For subscribers
Letter From Andong
He saved a 140-year-old house, then he built a hotel using the ancient art of ‘Korean Lego’
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The Rakkojae Hahoe Hanok Hotel in Andong. South Korea is racing to preserve traditional hanoks amid rising modern apartment developments.
ST PHOTOS: WENDY TEO
Follow topic:
ANDONG/GOCHANG – The 140-year-old hanok stood in disrepair, ready to be razed to the ground by its owner in favour of a modern home. But Mr Ahn Young-hwan had other ideas.
Seeing the heritage hidden behind decades of modifications to the once majestic building, the real estate developer turned hotelier convinced the owner, a family friend, in 1992 to preserve the piece of history instead.
