Maengssi Haengdan House, or House of Maeng Clan, is one of the country’s oldest private residences and was where Joseon’s prime minister Maeng Sa-seong lived.

The house was originally owned by Goryeo Dynasty General Choi Yeong. Maeng, Choi’s grandson-in-law, was famous for his humble way of life, even as he served a senior government post. He was often seen commuting on a black cow that trotted along as he played a tune from a pipe.Maeng’s house was used as an education institute for young scholars during the chaotic period of the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392).

The house was also used for also social gatherings by politicians to discuss affairs and seek the solutions as it was located near the government office and Hyanggyo, or local Confucian school.

Location | 25 Haengdan-gil, Baebang-eup, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | Early Joseon
Purpose | Residence, Memorial Service

Why Is the House Called Haengdan?

The name of the house called Haengdan is related to two 600-year-old ginkgo trees in the yard. Haengdan originally comes from a story that Confucius taught pupils under a ginkgo tree. The house was called Haengdan since Maeng Sa-seong’s father, Hui-do, taught young students and villagers under the gingko trees.

Unconventional Gardens of Houses of Noble Class

Yeongamjip, also known as Geonjae House, is the birthplace of “Oeam” Yi Gan (1677-1727), who served as a civil official during the reign of King Sukjong. Geonjae House is a typical architectural residence of the noble class in the late Joseon period, but it also has unique gardens influenced by both Korean traditional and Japanesestyle landscaping. The plants and trees around the ponds in the garden of sarangchae, or men’s quarters, create a splendid scene.

Oeam Village became a clan village for the Yean Yi clan after Yi Jeong’s family settled in the area and began to flourish, producing many brilliant individuals in academia and government service. The village was named after Oeam, the pen name of Yi Gan, a descendant of Yi Jeong.

The village is the place where the past and the present coexist as many residents have lived here for generations. The tile-roofed and thatched-roofed houses, which were used by both the noble “yangban” class and commoners, have been well preserved for more than 500 years.

Location | 42-7 Oeamminsok-gil, Songak-myeon, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | Early Joseon
Purpose | Residence, Education, Memorial Service

Mistress Reviving Declining Family

The house was constructed and managed by Lady Yi of Jeonju. Her husband died when she was 20. She settled down at this site near her grandfatherin-law’s tomb while evacuating from the Manchu War, which broke out in 1636. She raised her son and grandson by herself and saw them take government posts later, restoring the family’s honor. She died in her 80s.

In typical “yangban” houses, the anchae or women’s quarters, is built deep inside of the house, placed behind the sarangchae or men’s quarters, which is fronted by the servants’ quarters for protection. But in Sudang House, the women’s quarters are located upfront while the men’s quarters are in the rear. This is apparently because the lady of the household took a leading role in sustaining the family, a meaningful case that shows how architecture was influenced by individual choices and family situations.

Location | 181-8 Sanghangbangsan-ro, Daesul-myeon, ro, Daesul-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | 1637
Purpose | Residence

Sudang House of Patriotic Sanctuary

“Sudang” Yi Nam-gyu, his son Chung-gu and grandson Seung-gu engaged in Korea’s independence movement under the Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945).
Yi Nam-gyu’s great grandson Yi Jang-won died during the Korean War (1950-53). They are the only Korean family with four generations of men laid to rest in the Seoul National Cemetery, which is reserved for war veterans and patriots.
Yi Nam-gyu left his words before being arrested by the Japanese authorities, saying “Seonbi (Virtuous Confucian Scholars) can be killed but cannot be humiliated.”

Daeheunghyanggyo Local Confucian School was established in 1405 to enshrine a tablet of Yu Hyeon and honor his accomplishments while also to educate villagers. Gyochon Hyanggyo Village where Daeheunghyanggyo is located is a quiet and beautiful village with some 70 residents. Villagers operate various programs for children themselves at Daeheunghyanggyo.

600-year-old Hyanggyo and Ginkgo Tree

There is a huge, 600-year-old ginkgo tree at the entrance of Gyochon Hyanggyo Village, which locals cherish as an imaginary village guardian. The tree is conjoined with a zelkova tree that took root in its trunk, a rare spectacle of nature. The ginkgo tree was known to have been planted when the school was established.

Foundation | 88 Gyochonhyanggyo-gil, Daeheung-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | 1405
Purpose | Education and Memorial Service

It is not known when Cheongyanghyanggyo Local Confucian School was founded, although the school and shrine at least date back to the early Joseon period. The remaining buildings of the school have been restored several times since the mid-Joseon period.

Daeseongjeon, which is used for memorial rituals, has a Confucius statue that was gifted by the emperor of Ming Dynasty when Kang Seon-yeo visited China as an emissary of Joseon’s King Injo in 1627.

Location | 20-8 Hyanggyo-gil, Cheongyang-eup, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | Early Joseon
Purpose | Education, Memorial Service

Yun Nam-seok House is a wealthy farmer’s residence that blends the architectural styles of both Korean traditional “hanok” houses and Japanese traditional wood buildings, a rare asset that shows the unique architectural characters and skills of the time.

The two-story guesthouse was also used to accommodate visiting foreigners and government officials. The house was a historic place where people raised funds and created flower-pattered palanquins to maintain performances of Eunsan Byeolsinje, a traditional shamanism ceremony that had been fading during the Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945).

The house was also where “Indang” Park Dongjin, a Korean traditional narrative singer, made his debut performance and spent years studying and honing his skills.

Unique Residential Experience

A thatch-roofed house built in 1916 was remodeled as a modern accommodation facility. The walls were plastered with red clay and the traditional fireplace in the kitchen area is also designed to heat the floors. It’s a great place for visitors to spend hours in comfort and rest, lying on the warm floors.
The house also has an exhibition room dedicated to clocks featuring some 760 pieces of antique clocks from the 1790s to 1950s that were collected by Yun Namseok’s grandfather. Visitors can enjoy listening to music through LP records at the house’s music room equipped with a preamplifier, a power amplifier, a turntable and technics speakers.

Location | 13-8 Jangsu-gil, Jangpyeong-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | Late Joseon
Purpose | Residence

The Modeoksa Shrine is dedicated to honor the patriotism of “Myeonam” Choi Ik-hyeon, a NeoConfucian scholar in the late Joseon period. Located at Choi’s residence, the shrine keeps various relics and also houses the Jangseogak library, which has a wide range of books and documents.

Choi’s life was defined by struggles and exiles. He was deprived of his government post after criticizing the policies of Regent Heungseon Daewongun. He went into exile Heuksando Island for opposing to the signing of the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876. He was arrested and sent to Tsushima Island after leading an armed uprising against Japanese forces in Sunchang, Jeollabuk-do Province, to protest against the signing of the Protectorate Treaty between Korea and Japan in 1905. When he was sent to Tsushima Island, he walked on dirt he brought from home, saying he would never set foot on enemy soil. He died after refusing to eat food provided by the Japanese.

Location | 12 Nabundong-gil, Mok-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | 1913
Purpose | Memorial Service

Saun House is a beautiful old residence surrounded by a pond and pine forest in Hongseong County’s Wongol Village. The house is named after “Saun,” which means “seonbi (virtuous Confucian scholars) living like clouds,” and is also nicknamed “Uhwajeong,” which means “pavilion drenched in rain of flower petals.” The house continues to be used by the Yangju Jo clan for the 12th generation. Passing through the old quarters that had been used for servants and storage near the gate, visitors will see five well-preserved buildings, including the men’s quarters called “sarangchae” and the women’s quarters called “anchae.”
One of the sarangchae quarters has an elevated porch with a floral-patterned wall that’s inscribed with the word “Cheonhataepyeong,” which means peace in the world, intended to give visitors a sense of comfort. The house offers accommodation and visitors can also walk through the nearby Naepo Culture Forest Path in Hakseongsan Mountain.

The head family of the Jo clan has preserved the recipes of “Eumsikbangmunnira,” a cooking book that has been handed down from generation to generation. The book was compiled by Lady Jeonui Yi of the head family in 1891. The book contains 71 different instructions, including making traditional liquor, side dishes and steamed dishes. The family is particularly famous for its “nogak noodles,” made of yellow cucumbers and the juice of sweet “omija,” or magnolia berries.

Location | 989-22 Hongnamdong-ro, Janggok-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | mid-19th century
Purpose | Residence

Queens of Joseon Dynasty from Yeoheung Min Clan

Queen Wongyeong

queen consort of King Taejong, the third king of Joseon Dynasty

Queen Inhyeon

queen consort of King Sukjong, the 19th king of Joseon Dynasty ;

Empress Myeongseong

empress consort of Emperor Gojong, the 26th king of Joseon Dynasty and the first emperor of Korea

Empress Sunmyeonghyo

empress consort of Emperor Sunjong, the second emperor of Korea

Historic House of Yeoheung Min Clan features architectural styles of noble “yangban” families in the late Joseon period. The house is now operated as a space where modern visitors can experience Korean traditional residential styles.

The layout of the house follows the typical style of the Gyeongsang-do Province, with two buildings flanking the main building from behind as if forming its wings. However, the internal structure of the house follows the typical layout of the Chungcheong-do Province, showing a unique combination of two different regional characteristics.

The Yeoheung Min clan is famous for producing four queens. Min Ching-do was known as Yeoheung Min’s founding father who settled in the Goryeo Dynasty after coming to the country as an emissary from China. Min Ching-do was believed to be a descendant of Min Ziqian, one of the ten most prominent disciples of Confucius. One of the queens from the Yeoheung Min clan was Queen Wongyeong, who married a son of a rising family in the late Goryeo era. Her husband later became King Taejong, son of Joseon’s first king, Taejo Yi Seong-gye.

Location | 87 Wangjung-ro, Buyeo-eup, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | Late Joseon
Purpose | Residence

”Mogeun” Yi Saek Attributed to Localization of NeoConfucianism

The Munheonseowon Confucian Academy is in Seocheon, a town where the Geumgang River flows into the West Sea. Because of its geographical characteristics, Seocheon has traditionally been a gateway for foreign culture. During the late Goryeo Dynasty period, Neo-Confucianism was introduced to the country through Seocheon and later became the main political ideology of the Joseon Dynasty. While An Hyang, a Goryeo scholar, is seen as the founder of NeoConfucianism in Korea, “Mogeun” Yi Saek was credited for widely spreading the philosophy in Korea.

The Munheonseowon Confucian Academy was famous even in Yuan Dynasty of China from the late Goryeo to the early Joseon period. It was an educational institute to commemorate six sages of the Hansan Yi clan, including Yi Gok and Yi Saek, who played a crucial role in the introduction of Neo-Confucianism. The portrait of “Mogeun” Yi Saek designated as the Treasure No. 1215 has been kept at the Mogeun Yeongdang Shrine.
In Munheonseowon, there is Munheon Traditional Hanok Hotel, which gives an opportunity to experience the lifestyles of “seonbi” or virtuous Confucian scholars. Visitors who didn’t book a room can still rest on the wooden porch.

Location | 66, 172 beon-gil, Seowon-ro, Gisan-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | 1594
Purpose | Education, Memorial Service

Baekilheon Head House has been preserved by the descendants of General “Baekilheon” Yi Sam (1677-1735). The house which was built during the early 18th century was bestowed to Yi from Joseon’s King Yeongjo for his role in suppressing a rebellion led by Yi In-jwa in 1727. Yi Sam, whose pen name was “Baekilheon,” had served a decadeslong career in Joseon’s military after passing a state examination for military service in 1705. The house was named as “General Yi Sam House” when it was designated as Chungcheongnam-do Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 7 in 1985. The name was changed into “Nonsan Baekilheon House” when it became listed as a National Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 273 in October 2012. The house and other historical assets preserved by the Yi family provide valuable insight into the architectural cultures of noble families during the early 1700s.

Location | 51 Jugok-ri, Sangwol-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | 18th century
Purpose | Residence