Choi Sunu House, Historic hanok residence in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Choi Sunu House is a 1930s hanok in the Seongbuk-dong neighborhood of Seoul that served as the home of art historian 혜곡 최순우. The buildings are arranged in 'ㄱ' and 'ㄴ' shapes facing each other to form a 'ㅁ' layout, enclosing a small garden with a stone basin, a square well, and an old tree.
The house was built in the 1930s, and 최순우 moved in during 1976 and lived there until he passed away. After his death the building was at risk of being lost, but in 2002 citizens raised funds and volunteered to secure its recognition as a civic cultural asset.
The wooden porch, called 툇마루, invites visitors to sit and watch the garden in silence. The house also hosts concerts and small cultural events throughout the year, drawing people who appreciate traditional Korean spaces.
The house is open from April through November and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Checking the website or calling ahead before the visit is a good idea to confirm current hours and any ongoing programs.
An inscription inside the house reads '두문즉시심산', which means that closing the door feels like being deep in the mountains. This phrase captures how 최순우 saw his home as a retreat from the world, even while living in the middle of the city.
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