Daehakno Street, Hyehwa Station Exit- 2 and Bus-273 - My Daily Life

I do not have any remorse being a residence of Daehakno for three years even though I am walking on the same street, passing the same subway station, Hyehwa and going to school by the same bus 273 from the beginning of arrival in Korea everyday. It has been long time I am living at the same place, International house I in Daehakno. Actually, Daehakno, known as the street for young people, is the former location of Seoul National University. Since the 1980s, many play theaters started moving to Daehakno, and gradually it turned into a cultural center. Soon live-cafes, movie theaters, regular cafes and pubs came as well, and it grew up as an entertainment district. Its popularity is still maintained by famous small theaters such as Parangsae (Blue Bird) Theater and Hakjeong Theater, and some 30 additional theaters concentrated here contributing to Daehakno. Thereby, it became the root of performance art in Korea. It is very common to see on every weakened, couple and friends meet in front of the Hyehwa subway station.

The center of Daehakno, Marronnier Park, has frequent live performances or dance performances by the young people. For the same reason Daehakno is called the “Play Mecca” or “Young Street” as well. Many parents come with their little children to spend time in the park too. I like to go for a walk around that park very often as I have to pass this park on the way of dormitory everyday and it is not far (only 3 or 5 minutes walking distance) form my dormitory too. Another place, which is related with my daily life, is Hyehwa Subway Station. If I go out, often I use subway even though sometimes it’s much crowed, especially on the weekend. But when I go to my university, it’s much convenient for me to go there by bus. Bus number-273 is another of my daily companions. One of my language teachers told that the most beautiful girls travel in the bus number 273, but I was shocked when I could not find any difference between those travelling by 273 and other buses. However, it takes only 20 minutes from my dormitory to go to my university, which should be a more important significance of bus 273.

Koran people have tendency to change their business very often. That’s why; often I get confused to visit the same place. Actually I target any shop near by the place as an indication to find that place again easily but when I go another time, I cannot find that shop. It makes me really puzzled in front of my friends. My Daehakno street is not beyond this group but my bus 273 always stops in the same place and Hyewa station, exit 2, is at the same place.

Another reason Daehakno became so popular among young people are the various interesting sights and foods to be found here. Many restaurants, fast food joints, cafes, and bars are concentrated here, making it convenient for people to find something to do after plays and live-performances. Each restaurant is famous for some special dishes. Sometimes we like to say among our friends “Let’s go to Thakkhalbi place or How about Chimthak place” etc. One of favorite dishes is 닭갈비(Thak khalbi), a kind of delicious dish with chicken, potatoes and noodles. And I like to go to a restaurant near my dormitory where I can eat Chimtak. It’s also kind of dish with chicken, potatoes and noodles. Actually I like chicken and potatoes very much. One of my friends always make jokes with me “Hey Jamali , have you bought potatoes and chicken again?”. By the way, I do not like to cook often, as I do not like dish washing. Another reason for this is the kitchen situated in the opposite corner of a long corridor from my room. I get really tired to come and go with my stuff from my room to kitchen. Anyway, sometimes I have to cook for myself and for my friends too. I do not like to eat alone. By the way, I forgot to tell my favorite dish’s name. It is “Shabu Shabu”, a very delicious food with vegetables and meat. Long time, I do not eat this dish, as I need some partners to go to Shabu Shabu place. I have to search who likes to eat Shabu Shabu among our new friends, then I can go to eat my favorite dish, Yummy Yummy…..

Besides many nice sikdangs (Restaurants in English), there are some nice bar and coffee shops such as Basquite where every Sunday night, they arrange some jazz show and also Comfort Zone, where I can play dart. One time, our dormitory friends used to go their often as we were crazy for darts but I do not go often now as some of my friends left. Once I played in the dart competition in the Seoul. My performance was chugum ( in Korean “ a little bit” ) OK.

There are some marts like Lucky Mart, Naim Mart in the Daehakno where I can buy my daily stuff at cheaper rates. Most of the shops open until mid night even though some shops are 24 hours such as GS25, Family Mart. However, my dormitory door gets closed at 1 am. This is the only negative side of my dormitory; otherwise I like my dormitory very much.

Daehakno Street is arranged by many nice sculptures, which make this street more artistic and attractive to the people. Its unique atmosphere and space continues to be beloved by many young people. If you have some leisure time, then, don’t be deceived from this artistic atmosphere and let’s meet Hyehwa Subway Station Exit 2, in front of the Marronnier Park.