DIARY

Hallyu Diary Vol.12

The long-awaited K-baseball postseason is finally here!
Since there’s more to do than just watch the game, I planned an entire one-day trip to Incheon.
Take a look at my Incheon day-trip itinerary,
complete with exciting sightseeing and stadium cheers as captivating as the fall foliage!

Before heading to the stadium, I stopped by Gaehangjang, or Open Port Area, Street in Incheon.
This area, part of the Incheon Open Port Trail, also referred to as “Incheon’s Olle-gil,”
preserves the history and culture of the port-opening era from over a century ago.
The rich variety in architectural styles on display creates an exotic mood.

Because it’s a place of nostalgia, this area is home to many museums,
making it perfect for a museum-hopping tour.
In fact, if you purchase a multi-pass ticket at any one of the museums,
you can visit the remaining four as well.
Among them, I explored the Incheon Open Port Modern Architecture Museum
and the Incheon Open Port Museum.

At the Modern Architecture Museum,
I learned how the district’s exotic architecture came to blend into the cityscape,
while at the Open Port Museum, I was deeply impressed by a sense of the bustling energy
and the lives of the people who lived in this port city over a hundred years ago.

Not far from the Open Port Street lies Baedari Secondhand Bookstore Alley,
which was the filming location featuring the Suwon Ribs Fried Chicken restaurant
from the movie Extreme Job.
Being there felt like I had walked straight into the film.

The street is lined with old bookstores and cozy cultural spaces,
the most famous being Hanmi Bookstore,
which also appeared in the drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.
As I opened the creaky door and wandered between shelves,
it felt like I was walking through a space containing stories from a different time.

After all that walking, I started getting hungry, so I headed over to the nearby Singi Market.
Since I was in Incheon to enjoy Korean fall baseball, I couldn’t pass up a baseball-themed spot!
You might wonder why I went to a market to see a baseball attraction.
It turns out there’s a baseball museum inside this market!

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

When I first heard there was a museum right in the middle of a market, I couldn’t believe it.
Singi Market was actually the first in Korea to create a “Baseball Street” back in 2013.
As I strolled down the market, I spotted baseball-themed photo zones and sculptures.
The museum almost felt like a small amusement park for baseball fans!

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

Inside the museum, there were exhibits tracing the history of Korean baseball,
and I learned that Incheon was the very first city in Korea where baseball was introduced.
No wonder the city was also the setting for the film YMCA Baseball Team,
which made me even more curious!
I couldn’t take my eyes off the old team jerseys and autographed baseballs,
and kept clicking away at my camera!

After exploring the museum, I grabbed lunch at the market.
The hearty, comforting food brought even more joy on this trip.
Even if you’re not a baseball fan, this place has its own charms.

Between the lively market atmosphere, delicious local eats,
and all the fun baseball displays and photo zones,
Singi Market offers something special for everyone, not just lovers of the sport.
It’s one of those uniquely Incheon experiences you shouldn’t miss!

With my stomach full, I went for a walk around Incheon Jayu (Freedom) Park,
which was steeped in the colors of autumn.
The gentle rustle of the trees in the breeze made the scenery look so romantic.
As I followed the park’s walking trail, taking in the stillness of nature, I noticed more attractions.

One of them was the Jemulpo Club, a place where foreigners mingled socially during
the late Joseon period; now, the space serves as a venue for international cultural exchange.
There was something fascinating about how the past and present coexist in that place,
and it even felt oddly familiar since it was also a filming location for the drama Guardian.
The building’s elegant, vintage details were beautifully preserved,
and I stayed captivated for a long time.

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

Right next to the Club was the Incheon Citizen’s House,
which was built in the early 1900s as a vacation home for a Japanese businessman,
then later bought by the city of Incheon to be used as the mayor’s official residence.
After that, it served as the Incheon History Archive, and today it has been reborn
as a Citizen’s House, a multifunctional cultural space for the people of Incheon.

Also known as the set for the drama Reborn Rich,
it was fun to see familiar backdrops from the screen right before my eyes.

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

They venue hosts monthly exhibitions, lectures, and other cultural programs,
but what I found especially interesting was the stamp tour, which ends with a small souvenir.
Collecting the stamps made me feel like I was hunting for treasure, and I had a ton of fun.

Today’s final destination and ultimate highlight was the Incheon Munhak Stadium!
As the home stadium of the SSG Landers, the excitement was palpable from the entrance.
What made it even more thrilling was finding out that the stadium was also the backdrop
for the dramas Hot Stove League and Strong Girl Bong-soon.

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

I walked in to the cheers of fans swelling up from the bleachers,
and was filled with excitement to witness Korean postseason baseball in real life!
When the players took the field, the crowd erupted in K-pop songs in perfect synch,
which instantly brought everyone together in a wave of excitement.

Beyond winning or losing, what struck me most was the unique culture of Korean baseball.
The fans led the action with their dynamic songs, choreographed moves, and cheering tools,
transforming the entire game into one big festival.

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

What’s more, each section of the stadium offers a different way to enjoy the game.
At the Picnic Zone in the Munhak Stadium, fans can sit on the grass
and watch the game over snacks, while in the Barbecue Zone,
families and friends can grill meat for a real party!
Add in the endless lineup of stadium food, and I became impressed with
how seriously Koreans take their food, and how seriously Korean baseball fans take their fun.

Photo credit: Incheon Metropolitan City

Collaborations with popular Korean characters bring an extra layer of fun—from mascots
and costumed characters roaming the stands to adorable merch
like uniforms, bags, keyrings, and stickers that were on sale during the game.

It was special to see how baseball and lifestyle came together so naturally,
making me see that Korean baseball isn’t just a spectator sport,
but a complete cultural experience bringing together food, merchandise, and cheers.