Movie: Introduction to Architecture (건축학개론)

{Introduction to Architecture (건축학개론) movie poster}

Introduction to Architecture is a 2012 South Korean romance film written and directed by Lee Yong-joo. The film tells the story of two students Lee Seung-min and Yang Seo-yeon, who meet in an introductory architecture class and fall in love. Fifteen years later, the girl, Seo-yeon, tracks down her first love, Seung-min, to seek his help in building her dream house on Jeju Island. Seung-min reluctantly agrees but can’t come up with a design that pleases her. Therefore, they decide to renovate and expand the existing house, and he and Seo-yeon spend considerable amount of time together down in Jeju. Alternating time period from past to present, the audience can experience the full story of what really happened to the two characters in the past and how each event led them to behave the way they do in the present.  

{Gu-Doon Station} 

The name, Gu Doon, is believed to be named after the construction of nine hills to fend off Japanese soldiers during Imjin Japanese Invasion. In January of 1940, a train station was built near the area, which was named Gu Doon station. Although not many people use this station anymore due to the stoppage of renovation and ignorance, many tourists have visited the site ever since it has been featured in Introduction to Architecture.

{Cafe Seoyeon's House in Jeju Island}

Seo-yeon’s house in the film has been opened up as a café after the movie. Many tourists visit this venue in remembrance of this romance film.

This café sells drinks and snacks that bring back memories from the movie. For example, rice cakes are decorated with the characters’ names and nicknames

One of many movie-related canvases in the cafe. 

At the end of the movie, the two main characters lie down on the grass patio. Many wondered whether this patio was actually attached to the house, and it appears to be real! Visitors cannot enter the patio during winter because the grass needs to take a break from myriad of people visiting during the summer. It has a beautiful view of the sea and its volcanic rocks of basalt, which constitutes the base of the island.

Movie: Tidal Wave (해운대)

{Movie poster: Tidal Wave}

Tidal Wave (Haeundae) is a 2009 South Korean disaster film directed by Yoon Je-kyoon. Located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, Haeundae district of Busan, South Korea draws one million visitors to its beaches every year.
Shall we start traveling around Haeundae now?
Haeundae Beach

Several years ago, Man-sik, a Haeundae local, lost Yeon-hee's father due to his mistake in the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake while deep-sea fishing together at the Indian Ocean. Because of this, for years, Man-sik wasn't able to become involved with Yeon-hee, who runs an unlicensed seafood restaurant, despite her attempts to start a relationship (Yeon-hee doesn't know that her father was killed due to Man-sik's mistake.).

As time passes, Man-sik finally plans to propose to Yeon-hee on a night with fireworks.

Meanwhile, Hwi notices that the Sea of Japan is displaying similar activity to the Indian Ocean at the time of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The Disaster Prevention Agency assures him that South Korea is at no risk, but a megatsunami soon forms near Japan and starts to travel at 500 miles per hour towards Haeundae. Hwi realizes that the citizens of Haeundae have only 10 minutes left to escape.

This movie kept me on the edge of my seat—sighing at the government’s ignorance about future natural disaster, feeling warm about the love story formed by the couple, but mostly, I wanted to know what the real life is like at the beachside, Haeundae. 



{Haeundae Beach}

The film Haeundae was filmed at this beautiful beach located in Busan, one of the biggest and developed cities in Korea. The beach, restaurants, bridges, and buildings are featured in the movie, which I will delve deeper into later. 

In August, upwards of 700,000 people nestle under a canopy of a Guinness record 12,000 parasols along the 1.5 km beach. A lot of bars are also along the beach including Geckos, 88 in Miami, Sharkey's, Rock n' Roll, U2 and Elune. After enjoying a shot or two, they can come out and watch the sunset on benches along the beach. 

The entire beach is lined with major hotels, so you have to get past those into the neighborhoods off the beach for the local food, though there are some good spots on the south end of the beach to get seafood and a view at a reasonable price.

{Marine City}

Marine City is the view from bridge that gets eaten by the disastrous wave in the film. Located nearby the beach, the city is constructed on land reclaimed from the sea, and has several huge, high-rise apartment blocks. Additional apartment blocks are under construction, with water resorts and related facilities, for use by the public, also planned for Marine City. The flashy lights during the night is a must-see view from the bridge or from cruise boats offered to tourists. 

{Marado Sashimi Restaurant}

 In the movie, Man-sik is the owner of the Marado sashimi restaurant. It is located on the second floor of Haeundae Terminal. It is also the place where Man-sik proposes to Yeon-hee. This restaurant has been featured in other films as well.

 

Based on many blogs related to this restaurant, the fish stew is known for its fresh and delicate taste. As for its sashimi, no words are needed. 

But most notable is the Haeundae Beach vista from the store’s patio (Marine City). After being featured in many Korean films, Marado Sashimi Restaurant booms with many couples that visit this restaurant to feel the genuine love Man-sik had for Yeon-hee or movie lovers who want to try the food, feel the atmosphere, and place values in being at the same place as the characters from various movies. I would say this place is a go-to place for Haeundae film lovers or tourists.

{Nuri Maru} 

In the film, Nuri Maru is where the workaholic Yoo-jin prepares and directs for an international event. In 2005, APEC conference was held at this notable building, located on Dongbaek Island. Nuri means "world" and Maru means "apec or top" in pure Korean. Today, it is one of the landmarks of Busan. 

I hope that this blog post gave you a better understanding of the places featured in the film Haeundae. The next film I aspire to research is Introduction to Architecture featuring many famous places in Korea as well-- one of which is Jeju Island, a popular place for tourists from all over the world, as well as Koreans who want to go on quick vacations nearby. So come back for more! - Esther Lee