Hongje Stream revitalization welcomes public to darkness

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Mon, October 2, 2023 | 07:19

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Hongje Stream revitalization welcomes public to darkness

Posted : 2020-08-19 17:59

Updated : 2020-08-19 17:59

A subterranean section of Hongje Stream is lit up by an LED art installation titled "Warmth," seen July 30. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

By Jon Dunbar

The area around Hongje Station on Line 3 doesn't look so different these days: there's still the dilapidated Yujin Arcade, the aging Inwang Market next door and the Naebu Expressway passing high overhead. But under the surface, there's a lot going on. A stretch of Hongje Stream, passing underground through this northwestern Seoul neighborhood, has been transformed into an urban park.

The approximately 366-meter-long tunnel, opened to the public on July 1, remains in darkness, unlike downtown Seoul's Cheonggye Stream which was daylighted in 2005, but the darkness is part of the fun here.

There is a well-lit corridor with lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, conveniently connecting the upstream and downstream sides of the urban water body. There is also a staircase that connects the passage with the street above, next to Yujin Arcade.

Almost every space of the tunnel has been renovated, letting visitors wander into the darker areas. Various light installations are set up to make the space more inviting, and the city's "Hongje Yuyeon" art exhibition adds color.

Spotlights illuminate parts of the passageway, including the water-crossing points. People can find their way through the tunnel, with the space lit by colorful light patterns and 3D holograms. In one corner, a glowing mural on the wall shows elementary school students' depictions of how the restored underground stream might look, filled with animals. The centerpiece of the art exhibit is "Warmth," a series of 42 pillars standing in the water, outfitted with color-changing LEDs that create mesmerizing visual effects that are reflected in the gently flowing water.

"The visuals and lighting provided a soothing ambiance," said Ryan Berkebile, a foreign resident who visited the tunnel on July 30. Seoul can benefit from beautifying more underground spaces like this. It's easy to get numb to the grime and decay of the city. The installation… adds some needed color to the city."

Hongje Yuyeon is especially getting attention these days, as citizens yearn for new places to explore and art to enjoy.

"I heard that most senior recreation centers had to be closed down due to COVID-19, and it could be a big problem for some old people who don't have a space to get away from the heat," said Hong Soon-yon who visited on July 30. "When I saw some old ladies chilling out around that area, I felt relieved in a way."

The exhibition is on every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., although there may be closures due to heavy rain.

jdunbar@koreatimes.co.kr