Hidden Gem in Seoul: SNU Abandoned Pool

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서울대폐수영장 촬영 SNU Abandoned swimming pool
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron Tay. 2015 Summer. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. All Rights Reserved.

I was sorting out the files in my computer and discovered some of my modelling photos taken this early summer. These series of photos are definitely one of my favourites this year. We were blessed to have everything one could hope for a perfect outdoor shoot: Interesting location, nice weather, a good-hair-day, a gifted photographer, and a model on hyper-mood. For the past few days, I have been editing the photos, hoping to publish these out before the 2015 summer comes to the real end.

Talking about the location, there are four main areas that are spectacularly photographic if you’re all up for portrait photography: The Pool, The Greens, and The Bath House. If you ever wondered, it is an abandoned swimming complex tucked away in the mountains where the prestigious Seoul National University is located. Never before have I imagined the existence of such place in my Alma Mater — a place with a high concentration of the country’s most promising elite nerds students, hence probably one of the most boring campus in the country.

UPDATE 2020 July – Please note that the entrance to the pool is now closed due to safety reasons and the overwhelming response by the visitors.  

The Pool

The pool is one of my favourites out of all three major areas. It is also popular among fashion photographers and movie makers. The place feels different depending on season and weather. And I certainly love how the summer green and sunshine yellow wash over the place.

SNU abandoned swimming pool
Photo by Azri at SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
SNU Abandoned swimming pool
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
SNU Abandoned swimming pool
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
서울대 폐수영장
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
NU Abandoned swimming pool
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
NU Abandoned swimming pool
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
서울대 폐수영장
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
NU Abandoned swimming pool
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.

The Greens

There’s nothing more summery than the succulent greeneries in the forest. It was an early summer and the wildflowers were blooming. I picked the yellow wild flowers somewhere near the pool and made myself a fresh flower wreath. It was totally spontaneous, but the outcome was so organic and rustic and I love them! I think it matches well with my white sundress.

SNU Abandoned swimming pool , dainty photoshoot
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
서울대 폐수영장
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
SNU Abandoned swimming pool , dainty photoshoot
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
서울대 폐수영장
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
일반인 촬영
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
서울대 폐수영장
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
서울대 폐수영장
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
snu swimming pool 7
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.

The Bath House

The bath house is located right below the pool — a very old-fashioned design. You can still see the remains of the shower cubicles, a hot spring pool, snack and drinks kiosks. Over the years, the place has turned from an abandoned swimming complex into a popular art/photography studio due to its quirky settings. Well loved by the art majors, fashion corporates, and entertainment companies, it appeared on many school assignments, fashion commercials, and even pop music MVs.

서울대 폐수영장
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
서울대 폐수영장
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
SNU Abandoned swimming pool , dainty photoshoot
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
SNU Abandoned swimming pool , dainty photoshoot
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
SNU Abandoned swimming pool , seoul photoshoot
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
SNU Abandoned swimming pool , seoul photoshoot
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
SNU Abandoned swimming pool , seoul photoshoot
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
Photo by Azri. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.
Photo by Azri edited by Pheuron. SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool. 2015 Summer. All Rights Reserved.

The place is truly one-of-its-kind due to its rustic charm of olden days. I don’t know when exactly did the pool went abandoned. But it stayed frozen in time. The remains of the pool are like a relic of a bygone age, mysterious and sometimes intimidating. I wouldn’t recommend to the faint-hearted, but I would say this location has so much to offer it is worth your trip down.

Also, I am taking in modelling/styling assignment for the time being. Although I am admittedly a modelling & styling novice, I am open to learn new things. So if you share the same passion, you may contact me, and we’ll see how we can collaborate.

Directions:

    1. Take Seoul subway line no.2 and alight at Seoul National University Station,  take exit no. 3.
    2. At the subway exit, walk to the direction of Paris Baguette. Walk pass Mc Donalds until you reach a 7-11, then locate bustop 5511 (See the photos below to navigate.)
      up-from-snu-station-exit-3
      The circle is where you’ll came out from the underground station. Walk pass Paris Baguette and McDonalds, then continue to walk a little bit  further.

      5511-bustop
      Please check the bus number here in the red circle, make sure it is bus number 5511.
    3. Take the bus, and alight at SNU Genetic Engineering Research Center. Semiconductor Research Center 유전공학연구소.반도체공동연구소.
    4. You’ll see the below building after arriving at the research center bus stop. Take the mountain trail at the left-hand side of the building. It will bring you to the abandoned swimming pool after some 5-10 minutes of hiking.
폐수영장-1392
Picture courtesy of http://simsim.tistory.com/292.

 

 

Reminder: Once again I wish to gently remind any unauthorized use of my portraits is prohibited. None of these pictures above may be reused in any form or by any means, without written permission from the photographers/ owner of the portrait. I am committed to protecting my intellectual property and will aggressively enforce my rights to the fullest extent of the law. 

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5 Comments

  1. I’ve been planning to go to this place but when i went out exit 3 of Seoul National Univ Stn, i can’t find Paris Baguette. But i found Mcdonalds right infront of exit 1 though. We walked pass McDonalds but there were no bustops that has bus number 5511. But when i look back at the subway map, there’s similar station. I think its better for you to elaborate more on which station of Seoul National Univ so there won’t be any confusion. :((

    • Hello N,
      Thanks for the feedback! I am not too sure if there’s another McDonalds at exit no. 1, but there is one at exit 3.
      I have added more photos in my directory to prevent confusion. Thank you so much again! I hope you found the pool eventually?

  2. I’ll be visiting Seoul this August and BTS is what will bring me here. This post was helpful as I’m really afraid of getting lost. I hope not much has changed after a few years.. Thank you for sharing!

  3. For anyone wanting to visit this location- it’s currently closed and off limits! The closest I could get was a small view into what I assumed were change rooms.

    • Hello Ken, thanks for the update! It seems like the university admin has decided to close the entrance to the swimming pool due to safety reasons as this is an abandoned facility and they’re unable to cope with the number of visitors coming to the venue due to the popular BTS MV.

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