- Sokcho’s Timeless Cultural Transition July 25, 2024
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On-foot journey to Sokcho’s recreational spots
LOCATED IN the northeast of Gangwon Province, Sokcho is one of Korea’s most popular tourist destinations. While it is renowned for its beach and scenery of the Sulaksan, I aimed to explore the hidden gems of Sokcho that hold the region’s unique historical values. As a result, I was able to discover that Sokcho is ripe with beautiful places that vividly capture the harmony of the past and the present. During my visit to Soho Alley, Chilsung Boatyard, and Abai Village, I genuinely enjoyed the region-specific atmosphere and experiences that Sokcho provided.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY PARK HYE-LIN
The revival of Dongmyeong-dong, Sokcho’s Soho Alley
As soon as I stepped out of the bus, I was able to spot a wooden sign for Soho Alley only a few meters away. Soho Alley was in place right next to the Intercity Bus Terminal. A small neighborhood filled with old, low-ceilinged housing greeted me. The old building signs and dilapidated yet timelessly aesthetic building exteriors pictured uncommon scenes where the past and present nicely blend. Among these old buildings, I could easily draw out the modern concrete brick of Soho Cafe and Soho Guest House with a bright red roof that stood out from its surroundings. Although I unfortunately did not get a chance to explore the interior of the guest house, for it was only a day’s trip, the alley itself was still remarkable.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY PARK HYE-LINAreas of Soho Alley, or Dongmyeong-dong, used to be the busiest downtown in the 1960s, as it offered a train railroad to Seoul and Chuncheon. Hence, the alley had always been crowded and bustling with people stopping by for accommodation services and restaurants[1]. I was able to tell this by numerous yeo-gwan[2] signs on the alley. However, since Sokcho Station closed its doors following the disappearance of the Dong-hae Buk-bu line[3] due to the Korean division of the North and South, Sokcho’s main commercial district has shifted away to another. Having once served as a home for many Korean War refugees, the area holds the region’s own unique historical and generational experiences. Afterward, the new opening of Soho Guest House in 2014 marked a turning point that gave birth to what would later become “Soho Alley”. Not only did it successfully stimulate the region’s economy, but it also transformed the disappearing neighborhood into a charming commercial district that preserves its own vintage atmosphere and cultural values. This was possible due to the efforts of merchants—including the sibling owners of Soho Guest House, Lee Sang-hyuk and Lee Seung-hi—who appreciated the old neighborhood’s innate values and wished to maintain its history. Today, Soho Alley serves as a successful example of sustainable urban regeneration for entrepreneurs dreaming of reviving the city[1].
PHOTOGRAPHED BY PARK HYE-LINThis article was contributed by Yonsei University's student-led English monthly, The Yonsei Annals, written by Park Hye-lin.
Read the full article at the Yonsei Annals' website: http://annals.yonsei.ac.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=11216
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