What kind of building did a reused bookstore or café used to be?

An individual building's history can only be confirmed when signage exists; the editorial team does not state every building's history as fact Unconfirmed.

What effect does this change have on residents?

Negative effects such as rising rent are presumed possible, but the editorial team has no confirmed specific statistics Unconfirmed.

📚

Haebangchon & Huam: The Hill Built by Those Who Arrived in Seoul · 7

When Bookstores and Cafés Move Into Old Houses

Ep. 7

FitTrip Editor · 2026.07.22

You can often see Haebangchon and Huam's low houses and warehouses recently turning into small bookstores and cafés. This repair and reuse gives old buildings new uses and adds vitality to the neighborhood. But at the same time, this change also affects rent and property prices. Vitality and price change are two sides of the same phenomenon.

You can often see Haebangchon and Huam's low houses and warehouses recently turning into small bookstores and cafés.

New uses for old buildings

This repair and reuse gives old buildings new uses and adds vitality to the neighborhood. Visitors get one more appealing space.

Two sides of vitality and price

But at the same time, this change also affects rent and property prices Estimate. Vitality and price change are two sides of the same phenomenon, and seeing only one side means understanding only half of this neighborhood.

FAQ

What kind of building did a reused bookstore or café used to be?: An individual building's history can only be confirmed when signage exists; the editorial team does not state every building's history as fact Unconfirmed.
What effect does this change have on residents?: Negative effects such as rising rent are presumed possible, but the editorial team has no confirmed specific statistics Unconfirmed.

Checklist

Think about the price change behind a reused space too when visiting one
Only reference a building's history when signage exists
Remember this is an alley where new spaces and existing residents' lives coexist

See the full course on FitTrip →

Official FitTrip content · FitTrip home · ETA ALL PASS