문화비축기지
Country: Seoul, South Korea
Address: 87 Jeungsan-ro, Seongsan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours: 10am-6pm, closed on Monday
Nearest Subway Station: World Cup Stadium
Itinerary: Day 6 - #2 stop
How Did I Get There: Walk from Subway station using Naver Map
After my breakfast at one of the stores inside the World Cup Stadium, I relied on Naver Map to walk to the Oil Tank Culture Park. Originally a Mapo Oil Depot that was left discontinued, it was redeveloped into a cultural park for citizens to create a sustainable ecosystem while retaining historical meaning.
Fun fact: I discovered this place on Instagram and found out that it was a filming location for A Korean Odyssey. It was also used by Korean artists BTS (방탄소년단) for their event ARMYPEDIA: Army United in Seoul on 23 March 2019.
BTS also used the site for their Run BTS! Episode 86-88.
(Photo credits to VLIVE)
The Oil Tank Culture Park consist of 6 tanks which I will briefly go into, based on the information on the map which OTCP provides:
T0 - Culture Yard
T0 is not considered a tank but the first area one can find inside the Oil Tank Culture Park. It is a plaza, where visitors can rest, and a space to cater large-scale performances, festivals and/ or markets.
It was the closest place from the guide hall at the entrance, with a Sand Whale playground, facility hall and the iconic I SEOUL U sign.
(T6 is directly above T6, hence it is totally up to you on if you would like to explore the area in order or based on proximity.)
T1 - Glass Pavilion
T1 was a tank that used to store petroleum when the place was still being utilized as an oil depot. After the tank was dismantled, glass walls and roof were installed for visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of the bedrocks of Maebongsan Mountain that surrounds the tank. With transparent walls and roof, it gives a different atmosphere in various season, weather and time. The space is also available to be used as a multipurpose space for exhibitions, workshops and performances.
The spot which BTS member Suga snuck out from to Jin also makes a pretty minimalistic shot in the day.
T2 - Stage
Previously space to store a tank that used to store diesel, it is now converted into an outdoor stage for performances. The concept was to dismantle the tank and reveal the sky. Making use of the bedrocks of Maebongsan Mountain and concrete walls to fill the sounds of nature into one with the stage.
I loved the rustic concept of the performance area. With about three groups of family just talking about their life and their kids running around, I simply set up my gimbal and had my own shoot.
T3 - Sustained Oil Tank
T3 holds the preserved form of the original tank that stores oil, recollecting the historic background of constructing the oil depot and economic condition of the country in the past. It is also a valuable cultural heritage to be passed onto future generations.
I would not say that there is much to see here besides the giant tank. Check out my first video to see what I mean but there is just a small platform right at the entrance of T3 that shows the side of the tank. You cannot see what is covering/ inside the tank.
T4 - Culture Complex
The interior of the tank that used to store kerosene is now served as a cultural complex that holds a variety of content ranging from performances, exhibitions and experiences. T4 also holds the original appearance of the tank, with its enormous steel walls and pipes that used to be filled with oil.
T5 - Story Hall
T5 consist of an exhibition that holds the history of how the oil depot transformed into the current Oil Tank Culture Park. Once can grasp the entire stories of the past and present through a timeline throughout the exhibition.
As an art student who visits exhibition frequently, I would say it was a holistic experience as there were a lot of stories and interesting facts and displays - from photographs, videos, to helmets and uniforms of the workers in the past.
An interesting takeaway for me was also a photo booth that could send you your photos to your email directly.
T6 - Community Center
T6 was a new building made from the steel plates collected from dismantling T1 and T2. The community center is divided into the OTCP's operating office, a space for community activities including a creative lab, lecture halls, conference rooms and cafe. On the second floor, there is a rooftop floor where you can see the sky from its round opening. Additionally, there is an 'Eco Lounge', a small eco-library where citizens can relax.
T6 was probably the tank with the most crowd at my point of visit as there was a story-reading session going on for young kids. Everyone was just running around and there I was, just exploring.
This is probably one of my favourite place in Seoul as it was not extremely filled with tourists. I remember going back to T1 and T2 multiple times as I wanted to take better photos - of the place and myself in it. One of the reasons was because of the people in the background (especially for T2). Thankfully, I did capture what I want so it was really fruitful. Perhaps it was because I went early in the morning but small crowds of Korean families only started to come in just as I was about to leave.
My only regret was that I initially planned to visit the Haneul Park after this but I wanted to go to experience the golden hour with my friends as we all wanted to head there together. Since the sky was very cloudy after a while of constant drizzle, and I was supposed to meet my friends in Hongdae, I went back. (Although I ended up going around Hongdae, and went to Dongdaemun alone as I could not catch my friends at wherever they were shopping at.)
Unfortunately for me, they last minute backed out from seeing the sun rise at Haneul Park due to fatigue and I fell sick on that morning so I decided to give it a miss and rest.
Check out my 2019 Korea videos below!
(Part 1)
(Part 2)
Check out my 2017 Korea videos below!
Travel Period: April 2019
Next Stop: Tokkijung Project
*Kindly note that all information are correct as of date of publish. Always do your own research prior to heading down to avoid disappointment during your trip! :)
**All photographs are taken by myself unless stated. Hence, please do not use without permission. Thank you.
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