Now called Mullae Art Village, the area, which thrived in the 1970s and '80s, declined as cheap Chinese products flooded the market.
The neighborhood began to change in 2010 when the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture established Seoul Art Space Mullae, a creative space for artists.
Drawn by low rents and a distinctive atmosphere, young artists gradually settled in, revitalizing the fading industrial zone.
Today, artworks fashioned from discarded steel and old tools adorn the streets. Unique installations, art facilities, trendy cafes and restaurants coexist with operating ironworks, offering visitors an eclectic mix of art and industry, old and new.
