Where Does Your Heart Find a Home? HiKR Ground “My Topophilia”

Traveling briskly through the heart of Seoul has its own charm. Yet sometimes, slowing down—allowing yourself a moment of stillness and inward focus—can be just as meaningful. This winter, HiKR Ground, a tourism-friendly interactive cultural space, welcomes a warm exhibition that gently speaks to travelers’ hearts.

Running from November 25 to February 28, “My Topophilia – The Neighborhood I Once Lived In” begins with a quiet premise: inspiration often comes from the ordinary neighborhoods where we once belonged. The exhibition centers on short films by prominent Korean creators, each approaching the idea of “neighborhood” through their own lens. Designed as an immersive experience to be encountered at one’s own tempo, the exhibition encourages visitors not merely to watch, but to drift naturally into their own memories.

The participating creators are leading voices across Korea’s contemporary cultural and artistic fields: architect Cho Byoung-soo (Seoul), illusionist Lee Eun-gyeol (Pyeongtaek), Hwang So-yoon of the band SE SO NEON (Jecheon), actor and painter Park Ki-woong (Andong), So_bak founder Park Min-a (Yeongju), and furniture designer Mun Seung-ji (Jeju).

Here, “neighborhood” is more than a simple geographic label. It becomes a source—of creativity, of accumulated time, of personal history. Through films and objects drawn from daily life and childhood memories, each space translates affection for place into something visible.

The exhibition’s subtitle and central concept, Topophilia, stems from the Greek words topos (place) and philia (love), describing the bond between person and place. Rather than defining this idea through theory or direct explanation, the exhibition embodies it through sensory elements—color, sound, texture—shaped by each creator’s local environment. In doing so, it offers visitors a quiet invitation to reflect on their own attachments and longings for places that hold personal meaning.

What lends “My Topophilia” its distinctive character is the act of sitting. The chairs placed throughout the exhibition, designed by Mun Seung-ji, function not merely as furniture, but as subtle prompts—suggesting that reflection begins the moment one takes a seat. By sitting down, visitors are encouraged to pause, to observe without urgency, and to engage with the exhibition at their own rhythm. In this stillness, memories surface—something rarely felt in the city.

After exploring the exhibition, head to the fifth-floor terrace, where Pause Ground awaits. Overlooking the Cheonggyecheon Stream, the space invites a moment to recall the neighborhoods just seen—or a place of your own. Linger here. The exhibition's resonance deepens with time.

“My Topophilia – The Neighborhood I Once Lived In” does not seek to persuade with grand statements. Instead, it settles quietly into the mind—awakening our memories slowly. It invites visitors to view familiar places anew, while carving out a rare pause within the relentless pace of urban life. For those seeking a thoughtful cultural walk through the city this winter, the exhibition offers an opportunity to reflect on the places that have quietly shaped who we are at our own pace.

* This column was last updated in December 2025, and therefore the information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.