| Seongwoo Barbershop | |
| Native Name: | 성우이용원 |
| Native Name Lang: | ko |
| Industry: | Barbershop |
| Founder: | Seo Jae-deok |
| Hq Location: | 4-1 Hyochangwon-ro 97-gil, Mapo District, Seoul, South Korea |
Seongwoo Barbershop is a historic barbershop in Seoul, South Korea. It is the oldest active barbershop in Seoul, having been founded in 1927.[1] [2] It has remained a family business, and was operated by the third generation of the family. The store opened and has since remained in the same location since its founding, although it was originally a thatched-roof hanok. The Seoul Metropolitan Government registered it as an Oraegage, a store of historic value,[3] as well as a Seoul Future Heritage, and provided funds for reconstruction after typhoon damage caused the collapse of the historic facade in 2019.[4]
The business was founded by Seo Jae-deok, whom was reportedly the second person in Korea to obtain a barber license. Lee Seong-sun was an employee at the barbershop; Seo took such a liking to him that he had Lee marry into the family, and he designated Lee as the successor. In 1935, Lee took over the business and renamed it . In 1971, Lee's son Lee Nam-yeol took over. The younger Lee had worked at the barbershop since he graduated from middle school in 1965. Some of the store's equipment has been used for most of the store's history, with a hair dryer dating back 90 years and a blade from 1934. The store was reportedly having difficulty securing a successor in 2019.[3]