[Jo Yongjun's Journey Manli] The Great Transformation of a Waste Incineration Plant

Sustainable Travel Through Architectural Regeneration
Jasaeng Clinic Transformed into Modern Medical Museum
Jeonil Building Designated as 5·18 Democratization Movement Historic Site
Tourism Organization Recommends Places to Visit in September?

The Great Transformation of the Incineration Plant, Bucheon Art Bunker B39 - The Induced Draft Fan Room that Releases Exhaust Gas Remains as a Preservation Area

Artist Oh Dae-ho leading Korea's junk art scene

Children drawing on the blackboard at Pyeongchang Mui Elementary School

Recently, travel destinations that regenerate architecture on the verge of disappearance and present sustainable ways of traveling have gained popularity. Even dilapidated buildings are recognized for their historical value and, through recycling processes, have become newly spotlighted spaces.

A waste incineration facility has been transformed into a stylish art space, traces of citizen uprisings have become 5·18 Democratic Movement historic sites, and closed schools have turned into art museums. How about setting off to visit travel destinations transformed through space recycling as autumn begins in September? The Korea Tourism Organization has also recommended travel destinations that have recycled spaces worth visiting: Bucheon Art Bunker B39 (Bucheon, Gyeonggi), Pyeongchang Mui Art Museum (Pyeongchang, Gangwon), which is more romantic because it is a mountain village school, and traces of the 5·18 Democratic Movement at Jeonil Building 245 (Dong-gu, Gwangju), among others. When visiting these destinations, it is advised to check detailed information such as opening status, hours, and viewing methods in advance, as there may be changes depending on weather conditions or local circumstances.

#From Waste Incineration Plant to Center of Art, Bucheon Art Bunker B39

The history of comics is exhibited in the permanent exhibition hall of Bucheon Manhwa Museum.

Bucheon Art Bunker B39 is a complex cultural space located in Ojeong-gu, Bucheon City, originally the 'Samjeong-dong Incineration Plant.' This incineration plant, which opened in 1995, faced continuous environmental destruction issues following the dioxin scandal in 1997 and was eventually closed in 2010. After years of construction, the closed incineration plant was reborn in 2018 as the new complex cultural space 'Bucheon Art Bunker B39.' This place preserves the structure of the former incineration plant while featuring various art spaces such as a multimedia hall, bunker, and air gallery. Currently, Bucheon Art Bunker B39 hosts exhibitions of contemporary artworks pursuing convergence art, as well as events and performances themed around eco-friendliness. It has established itself as Bucheon’s representative complex cultural space.

Bucheon has more examples of restoring the heritage of rapid urbanization. Simgokcheon Stream, which was covered in the 1980s, was reborn as an urban green space through an ecological restoration project in 2017. If you want to experience Bucheon’s artistic sensibility, head to the Renobourg Museum, an exhibition hall showcasing large-scale media art works. The Korea Manhwa Museum, opened in 2001, provides a clear overview of the history of Korean comics.

#Traces of the 5·18 Democratic Movement, Jeonil Building 245 in Gwangju

Exhibits at Jeonil Building 245, Gwangju

Jeonil Building 245 seen from 5.18 Democracy Square

Jeonil Building 245 is a place where you can see bullet marks from gunfire aimed at this building from helicopters during the 5·18 Democratic Movement. A site investigation conducted by the National Forensic Service confirmed a total of 245 bullets, concluding that they were fired from helicopters or other flying vehicles. Following this conclusion, the building was remodeled into a space to reveal the truth of the 5·18 Democratic Movement. Exhibition spaces are arranged on all floors except the 5th to 7th floors, which are used as the Gwangju Contents Hub, within the 10 floors above ground and 1 basement floor. The most important exhibition spaces are on the 10th and 9th floors, where the original bullet holes from external gunfire are preserved. A multi-attraction video based on eyewitness testimonies of helicopter gunfire is also played. Visitors can view exhibits including a model helicopter of the UH-1H type, an M60 machine gun, a diorama miniature model reproducing the surroundings of Jeonil Building 245, and exhibitions themed on distorted history and the history of truth.

The 5·18 Democratic Movement Archives is a space that stores and exhibits a vast amount of materials documenting the 5·18 Democratic Movement. At the 5·18 Democratic Square, you can see the original fountain featured in photos and videos taken at the time. The National Asian Culture Complex is Gwangju’s representative cultural facility where exhibitions and performances on Asia and culture are held.

#More Romantic Because It’s a Mountain Village School, Pyeongchang Mui Art Museum

The pump organ used during elementary school at Mui Elementary School

Mountain terrain viewed from Balwangsan Millennium Yew Forest Trail

Mui Elementary School, which closed in 1999, transformed into the Pyeongchang Mui Art Museum (hereafter Mui Art Museum) in 2001 after meeting artists such as sculptor Oh Sang-wook, Western painter Jung Yeon-seo, and calligrapher Lee Cheon-seop. The existing school structure was preserved, with the schoolyard turned into a sculpture park and classrooms converted into exhibition rooms. Traces of Mui Elementary School remain throughout the museum, including wooden corridor floors, blackboards, and pianos, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of an old rural school while staying at the art museum. Visitors can appreciate exhibitions by the artists who established the Mui Art Museum and various planned exhibitions, as well as participate in diverse cultural and artistic experience programs such as making wood-fired pizza. The museum also features a two-story gallery caf?, a great place to relax while enjoying views of the art museum and famous for its Bongpyeong potato pizza. Mui Art Museum’s operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with indoor exhibition halls open only until 6 p.m. It is closed on Wednesdays except on public holidays, peak seasons, and during the Pyeongchang Hyo-seok Cultural Festival. Admission fees are 5,000 KRW for ages 5 to 64, 4,000 KRW for those 65 and older, and free for nighttime admission (after 6 p.m.).

Bongpyeong, where Mui Art Museum is located, is the hometown of writer Lee Hyo-seok and the main setting of his novel "When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom," with various related travel spots. These include a literary museum introducing Lee Hyo-seok’s life and literary world, the nearby Hyo-seok Moonlight Hill, and Bongpyeong Market (Bongpyeong Traditional Market), which also appears in the novel. In early September, buckwheat flowers bloom profusely, and the Pyeongchang Hyo-seok Cultural Festival (September 6?15, 2024) is held, doubling the enjoyment. If time allows, continue your trip to Balwangsan Millennium Juniper Forest Trail, selected as a ‘2023 Korea Tourism Star.’

#Playground of Imagination, Chungju Odaeho Art Factory & Coachbuilder

Odaeho Art Factory Playground where you can freely roam riding an art bike

Chungju Odaeho Art Factory is a space filled with junk art works that elevate ‘junk’?meaning useless objects?into art, housed in a small closed school. The artist who breathed life into this place is Oh Dae-ho, the first generation of junk art in Korea. He created works by applying mechanical engineering techniques and imagination to discarded materials such as iron, plastic, and wood. Kinetic art featuring moving elements is also presented, allowing visitors to touch the artworks. Visitors can also freely enjoy the vast playground riding art bikes.

Near Mokgye Ferry, a representative late Joseon Dynasty harbor along the riverbank in Chungju, a former tobacco warehouse has been transformed into a caf? called Coachbuilder. ‘Coach builder’ refers to making unique new cars according to customer orders, and the old and classic cars displayed here reflect the owner’s tastes and have been restored with individuality. Car parts such as instrument panels, transmissions, and wheels have been carefully disassembled and used as interior decoration on walls and ceilings. Nostalgic models that are now hard to see, such as the first-generation Hyundai Grandeur and Kia Concord, can also be found. Coachbuilder is known as a popular bakery. They develop and offer bread made with chestnuts and sweet potatoes produced in Chungju.

Chungju Goguryeo Astronomy Science Museum features a 360-degree dome screen for constellation viewing and facilities to observe the sun during the day and the moon, planets, and galaxies at night. Nearby, the Chungju Goguryeo Stele Exhibition Hall displays the only existing Goguryeo stele in Korea, a valuable resource revealing the relationship between Goguryeo and Silla. The Jungangtap Historic Park & Tangeumho Rainbow Trail, included in the ‘2023?2024 Korea Tourism 100 Selections,’ is a place where you can see the seven-story stone pagoda of the Unified Silla period in Chungju’s Tapyeong-ri. At night, soft lighting creates a romantic atmosphere.

#A Cultural Space Where History and Healing Blend, Geochang Modern Medical Museum

Geochang Modern Medical Museum - Vividly Recreated Scene of the Treatment Room at the Time

The Geochang Modern Medical Museum, with its aged and beautiful charm, was originally the old Jaseng Clinic built in 1954, the first modern hospital in the Geochang area. When the clinic closed in 2006, the founder Dr. Sung Soo-hyun’s family donated the facility, and Geochang County Office purchased the site. After being designated as a registered cultural property by the Cultural Heritage Administration in 2013, it was reborn as the Geochang Modern Medical Museum in 2016. The hospital building, now a medical exhibition hall, preserves the original treatment room, operating room, and X-ray room, attracting attention with unfamiliar old surgical instruments and medical facilities. The residential building where the doctor lived exhibits various household items used at that time. Nowadays, the Geochang Modern Medical Museum approaches people weary of daily life more closely through unique modern medical culture content. It is a space for storytelling about the fascinating history of modern medicine and an unusual cultural experience space where visitors can experience history and healing. Occasionally, the museum’s front yard is used as a venue for healing concerts that comfort life.

Geochang Traditional Market is a 3-minute walk from the Geochang Modern Medical Museum. A traditional five-day market is held on days ending in 1 and 6 every month. Geochang Changpo Garden is an eco-friendly waterside ecological park where you can enjoy different flower themes throughout the four seasons. The Y-shaped suspension bridge at Geochang Anti-Aging Healing Land is a red mountain footbridge connecting three directions between cliffs 600 meters above the Udusan Gorge, offering thrilling excitement.