Hanok, Sweet Home
August 26, 2009Due to the lack of living space in Korea, Seoul has been forced to expand outward to accommodate an increasing population (16,700 people are living per square kilometer). There are even cities and communities on the outskirts of the city which have been built solely for the purpose of accommodating these people. Though Seoul is growing in all directions, the most noticeable growth is skyward. Riding on the subways south of the Han River or to the east of the city, there are areas in which the train moves on exterior tracks, allowing passengers to have great views of the passing neighborhoods.
While at nighttime, the neon facades of multi-level department stores and the glowing red crosses of churches are visible as far as the distant horizon, the most noticeable landmarks during the day are the gigantic apartment complexes spread throughout the city. The majority of citizens live in very modest apartments, extremely close to neighbors. While such an environment may be a catalyst of crime in the States, its solely a source of community here in Korea. They may seem like an eyesore, but most Koreans I've talked to consider these modern apartments to be the best housing option in the city.
Apartment complexes, like this one in Jamsil near Lotte World, are built ridiculously high in Korea, as there is no threat of earthquakes.
One of the square shaped hanoks, predominant in the northern region, built to block cold winter winds.
Children playing traditional Korean games at the Namsangol Hanok Village.
Hanoks at the Hanok Village.
While Seoul is far too large for hanoks to be the first choice for residents looking for living quarters today, modernized apartments seem to be just as accommodating. Koreans place high emphasis on friendship, and such a community is formed and fostered in these complexes. In fact, there was a recent article about a group of Koreans who immigrated to New Zealand. Not before long, they returned to the apartment complexes of Seoul, stating that living in New Zealand was too peaceful, and thus, too monotonus. Maybe it's true after all: there's no place like home, wherever in the world home may be.
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