Yongma Land: The Economics of Seoul's Living Ghost Park

Yongma Land opened in 1983 in Seoul's Jungnang District as a small neighborhood amusement park. As Seoul's leisure industry expanded and larger parks such as Lotte World emerged, Yongma Land increasingly occupied a very different end of the market. Korean accounts describe a combination of declining profitability, aging facilities, and later financial and management difficulties. The park's amusement-ride operations ultimately ended in 2011.

Why Yongma Land Closed

The closure of Yongma Land was not abrupt. While the rise of mega-parks created a competitive context, official records from the Seoul Metropolitan Government cite low profits and dilapidation over time as primary reasons for its decline. According to Korean reporting, the park faced financial and management difficulties following a stalled 1999 project to add equestrian and sports facilities. By 2011, its license to operate as an amusement park was revoked, leaving its rides unused on the Yongmasan hillside.

When Decay Became the Attraction

Unlike many abandoned sites, Yongma Land developed a legal second life as a privately operated photography and filming location. In effect, the park acquired a second business model. Visitors once paid to ride Yongma Land's attractions. Today, they pay to photograph the fact that those attractions no longer run. The cracked fiberglass figures on the old carousel and the old Viking ship ride offer an unusually accessible site of urban decay.

How K-Pop Gave Yongma Land a Second Life

The park's unique visual texture caught the attention of the South Korean entertainment industry. Yongma Land has appeared in K-pop productions involving Crayon Pop, EXO, TWICE, IU, and other artists. Crayon Pop's "Bar Bar Bar" music video is particularly associated with the location, utilizing the contrast between high-energy pop choreography and the rusted aesthetic of defunct rides. Media exposure helped establish Yongma Land as a sought-after backdrop for photo shoots and entertainment productions.

Can You Visit Yongma Land Today?

Yongma Land remains accessible as a privately operated photography and filming location rather than a functioning amusement park. VISITKOREA currently lists opening hours of 10:00–18:00, with adult admission at 10,000 KRW and children's admission at 5,000 KRW. Access can be restricted during filming or private rentals, so visitors should check current information before traveling to the site. The old rides now function primarily as scenery and photography props rather than operating attractions.