You may notice quite a few homeless people around Seoul Station. A lot of visitors ask me, “Why are there so many homeless people here?” One of the biggest reasons goes back to 1997, during the Asian Financial Crisis. In Korea, we usually call it the IMF Crisis . A lot of companies went bankrupt, unemployment rose very quickly, and many people suddenly lost their jobs and income. Some people eventually lost their homes as well. And many of them came to Seoul Station . Why here? Because this was one of the main places to find day labor and temporary jobs , and it was also the main railway station if they wanted to go back to their hometowns. But some had no money left and nowhere else to go, so they stayed around the station. That is one reason Seoul Station became one of the main gathering places for homeless people after the 1997 crisis. Then another thing happened. Once many homeless people were here, churches, charities, NGOs, and the government started providing help here. Th...
Have you ever noticed large, round stone basins placed near the entrances of these palaces? These are called "Deumu" (드므) , and they are more than just decorative water containers. 🏺 What is a Deumu? (드므) A Deumu is a large, round stone or ceramic water basin traditionally placed at the entrances of Korean palaces and noble residences. At first glance, it might seem like a simple water container, but its purpose is deeply rooted in Korean beliefs and practices. 🔥 Fire Prevention and Symbolism In ancient Korea, where buildings were primarily constructed of wood, fire was a constant threat. The Deumu served a practical purpose: it was filled with water to be readily available in case of fire. However, beyond its practical use, the Deumu held symbolic meaning. Water, in Korean culture, is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. By placing a Deumu filled with water at the entrance, it was thought to protect the building from both physical fires and male...