Baek In-je House in Bukchon Hanok Village

January 14, 2023 274 Views

In Bukchon Hanok Village, there are public hanok buildings that have been donated to the city of Seoul and are open to visitors. Baek In-je House is one such hanok, accessible to visitors as a public space. Thanks to this, it can be visited for free, allowing visitors to explore every corner of the hanok.

Below is a description provided by the city of Seoul about Baek In-je House.

“Baek In-je House”

Located in Bukchon Gahoe-dong, Baek In-je House is a representative hanok from the Japanese colonial period, preserving the form of modern hanoks. Situated on a spacious 2,460 square meter plot overlooking Bukchon at a glance, it features a dignified sarangchae (men’s quarter) as the main building, along with a spacious anchae (women’s quarter) and a wide garden. An intimate byeoldangchae (side building) is also located at the highest point.

While maintaining the beauty of traditional hanoks, Baek In-je House also incorporates modern changes. In terms of architectural scale and historical value, it stands as a representative building in Bukchon, alongside Yun Boseon’s House.

“Architectural Features of Baek In-je House”

Built in 1907, using black pine trees from the Amnok River that were first introduced to Seoul during the 1913 Korea Exhibition, Baek In-je House possesses several distinctive features that set it apart from contemporary upper-class residences.

Unlike other traditional hanoks that separate sarangchae and anchae into separate buildings, in Baek In-je House, these two spaces are connected by a corridor, allowing for free movement without having to go outside.

The use of Japanese-style corridors and tatami rooms, as well as the extensive use of red bricks and glass windows, reflects the contemporary architectural background of the time. Additionally, a portion of the sarangchae is constructed on the second floor, a feature unique to Baek In-je House and not found in traditional Joseon-era hanoks.

In the garden, you can admire the dignified sarangchae, the spacious anchae in the main courtyard, and the intimate byeoldangchae in the rear garden. Baek In-je House is a precious cultural heritage site where various beauties of our traditional hanoks come together.

“History of Baek In-je House”

Since its completion in 1913, Baek In-je House has been inhabited by Han Sang-ryong, who was a senior executive at the Hanseong Bank. It later passed through the ownership of Hanseong Bank to Choi Seon-ik in 1928, and in 1935, it was transferred to Choi Seon-ik, a journalist.

From 1944 onwards, it was owned by Baek In-je, the founder of Baekkbyeongwon, a leading figure in the domestic medical community at the time. Recognized for its architectural and historical value, it was designated as Seoul Metropolitan Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 22 in 1977. In 2009, after being taken over by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it underwent cultural heritage preservation and restoration work, and on November 18, 2015, it reopened as the History and Architecture Museum.

“Timeline of Baek In-je House”

July 3, 1913: Completed, inhabited by Han Sang-ryong
June 29, 1928: Ownership transferred to Hanseong Bank
January 29, 1935: Ownership transferred to Choi Seon-ik (Journalist)
September 1, 1944: Ownership transferred to Baek In-je (Founder of Baekkbyeongwon)
March 17, 1977: Designated as Seoul Metropolitan Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 22
November 30, 2009: Ownership transferred to Seoul Metropolitan Government
November 18, 2015: Reopened as the History and Architecture Museum

“Film Location for ‘Assassination’, Baek In-je House”

Baek In-je House is also famous as a filming location for dramas, movies, and variety shows. It is particularly well-known as a filming location for the movie “Assassination” and was used for the second episode of TVN’s “Wednesday Music Program” titled “Seoul Song Tour.”

While preserving the traditional beauty of hanoks, Baek In-je House has adapted to the modern era, making it a significant house in terms of architectural scale and historical value. Given its picturesque surroundings, it has naturally become a popular location for filming movies, dramas, and more.

In reality, when you visit, it is a great place for taking photos, offering a view of the charming landscape of a modern hanok. It is a representative open hanok in Bukchon Village where you can enjoy various beauties depending on the season.

“They also offer guided tours of the house”

Admission is free, and the opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (with last admission at 5:30 PM). It operates as a self-guided tour.

If desired, guided tours are available. To do so, advance reservation is required. Guided tours can accommodate up to 15 people at a time and are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations for guided tours can be made through the Seoul City Public Service Reservation website.

To enter the anchae and sarangchae (interior facilities), a guided tour reservation is mandatory. (Without a reservation, you can only tour the exterior of the building.)