Songhak Maeul

Three decades ago, South Korean director Kim Dong-won made two important documentaries about the struggles and everyday life of the people of Songhak Maeul. Yet Songhak Maeul remains little-known as a successful case of community capacity building in a marginalised neighbourhood in Seoul. This article provides a historical background and explains the impact of market-driven urban redevelopment on neighbourhood communities in Seoul. It revisits community activism in Songhak Maeul and highlights some of its achievements and legacies that deserve closer attention as a reminder of the importance of resilient neighbourhood communities in the face of growing environmental and social challenges in cities.