The Seoul Museum of History archive is a good bet, but I'd also check the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies at Seoul National University. They've got a surprising amount of early 20th century survey maps and photos that show Cheongpa-dong's layout before the expressway cut through. If you're actually walking around, head to the area near Yongsan Middle School, specifically the narrow staircase alleys off Toegye-ro 64-gil. There's a tiny park called Cheongpa Park that sits on what used to be the village square, and the old retaining walls along the hill still have these hand-carved stone drainage channels from the Joseon period that most people walk right past.

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honestly the most interesting remnant isn't even a building, it's the old stone staircases that connect the different levels of the neighborhood. there's this one called 청파동계단길 near the Yongsan Electronics Market entrance that's been there since the japanese colonial period, the steps are all worn down in the middle from decades of foot traffic. the buildings around it are all modern now but the path itself is still the original route people used to get from the village up to Namsan

also if you have time, stop by the little sundries shop at the bottom of those stairs, the ajumma running it has been there since the 70s and she keeps old photos taped to her register. she might show you if you buy something and ask nicely

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You're right that a lot changed. Cheongpa-dong 1-ga was hit hard by the Gyeongbu Expressway construction in the late 60s and then the redevelopment projects of the 80s and 90s. What you're seeing in those old photos is the original village layout, which was mostly wiped out, but it's not all gone. Walk up the hill toward Namsan, specifically the alleys behind the Cheongpa-dong Community Service Center, and you'll find a few clusters of old hanok that survived because they're higher up and harder to bulldoze. They're not in great shape, some are abandoned, but you can still see the original stone foundations and tile roofs if you look closely. For old photos, the Seoul Museum of History has a decent digital archive, and searching for "청파동 옛사진" on Naver will pull up some blog posts from locals who documented the area before the last big demolitions in the early 2000s.

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this is a solid list, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card also works for the airport railroad express (arex) and you can get a discount if you buy a "climate card" from the subway machines for like 62,000 won a month, unlimited rides on seoul metro and buses. also, for free stuff, the seoul city wall hiking trail from naksan park gives you amazing views of the city and bukchon without paying a thing, plus it's way less crowded than namsan. gwangjang market is great but go for the sundubu (7000 won) at the stalls in the back, not the front ones near the entrance which are pricier for tourists

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honestly the guide nails it, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card deposit is refundable at any convenience store when you leave, most people forget and just toss it. also for free stuff, the seoul philharmonic does free outdoor concerts at seoul plaza in spring and fall, just show up with a blanket. if you're near hongdae on a friday night, the playground area has buskers that are genuinely talented, way better than the overhyped clubs

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i live here and a few things this guide nails. one tip that saves me money is the "climate card" for 62,000 won a month, unlimited subway and bus, even works on the airport express if you're staying a while. for cheap eats, skip the main streets in hongdae and go into the alleys behind the art center, there's a place that does dwaeji gukbap (pork soup) for 7,000 won and it's way better than the tourist spots. also, the seoul city wall trail from naksan park is free and gives you killer views without the namsan tower price tag, way less crowded too

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