Schools are originally places of learning, of course. Over time, many schools have closed, especially in the countryside, where declining birth rates and migration to cities have reduced the number of students. Yet this doesn¡¯t mean the school spaces themselves don¡¯t live on. Throughout the country, enterprising local governments and individuals are rescuing these nostalgic spaces, turning them into places of cultural enrichment and family experiences.

In this issue of KOREA, we visit Owol School in Chuncheon and Ami Art Museum in Dangjin, two former school houses that are now popular travel destinations after they were revived as cultural spaces. We also introduce some nostalgic school time snacks, talk with one of Korea¡¯s top videographers, and experience the culinary joy that is ssam, or rice and meat wrapped in vegetable leafs.