Hoehyeon Simin Apartment (No Kyung-min/The Korea Herald)
Hoehyeon Simin Apartment (No Kyung-min/The Korea Herald)

In the heart of Seoul‘s ultramodern cityscape, a dilapidated apartment complex stands as an eerie reminder of the city’s past.

The Hoehyeon Simin Apartment, which sits at the foot of Namsan, has gained fame in recent years primarily for its decrepit, post-apocalyptic appearance, making it a sought-after filming location for dark productions such as Netflix‘s “Sweet Home.”

Yet, believe it or not, this elevator-less, 10-story apartment was once a symbol of modern urban living. Its 352 identical 38-square-meter units came with what were luxurious amenities when it was built, like private bathrooms, central heating and indoor plumbing.

Contrary to its abandoned look, it is still home to 27 households.

Hoehyeon Simin Apartment’s glory dates back five decades in 1970s, when Seoul was a disorderly sprawl, with illegal settlements and shanty towns.

To house the influx of people seeking jobs and opportunities in Seoul, the government launched a major initiative to build apartment homes.

Like many other efforts of that time, the plan seems overly rushed in hindsight -- aiming to construct 2,000 apartment buildings in just two years, starting with the Geumhwa Simin Apartment in 1969.

Hoehyeon Simin Apartment was built as part of this project in 1970. Initially, there were two buildings, but only one remains today.

Hoehyeon Simin Apartment's playground (No Kyung-min/The Korea Herald)
Hoehyeon Simin Apartment's playground (No Kyung-min/The Korea Herald)

A notable feature that distinguishes this building from many of Seoul’s abundant apartment complexes today, aside from the absence of elevators, is an additional entrance on the sixth floor. Due to the surrounding hilly terrain, the sixth floor is level with the ground to one side of the building, allowing direct access via a bridge connecting it to the hillside. The building’s U-shaped design, with a courtyard in the middle, is another distinct feature.

The government’s ambitious housing project faltered soon after, when the Wau apartment complex, hastily built just like other homes of the time, collapsed in April 1970, killing 33 people. Out of the 447 apartment complexes built during the short-lived project, the Hoehyeon Simin Apartment is the last one still standing.

But its days are numbered. Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to demolish it by 2026, with the aim of construction a multicultural complex there.

Hoehyeon Simin Apartment (No Kyung-min/The Korea Herald)
Hoehyeon Simin Apartment (No Kyung-min/The Korea Herald)