Otgol Village

Built after scholar Daeam Choi Dong-jip settled in Otgol in 1616 during the reign of King Injo of Joseon, it is the oldest surviving Joseon-era residence in Daegu. The main quarters were built in 1630. The Dongsan Seowon Confucian academy, originally established to honor Baekbulam Choi Heung-won, was demolished in 1868. The materials from its demolition were used to rebuild the guest quarters. The complex also includes the Bobondang Hall and the Posa kitchen, built for ancestral rites, as well as the Beolmo and Gamyo shrine for the eternal spirit tablet.

The Bobondang Hall, built in 1753, is located to the right of the living quarters. The Posa, situated outside the eastern wall of the Bobondang Hall, was where ritual foods were prepared. Among the two shrines behind the Bobondang Hall, the Beolmyo enshrines the spirit tablet of Choi Dong-jip, while the Gamyo enshrines the spirit tablet of scholar Choi Heung-won from the reign of King Jeongjo of Joseon and the spirit tablet of the fourth-generation head of the clan. The Gyeongju Choi Clan Ancestral Home in Dunsan-dong, Daegu, where the living quarters, study hall, shrines, and many other buildings harmoniously coexist, serves as invaluable material for researching Joseon-era Yangban residences and their lifestyle.

Gyeongju Choi Clan Ancestral Home in Dunsan-dong, Daegu

Baekbul Old House, located in Otgol Village, Dong-gu, Daegu, is the ancestral home of the Gyeongju Choi clan. Built in 1694 (the 20th year of King Sukjong's reign), it is the oldest upper-class residence in the Daegu area and is designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage No. 261.

Otgol Village is a clan village of the Gyeongju Choi clan formed when the mid-Joseon scholar Daeam Choi Dong-jip settled there; over 20 traditional houses remain today. Among them, Baekbul Old House is the ancestral home built by Choi Gyeong-ham, grandson of the founding ancestor Choi Dong-jip, and takes its name from the pen name of his descendant, the scholar Baekbulam Choi Heung-won.

The buildings form a square layout combining a U-shaped main hall with a linear guest quarters. To the right are spaces for ancestral rites, including the family tomb, separate tomb, and the Bobondang hall.
The mai hall and family tomb were built in 1694, the separate tomb and ancestral hall in 1742, and the guest quarters were reconstructed in 1905. This architectural composition transcends a simple residential space, embodying both the status of the ancestral home and its ritual functions, making it a quintessential example of traditional Korean architecture.

Baekbul Old House is not merely an old house; it is a historical space showcasing the spirit and way of life of the Gyeongju Choi clan's ancestral home. At the entrance to Otgol Village, a 350-year-old zelkova tree and a Chinese scholar tree stand as protected trees, welcoming visitors while praying for the village's peace and prosperity. Inside the old house and its surroundings, tranquil stone-paved paths blend with traditional houses, offering a close-up experience of the life of a Joseon-era Yangban family.

Today, Baekbul Old House is open to the public with guided tours by cultural tourism interpreters, serving as a major attraction drawing domestic and international tourists to Otgol Village. Preserving traditional architectural beauty and unique historical value, Baekbul Old House stands as a representative cultural heritage site of Daegu and is an essential destination for visitors to Otgol Village.

Located in Dunsan-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu, Otgol Village derives its name from its geographical setting: mountains encircle three sides of the village except the south, and the surrounding hills and fields are abundant with lacquer trees. In 1616 (the 8th year of King Gwanghae's reign), the scholar Daeam Choi Dong-jip of the mid-Joseon period settled here, forming a clan village of the Gyeongju Choi family.

The first thing you see on the road leading to the village is a zelkova tree estimated to be over 400 years old. Designated as a protected tree, it stands tall. As the village site is higher than the surrounding area, offering a clear view of the Geumho River tributary, a forest was planted in front of the village to block negative energy from entering. Passing the resting area by the pond and under the tree shade marks the true beginning of Maol.

Entering the village entrance, two massive zelkova trees, also over 400 years old, greet visitors. They are said to have been planted to pray for the village's peace and prosperity, and they reach a height of 12 meters.

Baekbulam Old House, the ancestral home of the Gyeongju Choi clan, is located at the very heart of the village. Built in 1630 by Choi Dong-jip, the founding ancestor of the clan, it is the oldest residential building among houses in the Daegu region. Baekbulam is the pen name of Choi Heung-won, a scholar during the reigns of King Jeongjo and King Yeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty. This house is currently designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage No. 261. Upon entering the main gate, the men's quarters and women's quarters are arranged in a ‘square’ shape. To the right of the house stands the Bopondang Hall. Built in 1753 for ancestral rites honoring the founding ancestor Daeam, it consists of a shrine, a ritual hall, and a kitchen for food preparation. During the Korean War, the Bobondang served as a temporary school. It is also where Baekbulam first proofread the Ban-gyesurok(A collection of jotting). Following the earthen wall path leads to the Jeongryeak Pavilion. Erected in 1789 by order of King Jeongjo to honor the filial devotion of Baekbulam Choi Heung-won, the pavilion houses the red plaque bestowed by the king.

Otgol Village is a beautiful village where approximately 2.5km of earthen and stone walls remain. The Sungmogak Hall at Baekbulam Old House preserves various artifacts, including documents bestowed by King Jeongjo praising the achievements of Baekbulam Choi Heung-won, ancient books and nameplates passed down through the main family line, a folding screen depicting Toegye's Ten Diagrams of Confucian Learning, and ritual vessels.

Otgol Village is a traditional settlement where descendants of the Gwangjeonggong branch of the Gyeongju Choi clan have lived together for over 400 years.

The village was formed in 1616 when scholar Choi Dong-jip settled here during the mid-Joseon period. Descendants of the Gwangjeong Branch have resided here for generations, preserving its traditions and culture. Choi Dan, a Gwangjeong descendant, passed the military service examination, participated in the Wehwa Island Retreat, and was recorded as a Meritorious Subject of the Founding Dynasty. His descendants took root in Otgol Village, Dunsan-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu.

Otgol Village occupies a naturally blessed location surrounded by mountains and fields. Over 20 historic houses remain, including Baekbul House, Gyeomheon House, and Geumjeon House, vividly showcasing the lifestyle of Joseon-era yangban families. Particularly significant are the ancestral home and the Bobeondang shrine, buildings constructed reflecting feng shui principles and the yin-yang and five elements theory, holding great historical value.

Even today, descendants of the Gwangjeonggong branch reside here, preserving the village. Traditional houses and walls have been conserved through restoration projects by Daegu Metropolitan City. Otgol Village stands as a living cultural heritage, embodying the deep-rooted history and spirit of the Gwangjeonggong branch of the Gyeongju Choi clan.

The experiences at Otgol Village offer more than just a casual try—they provide a valuable opportunity to learn Korean traditions through hands-on participation. Discover why each experience is enjoyable and what you'll feel.

Hanbok Experience

• Meaning: An experience to wear and feel the beauty of everyday life in the Joseon Dynasty.

• What's Included: Rental of traditional hanbok for men and women, accessories (hat, norigae, baeja, etc.), dressing assistance, and photo spot guidance.

• Key Points: Photos taken in front of the hanok's wooden floor, stone wall path, or main gate look best. Colors that contrast sharply with the background look especially beautiful.

• Learning: Master dignified posture through adjusting clothing details (ribbons, collars, sashes) and practicing bowing and etiquette movements.

Traditional Korean DASIK(Tea Confectionery) Experience

• Meaning: Making traditional sweets using natural ingredients—a feast for the eyes first.

• Components: Dough made with mugwort, soybean, and black sesame powder; molding with dasik molds; coating with honey or rice syrup.

• Key Point: Controlling the dough's moisture is crucial. If it releases cleanly from the mold, the consistency is right. Color contrast can make patterns appear more vivid.

• Learning: Understand seasonal ingredients and the concept of yin-yang harmony; learn the aesthetic of serving (presentation) that complements tea.

Seodang Experience

• Meaning: A traditional class physically experiencing Confucian learning methods.

• Components: Reading the Thousand Character Classic and Four Books of Elementary Learning aloud, writing Chinese characters with a brush, etiquette education (greetings, seated posture).

• Key Points: Slow pronunciation and rhythmic recitation enhance immersion. Practice vertical strokes first when starting brushwork.

• Learning: The sages' philosophy that learning characters is the very act of rectifying one's mindset.

Rice Cake Pounding

• Meaning: A collaborative effort unifying rice grains through strength and breath.

• Structure: Steaming glutinous rice → Placing in mortar → Alternating blows with pestle → Shaping and topping.

• Key Point: Alternating strikes in rhythm with “One-two” maximizes elasticity and chewiness. A smooth surface signals completion.

• Learning: Understanding the rhythm of cooperation and the transformation of grains (starch gelatinization) through sensory experience.

Arrow Throwing Experience

• Meaning: The art of concentrating one's mind to strike the target with ‘precision and focus’.

• Setup: Throw arrows (sal) into a jar (ho) from a set distance; score per round.

• Key Point: Success hinges on breathing and fixed gaze, not arm strength. Low arcs yield higher success rates.

• Learning: Cultivating focus, restraint, and courtesy through play.

Jegi Chagi

• Meaning: A folk sport creating balance and rhythm with the toes.

• Structure: Continuously kicking a jegi (shuttlecock) with one foot, competing for individual and team records.

• Key Points: Strike the center of the instep with a ‘tap’ motion; continuous rhythm is more important than height. Keep eyes on the bottom of the jegi.

• Lessons: Core balance, sense of rhythm, and harmony between body and breath.

Stone Toss

• Meaning: An outdoor game connecting the senses of the ground and hands using flat stones.

• Structure: Tossing a flat stone placed on the back of the hand, clearing obstacles, competing for number of tosses.

• Key Points: Stone selection is half the battle—light yet balanced stones are advantageous. Aim for low, fast spins.