The name of Jegi-dong (祭基洞) , located on both sides of Jeongneungcheon Stream to the north of Wangsan – ro (旺山路), comes from the Seonnongdan (先農壇) where the king of the Joseon Dynasty personally held a ceremony to pray for a good harvest, worshipping the Shinnong (神農) and Houjik (后稷) clans as the main gods . It is said that the name , which originally meant “ the place where the ceremony was held,” was later changed to the Chinese character pronunciation of Jegi (祭基) .

[ Korean Today ] Panoramic view of Seonnongdan in Seoul ( Data provided by : Encyclopedia of Korean Culture ) ⓒ Reporter Park Chan-du

During the Joseon Dynasty, there were five natural villages in Jegi – dong : Jeteo ( Gye- teo ) , Bukjegi ( Bukjegi ) , Borin – gye ( Bo – rin – gye ) , Bangadari , and Yongmeori .

There is also the site of Bojewon (普濟院) , which provided free lodging to travelers during the Joseon Dynasty and prescribed medicine for the sick; Seongdong Station (城東驛), which used to be the starting station for the Gyeongchun Line (京春線) , was located where Midop Department Store is now ; Gyeongdong Medicinal Herbs Market (京東藥令市) , where 70% of the nation’s herbal medicines are distributed ; and Gyeongdong Market , Cheongnyangni Market , and Dongseo Market .

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