Park is always on the look out to extend Nostalgia Hanok Hotel’s portfolio. He has managed to get another four units of hanok, which are currently being renovated. One will be ready in September, another by year’s end, and the last two in 2025.
Unlike other hanok hotels in Seoul such as Rakkojae that tries to replicate every traditional detail down to the decor, Park does not believe in simply treating the hanok as an artefact. Instead, he wants to provide a modern spin and relevant amenities. To do this, he engaged Seoul’s brightest and most progressive creatives to give their personal interpretations of old-new hanok living.
On why he engaged a different interior designer as well as gave a unique concept for each hanok, Park said: “Each Nostalgia Hanok has its own story; no two are alike.”
For example, Hillo Jae (Hello House) embraces its attractive location as one of the Eight Scenic Views of Bukchon. Local design firm Kilyeon brought the scenery in with large rock-like elements, ranging from a smooth ceramic dining table by Korean artist Lee Hun-Chung to an installation by artist Huh Myoung-Wook that looks like an oversized pebble.
Park explained his criteria for choosing his collaborators: “We not only consider their ability to create top commercial spaces in Korea, but also their passion and curiosity for hanok. We place significant importance on the designers’ communication skills, as it is essential to maintain a relationship and receive continuous feedback even after completion.”
