MyeongRyun-dong
 
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Korea update 2018

Photos © John Holstein

jfholstein@yahoo.com
 
 
 
 
Main street Myeongryun-dong, home of SungGyunGwan University.
 
 
 
 
 
This part of MyeongRyun-dong, which climbs the slope of Mt. Waryong, used to be a squatters' village. Over the years, though, the neighborhood has undergone a degree of gentrification to house the growing student population of SungGyunGwan University.
 
 
 
 
 
Outside MyeongRyunDang
 
 
 
 
 
Myeong Ryun Dang houses SungGyunGwan, which is the academic institution housed on the Mun Myo compound. The other part of Mun Myo is the Confucian shrine Dae Seong Jeon. This is the national institution; smaller institutions performing the same dual function in the same configuration are found throughout the country. This one is special, though, because it was established by the first Chosun dynasty king back in 1398. SungGyunGwan U is a direct descendant of this institution. There are more photos of Mun Myo here.
 
 
 
 
 
To a side gate of SungGyunGwan University
 
 
 
 
 
On the Sungkyunkwan U campus a modern chair disturbs (complements?) the ancient setting.
 
 
 
 
 
A side gate to the Confucian academy at SungGyunGwan University.
 
 
 
 
 
Donghak is a pub that sells traditional food and drinks, like makkoli and soju.
 
 
 
 
 
Modern facade on old traditional homes, and narrow old lanes, near the center of town.
 
 
 
 
 
MyeongRyun-dong's main street.
 
 
 
 
 
Old and new generational clutter--never a dull visual moment.
 
 
 
 
 
A desperate attempt at communing with nature. Seoul's version of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn."
 
 
 
 
 
Neither rain, sleet or snow will stop the delivery Joe. All food deliveries and lots of others are made by the hardy and foolhardy delivery boys.
 
 
 
 
 
"Please don't make noise--Grandma and Grandpa aren't feeling well, trying to get some sleep here."
 
 
 
 
 
People are usually retired in their fifties, and, since the national pension is not enough to sustain a family, many people sell street food.
 
 
 
 
 
The lane leading to MyeongRyun-dong's neighbor, the entertainment district of Daehakno.
 
 
 
 
 
The lane leading to Daehakno is always crowded in the evening and most of the day.
 
 
 
 
 
The heart of Daehakno.
 
 
 
 
 
The booth is selling tickets to a play in one of the many, many little theatres in the Daehakno-MyeongRyun-dong area. The clutter of signs on the streets, sidewalks and buildings enlivens Seoul.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Korea update 2018
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