Jeon Hyun-moo reveals hanok estates enhancing visuals in Jun Ji-hyun and Song Joong-ki K-dramas and films

Aired on August 19, 2025, 'Reasonable Architecture - Space Traveler' special commemorated Korea's 80th liberation anniversary by exploring Seoul's

Bukchon Hanok Village

. With architect Yoo Hyun-jun absent, broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo took the helm, admitting he underwent rigorous preparation for the role. The episode illuminated how Bukchon endured Japanese urban expansion pressures during the colonial period from 1910 to 1945. Actor Kim Jae-won provided context, stating that Bukchon developed in the late 1920s as Japanese settlements expanded northward from Namchon, home to the Government-General and military bases. Architect Jeong Se-gwon countered this by constructing over 6,000 hanok in areas like Ikseon-dong and Gye-dong, famously declaring, "Ensure no Japanese foothold on Jongno land." This narrative addressed the 'what' of preserving

hanok architecture

, 'who' involving figures like Jeong, 'when' and 'where' in colonial-era northern Seoul, 'why' to combat cultural erasure, and 'how' through targeted urban development. According to National Museum of Korea records, Bukchon today features around 900 hanok, seamlessly integrating tradition with modern tourism.

Exclusive glimpses into timeless interiors

The program unveiled a well-preserved Gahoe-dong hanok for the first time on broadcast, with Jeon describing its interior as a serene, otherworldly haven contrasting the bustling tourist exterior. Hong Jin-kyung admired the open courtyard, likening it to owning a personal expanse of sky proportional to the property size. Paik Jong-won, drawing on his photography expertise, captured the picturesque scenes, highlighting hanok elements such as ondol underfloor heating and giwa tiled roofs that adapt ingeniously to Korea's varied seasons, similar to the environmental harmony seen in Indian haveli courtyards.

Insights from architectural journals note that these Gahoe-dong hanok represent early 20th-century fusions of subtle Western influences with core Korean aesthetics.

Jaw-dropping estates from screen fame and modern shifts

Jeon introduced a breathtaking 744-pyeong (approximately 2,458 square meters) hanok estate, cautioning it might leave viewers jaw-dropped, renowned for its roles in enhancing visual aesthetics in famous

K-dramas

and films. This location boosted cinematic beauty in 'Assassination' (2015) as

Jun Ji-hyun

's character Mitsuko's home, in 'Reborn Rich' (2022) as the lavish residence for Lee Sung-min and

Song Joong-ki

's characters, and in 'Jung Nyeon' through key scenes, where the hanok's elegant architecture and historical ambiance amplified the storytelling's emotional depth and visual allure. Historically the residence of surgeon Baek In-je, founder of Paik Hospital, it epitomized elite colonial-era living in Gyeongseong (modern Seoul), earning the nickname 'You and Village' for its vast, village-like grandeur. The cast explored traces of upper-class life; Mimi detected a "rich aura" from the entrance, Paik marveled at the unique spatial design, and Yoo labeled it a symbol of wealth. Per Cultural Heritage Administration data, such mansions housed about 10% of Seoul's elites in the 1930s, preserving artifacts that reflect pre-modern luxury. The tour concluded at a hybrid hanok-yangok space, now a showroom and cafe, exemplifying hanok's adaptable transformations, with input from architect Choi Wook, known for designs inspired by the national treasure 'Pensive Bodhisattva' statue. About Hanok: Hanok are traditional Korean houses known for their curved tiled roofs, wooden frameworks, and natural harmony, incorporating features like ondol heating for warmth and open courtyards for ventilation, embodying sustainable living principles passed down through centuries.