[Photo from visitseoul.net]

If you enjoy shopping, you have probably heard about Dongdaemun Market. Korea’s newest fashions appear and spread from here. That’s why people usually remember Dongdaemun as ‘Dongdaemun Market.’ But Dongdaemun is more than just about shopping – stories of the people and history exist here as well. Everywhere you go in Dongdaemun, you’ll find hidden ‘True Stories’ of its long history and its people.

From Hanyang (former Seoul) to present day Seoul, Heunginjimun Gate (also known as Dongdaemun, or east gate) has existed in its same location for 600 years. An endless series of stories awaits us like treasures in this area; including Gwangjang Market, a market from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897) with 100 years of tradition; Gwanghui-dong, a small global village inside Dongdaemun; Seoul City Wall and Igansumun (Water Gate), which were hidden underground until recently; and Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which creates a new landscape with streamlined architecture.

These are the true stories of Dongdaemun we didn’t know before. Now, shall we go on a treasure hunt?

Tips I New culture started in Dongdaemun

On May 17th 1899, a magnificent trolley opening ceremony took place at Dongdaemun Car House. If you look at the photograph from this day, you’ll see a great number of people near the car house. The ceremony was an event that brought big curiosity and entertainment for the people of Seoul.

People were amused by the metal box that ran along the railroad, which made it very popular - approximately 2,000 passengers rode the trolley daily. Back then, the trolley was not only rare in Joseon and Asia, but also in the Western world. It was an amusement for both the people of Joseon and foreigners alike. And since the donkey was the most common mode of transportation, many called the trolley ‘the metal donkey.’

In addition to the trolley, there’s another first for Korea that started at Dongdaemun Car House – the theatre. Dongdaemun Car House was also a movie theatre and the first-generation Korean traditional opera theatre (and later, a theatre for plays). It played motion pictures for a fee, and its 1,100 seats would sell out for every show.

Considering that Seoul’s population was just 200,000 back then, it was an astonishingly large number of viewers.