Dongchundang Hall

In the middle of an apartment district in Songchon-dong, Daejeon, a graceful scholar's pavilion sits in a lawn-covered park. Dongchundang was the study hall of Song Jun-gil, a scholar who served King Hyojong as inspector-general and minister of personnel and of war, and it is designated a Treasure. It is a small building, but its chimney-less design says a lot about the values of a Joseon scholar, and the more you know, the more interesting it becomes.

History: a father's hall moved and rebuilt

Dongchundang was originally built by Song Jun-gil's father, Song I-chang. Song Jun-gil is said to have moved it to the present site in 1643, when he was 38. When the roof was repaired in 2012–2013, inscriptions found under the ridge beam recorded its construction in 1617, its relocation in 1649 and a renovation in 1709, adding detail to its history. Song used the hall for study and for teaching younger scholars.

"Dongchun" was Song's pen name, meaning "to share spring with all things". The name board was written in 1678, six years after his death, by Song Si-yeol, a relative and fellow leader of late Joseon scholarship. The hall was designated a Treasure in 1963.

What to see

• A heated room without a chimney: there is no standing chimney. Instead, a smoke vent was cut at the level of the foundation stones beneath the heated room on the left. It is read as a sign of modesty: a scholar did not want to show off a warm, comfortable room while ordinary people struggled. Look low on the left side of the building.
• The hall and lift-up doors: the building is three bays wide and two deep, with a four-bay wooden-floored hall on the right and a two-bay heated room on the left. When all the hall doors are lifted and hooked up, inside and outside merge, and even the doors between room and hall can be raised to turn the whole building into one space.
• Tall square bases: the pillars stand on tall, square foundation stones, a style common in late-Joseon houses.
• The name board: do not miss the "Dongchundang" board in Song Si-yeol's hand.
• The head house: the family's main residence stands right next door, showing how the study hall and the living quarters fitted together.

Good to know

The surroundings have been laid out as Dongchundang Park, a favourite walking spot for local residents, and the Dongchundang Cultural Festival is held here every year. The hall sits at the foot of the Gyejoksan ridge, and many people combine it with a walk up this hill of about 400 m.

Song Jun-gil and the study hall

Song Jun-gil (1606–1672) was a scholar-official who served King Hyojong as inspector-general and as minister of personnel and of war. With Song Si-yeol, from the same clan, he played a leading part in late-Joseon scholarship and politics, and he used this hall for reading and teaching.

A byeoldang, or detached hall, stood apart from the family's living quarters and the men's reception rooms and was used for study, rest and receiving guests. Dongchundang is simple and modest in size, yet its balanced proportions and graceful roofline make it a model of the type. Few buildings show so clearly a scholar's preference for restraint over display.

Tripto tips

• Visiting: 10:00–17:00, open every day, free admission and parking.
• Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour for the hall and the head house.
• Nearby: the Daejeon Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center is about 180 m away and the Daejeon Literature Museum about 1 km.
• Etiquette: all the buildings are protected heritage. Do not climb onto the floors or open closed doors, and follow the signs on site.
• Phone: Daedeok-gu culture and tourism office +82 42-608-6572.