Western cities have plazas; Korea has alleys. These alleys are not just narrow streets crisscrossing a neighborhood, but a testament to Korea's rich history and hard-working people. Follow Magnum Photos photographer Alex Webb as he travels through time in Korea's alleyways.
Hannam-dong Sunrise Alley: A nostalgic past of a splendid city
Once an affluent community during Korea's economic growth in the 1960s, Sunrise Alley in Hannam-dong has survived widespread urban development. Named after Korea's quick-vanishing goblin, Dokkaebi Market nearby is also a well-known tourist destination. Alex Webb visits the neighborhood and the market, full of nostalgia in the middle of a modern city.
Modernization Alley in Daegu: One thousand alleys, one thousand tales
Together with the textile industry, the city of Daegu, with its 1,000 alleyways, came to represent Korea's modernization. No other city in the world possesses so many alleys within a radius of one kilometer. Listen to a thousand tales of hard-working Koreans making a living in the socks, sewing machine, and motorcycle alleys.
Bukchon Village in Seoul: Elegance in tradition
Bukchon Village, situated between Changdeok Palace and Gyeongbok Palace, used to be a residential area for noblemen of the Joseon era. It is one of the best preserved historical neighborhoods in Seoul, so discover bits of the city's 500-year history in the alleys of Bukchon Village.
Check out the historical alleys of Korea on Arirang TV at 1 pm, October 10, 2013.