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Seosan-dong Sihwa Alley
서산동 시화골목
A poets' hillside village over Mokpo Port
A winding old fishing village on the slope of Yudalsan, where poets, painters and residents turned weathered walls into poem-and-drawing murals from 2015. The sea views over Mokpo Port and the preserved retro alleys draw film crews and photographers, and empty houses have become cafes, galleries and photo studios.
What to see & do
Sihwa (poem-drawing) murals Uphill alleys lined with poems and illustrations painted on old village walls.
Babomadang lookout An open lot at the top of Borimadang with a sweeping view of the western sea.
Film and drama backdrop The retro alleys and coastal scenery have featured in several movies and dramas.
Eat & do here
- Yeonhui's Supermarket연희네 수퍼 The 1980s-style corner shop from the film 1987: When the Day Comes, kept as a photo spot where visitors reenact scenes.
- Anne of Green Gables빨강 머리 앤 A view cafe on the hill themed entirely around Anne of Green Gables, also selling secondhand clothes and accessories.
- Babo Macaron바보마카롱 A retro cafe at the very top of Borimadang, full name meaning 'a macaron overlooking the sea,' pairing drinks and macarons with an ocean view.
- Babo Photo Studio바보사진관 A black-and-white photo studio for old-fashioned portraits, a go-to keepsake stop in the alley.
- Snow Flower눈의꽃에 A tiny cafe at the foot of the hill packed with vintage finds like payphones, cassette tapes and old photos.
- Cafe From Seosan카페 프롬서산 Retro decor downstairs (old TV, payphone, radio) and ocean views upstairs, known for homemade cookies and desserts.
- Mokpo Marine Cable Car목포해상케이블카 Korea's longest cable car at 3.2 km, running from the Yudalsan platform over the mountain and sea to Gohado Island, with a glass-floored Crystal Cabin.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization, “Korean Streets & Alleys” (2024). Rewritten for DealSeoul; details may have changed since 2024, confirm hours and openings before you go.
