during the Japanese colonial period, don’t miss the Chowoen Photo Studio, where the movie Christmas in August was filmed. The Japanese-style houses (Registered Cultural Property) remaining in Shinheung-dong, a residential area for wealthy Japanese, and the temple Dongguksa are special sights for time travel.

Malengi Village, located on the hillside of Shinheung-dong, has recently attracted attention as a retro travel spot as empty houses left by young people have gradually transformed into art galleries, bookstores, and workshops. When talking about Gunsan, the Gogunsan Archipelago cannot be left out. Since the opening of the Gogunsan Bridge in 2016, it has been popular as a romantic island driving course. Seonyudo Island, whose name means “Island where Immortals Play,” is famous for its beautiful scenery. Activities such as cruises, zip lines, and biking are also diverse.