Where Did the Apple Trees in Front of Seoul City Hall Go?, In Search of Lost Trees [Cheonggyecheon Beside Photo Studio]

The article reflects on the memory of apple trees that once graced urban Seoul, drawing a connection to the lyrics of a 1982 song by Lee Yong. The song envisioned planting apple trees in Jongno and persimmon trees in Euljiro, painting a romantic picture of a city adorned with fruit-bearing trees.

This nostalgic reflection is prompted by a recent encounter in 2026 with an apple tree thriving amidst the heat and exhaust fumes in a small flowerbed in Jongno District. The sight of ripening green apples in the heart of the bustling city serves as a stark reminder of a past where such natural elements were more integrated into the urban landscape.

The narrative contrasts this with the current state of Seoul Plaza, formerly a park featuring a large fountain that offered respite to citizens for over four decades since 1963. The disappearance of these natural elements, like the apple trees and the fountain, from prominent public spaces like Seoul Plaza highlights a shift in urban planning and the city's evolving character.

The piece evokes a sense of longing for a more romanticized urban environment, where the simple beauty of fruit trees could be enjoyed amidst the concrete and traffic. It questions the fate of these trees and the spaces they once occupied, inviting readers to recall or imagine a greener, more picturesque Seoul.