Pimatgol

The main street is very crowded.

There are many food vendors on the way.

On the corner of Tapgol Park, there are big stands set up selling trot music, also known as bbongjjak.

Looks like he's roasting sweet potatoes.

The entrance to Tapgol Park, where old people go to be teenagers.

This stand looks very Japanese, and I get the impression the girl is Japanese too.

Jongno Tower bears a passing resemblance to the Eye of Sauron.

A quick glance down the alley.

At the entrance to the stretch of Pimatgol under the skyscraper.

At one time the horse was considered a symbol of Korean aristocracy. This statue depicts a (well endowed) peasant boy mastering this horse, which is ironic considering what's happening to the neighbourhood directly behind me.

Scott Bug took a break from his busy schedule to show me around the alley.

A further back look at the alley. This isn't the start of it though.

He took me a block further west, through this small stretch of Pimatgol containing some more authentic businesses.

This fish restaurant very proudly boasted about all the media coverage it's received.

The start of the alley.

Scott introduced me to the owner of this restaurant, who he's known for years. She liked having her picture taken, and she told us she has one year left before her restaurant is shut down and demolished.

When I asked her to pose for a picture, she went out here and started throwing fish on the grill.

Detail on the artificial entrance to the artificial Pimatgol.

Care was taken to preserve the physical space of Pimatgol. Considerably less consideration was given to the businesses on the sides of the alley.

It doesn't get much more sterile than this.

A dog meat restaurant.

Scott told me this restaurant is very well known, and at the 1988 Olympics people were lined up all around the corner to get in.

A side alley which may or may not still be Pimatgol.

A closer look at the restaurant.

Seoul Hotel closed down at the end of last year. It had its own sauna as well. The yeogwan on the right is also closed.

Continuing down Pimatgol, we saw many businesses which were all closed. These ones only have a couple months to go.

Looks like part of a cuckoo clock.

A hangout for poets.

Open a little while longer.

A very fancy looking dog restaurant.

I didn't catch the name of this newer restaurant.

Back on Pimatgol.

The only business with much activity was a Chinese restaurant.

Scott said it's busier on weekday nights, but it was fine by me being here when it was deserted.

The floor in the artificial part of the alley.

I walked Scott partway home, crossing Cheonggyecheon.

Keys.

Nuts.

Can you spot Pimatgol?

There it is, behind the horse's cock.

A closed restaurant.

I couldn't quite make out this sign behind all the pipes.

Behold the future.