Hello.
My name is Na-hyeon and I was born in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.
I graduated from Uirim Elementary School in Jecheon, attended Uirim Girls’ Middle School, and later graduated from Semyung High School. I am now studying at Gyeongin National University of Education. After growing up in a small city, I was very excited to move to a bigger city, Incheon, for university. In Incheon, the subway system is very convenient, so I’ve been able to visit and explore many nearby areas.
Before entering university, I had never traveled abroad. However, through a special program at my school called “Family Study Week,” I had the opportunity to travel overseas. I visited Tokyo and Fukuoka in Japan, as well as Da Nang in Vietnam, with my university friends. As someone who loves traveling, those experiences made me incredibly happy.
The photo I chose was taken last summer when I went swimming in the sea with my family in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do. There weren’t many people, and the water was incredibly clean, which made it a place I truly cherish. I hope to continue traveling to many different places and spending my days happily in the future.
안녕하세요.
저는 충청북도 제천시에서 태어난 최나현입니다.
저는 제천에 있는 의림초등학교를 졸업하고 의림여자중학교를 다녔으며 세명고등학교를 졸업하여 경인교육대학교로 입학하게 되었습니다. 작은 도시에 살다가 큰 도시인 인천광역시로 학교를 오게 되어 매우 좋았습니다. 인천에 오니 지하철도 잘 되어있어 주변 지역들도 자주 놀러다닐 수 있었습니다.
저는 대학생이 되기 전까지는 해외 여행을 가보지 못했었는데 우리 학교의 ‘가정학습주간’이라는 제도를 통해 해외를 가볼 수 있게 되었습니다. 일본 도쿄와 후쿠오카, 베트남 다낭을 학교 친구들과 여행하였습니다. 여행을 좋아하는 저로서는 너무나 행복한 시간이었습니다. 제가 선택한 사진은 지난 해 여름 가족들과 갔던 경상북도 울진군에 위치한 바다에서 수영을 하는 사진입니다. 사람도 많지 않고 물도 정말 깨끗해서 너무너무 애정하는 장소입니다. 앞으로도 여러 지역들을 여행하며 행복한 나날들을 보내고 싶습니다.
<Introduction to the Urban Landscape Around Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul!>
1) Samcheong Jeongdok-gil
Samcheong Jeongdok-gil is a place where Korea's past and present, as well as everyday life and art, coexist. It is incredibly charming to see traditional Hanok (Korean traditional houses) and modern, black-framed glass buildings captured together in a single frame. In addition, the cozy and charming shops tucked away in every alley make strolling through the area a true delight.
[ Educational Use as Geography Material ]
- Gentrification: This area can be used to explain the process of gentrification, showing how the Samcheong-dong district—which was once a relatively underdeveloped area with low land prices in Seoul—transformed through rapid commercialization.
- Urban Identity & Landscape Evolution: By observing the coexistence of traditional Hanok and modern architecture, students can explore the concept of "placeness" (urban identity) and how cityscapes change over time.
[ Google maps Link ]
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WyZnnbLqEDZYoJdy7
2) Gamgodang-gil
The mural of an elderly couple on the wall of Duksung Girls' High School,
combined with the green vines covering the bridge, gave the area the cozy
feel of an urban garden. Walking along the long, stretching stone wall,
seamlessly harmonized with lush green trees and cherry blossoms, brought
a sense of serenity, calmness, and refreshing energy. A tagline from a
perfume shop, "City of Green (Moments of Green Breathing Within the
City),"was particularly memorable as it perfectly captured the essence of
nature and relaxation found along Gamgodang-gil.
[ Educational Use as Geography Material ]
- Historical Geography & Placeness: Named after Gamgodang, the natal
home of Queen Inhyeon (the second consort of King Sukjong), this street
serves as an excellent case study for exploring the connection between
historical origins and modern geographical locations.
- Mixed-Use Urban Districts: Rather than featuring a single concentrated
function, this area showcases a mixed-use city center where educational
institutions and tourist destinations coexist, making it ideal for studying
multi-functional urban spaces.
[ Google maps Link ]
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3FrNd4AsYS6qHfrZA
3) GOD EAT (Mexican Restaurant)
Having recently fallen in love with the charm of Mexican tacos, my team
members and I visited this restaurant after our field study. Eating Mexican
food in the middle of Anguk-dong's alleys, which are lined with traditional
Hanok, was a remarkably fresh and unique experience. The fusion of
Korean tradition and exotic Mexican vibes made the tacos taste even more
delicious. The colorful variety of dishes, including tacos, guacamole, and
fajitas, was a visual delight in itself.
[ Educational Use as Geography Material ]
- Cultural Globalization & Food Diffusion: This Mexican restaurant serves
as a practical textbook example of globalization, the diffusion of food
culture, and how dietary habits differ based on natural and cultural
environments.
- Cultural Glocalization: Students can explore how traditional Mexican
dishes like tacos and burritos are reinterpreted and consumed to suit the
Korean palate (glocalization). Additionally, it offers a great opportunity to
examine how Mexico's unique natural and cultural environments have
shaped its food culture.
[ Google maps Link ]
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZwyzYGBEFSo8qJWb9
4) Kukje Gallery K1
The human figure installed on top of the building caught my eye from
afar. Looking as if it were walking toward the sky, the sculpture brought a
vibrant energy to the otherwise standardized urban landscape, making a
lasting impression. Additionally, the view seen through the large panoramic
window in the corner of the exhibition hall felt like a work of art in itself.
[ Educational Use as Geography Material ]
- Public Art and Urban Landscapes: Using the rooftop sculpture—Jonathan
Borofsky’s "Walking Woman on the Roof"—as a primary example, students
can explore how public art installed on building facades or rooftops influences
and transforms the overall cityscape.
- Agglomeration Economies in Economic Geography: The Samcheong-dong
area features a dense concentration of various art galleries, including
Kukje Gallery. From an economic geography perspective, this serves as an
excellent case study to investigate why these galleries cluster in one location
and how they benefit from agglomeration economies(the benefits of spatial
clustering).
[ Google maps ]
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xDcSGgYkeA8Dv22z9
Patbingsu (Korean Shaved Ice Dessert)
When the sweltering summer heat hits Seoul, there is one dessert that
everyone craves: Patbingsu. This traditional Korean summer treat features
a mountain of fluffy, snow-like shaved ice topped with sweet red bean
paste (pat), chewy rice cakes (tteok), crunchy cereal, and fresh fruit, all
finished with a generous drizzle of condensed milk. Tasting a spoonful of creamy milk ice paired with the rich, earthy sweetness of traditional red beans feels like a cool oasis in the middle of a hot summer day in the city. Notably, Korea is home to 'Sulbing,'a leading dessert brand specializing in bingsu that sparked a global craze for this refreshing treat. Furthermore, you don’t always need a large group to share a massive bowl anymore; popular Korean franchise cafes like Mega Coffee, Starbucks, and Ediyaactively sell 'Cup-bingsu'(single-serving bingsu in a cup). This allows individuals to easily enjoy the dessert by themselves, whether sitting comfortably inside the cafe or relaxing outdoors. From classic retro styles served in traditional brass bowls to convenient single-serving cup-bingsu, Patbingsu offers the ultimate escape from the summer heat.
[ Educational Use as Geography Material ]
- Climate and Dietary Culture: Patbingsu serves as an excellent seasonal
case study showing how human lifestyles and food cultures adapt to
regional climate characteristics. Students can explore how Korea’s hot,
humid summer climate led to the development of unique cooling culinary
traditions.
- Agricultural Geography and Indigenous Ingredients: The use of red beans
(pat) and rice cakes reflects traditional Korean agricultural practices, which
historically relied heavily on dry-field and grain farming due to the peninsula's
mountainous terrain. It provides valuable insight into how indigenous crops
shape a nation's traditional dessert culture.
- Franchisability & Individualized Consumption Trends: Through the success of
specialized brands like 'Sulbing' and the 'Cup-bingsu' trend in major franchise
cafes, students can analyze how a food culture that once centered around
"sharing a meal together" is being redefined in modern commercial spaces.
This serves as a great example to study spatial and sociodemographic shifts
toward individualized consumption.
[ My Ultimate Guide to the Best Patbingsu in Seoul (Google maps) ]
If you come to Korea, be sure to visit these places and enjoy Patbingsu!
- Sulbing: Korea's Representative Patbingsu Franchise
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hbqd1ZbHHfs72pHB9
- Samcheong Bingsu
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4rUgtfJGSjEmMn2H7
- Dongbinggo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mwRFQBR6tF3ztzJs5
- Mystic Rabbit
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pDafD4iis3PBFAzV9
