Ch’ŏnan's Underbelly: The Weird, Wild, and Wonderful Places Locals Pretend Don't Exist

okay, so i’ve been bouncing around ch’ŏnan for like three months now, and let me tell you-this city has secrets. not the “hidden café with a cute cat” kind of secrets. i’m talking about the places that make you go, “wait, is this even legal?”

first up: the abandoned train tunnel near taejosan park. yeah, i know what you’re thinking-abandoned tunnels are a dime a dozen. but this one? locals swear it’s haunted by the ghost of a 1970s train conductor who still yells at people for not having tickets. i went in at midnight with a flashlight and a bottle of soju, and honestly, the only ghost i found was the ghost of my dignity when i tripped over a rock. still, the graffiti inside is wild-like, “high school kids on a bender” levels of chaotic.

next, there’s this tiny underground market near the bus terminal. it’s not on google maps, and if you ask a local about it, they’ll pretend they’ve never heard of it. but trust me, it’s there. they sell everything from vintage korean comics to jars of homemade kimchi that’ll make your tongue feel like it’s been to war. i bought a pair of 1980s sneakers for like 5,000 won, and they’re still holding up. (link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297884-d12345678-Reviews-Chonan_Underground_Market-Ch_onan_Chungnam.html).

now, let’s talk about the “lake” in songnam-dong. i say “lake” because it’s more of a glorified puddle, but at sunset, it’s the kind of place that makes you forget you’re in a city. there’s this old guy who sits by the water every evening, feeding ducks and yelling at teenagers who try to swim. i asked him why he does it, and he just said, “somebody’s gotta keep an eye on these damn kids.” classic.

and then there’s the “mystery meat” street food stall near the university. no sign, no menu, just a guy with a grill and a look that says, “you either trust me or you don’t.” i took the plunge and ordered whatever he was cooking. it was delicious. i still don’t know what it was, but i’m not mad about it. (link: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mystery-meat-ch-onan).

oh, and let’s not forget the “secret” hiking trail behind the jjimjilbang. it’s not really secret-it’s just that nobody bothers to look past the steamy windows. the trail leads to this weird little shrine dedicated to a local deity who supposedly protects drunk people. i left an offering of soju and a pack of cigarettes, just in case.

so yeah, ch’ŏnan’s got layers. and if you’re lucky, you’ll peel back a few and find something weird, wild, and wonderful. just don’t blame me if you end up lost in a tunnel or eating mystery meat. that’s all part of the charm.

p.s. if you’re wondering about the weather, it’s currently “sweater weather with a side of existential dread.” and if you’re thinking of heading to seoul or daejeon, both are just a short train ride away. but honestly? ch’ŏnan’s got enough chaos to keep you busy for a while.

(link: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ch_onan/comments/xyz123/hidden_gems_in_chonan/).

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