Dal Dongnae
 
KoreaMosaic Home
Photos Home
Country Photos
Korea
Seoul
Modern Life
All photos on this page
© John Holstein
 
 
Each photo here is of a different "moon village" (dal dongnae). They are called dal dongnae because, like the favela Ciudad de Deus in the movie City of God, they are high up on the hills (which used to make access difficult before most people could afford a car), affording the residents a better view of the moon. These dal dongnae are disappearing as developers buy up the land to construct highrise apartment complexes.
Kim Gi-chan is the most well-known of several photographers who are documenting these "romantic" villages and their residents. Check out a few of his photos here.
 
 
 
 
A house in a disappearing "moon village" (dal dongnae). This one is Seongbuk 2-dong. They are called dal dongnae because, like the favela Ciudad de Deus in the movie City of God, they are high up on the hills (which used to make access difficult before most people could afford a car), affording the residents a better view of the moon. See more photos of Seongbuk 2-dong here.
 
 
 
 
 
This is Baeksa (Junggye Bon-dong). Here are some more views.
 
 
 
 
 
Dongpirang Village is in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province. See more views of this dal dongrae here.
 
 
 
 
 
Gaemi Village. More photos here.
 
 
 
 
 
This dal dongnae is in Cheongsujang, Jeongneung, Seoul, in the foothills of Buhan Mountain. See more of this village here.
 
Top