"The Place Jo Yongpil and Hye Eun-i Used to Visit Now Filled with Foreigners Seeking K-Pop" [Euljiro Rotary]

⑩Continuing Father's Business, Operating Ssenteureol Tourism Hotel
Transforming from 7080 Cultural Space to a Place Attracting Foreigners Following K-pop

Photo by Jinseon Kim

Editor's NoteAnother name for Euljiro is 'Hipjiro.' Although the area presents a confusing scene with old buildings and alleyways mixed with reconstruction, it offers a unique charm in that the past and present overlap. Once facing a crisis due to industrial decline, Euljiro's vitality was revived as young people continued to visit. We meet those who have established Euljiro's distinctive sensibility and those striving to carry on its legacy to envision the city's future.

Opened in 1969 and now run by the second generation, the Central Tourist Hotel holds a long history. It was once the center of 70s and 80s culture and performances, famous for the disco club Pango Pango, the Bongjo Club which produced singers like Cho Yong-pil and Hye Eun-yi, and a bowling alley. Today, it has become a popular spot for foreigners. Euljiro is conveniently accessible with subway lines 1, 2, 3, and 5, and is close to famous tourist attractions such as Cheonggyecheon Stream, markets, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, and Insadong.

Lee Seong-sook, president of Central Tourist Hotel, inherited the family business from her father and currently operates the hotel. She once worked at the Korea Women's Development Institute and the Labor Research Institute but took over the Central Tourist Hotel in 1997. At first, it was unfamiliar territory. She found common ground by meeting customers' needs one by one. Since it is a space loved by her family, she felt a strong sense of responsibility. Lee said, "It was established by my father, and my mother and second older brother loved this place when they were alive, so I felt a strong desire to protect it. Having lived under my parents' shelter all my life, I wanted to become that shelter for the Central Tourist Hotel as well."

Although she is the sixth of seven siblings (four brothers and three sisters), her father entrusted her with management because he highly valued her honesty and warm heart. Lee said, "I always saw my parents lead by example, so I naturally learned from them. When I see people in need, I want to help, and I feel joy when giving to others." Her father emphasized kindness when handing over management. She said, "He stressed that staff should do their best to be kind so that guests can stay as comfortably as if they were at home."

Having spent a long time there, Lee has many memories of Euljiro. She said, "When I was young, I often went to Eulji Myeonok and Eulji Dabang. I also remember a humble hanok (traditional Korean house) with a tiled roof where we followed my father to a galbi (grilled ribs) restaurant. Those memories have become a deep nostalgia that I often miss." She also formed long-standing relationships with many merchants in Euljiro. She mentioned that many couples held their wedding ceremonies at the Central Tourist Hotel and tied the knot after meeting through nearby merchants.

Having stayed in one place for a long time, she also feels the relentless passage of time. She said, "When the hotel first opened, I was in the third year of middle school, and now I am approaching 70. My hope is to create a cooperative system where my father's descendants (grandsons, granddaughters, great-grandsons, and great-granddaughters) can work together to run the hotel well."

Inside the hotel. Photo by Ssencentral Tourist Hotel

Lee especially expressed her gratitude for K-pop, saying many foreigners visit the hotel because they love K-pop and fans who come because they admire soccer player Son Heung-min. When BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) performed, many fans stayed at the Central Tourist Hotel and explored Euljiro following the members' footsteps. She also noted an increase in foreign visitors seeking to experience Korean culture more closely. Lee said, "Before COVID-19, most fans were from Japan and China, but recently fans from France, Denmark, Germany, and the United States have been visiting Euljiro. This is a phenomenon we couldn't see before."

She also expressed regret over the disappearance of old shops due to redevelopment issues. Lee recalled that Euljiro's main street had many tool shops, and the alleys were filled with factories and artisans. Because the roads were narrow, machines were moved to the main street with the help of handcarts and porters. She said, "I worry that Euljiro's unique atmosphere will disappear and it will turn into a common space that can be seen anywhere."