My Journey through Bukchon Hanok Village along with HACD mentors

Discovering the Rich Tapestry of Korean History and Culture: My Journey through Bukchon Hanok Village along with HACD mentors

As a Korean language student, I always dreamt of immersing myself in the captivating world of Korean history, customs, and culture. Perceptibly as a beginner, I was always searching for sources to begin my journey of understanding true Korean history and culture. I feel so fortunate that I got to know about HACD (Hallyu Archetypal Culture Delegation). Through the informative sessions curated by professors and mentors, I started to understand the true essence of Korean history in depth. Being a part of the HACD organization became the source of my motivation to come to Korea and explore the rich heritage through my own eyes. 

And finally, this opportunity came in the form of the prestigious Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), through which I finally started my quest in Korea at Kyung Hee University (경희대학교), as a Korean language and culture education (국제한국언어문화학과) student. 

However, the excitement of arriving in the new land was soon accompanied by a sense of disorientation and loneliness, as it was my first time living alone. Fortunately, this time too our lovely mentors, mentor Yeonju, mentor Jeonghae, and mentor Seoyoung came to my rescue, they not only came to pick me up all the way to the airport but also provided me with profound insights into Korea’s history and culture. In this way, I found my lovely and caring sisters or eonnie (언니들). 

One such memorable experience was my visit to Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌 한옥 마을), a place that radiates historical and cultural significance like no other. I went there with mentor Yeonju, mentor Jonghae, mentor Seoyoung, and mentor Naya. 

I rode the bus for the first time, along with mentor Yeonju, and reached our destination very conveniently in just 40 minutes. 

What importance does Bukchon Hanok Village hold in preserving Korean culture?

Bukchon Hanok Village, a mesmerizing gem nestled amidst the bustling streets of Seoul, stands as a living testament to Korea's rich history and cultural heritage. The village is a maze of traditional Korean hanok houses, each meticulously preserved and restored to transport visitors to a bygone era. It represents a captivating blend of tradition and modernity.  

The village was originally established as a residential area for high-ranking government officials and nobility during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). These hanok houses, characterized by their wooden frames and tiled roofs, offer a glimpse into the aristocratic lifestyles of the past. About 900 houses with hanok structures, stand responsible for maintaining the pristine ancient beauty of ancient times in this modern world.

Surrounded by monuments like Gyeonbokgung Palace (경복궁), Changdeokgung (창덕궁), and Jongmyo Shinto Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village represents a miniature Joseon dynasty area, with houses simply made of Clay and stone. 

   

What truly made the experience extraordinary was the guidance of my mentors from HACD. They not only accompanied me through the village but also provided a wealth of knowledge about its historical and cultural significance. Their knowledge and passion for Korean history and culture were infectious. They patiently explained the intricate details of each hanok, the significance of the various architectural elements, and the historical context that surrounded them. Through their guidance, I learned not only to appreciate the physical beauty of Bukchon Hanok Village but also to understand the deeper layers of its cultural heritage.

  

One of the most captivating aspects of Bukchon Hanok Village is its role in preserving Korea's architectural heritage. As the mentors explained, the village is a living museum, offering a glimpse into the way of life during the Joseon Dynasty. The careful preservation of these hanok houses allows visitors like me to step back in time and appreciate the craftsmanship and architectural ingenuity of the past. Walking through the narrow streets lined with hanok, I couldn't help but feel connected to Korea's rich history. The part that baffled me most was the intricacy of the patterns made on the roofs of the hanoks, so beautifully, that for a split second I literally wanted to give up my degree and just live in these peaceful homes to wake up to a scenic beauty outside.

  

After soaking in all the panoramic views of the alleys of the village, we moved forward to the nearby market area in Insadong (인사동) for a scrumptious meal. Even though I truly enjoy Korean cuisine, one hurdle that always arises is finding vegan food. But here also mentors came my support and I was so touched when I got to know that Mentor Seoyoung found a vegan restaurant (Osegye Hyang, 오세계 향) for us. 

  

Together with mentors and another GKS scholar Jaiwanti, I finally got the chance to dive into the rich flavours of Korean cuisine. We tried many dishes like tteokbokki (떡볶이), and bibimbap (비빔밥). Each dish was so delectable that it was difficult to pick out my favorite one. 

  

We ended our trip on a sweet note by eating Yakgwa (약과), which as mentors mentioned is a deep fried wheat based sweet, made with ginger juice, sesame, rice wine (청주), and honey. It is generally eaten during festivities like Chuseok (추석), marriages, and 환갑 (hwangap) or the 16th birthday celebration. 

  

My journey to Korea, initially fraught with uncertainty and loneliness, has been transformed into an incredible adventure of discovery and learning, thanks to the HACD organization and its dedicated mentors.

As I look forward to the future, I can't help but hope for more opportunities to embark on such educational trips and to continue unraveling the tapestry of Korean history and culture. In the words of Confucius, "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop," and my journey of discovery in Korea is just beginning.  

 

We clicked pictures at the photobooth (This picture is my most favorite one)

“Must-do Activities” in Bukchon Hanok Village

If you visit this place, don’t forget to don a Hanbok and stroll in the alleys. And if you are interested in Korean history and architecture, visit the well-preserved modern Hanok-Baek Inje Museum. A lot of cultural classes like folk painting, making embroidery bags, dyeing fabrics, etc. are also organized especially for tourists. 

Baek Inje House