HBC community to celebrate Korea's liberation during Haebang Week

The moon looms over central Seoul's Haebangchon, March 14. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

By Jon Dunbar

• Published Aug 12, 2024 8:30 AM KST
• Updated Aug 13, 2024 10:59 AM KST

A wide range of events are scheduled throughout the week in central Seoul's Haebangchon (HBC) neighborhood. The name "Haebangchon" translates to "Liberation Village,"making it a meaningful place to celebrate National Liberation Day, or "Gwangbokjeol" (Restoration of Light Day), on Aug. 15.

"In history this village was formed after World War II," Haebangchon Merchants' Association Vice President Lee Jin, owner of Miam Miam, told The Korea Times. "Many Koreans who lived in Japan, North, China or elsewhere, they wanted to come back to Korea. There were only two choices: go to Seoul or go to Busan. Many arrived in Seoul but they didn't have families or homes. Some came here. There weren't any houses, only trees and rocks, but people made kinds of camps. They made homes with boxes and wood. So after that, this became a real village... and people called it Haebangchon."

Lee said when the idea for creating a new festival was introduced, having it around this time of year was a natural choice. "I thought if we do a newborn festival, we should memorialize the origin of Haebangchon," he said. "So that is why we started it around Gwangbokjeol."

The main festivities are threefold: a robust schedule of live music to be hosted at The Studio HBC from Aug. 14 to 18, a flea market at multiple venues on the afternoon of Aug. 15 and a Korean-language forum on gentrification on Aug. 16.

The music festival, organized by the Wind & Flow Society, features about three dozen acts including well-known musicians like the Yangbans, Ha Reem, Asian Chairshot and Snake Chicken Soup. Tickets for all four days cost 45,000 won, and one-day tickets are 22,000 won.

The flea market runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, the day of the holiday, at multiple shops along Sinheung-ro including (but not limited to) Hmm Market, Cafe Pargo, Le Cafe and Welcome Records. "Basically all the shops that volunteer to open up their space for local sellers," added Jun Bum-sun, founder of Wind & Flow and lead vocalist of the Yangbans, as well as owner of the bookshop Poolmoojil.

The forum will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday. Local artists, business owners and experts will hold a discussion in the Korean language about how to stop gentrification in HBC.

Other events and activities are popping up all over at participating businesses. The Rabbithole Arcade Pub will host a drag show on Aug. 14 and an "HBC's Got Talent" event, its second such talent show, on Aug. 15.

There will also be DJ sessions hosted by Hills & Europa as well as Journey throughout the week. Other events are anticipated to be announced soon.

Haebang Week is a project aimed at creating a new festival for the area. It is organized by the Haebangchon Merchants' Association, a nonprofit organization with over 40 members to promote the businesses of the area.

The festival will also see the introduction of the Haebang Card, which offers discounts at participating local businesses. It can also be used on public transport.

According to Lee, the original plan was to introduce a Haebang Coin, until they found the fintech company Namane, which provides cash cards that are rechargeable through kiosks.

People can sign up for a card at Pizzo O and Poolmoojil during Haebang Week.

"Haebang Card is going to be a permanent thing, but it needs the participation and support from the local businesses and residents," said Jun, who is also a board member of the Haebangchon Merchants' Association. "The main goal is to introduce Haebang Card successfully through this festival, and keep HBC strong and together, in order to protect it from gentrification."

Visit windandflow.com to find a schedule for the live music, and follow @hbc_haebangchon on Instagram for further information and updates.