visitseoul.net

Culture Station Seoul 284 Tour Program offers an opportunity to look deeper into the architectural, historical, and cultural significance of the former Seoul Station. From its time as Gyeongseong Station during Japanese imperialism back in 1925 to its independence as Seoul Station after the Korean War to its current existence as Culture Station Seoul 284, come listen to the many stories this site has to tell its visitors.

A central space in history, Central Hall

Upon first entering Culture Station Seoul 284, visitors find themselves standing in the middle of Central Hall and are greeted with the booming announcements and the low echoing sound of people’s voices. Constructed of 12 marble pillars and a dome, Central Hall is a central area of Culture Station 284. Giant iconic clocks are present in both the exterior and interior of the building. The exterior clock, endearing nicknamed “Pabalma”, was put in during the construction of Gyeongseong Station in 1925. Excluding the three months during wartime, this particular clock has never stopped running and has stood throughout the long history and development of Seoul’s railroad station.

The Central Hall is commonly used as a filming location for movies like “Assassination” which are set during Korea’s modern history era as a place where Korean activists break through to get to Gyeongseong. During Japanese imperialism, there were various similar cases where activists broke through this exact hall, making this place an important historical site.

Show us your tickets, 1st and 2nd Class Waiting Room

This room was only accessible to those who bought 1st and 2nd class tickets. For those who bought regular 3rd class tickets, they were made to wait in the area located on the right side of Central Hall. Compared to the 3rd class waiting room, the 1st and 2nd class waiting room more lavishly decorated. Meanwhile, the 3rd class waiting room was accessible to anyone. As time passed, many changes were made to the rooms as the 1st and 2nd class waiting room was used as a customer service room while the 3rd class waiting room was made into a ticket booth/waiting area. However, the area was renovated to its original state by referencing photos taken back in 1925.

Additionally, the site also features a “Women’s Waiting Room”, Korea’s first Western restaurant called “The Grill”, a former barber shop room currently used as an exhibition space, and many other places where visitors can enjoy seeing the arts and gradual transformation of spaces. Come with us on a small journey to a place where the past, present, and future coexist together in one space.

Culture Station Seoul 284 Tour Program