A legendary classical music sanctuary that provided solace during the Korean War has been beautifully recreated in Seoul, offering modern music lovers a glimpse into Korea's classical music heritage. Renaissance, Re:naissance, located in the Artists House in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is a faithful revival of Korea's first classical music listening room that originally opened amid the chaos of war in 1951.
The original Renaissance Tea Room was born from tragedy and hope. During the height of the Korean War, as Seoul fell and Busan became the provisional capital, the city of Daegu became a refuge for countless displaced citizens, artists, and refugees. Among them was the late Park Yong-chan, chairman of Shinheung Construction, who fled his hometown carrying only a few precious possessions, including his beloved collection of LP records. Determined to share the healing power of music, Park opened a modest tea room for classical music enthusiasts in Daegu in 1951, naming it Renaissance Tea Room.
Park's vision was simple yet profound: to offer a rare sense of peace and freedom through music, creating a sanctuary amid the gunfire, chaos, and daily struggle for survival. His collection provided weary souls with moments of transcendence when hope seemed distant. After the war ended, the venue found new life in Seoul, relocating to Insa-dong in 1954 and later to the Youngan Building in Jongno 1-ga in 1960, where it remained until 1986. For decades, it served as one of the few places in Korea where classical music fans could truly immerse themselves in Western classical music.
The modern Renaissance, Re:naissance opened in May at the Artists House, a building that once served as an annex of the prestigious Seoul National University. Operated by the Arts Council Korea, a public agency that promotes artists and manages cultural venues including the ARKO Arts Theater, the space offers visitors a quiet refuge from the city's relentless pace. The location itself carries historical significance, adding another layer of cultural depth to the experience.
Stepping into the listening room feels like entering the cozy living room of a remote mountain lodge. Rows of cushioned chairs are arranged theater-style, facing towering speakers that fill the space with the cascading notes of works like Vivaldi's Summer from The Four Seasons. As visitors move closer, the soft crackle of the LP becomes more distinct, adding a tactile warmth that digital formats cannot replicate. The intimate setting encourages deep listening and contemplation.
The room's vintage aesthetic perfectly captures the nostalgia of the 1950s. A cabinet beside the speakers displays a gramophone, turntable, and tube power amplifier, creating an atmosphere that transports visitors back to the original Renaissance's golden era. These carefully chosen vintage touches serve not merely as decoration but as functional elements that enhance the authentic listening experience.
The heart of Renaissance, Re:naissance lies in its exceptional audio equipment and music collection. Selected tracks from over 6,000 classical LPs contributed by Park and preserved at the ARKO Arts Archive come to life through the vintage JBL Hartsfield D30085 speakers that were actually used at the original Renaissance. These historic speakers are complemented by rare, sought-after amplifiers donated by individual collectors, including the legendary McIntosh MC275, a piece of audio equipment highly prized by audiophiles worldwide.
The listening experience is carefully structured to take visitors on a journey through classical music history. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the listening room's playlists are thoughtfully arranged by historical periods across three distinct sessions. From 10 a.m. to noon, visitors are immersed in the sounds of the Baroque period (1600-1750), featuring masterworks by Bach, Handel, and their contemporaries. The precision and mathematical beauty of Baroque compositions provide a contemplative start to each day.
Between noon and 2 p.m., the musical journey shifts to the Classical period (1750-1820), showcasing the elegant chamber works and symphonies of the 18th century. This era, marked by composers like Mozart and Haydn, represents a time when musical forms reached new levels of sophistication and balance. The final session transports listeners into the Romantic period (1800-1850), epitomized by emotionally rich composers such as Schubert and Schumann, and continues into the 20th century, when art songs—a distinctive type of vocal music rooted in poetry with piano accompaniment—gained prominence.
The room's walls tell the story of the original Renaissance through carefully preserved memorabilia. Past newspaper clippings and old admission tickets create a nostalgic atmosphere, particularly meaningful for older visitors who experienced Renaissance during its heyday. These artifacts serve as windows into Korea's musical past, showing how classical music provided cultural sustenance during difficult times. One wall features over 50 LP albums donated by the late Park, displayed on shelves that invite browsing and discovery.
The historical significance of Park's contribution was recognized even internationally during the original Renaissance's operation. A 1953 article in the American music magazine Etude captured the venue's importance, stating: "For here remains almost all that is left of serious music in war-ravaged Korea. And the renaissance of classical music in this country, if it ever comes, will be due in large part to Mr. Park Yong-chan, the tearoom's proprietor." The article continued, "Despite its embattled condition, Korea remains a singing nation. And it was Park's desire to make his records available to this music-hungry public."
Kim Yeon-mi, manager at the ARKO Arts Archive who led the venue's planning and operations, explained the deeper mission behind Renaissance, Re:naissance. "Renaissance, Re:naissance aims to offer liberation through music, just like the original Renaissance Tea Room," she said. The project represents more than mere nostalgia; it's a conscious effort to preserve and continue Korea's classical music heritage for new generations.
In today's world, saturated with short-form content and fleeting music trends, Kim believes classical music serves a unique purpose. Even without lyrics, classical music "sings to the heart and echoes through time," she noted. This perspective reflects a growing appreciation for slow, contemplative experiences in our fast-paced digital age. "Just as Renaissance once gave weary citizens and artists a sense of freedom and peace during the war, we hope this place can be a gentle oasis, where visitors can pause and find serenity amid the chaos of everyday life."
