I could post more pics of big-boobied half-Korean chicks…
but instead, I bring you…
the roof of the old Bank of Chosun in Gunsan!
(1,200 px version here)
The roof of the building, built in 1923, is said to resemble a Japanese samurai’s helmet. As mentioned before, the bank used to one of the biggest buildings outside of Seoul. Legend has it that it was designed by a German POW brought to Gunsan during World War I.
Other photos you might find interesting, if only slightly:
(Old Japanese homes and stores in Sinheung-dong, Gunsan. 1,200 px version here)
(Dongguk-sa Temple, Korea’s only remaining Japanese Buddhist temple that still functions as a temple. 1,200 px version here)
Feel free to re-read my travelogue/photo essay on colonial Gunsan (Part I, Part II).
While I’m at it, let me direct you to some great photos of old, dilapidated Chinese and colonial homes in Penang, Malaysia (Part I, Part II), brought to your computer screen by Adamu of Mutant Frog.
16 Comments
You know, if I were a movie director (Korean), pictures such as the Sinheung-dong stuff could be really useful in creating movie sets. Thanks for the pictures Robert.
And in fact, Mr. Elgin, the Gunsan area IS often used as a film set for movies and dramas set during the colonial era. “The General’s Son,” “Yain Sidae”… all partially shot in Gunsan. The recently released “Tajja” also used the area as a set.
Well then, considering such, it could be extra nice if movie producers would fix up or renovate some of these buildings for their shots. It would help the area and enhance the historic quality of the area.
Yes, that’s certainly possible, although I will say that some of the dilapidation is somewhat romantic in a way.
Overall, the old homes aren’t that poorly maintained, and in fact, some of them have been kept in amazingly good condition. From the city’s position, part of the problem is that the homes and shops are mostly private property, which means that unless they are designated cultural properties, they are at the mercy of their owners. Apparently, Mokpo has designated an entire neighborhood a “modern architecture protection zone,” but it’s expensive and requires a lot of politicking and discussion with local residents.
Did you see the yellow Japanese school? I think they may have torn it down. It was quite interesting. Kunsan used to be huge when the Japanese were here.
The old yellow school, I believe, was not the Japanese school, but the Chinese school. And before that, it was geisha house. It was destroyed a couple of years ago in a fire, I was told.
great pics! i really enjoy the pics of the colonial buildings. but with all due respect, i still prefer boobie pics. and occasional comments about sean penn. i keed, i keed. well, not about the boobie pics.
Re: the bank in Gunsan. Lived across the street from it back in the mid-80’s. There was a GI club (the Playboy - I think) on the 2nd floor (shown in the photo). Think it closed in early ‘85. A lot of Japanese buildings in that local area.
Why must we choose between boobie pics and architecture?
Iceberg, that’s because Marmot is getting old. Soon this blog will be dedicated to golfing.
LOL. Good one iceberg.
“Legend has it that it was designed by a German POW brought to Gunsan during World War I.”
This sounds like a fascinating story. How in the world would a WW1 German POW end up in Gunsan?
Well, Hugh, I’d imagine it’s because Gunsan is a relatively short boat ride from Qingdao, which was a German colony (and base of the German East Asia Squadron) before Japan, in alliance with the UK, attacked and occupied the city during WW I.
Bruno Ganz just starred in a Toei-produced film about German POWs in a Japanese prison camp in WWI, called ODE TO JOY.
Mr Marmot.. Both are good. Bravo!
If you look closely enough, you can see a naked woman in the top left window of the first picture.
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