On Jun. 3, Bukchon-ro 11-gil, the heart of Bukchon Hanok Village, buzzed with foreign tourists clad in traditional hanbok, snapping photos amid the historic backdrop of traditional hanok houses. Despite guards holding signs urging silence, groups of women in hijabs chatted by hanok gates, and Chinese tourists, led by flag-bearing guides, called out to each other, adding to the clamor, while tourists dragging suitcases added to the noise.
The village, a mix of hanok stays, cafes catering to tourists, and residential spaces, displayed numerous signs in Korean and English stating “No Outsiders” and “No Smoking.” Some alleys were blocked with “No Entry” signs, reflecting residents’ strong desire to maintain peace and privacy in their neighborhoods.
Over the past five years, Bukchon’s population has declined by 12.1%. Similar issues plague Jeonju Hanok Village, the largest in the country, where complaints from residents have led to their departure, leaving mainly merchants behind. The population of Pungnam-dong, Jeonju, dropped by 38.7%, from 5,891 in 2014 to 3,612 in April of this year.
Former residences have been transformed into cafes and restaurants, altering the neighborhood’s character. “Most original residents have left, and Hanok Village’s identity has been diluted with restaurants catering to foreign tastes,” a Jeonju resident said. “On weekends, nearby roads are paralyzed, making it best to avoid the area.”
Busan’s Gamcheon Cultural Village has seen a similar trend, with its population halving from 3,161 in 2010 to 1,462 by the end of last year. Residents left due to traffic congestion and waste issues caused by the annual influx of 2 million tourists.
In Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, residents are frustrated by noise from long queues at popular restaurants. Signs in an alley near a famous pork cutlet restaurant read, “Get out of this alley quickly” and “Your noise is disturbing the residents.” Merchants have also posted notices asking patrons to be considerate and use apps instead of waiting in line.
The trend of businesses moving into quieter, cheaper residential areas has exacerbated conflicts. “The trend is accelerating, and we’re responding with signs against illegal parking and littering,” said an official from the Mapo-gu Office. The situation is similar in trendy neighborhoods like Songridan-gil, Yeonnam-dong, Mangwon-dong, and Sungsu cafe street.
“Chinese tourists used to make a scene in front of Ewha Women’s University, and now even Koreans who come to eat in the alley are noisy and unbearable,” an office worker in Sinchon said.
Experts warn that the influx of tourists is overwhelming certain areas. “The problem is that people are crowding into certain areas and exceeding their capacity,” experts said.
“The Korean government’s goal of attracting 20 million tourists this year needs reevaluation,” said Hanyang University’s School of Tourism professor Lee Hoon. “Policies should consider regional capacity, distribute tourist zones and times, and engage residents in planning.”
