Seoul, the capital city of Korea, is the biggest city in Korea. A city makes people feel stifled because of its images of tall buildings and streets crowded with cars. However, there is a place which makes us surprised with its different atmosphere in Seoul. That place is Insadong. In this issue, let’s take an unusual trip to the center  of the city.  -Ed.
What is delightful for guests on Insadong street first is to hear a flute’s tune. An old man with traditional Korean clothes sells different kinds of musical instruments. Behind this scenery, there are lots of stores with rare and precious antiques and cheap tourism souvenirs. One of them is Toin. Toin is a store selling daily supplies which are symbolic of Korea from the 1960s to the 1980s. There are lots of things which remind people of their childhoods like picture cards, paper dolls, movie posters and beads. Everyone has a yearning toward childhood, so this store is crowded with customers. This store requires no admission fee, so you can be absorbed in your memories and buy some souvenirs.
A place as crowded with people as Toin is Samziegil, a famous place on Insadong street. Samziegil was started with the people’s will to revert to the old Insadong street. Because of this motive, Samziegil is a space which has no stairs but has a winding ramp that leads to the top floor to remind us of the old Insadong alley. In that place, you can enjoy traditional and modern objects of craftwork and also eat traditional Korean food like Bibimbap and Bulgogi.
As you follow the street passing Samziegil, you can find the Insa Art Plaza standing like a cool gentleman. Insa Art Plaza is a complex cultural center. Whenever you go to different floors, there are many different works with different themes. Additionally, you can buy works of art if you want some.
In addition, there are many galleries with various works between the traditional Korean-style houses. Because most galleries don’t have an admission fee, you don’t feel a burden in looking through them. Because there are no places like those in Cheong-ju, CBT feels envious. How wonderful that people can spend time without money! If you enjoy the gallery, you probably won’t feel time fly. However, there are some notices when you enter the gallery. You can’t take food in or take pictures without the host’s permission.
As you follow Insadong street, you can find many historical places. Some representative places are Seungdong Church (Monument for March 1 Movement), Historical site for the Declaration of Independence, Park Young-Hyo Daegam’s House Site and Min’s club.  The vacated Park Young-Hyo House building is now used for the Kyungin Art Gallery which has a beautiful garden, harmonizing trees and a house. You can feel the natural beauty of a Korean traditional garden.
Time flies fast when you are in Insadong. Insadong is a surprising place because it makes us go back to the past while we walk down the street covered with antiques, wheat-gluten candy and pullbbang sellers. How about taking a trip to your childhood memories and go to Insadong, a place like an historical museum?