Renovated from a wire factory built in 1963, the site was designated Busan's first private garden in 2024

The "Sori-gil" bamboo path at F1963 garden, whose straight yet flexible stalks echo the qualities of wire. [Provided by Busan city government]
The "Sori-gil" bamboo path at F1963 garden, whose straight yet flexible stalks echo the qualities of wire. [Provided by Busan city government]

The F1963 garden in Suyeong-gu, Busan, has been selected as one of the "2026 30 Most Beautiful Private Gardens in Korea," the city announced Tuesday.

The program, run by the Korea Forest Service, aims to discover outstanding private gardens across the country, share the stories behind them and promote a broader culture of gardening.

F1963 was the only Busan entry among the 30 gardens chosen from 194 private gardens nationwide this year. The garden sits within F1963, a mixed-use cultural complex built by renovating and repurposing a wire factory that Kiswire established in 1963. The site was also designated Busan's first official private garden in December 2024.

The name "F1963" combines "F" for factory with "1963," the year the original factory was built. Gardens have been woven throughout the preserved industrial structure and existing framework, creating a harmony between the site's industrial heritage and nature.

The complex features several distinct garden spaces, each reflecting the site's history and character. "Sori-gil" is a bamboo-lined forest path whose straight yet supple stalks mirror the qualities of wire. "Dalbit Garden," a former wastewater treatment facility transformed into an ecological garden, blends lotus flowers, ornamental plants and a glass greenhouse to reinterpret the site's industrial legacy through a garden lens. "Danpung Garden," shaded by zelkova trees and rich with autumn foliage, offers a natural retreat within the city.

Busan city said it plans to use the recognition as an opportunity to highlight the value of privately cultivated gardens, and to continue identifying new private gardens and spreading garden culture across the region.


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com