Bukchondaek House, Hwagyeongdang

Welcome to Bukchondaek House, greeted by its Tall Gate. The dignity of a noble house starts from its gate, and this house, with its splendid Tall Gate, represents the traditional homes nestled in the Bukchon area, a gathering place of noble families from Hahoe Village. Bukchondaek stands out for its size; originally constructed with 99 rooms, even the remaining 72 rooms make it the largest in Hahoe Village. A "room" in a Hanok is measured by the space between two pillars, so 72 rooms signify quite a large residence. The Tall Gate was designed to allow nobles in horse-drawn carriages to enter without stooping, with the gate's central section raised for this purpose. By the late Joseon period, wealthy and influential person could construct a Tall Gate to display their wealth and honor. The Tall Gate of this house is another testament to the family's social status and the prestigious authority of a prosperous noble.

Then who built Bukchondaek? The house was built by a true scholar Ryu Doseong , a descendant of Hahoe's meritorious subject, Ryu Seongryong, and a civil official of the Joseon Dynasty. In today's terms, Ryu Doseong held a position similar to the Chief Presidential Secretary. After retiring from public service, he returned to his hometown and dedicated his efforts to restoring Seowon (Confucian Academies) and so on.

What else makes Bukchondaek special? It's notable for separating living spaces for the father, son, and grandson. The central Sarangchae facing the main gate, called "Hwagyeongdang," signifies "harmony with parents and respect for the king," written by the famous calligrapher Han Seokbong. This area served as the master's living quarters.

The smaller Sarangchae on the left, "Sushinwa," was for the master's son. The name "Sushinwa" teaches humility, reminding the family to consider their less fortunate neighbors and not to take pride in living in a fancy house. This lesson was heeded by descendants, who kept the plaque as a reminder against arrogance.

On the right, the large Sarangchae, "Bukchonyugeo," served as the dwelling for the elder family members, where they lived after entrusting the household to their son. The pavilion offers a picturesque view of Hahoe, encapsulating filial piety and care.

Another attraction of this house is a pine tree near the shrine at the back of the large Sarangchae. Its bent shape, resembling the winding river around Hahoe, forms a Taegeuk symbol, unifying the house, people, and nature under the name of Hahoe.

Bukchondaek has also been a great benefactor to the village folks. Even when many nobles fell into decline in the late Joseon period, this house remained respected, thanks to the righteous actions of Ryu Doseong. One example was during the massive flood hitting the village in 1859. Despite having timber reserved for three years for his house construction, Ryu Doseong ordered his servants to throw it into the river to save villagers from drowning. His and his descendants' actions earned them respect throughout Hahoe Village.

So even during the Donghak Peasant Revolution in 1894, when Donghak peasant armies attacked other wealthy noble house, they passed Bukchondaek with respect. The ancestral virtues have influenced descendants positively, making Bukchondaek a respected noble house in the village.