When faced with the words “law and order,” people often feel relief—or unease. Now, imagine stepping into a restaurant that mimics a correctional facility, complete with barred windows, handcuffs, and prisoner uniforms. Across South Korea, prison-themed spaces are offering an unconventional escape from everyday life.
One such spot is Samhyungje (Three Brothers), a barbecue restaurant in Gwangju’s Hanam-dong. Opened last spring, the venue immerses diners in a strikingly realistic prison setting. The moment you enter, steel bars, handcuffs, and interrogation-style metal tables greet you. The walls feature a sign reading, “Correction with Hope and Tomorrow,” evoking the ethos of a correctional facility. Guests can even don striped prisoner uniforms while grilling meat and enjoying drinks, creating a strangely liberating atmosphere.
Such themed restaurants are part of a growing trend where correctional motifs blend with dining and entertainment to create unique experiences. In Seoul’s Haengdang-dong near Hanyang University, the restaurant-bar Gyeongsaeng (Rehabilitation) takes it a step further. The entrance is marked by a vertical sign reading, “Advanced Correction for a Brighter Future,” while the stairwell bears painted slogans like, “Cultivate Morality for a Healthy Life.” Inside, patrons enjoy creative dishes like truffle cheese pancakes under the gaze of yet another maxim: “A Reflective Life Leads to Self-Realization.”
The restaurant owner explained the concept: “I wanted this place to be where people enjoy good food and meaningful conversations, leaving with a sense of renewal.” With its faux prison cells and steel-barred doors as part of the décor, some diners describe the experience as “being rehabilitated in real time.” Just like any correctional facility, leaving requires a stop at the counter—no unpaid bills allowed.
The Iksan Prison Set in North Jeolla Province, a filming location for over 300 movies and dramas like Inside Men and Delightfully Deceitful, has evolved into an entertainment hotspot. Last month, its eerie authenticity reached new heights during the Horror Hologram Festival, which drew over 35,000 visitors in just eight days. Zombies and holographic ghosts roamed the grounds, amplifying the site’s natural intensity and making it a must-visit for thrill-seekers.
This transformation into a horror playground is just one example of the site’s adaptability. Other activities, like the escape room program The Prison Lives On and the overnight camping experience Amazing Prison Life, have turned the former set into a family-friendly destination.
Even real prisons are being reimagined. The former Jangheung Correctional Institution in South Jeolla Province, which served inmates for 50 years, will reopen next month as a multipurpose cultural venue called Papillon Zip. The facility, which has appeared in productions like The Glory and Taxi Driver 2, is undergoing a dramatic makeover to blend history with modern creativity.
Some of its notable transformations include:
- Yeonmugwan (Drill Hall): Repurposed as a film library and bookstore specializing in cinema.
- Women’s Block: Turned into a writing retreat called “The Writing Cell.”
- Art and Performance Spaces: Hosting contemporary art exhibits like the Prizenale (a portmanteau of prison and biennale) and immersive theater experiences like Prisonolé (prison and surprise).
The revitalization, led by the local government of Jangheung County, aims to turn the site into a place for reflection, creativity, and healing. “We hope this space will encourage introspection and become a hub for rehabilitation culture,” said a county representative.
