A Jongno District official monitors noise level and guides visitors in Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, Nov. 3, 2024, as part of efforts to protect the residential environment from overtourism. Newsis
As the clock hits 5 p.m. every day, the mood shifts in Bukchon, one of Seoul’s most photographed neighborhoods. The crowds thin, cameras lower and officials known as Bukchon Guardians begin walking the narrow alleys, gently reminding visitors that it’s time to leave.
By day, the maze of traditional hanok houses — recently featured as inspiration for the setting of "KPop Demon Hunters" — draws crowds from around the world. But when visiting hours end, the village returns to what it has always been: a lived-in neighborhood where residents reclaim the quiet rhythm of daily life.
The area is famous for its dense cluster of hanok, traditional Korean wood-framed houses defined with tiled roofs, making the neighborhood a living showcase of Korea’s architectural heritage. Unsurprisingly, it attracts crowds of visitors, both Korean and international, wandering the narrow lanes in search of the perfect photograph.
But tourism often blurred into intrusion. Visitors strayed into residential alleys, posed in front of private gates and at times stepped beyond doorways that were never meant to be part of a sightseeing route.
To protect this historic environment, the Jongno District Office has introduced several measures over the years to tackle overtourism.
Starting in July 2025, the district launched a pilot program to ban large tour buses from entering the area's narrow streets. This month, the policy became permanent. Now, any unauthorized bus with more than 16 seats faces a fine of 300,000 won ($207) if it enters the 2.3 kilometer stretch of Bukchon. This is in addition to the visiting hour restrictions in the district's "red zones," where tourists can only enter between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
An information board in Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul gives information about restrictions banning tourist entry from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. to protect the privacy of local residents in this Nov. 3, 2024 file photo. Newsis
Jongno District head Jeong Mun-heon emphasized that these restrictions were launched with the goal of keeping Bukchon as a livable neighborhood and a functioning hanok village where everyday life can continue alongside its heritage charm, not just a picturesque backdrop.
While the district office admitted there were some elements of trial and error during the early stages, the policies are now considered to have significantly reduced the constant noise, congestion and civil complaints that once plagued the area. Jeong believes that tensions between residents and tourists have been greatly eased through these measures.
Source: Korea Times News
