A vendor sells pig feet at the Seoul Jungang Market in Hwanghak - dong , Jung - gu . ( Julie Jackson / The Korea Herald ) Although Dongdaemun and Namdaemun tend to dominate many lists of “ must - see markets ” in Seoul , small - scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city . This is the fourth installment of a series introducing traditional local markets . ― Ed . At first glance , one would probably never guess what lies below the hustle and bustle of persistent food vendors of Seoul Jungang Market . Nestled in Hwanghak - dong near the city ’ s signature Cheonggyecheon Stream , the market greets visitors with the usual caterwauling of merchants trying to sell their kimchi pancakes , dried fish snacks and , even dog meat , which is rare to find in most traditional markets nowadays .   However , the market gives off hints that it ’ s no ordinary street market . Hanging from the vaulted steel ceiling one are decorative lamps lighting the halls and random accents of artistic nuisance . The reason for the elevated design flare of the Jungang market is the Sindang Creative Arcade , which lurks below the surface . “ I would say that most people don ’ t even know this place exists , ” said Yoon Hye - rim , artist and director of “ Efluvi ” custom arts . Yoon is one of the current 38 artists and occupants of the Creative Arcade , a space for artists to work and produce their craft , be it woodwork , jewelry , textiles , metalwork or painting . It is not just a place of work for these artists ― some even call it home . “ A lot of artists do sleep here . There are beds and a shower room , ” said Yoon , who has been making custom jewelry at the underground arcade for four years . “ I think one of the greatest things about this place is that after midnight , everything is super quiet , and this allows you to really concentrate on your work . ” The Sindang Creativity Arcade located beneath the Seoul Jungang Market in Hwanghak - dong , Jung - gu ( Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture ) In the 1950 s , when Jungang Market was full of life and vigor , competing with Namdaemun and Dongdaemun to be Seoul ’ s biggest market , this underground space , too , was occupied by merchants selling various goods and foods . But as the capital city transformed into a modern metropolis , the market began to lose its sheen , and underground shops were the first to disappear . Later in 2007 , the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture decided to revitalize the virtually deserted underground section into a foreground for the creative arts . Although the revamp of the space has breathed new life into the market , for those merchants who have stood the test of time , the dark days are not over yet . “ You know everything upstairs , none of that used to be here , ” said Hanbok merchant Choi Bok - im , whose family - run business has been located at the underground market for the past 70 years . “ I keep doing this business because this is what I know , and I am too old to do anything else . ” Featuring a conventional outdoor market above ground and artists ’ residencies below , the Jungang market is probably one of those places where two seemingly opposite things interlink . This very visual contradiction is what makes Jungang Market one of a kind and a recommended place to visit when stopping by Hwanghak - dong . Even when descending the colorfully painted entrance of the arcade , instead of being greeted by an array of art shops and boutiques as one would probably expect , there are first rows upon rows of mom - and - pop raw seafood dining stalls . The Sindang Creativity Arcade located beneath the Seoul Jungang Market in Hwanghak - dong , Jung - gu ( Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture ) “ Really the only nonlocal visitors we tend to get here are those who stop by as part of one of the city ’ s government - sponsored tour programs , ” said Yoon , the artist . “ But even then , I think people misunderstand why we are here . I ’ ve been asked by some people if I could resize their rings for them because they were under the impression that this was a jewelry shop . ” While visitors are certainly welcome to take a look at the various artworks being created , the arcade ’ s main purpose is to provide artists with an open space to work . For those interested in purchasing pieces , each artist typically has a shop or online store where customers can buy items . If you go : Seoul Jungang Market is a traditional market located east of Heunginjimun Gate in Hwanghak - dong , Jung - gu , and can be reached via Shindang Station off Exits 1 or 2 . By Julie Jackson ( juliejackson @ heraldcorp . com ) [ 우리 아이 영어 글쓰기 , 어떻게 교육 하 나요 ] 	 더 많 은 기사 보 러 가 기 → [ 코리아 헤럴드 홈페이지 ] [ 트위터 ] [ 페이스북 ] 	 구독 신청 1588 - 0533 	 <ⓒ KoreaHerald ( www . koreaherald . com ) 무단 전재 및 재 배포 금지 >