About Jeongdong-gil
The name Jeongdong comes from Jeongneung, the tomb of Queen Sindeok, second queen of King Taejo of Joseon, which once stood on this spot. The tomb was moved outside the city walls under King Taejong, but the name stayed with the neighborhood.
From the late 19th century, legations from many countries, Western-style schools and churches rose on this hill. The Bethel Chapel of Chungdong First Methodist Church, built in 1897, the sites where the Pai Chai and Ewha schools once stood, and the site of the old Russian Legation are still close to the street.
Walk a little way in along the stone wall of Deoksugung Palace and the traffic noise drops noticeably. In autumn the ginkgo trees along the street turn yellow, and their leaves drift slowly down between the old red-brick buildings.
While you listen
The low cello moves at the pace of afternoon light slanting across the street. Imagine slipping out to Jeongdong-gil in the middle of a busy day, and walk slowly for just the length of one song.
Getting there
It's a short walk from City Hall Station (Subway Lines 1 and 2) or Seodaemun Station (Line 5).