“There are no fights because there are no drunk people like before, and with good heating, it is heaven. Being able to play janggi with peace of mindthis is welfare for us.”

Mr. Noh (76) is a regular at the senior-only leisure space ‘Tapgol Senior Cultural Playground’ (hereafter, the Playground), newly created by Seoul’s Jongno District on the first floor of Nakwon Arcade after removing the janggi boards that had been in Tapgol Park. After the janggi boards on the park’s wall were dismantled, he wandered around places such as Jongmyo and then came here.

Mr. Noh, who was also playing janggi here on the 13th, said, “It is nice not to have to be self-conscious about being old and to feel free,” and added, “If I stay alone at home, I do not even eat and go all day without saying a single word, but when I come here, I laugh and talk and feel like I become healthier.”

The Playground set up in the outdoor space on the first floor of Nakwon Arcade is emerging as a new ‘janggi mecca’ for seniors. The indoor area of roughly 66㎡ is filled with the crisp click of janggi pieces being placed and the boisterous voices of kibitzers.

The Tapgol Playground opened last month. Even though it is only in its first month of operation, every afternoon the place is packed with seniors who come to play janggi or to offer advice. Its flow does not overlap with so-called ‘hot places’ that many young people visit, such as Ikseon-dong, so it is becoming a cultural space exclusively for seniors.

To eliminate Tapgol Park problems with trash, drinking, and violence and to protect the cultural heritage, Jongno District completely banned use of the janggi boards around the park wall last July. Instead, it directed people to use the janggi and baduk rooms at the nearby Seoul Senior Welfare Center annex. However, that facility can be used only by Seoul citizens, so seniors coming from areas such as Gyeonggi and Incheon were restricted from entry. In the end, the district created an open Playground where anyone can play janggi and baduk regardless of place of residence.

Mr. Park (72) from Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province said, “We are meeting here again the people who scattered when the janggi boards were removed,” and added, “Even before, those who drank and fought in Tapgol Park were a minority. People who enjoy janggi and baduk had our own tacit order, so we did not make a fuss.”

The Playground has 17 tables for janggi and baduk, as well as a water dispenser, air purifiers, and more. Alcohol is prohibited here. Only water may be drunk. The average age of visitors is in the 80s, so a manager is stationed on site to prepare for any possible safety incidents.

After the ban on using the janggi boards at Tapgol Park, the seniors who met again at the Playground still kept a certain distance and called each other “Mr. Kang” and “Mr. Kim.” They play janggi together and offer advice, but it has become part of the culture to treat each other with courtesy. They said they came here after seeing guide banners and YouTube broadcasts from the district office.

Mr. Kim (80) from Suwon in Gyeonggi Province said, “Many people come for fun just to kibitz, so it would be nice if the space were a bit larger,” and added, “I would like a place next to the janggi area where we could read newspapers or books when we want to take a break.”

According to Jongno District, as of the 11th since the Playground opened, the cumulative number of users was 1,936, with about 60 people per day on average. Of those, 83% were Seoul residents. Starting this month, the district office decided to open on Mondays as well, which had been the regular closing day. It will not operate on national holidays.

An official from the district office said, “As the Playground is establishing itself as a meaningful space for seniors beyond Seoul and across the metropolitan area, we are reviewing an expansion of various cultural programs in the Tapgol area.”