Day 49: Abandoned Amusement Park

Last night I decided my destination for today would be an abandoned amusement park. The place is called Yongma Land and it is a failed amusement park that has turned into a photoshoot/music video shooting location. Parts of EXO's "Love Me Right" music video was filmed there and it looked like a really cool place to check out.

Before I left though, Martin wanted to show me a hidden park near their apartment. We walked up a path behind their apartment and past a photo studio to get to a little trail on the side of Namsan Mountain. The path was short and took us to a really beautiful arboretum! There were so many different walking paths, streams, and benches to sit and relax on. It also had a great view of the city. I think it would be a really beautiful place to come and read in the spring/summer.

After our little walk I went back home to grab my bag and then set off for Yongma Land. The subway there took an hour, three transfers, and a 20 minute walk. A bit of a trek compared to the trips I am used to around Seoul!

It took me awhile to find the entrance because it was hidden behind a school and there were no signs. The entrance was a super run down and rusted gate that led to a hill and then another entrance. Once I got to the second entrance there was a lady behind the gate working in a small store. I had to pay 10,000 won to enter the park which was higher than I had read it would be online but still not bad.

The inside of the park was so cool! There was a small carousel near the entrance and a rusted spinning car ride off to the right. There was also a castle looking thing that had video equipment inside and a couple doing a wedding photoshoot on the roof. When I got to the middle of the park I saw a bunch of camera people and crew as well as 5 idols or models (I didn't go close enough to see who they were). I wandered behind where they were shooting and found a couple more broken rides and then a staircase that led up to what seemed like a graveyard for ride parts.

I found bumper cars, entrance signs, ride seats, a huge ship, and even more! It was such an awesome place to wander around plus I got to look at ride pieces. As I was leaving the park the lady who had taken the admission price when I arrived came up to me and gave me some hand wipes. She also asked if I had gone to the roof of one of the buildings to take a picture. I hadn't so I turned back around and climbed up to the roof. The sun was setting by now and it was a really pretty view. If I had come when it was dark out I think I would've been a little creeped out by everything so I was glad I came during the day.

Me trying to subtly take photos of the photoshoot to show you guys:

The park graveyard:

Even more photos...

Cute message on the steps to the castle:

I left the park and walked back to the subway station. To finish off my lovely day I grabbed a crepe with nutella and bananas and then began the trip back to the apartment.

Hope everyone is doing well,

Emily

(November 13)

the route I took