Jongmyo as urban heterotopia: sacred memory and otherness in hypermodern Seoul

Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site and ritual space of the Joseon Dynasty, functions as an 'urban heterotopia'—a counter-space that defies Seoul's hypermodern norms of efficiency and commodification while preserving sacred memory and hierarchy. The study reveals Jongmyo’s unique spatial logic: its secluded, horizontal order contrasts with the city’s verticality and openness, embodying 'observable tradition' while serving as a potential site of political rupture in daily urban life. By applying Foucault’s heterotopia theory and comparing it to Confucian and Shinto traditions, the research highlights Jongmyo’s role in spatializing sacredness, death, and memory, offering insights into how heritage sites navigate modernity.

Youn, H. (2025). Jongmyo as urban heterotopia: sacred memory and otherness in hypermodern Seoul. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 31(11), 1414–1439. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2025.2543745