Having just opened on August 1st, the name ‘Gwanghwamun Plaza’ may not be familiar unless you read the Korea Herald. After being under construction for over a year, it’s now open – and has to seen for yourself if you’re in town.

Beyond the fountain shows are more fountain on either side of the statue:

The statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin has guarded the Gwanghwamun (gate) area, as well as the Gyeongbokgung (palace) area for decades now – but virtually everything else is new. That’s the Sejong Center to your left, for the record.

A ramp that connects the Plaza with an underground lobby / lounge; it also connects to the subway system unsurprisingly.

Until August 9th (get moving), there’s a wonderful photo display of plazas and squares from all across Europe – If Korea is going to emulate someplace, they’ve at least chosen some good examples.

With descriptions in Korean and English – along with excellent pictures – it’s highly worth a visit if you make it before the exhibition disappears.

That’s one way to avoid any spelling problems – anybody been to N or S recently? The tiny squares display where the sixty plazas or squares can be found.

No idea if this is a more permanent or temporary display, but the haechi rules this area. Also known as a haetae, the haechi is a “lion-like horned creature that often appears in myths as a guardian against fire and disasters,” according to an old Korea Times article. It is, to the untrained but well-read eye, attempting to be Seoul’s new symbol of corporate identity and international image. From the aforementioned article, Haechi may well become to Seoul what the Big Apple is to New York, Merloin in Singapore, and Buddy Bear in Berlin. Because all major cities need a mythical creature to sell stuff, right?

No idea if this part is temporary or permanent either. Though no signs were about, my guess is an art or design contest bordering on the realistic or abstract natures of the haechi figure.

In case the last two pictures were a little too grown up for you, don’t worry – the haechi is also a cute, smiling, fluffy toy you can sit with or have pictures taken with. Hey, I guess the kids have to play with something while their parents get lost tour the city.

From the ceiling panel, always remember – the haechi is watching over you. Very 70’s style.

Enough of mythical creatures and future cartoon characters – time to see the rest of the Plaza. Walk back up to street level and pass a photo exhibit of Gwanghwamun, including its ups and downs over the years. This is only scheduled until August 9th as well, so get a move on:

Excellent black-and-white pictures, with subtitles, dates, and English explanations – it’s a shame the exhibition is so short.

Spread out into four sections, the exhibit is more likely to be seen out of order unless you make a concerted effort to start at the first section. It was still very popular all the same – it’s probably the first time in awhile I’ve had to include people in my shots involuntarily.

That’s better – pushing through the crowd a bit and finding a few photos that didn’t have someone standing in front of them puts the emphasis where it should be.

And then there’s the flower blanket – definitely not a temporary exhibition:

The lovable haechi looks more like a Chia pet here. Note the construction on the new Gwanghwamun (gate) still ongoing – the facade is beautiful at night as well.

Some flowers aren’t actually flowers, but cacti of some sort. I guess you have to have some deterrent from picking flowers at random?

A wonderful pattern – not pictured are some steps to observe the scenery from a little higher up.

A look back at the flower blanket and where it fits in with the rest of the city. The haechi almost entirely blocks the Admiral’s statue from this view.

An interesting note – engraved in stone is every year since 1392, the first year of the Joseon Dynasty, and presumably some highlights of things that happened during that year. With panels running all the way through 2008 and plenty of blank spots, there is plenty of space for future history to be recorded.

Since it’s still such a new area, it’s likely to have that ‘new plaza’ feeling for awhile. You’re also in the middle of downtown Seoul. Say what you will about restricting demonstrations in the area – for the time being, it’s a great place to relax if you’re in the area. When you’re ready to move on, Cheonggyecheon or the Sejong Center await you – as does the subway if you’re headed for another part of town.

Directions to Gwanghwamun Plaza: take line 5 of the Seoul subway system to the Gwanghwamun subway station. Take exit 5 or 6 to street level and look for the statue, the fountains, or the flowers.