Despite my blog post output slowing down, I always have some project on my plate. I haven’t posted as much lately because I’ve been working hard to get my second issue of The Bulldozed Future finished. Anytime not exploring new redevelopment zones has been spent getting it done. I hope to wrap up production in early March and have it out in physical/digital copies by the end of the month. I am excited by how it’s coming together; I’ve learned a lot from the process of making the first issue and hope to make it accessible for a wide range of people.
At this moment, there are two new neighborhoods in the early stages of redevelopment, in addition to a couple of communities almost completely bulldozed, the Hidden Hanoks Neighborhood, being today’s featured exploration. Future posts will cover my visits to these areas, so there is plenty of content to share with you, dear reader! It might take a bit longer than usual to get it out until issue number two of the zine comes out. I do miss the weekly process of writing about my current explorations as they are unfolding.
2020 was a shitty year for many reasons, but discovering the Hidden Hanoks Neighborhood was a consolation that made the trials and tribulations much easier to take. For further background information check out past blog posts and the article I wrote about the neighborhood in Gwangju News. Now, let’s peek behind the brown tarp one last time.
On the last day of 2020, I observed The Tatami Hanok had already bitten the dust, and demolition crew were knocking on the Great Japan Hanok’s doorstep.
Eighteen days later, I came back to check in on the houses. They had cleaned out the rubble where the Tatami Hanok once stood, and, to much chagrin, demolition workers obliterated the Great Japan Hanok. I ignored my documentary instincts neglected to take a picture of the void left behind.
Although I spent most of my time exploring this portion of the Samseon-dong neighborhood, there was (is?) a portion I failed to examine thoroughly. It was up on the other side of the hill, heading away from Hansung University. On my last visit, I decided to check out this lesser familiar area, and I found a few houses that caught my attention, hidden behind the bland brick apartments.
The next post will be about another neighborhood on its last stand, as workers chomp it up at this moment in Seongdong-gu. After that, I’ll be sharing the areas I am currently observing. I will also give you an update on the progress of The Bulldozed Future. Until then, stay safe and be well.
