Second Place Lava

I ended up somewhat stalking a woman who was delivering utility bills. She wasn't the only one I saw in the neighbourhood carrying out this task.

Trying to figure out where to leave the bills. Peeking out from behind the metal shutters you can see a bit of the words "Second Place Lava," which is where this area gets its name.

I looked inside a gate and saw that there was no way I was going down that way.

"Welcome!"

Okay, great, so now I was allowed to roam around thanks to this faded sign.

So I went up the nearest highrise.

Here's the view of Second Place Lava, where you can clearly see these are nail houses surrounded by wastelands where their neighbours used to stand.

There's the cluster I was just at.

And I've always been curious about this building.

Click for full size.

There was basically a gutter area where I could have climbed out farther. I didn't.

Here's another view of Second Place Lava from the top floor of this building.

You can kind of learn things by photographing the same buildings from different floors.

It was a miserably smoggy day. Remember when that was the main reason to wear a mask?

Click for full size.

That is a roof trap.

One more look at the most elusive building, from nearly ground level. I think only the lower left unit is occupied.

A wider look for context.

This curb is oozing with Thomasson.

I'm assuming this is a hagwon for people studying to be architects and civil servants, maybe the area where those cross over, but I wasn't able to figure out if "CAD MAX" was a clever pun.

I found a passageway to the one lone building, but there was a surveillance camera and I didn't want to intrude or make them anxious by bringing out my camera, so this is the closest you get to see.

Or this.

This was a sizeable goshitel I figured would be well-positioned to get another overlooking shot of Second Place Lava. Unfortunately, it turned out to be closed. When has that stopped me?

Here's what one of the rooms looked like.

Cramped hallway.

The front hall on each floor was packed with scavenged wood panels.

I was curious about this Hanmun inscription. Fortunately, I presume the Hangeul underneath translates it. "So much growth and development as you rub your eyes in wonder." A perfect phrase for basically anywhere in Seoul.

From the roof, looking onto the mostly still remaining neighbourhood. Click for full size.

Looking toward Second Place Lava, and Noryangjin Station is down the road.

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Pretty narrow top part of the roof.

That part over there is the same building.

Across the street.