[Cultural Excursion] "Hipdang-dong" - Exploring the history and gentrification of Sindang-dong

Name: [Cultural Excursion] "Hipdang-dong" - Exploring the history and gentrification of Sindang-dong
Start: 2026-06-20T14:00:00+09:00
End: 2026-06-20T17:00:00+09:00
Location: Sindang Station

Schedule

Sat Jun 20 2026 at 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm

UTC+09:00

Location

Sindang Station | Seoul, KG

TITLE: “Hipdang-dong” – Exploring the history and gentrification of Sindang-dong
LEADER: Matt VanVolkenburg

DATE: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 2:00PM to 5:00PM
DESTINATION: Sindang-dong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza area
COST: W25,000 for RAS Korea Lifetime and Annual Members; W30,000 for Non-members
MEETING POINT: At the top of Exit 1 of Sindang Station (신당역, Subway Lines 2 & 6) at 2:00PM

DESCRIPTION:
For decades, Sindang-dong, just east of Dongdaemun Design Plaza, has been known for its tteokbokki town, but the last five years have seen the area go through many changes. Much like Seongsu-dong, Mullae-dong, and Euljiro (referred to as “Hipjiro”), Sindang-dong has become a hot-spot for gentrification in the form of proliferating small-scale bars, cafes, and restaurants, earning it the name “Hipdang-dong.”
The neighborhood around Sindang Station, which includes Sindang-dong and Hwanghak-dong, was first urbanized in the 1930s and became home to the Jungang (Central) Market – the place where Chung Ju-yung, founder of Hyundai, started his first business – and tales remain of a nearly-forgotten gay cruising theater and licensed prostitution zone that stood nearby. Hidden in its web of streets are hundreds of one-room clothing manufactories, a few clusters of still-remaining hanoks, and the last-remaining Western-style “Culture House” from the 1930s – the home where Park Chung-hee lived before leading a coup in May 1961, which is now a museum. In addition to the Jungang Market, there are also nearby streets making and selling sundae and other pork products, furniture, and kitchenware.
In addition to exploring the above-mentioned sites, where we can see gentrification in progress, this walk, which will be led by a resident of the neighborhood, will also visit Sindang’s TTeokbokki Town and older neighborhoods closer to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, one of which was built over a former cemetery in the 1920s.
The excursion will begin at 2:00 at Exit #1 of Sindang Station (신당역, Subway Lines 2 & 6) and end near Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (동대문역사문화공원) Station (Subway Lines 2, 4, and 5). After the excursion, participants have the option to join Matt for coffee or an early dinner. Please note that the cost of the meal is not included in the excursion fee. Although the walk is mostly flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

REGISTRATION: RSVP by June 18 (Thursday) with payment of the fee via bank transfer. Please register one RSVP at a time.
RSVP: https://forms.gle/ZZwkhaJGck3utjNr9
☞Payment to be remitted to the following account:
SHINHAN BANK ACCOUNT # 100-026-383501 (RAS-KB)
*Reservation is not confirmed until payment has been received by RAS Korea in advance of the event.