Media Art In Unexpected Places In Seoul: Hongje Stream

I used to pass through Hongje on a bus every day as I’d traverse from Eunpyeong-gu to a school in Seodaemun-gu. The area doesn’t seem like it’s changed much, but if you went through every day like I did, you’d notice small changes around the Yujin Arcade, the Inwang Market, and the Naebu Expressway area. After teaching one day I traipsed up the mountainside to find the Ant Mural Village, and in the past couple of years there were more changes when the tunnels beneath the intersection were finally opened up and even renovated with light art. Hongje Stream is a beautiful place to walk or ride a bike in Seoul… you’ll see.

Hongje Stream, Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea

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Hongje Stream Is An Experience

I used to ride my bike from the Han River north along the Hongje Stream that runs beneath the Naebu Expressway. It might not sound glamorous, but the stream that lies to the west of Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong, and Mangwon-dong has some fun features you don’t find on a lot of streams. The pillars that hold up the giant expressway are decorated with artworks you would find in European museums, a beautiful way to use the pillars of the very industrial pillars from the expressway above.

Continuing on, there’s a waterfall. Yes, a waterfall in Seoul on the side of Ansan Mountain, which bursts into beautiful cherry blossom bloom each spring in Seoul. It’s one of my favorite places to take a hike and it’s even kid-friendly with wooden boardwalks and recliners. If you do take the kids, definitely check out the Seodaemun Museum of Natural History also on the mountain.

Hallie Bradley & daughter in Ansan Mountain, Seoul

A Tunnel Is Filled With Light

Continuing on, I’d bike into Hongje-dong and then reach a tunnel where I’d have to turn around because it was blocked off. That was until the past couple of years when the tunnel was reopened and was decorated to match the great decor already along the stream. This 366-meter-long tunnel is now a well-lit corridor with lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. Every inch of the tunnel has undergone renovations, creating a space where visitors can explore even the darkest corners.

As you journey through the tunnel, spotlights guide your way, including at water-crossing points, casting colorful light patterns and 3D holograms. At the heart of the art exhibit lies “Warmth,” a series of 42 pillars standing in the water, adorned with color-changing LEDs that cast mesmerizing reflections in the gently flowing water.

This outdoor exhibition, known as Hongje Yuyeon in Seoul’s Seodaemun District, has turned the lower section of Yujin Sangga into an “Art Road of Light.” It’s a cool immersive art and interactive technology public space now. As visitors use these illuminated artworks as their guide, they re-emerge into the world we live in, appreciating the beauty of light and shadow amidst the surrounding darkness.

Hongje Stream, flowing through Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, before joining the Hangang River, has been beautifully developed over the years to provide a picturesque walking area for local residents. Similar to Cheonggyecheon Stream and Yangjaecheon Stream, the banks of Hongje Stream offer a delightful location for cyclists and exercise enthusiasts on the western end of Seoul. Stepping stones across the river and places for relaxation can be found along the stream’s path.

Step in from the entrance to the tunnel and you’ll find “Warmth,” created by Team Co-Work, which features 42 cement pillars adorned with lights that change color based on body temperature, offering an interactive and engaging experience. We were hot hot hot!

“Hongje Yuyeon Future Ecosystem” showcases wall paintings created by students from local schools, illuminating their artwork with LED lights. Other art installations along the waterway include “Light_Narrative of Light” by Mioon, “Hongje Yeonga, the Mise en Scene” by Jin Gi-jong, “Breath” by Team Co-Work, “MoonSun, SunMoon,” and “Um…” by Yoon Hyung-min, “Dudurukteo” by Youm Sang-hoon, and “Sound Art” by Hong Cho-sun.

It’s all very cool.

Yujin Sangga, built in 1970, stands as a relic from the past era, sharing its age with the likes of Sewoon Plaza and Nakwon Arcade. Originally designed as a tank encampment or a defense line in case of emergencies, this structure bears witness to an era of inter-Korean conflict and anti-communist sentiments.

"Hongje Yuyeon Future Ecosystem" showcases wall paintings created by students from local schools, illuminating their artwork with LED lights. Other art installations along the waterway include "Light_Narrative of Light" by Mioon, "Hongje Yeonga, the Mise en Scene" by Jin Gi-jong, "Breath" by Team Co-Work, "MoonSun, SunMoon," and "Um…" by Yoon Hyung-min, "Dudurukteo" by Youm Sang-hoon, and "Sound Art" by Hong Cho-sun.

Directions: From Hongje Subway Station, walk out of exit 4. Walk straight and you’ll come to a stream at the main intersection. Look for steps and you can go down to the stream path and walk north through the tunnel.

Hours: The exhibition is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with possible closures due to heavy rain.

Rediscover light in the darkest of places in Seoul in Hongje-dong.

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