Korea in World, World in Korea

     People still believe Korea is a homogeneous ethnic group. Truly the majority of the population is Korean. However, Korea is no longer conservative and closed. The number of foreigners inhabiting in Korea increased by three times in a decade; more than one million foreigners live in Korea. Also they have formed villages (or mini-countries) in Korea. I will introduce foreign communities in my neighborhood, Seoul.

Suh-rae Village(서래마을), Petit France in Seoul

     
      Since 1985 Suh-rae Village (서래마을) in Banpo-dong Seocho-gu has been called French village in Seoul. As International French School moved to Suh-rae Village from Hannam-dong, more than half of total French population in Seoul also moved to Suh-rae Village and formed French village. You might imagine typical European village: pentagonal houses in rows, streets made of pebbles, and small flower bushes. But Suh-rae Village is Koreanized European village – it does not resemble traditional European village. It looks like common Korean town, and the French live like us, Koreans. They exercise at Park Montmartre on weekends; kids attend International French School.
      Villagers maintain European traditions, too. They hold Christmas party called French Christmas world. During the festival period, kids dress up in angel, Santa Claus, etc. costumes. Villagers prepare traditional Christmas food and share it with others.

Islamic Itaewon, Muslim Street 
 
     After the 6.25 war, the US army force moved into Itaewon. Besides foreign soldiers, other foreigners from Argentina, Denmark, Nigeria… started to live in Itaewon. Now, 70% of floating population is foreigner; different cultures coexist and mingle in Itaewon.

 < Image excerpt from http://cafe.naver.com/wdc2010.cafe?iframe_url-/ArticleRead.nhn%3Farticleid-3650&>

      Yet Muslims who live in the Muslim Street try to maintain its unique culture. The street originated in 1970s when people from Middle East came to Korea as industrial labors. The street begins from the Bokwang elementary school in Itaewon. Iconic turquoise tiles and musk fill the street. Musk is open to public. But you should follow the Muslim etiquette: women should not enter the musk through center stairs, men and women pray at separate rooms.
      Around the musk are halal (food permissible according to Islamic Law) stores, Syrian bakeries, etc. Islam electronic store sells e-book Korans and cell phones with Koran-alarms which ring five times a day.

Love for Red, China Town
      Several Chinatowns are located in Korea. But besides the one built in Ilsan (2005), other Chinatowns are unofficial. China Town located along Daelim station and Nam Guro station in Seo-daemoon Gu is also unofficial one. 

<Image Exerpt from http://mojjustice.blog.me/150112048762>

     Whether the town is official or not, they all have strong Chinese atmosphere. Most apparently a lot of store signs are red and are written in Chinese characters. (The Chinese’ favorite color is red.) Moreover there are diverse Chinese restaurants: Yanbian nangmyun(냉면) restaurant, Chinese fried cookies shop, original Chinese restaurant…

More than just a Flee Market street, Philippine Street

<Image exerpt from www.worldyannews.co.kr>
     Philippine Street in Hyehwa-dong is renowned for flee market. Philippines who live in Korea call it “the 2nd Manila.” The market has eleven-year-long history; about a decade ago, Philippine Catholic priest visited Korea and started the flee market. Unlike other flee markets, people sell Philippine products. You can taste Filipino food like Balut (boiled egg), cassava (cheese-cake), and sausage. 
 

 
      There are other foreign towns in Seoul such as Little Tokyo (Dongbu Ichon-dong), Nepal road (Changshin-dong), and Russian village (Dongdae-moon). And even more are located outside Seoul. Foreigners have now become our neighbors. Whenever you want refreshment but lack time for a short trip, try visiting foreign-neighborhood in Korea.

/MIZY Youth Reporters Yeong-ran Ahn