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Annyeong Korya

Located right on the coast, the metropolis of Busan is the second largest city of Korea after its capital Seoul and the country’s main seaport which is hailed among the busiest ports in the world. With the warm people, sumptuous cuisine, beautiful beaches, scenic attractions, rich culture and tradition, modern structures, and interesting history, it's no wonder that Busan is unarguably a vibrant city, and hence it's regarded as the country's ‘Global Hub City’ and the ‘Summer Capital of Korea.’

Busan is unarguably Korea's summer capital and the premier hub for international summits.

After it successfully hosted the 2019 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit and the 1st Mekong-Republic of Korea Summit in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations, Busan is gaining a lot of attention today not just from the people of the Southeast Asian nations but also visitors and tourists alike across the globe.

It isn’t the first time that Busan has hosted such significant events as it was also the host city of the 2005 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, simply known as APEC, in which series of political meetings between the 21 member economies were held. As the premier venue in bridging connection between Korea and other nations, what else should Busan be proud of and can offer the world this summertime? Let us enjoy, experience, and take a look at some of the wonders of Busan that for sure you will be fascinated with this hot season.

When talking about Busan attractions, I bet the first thing that comes to your mind are the beaches of the city and Haeundae Beach tops the travel bucket list. The long stretch of the white sand beach combined with the clear blue waters and beautiful skyline continues to attract vacationers each year especially during the summertime and autumn season where various festivals such as the Haeundae Sand Festival, Busan Biennale, and Busan One-Asia Festival to name a few are being held. Besides the many festivities where you can enjoy the scenic view, smell the sea, feel the breeze, and hear the waves of Haeundae, there are also pubs, cafés, restaurants, and world-class hotels along the beach where the public can eat, relax and busk from morning until the night.

Scenic view overlooking Busan’s coastline from the APEC Nurimaru House.

At the southern end of the Haeundae Beach is where the Dongbaek Island is humbly situated in which a scenic park and several walking trails are hidden against the lush vegetation of pine trees and blooming red camellias during its peak season in spring. In addition to the lovely scenery, the Nurimaru APEC House is also situated in the island and which is an official venue of the 2019 ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit. Nurimaru, which means “the summit of the world,” was built primarily for the 2005 APEC Summit. After Korea hosted the inter-governmental forum, it has then become a popular venue for many conferences and events, and at the same time, a tourist attraction. When we visited the Nurimaru APEC House in autumn a few years ago, I immediately noticed its stunning architectural design that even though it's a modern structure, it still maintains the traditional architecture unique to Korea. From here, since it's on the island, you will also appreciate the view overlooking the waters of Busan particularly the popular Marine City which is regarded as ‘Asia's New York’ for its cluster of reigning skyscrapers which includes the yacht club of The Bay 101, and the Gwangandaegyo Bridge, known as the Diamond Bridge, which in particular attractive at night as it lights the surrounding area and the sea like glittering gems. 

The Busan Cinema Center, known as the city’s ‘Home of Cinema,’ is also worth a visit as it is the host venue of the annual prestigious Busan International Film Festival every October. It features the world's best 'big roof' in which it is transformed into a beautiful outdoor lighting spectacle during the night. Moreover, if you're into art, you can also visit the Busan Museum of Art which holds various curated art exhibitions that are sure to amaze everyone. The multi-purpose center of BEXCO, short for Busan Exhibition and Convention Center, is another popular attraction in the city with an exhibition hall that is 3 times the size of a football field. Located in the Centum City, this is where concert performances, major events, and international conventions are held including the successful hosting of the 2019 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit, the largest official international conference held in Korea since the inauguration of President Moon Jae-in.

The old downtown of Nampo-dong has been revived to bring to life the main commercial business district of Busan in the 80s until 90s. Today, it's crowded with people, the young and movie goers in particular, as all sorts of activities and various shops, restaurants, and food stalls line up the streets, and not to mention, the many theaters in the famed Cine Street that provides a unique experience to visitors where the first festivity of BIFF was held. When winter comes, it's also great to welcome the holidays in the nearby Gwangbok-ro street as it hosts the annual Christmas Tree Festival in December wherein Busan sparkles with holiday ornaments and the tall shimmering Christmas tree as the city’s centerpiece.

While in downtown Busan, you can also visit the over 100-year old Yongdusan Park, the first park built in the city. Around the park which resembles a dragon’s head, a pavilion can be found where the annual ringing ceremony of the Citizen's Bell on the eve of New Year is held. Yongdusan Park also features the Flower Clock next to the Bell Pavilion, the proud statue of the great Korean general Admiral Yi Sun-shin, a dragon monument near the park entrance, a Buddhist temple, and the ever famous landmark of Busan Tower which is perched on top of the mountain-built park. I will never forget our short visit to the 120-meter high Busan Tower one afternoon as we got to see the panoramic view of Busan’s coastline, the neighborhood, and entire port city from its observatory. From afar, you will see the harbor highlighted by the busy yachts and boats sailing in every direction as well as the picturesque culture village of Gamcheon, and some of the most beautiful bridges in the city including the bascule bridge of Yeongdodaegyo that connects the mainland Busan and the island of Yeongdo where it is lifted several times every day to let ships to pass by the north and south ports.

Gamcheon Culture Village is an impressive historic village where the houses were built in a stair-like on a hillside without overlapping the other’s view towards the coast in Busan.

Still fresh in my mind, our visit to the Gamcheon Culture Village is a fun-filled and knowledge-rich experience as not only we enjoyed the walking tour here but at the same time we learned a lot about the history of the place. Gamcheon is a historic village that once used as a settlement of the poor refugees from the Korean War, and today, it stands as an impressive village built on the hillside overlooking the coast of Busan. Regarded as the 'Machu Picchu' in Korea, this village is one of the postcard worthy tourist spots in Busan as the village houses were built like stairs without overlapping each other’s view towards the sea. The culture village also features maze alleyways adorned with art pieces, captivating sculptures, and street murals made by the resident artists. One of the popular activities you can enjoy here is the stamp tour where you will be able to explore all the famous spots and where you can also have firsthand experience on how to make wood crafts and souvenirs in some workshops.

Busan’s eomuk fish cakes are particularly famous as they're said to be the most delicious of such in Korea.

Ssiat hotteok, a sweet fried dough filled with a variety of nuts, is a must-try street food considered as the people’s favorite in Busan.

Your Busan experience is never complete without visiting its traditional markets. As the city also takes pride of its fresh seafood, you can also drop by the Jagalchi Market, the largest fish market in Korea, when you get tired of your day tour for some seafood delights. This is where you can find the freshest catch of the day and not just fish but a wide variety of seafood such as abalone, sea cucumber, octopus, clams, and more which you can buy and then it’s prepared and cooked into a delicious meal right in front of you whether you like it raw, grilled, and or with soup. Furthermore, you can as well enjoy an array of Busan’s representative dishes at the historic Gukje Market, where American supplies were once distributed here after the liberation of Korea and which in turn influenced the local commerce. You can taste authentic Busan cuisine here like eomuk, the most delicious fish cakes in Korea, fresh raw fish hoe, pork soup dwaeji gukbap, cold wheat noodles milmyeon, haemul pajeon or seafood scallion pancake, and also seasonal food sold by warm, ever smiling Busan locals especially during autumn such as ssiat hotteok, a sweet fried dough filled with various nuts and sunflower seeds, which you can pair with a cup of sweet pumpkin juice, some sweetened fried rice cakes, and freshly steamed ginkgo nuts. As various shops are clustered in the market, in addition to the variety of food, you can as well buy vintage goods, household items, kitchen utensils, hanbok, other dry goods, and the rarest ingredients for your recipes. Moreover, it is also famous as a filming site for various dramas and hit movies as ‘Gukje Market,’ known globally as ‘Ode To My Father,’ which made the place even more popular for tourists to visit.

A good find in the book-filled alley of Bosudong in downtown Busan.

If you love books, you can also stroll in the book alley of Bosudong Book Street which is near the Jagalchi Market. Visiting this place is truly a remarkable experience for me as you can find all books you can imagine here as the alleys are filled with new, secondhand, and even rare books which you can bargain depending on their conditions. Name the book, for sure they have it here. 
Yeondo Island in Busan is also popular among the locals and tourists as it is where the natural park of Taejongdae is situated. Before reaching the place, you will first take a ride of the danubi train that loops around the park through the thriving forest of pine trees and then a walk of few meters away to get to the park and its observatory. It's quite a tiring journey but seeing Taejongdae located on the magnificent cliffs facing the open sea and in which during fine day you can have a glimpse of Japan’s Tsushima Island, the closest point from Korea, is definitely worth it. Also, the park features a number of sculptures including 'the arrow' which is famous as a photo ops spot for tourists and the towering Taejongdae Lighthouse. 

A captivating pavilion situated inside the temple complex of the Haedong Yonggungsa which is built near the coast in Busan.

Busan will never fail to amaze the public. Besides these attractions, some of Korea's most beautiful and unique temples can be found here as well. The Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is one of the few Buddhist temples in Korea built near the coast as most of the temples are found in the mountains. I still remember the day we went there. It was my first time to visit and pay my respect to a Buddhist temple so I will never forget my experience praying in the main hall in which as we pray, the Buddhists also chant their prayers in harmony. I am indeed lucky to experience a piece of the Buddhist culture of Korea as months later my wish was then granted. The entire temple complex is very solemn as it is tucked between the sea and the nearby forested mountain. Stone sculptures of the twelve Chinese zodiacs and the main arc adorned with two golden dragons guard the temple’s entrance. Besides, there are also sculptures of Buddha, stone pagodas, pavilions, and an underground cave where you can also offer your prayers as well as some souvenir shops and food stalls for devotees to enjoy. Moreover, Beomusa Temple is also a place where you can find peace and solemnity. It's one of the three major temples in the region of Yeongnam which was founded by Buddhist Uisang through the decree of King Munmu of Silla. Located on the slope of Mt. Geumjeongsan, the temple boasts picturesque scenery all year round most especially in autumn where the trees change their color from green into hues of copper, red, orange, and yellow.

Cityscape of Busan during the day as seen from the proud Busan Tower—―the centerpiece of the Yongdusan Park.

Songdo, the first designated swimming beach in Korea, which is in the western part of Busan also has great spots and attractions. In addition to its beach, the famous Skywalk is located here with a distance of 365-meters stretching from the mainland and around the turtle-shape island of Geobukseom. It's built above the sea where the pathway is made of glass-paneled floors. Everyone can enjoy the majestic waves and the cold breeze of the ocean here especially during the setting of the golden sun. Also, the popular ropeway of the Songdo Marine Cable Car is as well a famous attraction here which has crystal cabins with transparent floors that runs about 8-minutes per way from Songnim Park and to the west side of the beach where the Amnam Park is located. From its observatories, shops and restaurants are the source of enjoyment of many visitors and tourists.

Set of photos on display at the Busan Modern History Museum that highlights the daily life of the Korean people during the Japanese colonization.

Busan is such a history-rich city that is why if you visit the place you would feel the harmony of old and the new. One that I can say that is worth visiting to learn something about Korean history is the Busan Modern History Museum. Here you will learn not just a part of Busan’s interesting past but also of Korea during the Japanese colonial rule through various exhibitions of decades-old photos, letters, and newspapers. The museum was once occupied by a national enterprise established by the Empire of Japan to support the colonization of Korea and was later used by the United States Information Agency after the country’s liberation in 1945. A short visit here would make your visit to Busan meaningful and all the more special.

In pop culture, the blockbuster movie 'Train to Busan' also made the city even more popular as it chronicles Busan as a safe zone in which, in history, it’s also the safest place on the peninsula when the Korean War broke out in the 1950s.

Busan is accessible by train or bus from Seoul and vice versa. Through the KTX high-speed trains it will take about 2 1/2 hours travel time to reach the city.

Busan is accessible by train or bus from Seoul and vice versa. But for me, as Korea Train eXpress high-speed trains connect Seoul to Busan, taking the KTX is the fastest and comfortable way to travel to the city with approximate travel time of 2 1/2 hours. Most of the main attractions are also within reach by the extensive metro subway where you can get around Busan the quickest and cheapest way from downtown and as far as the nearby city of Gimhae.

Busan is indeed a dynamic city. Just like Seoul, there really are a lot of activities that you can enjoy and experience this summer season, from the hospitality of the people, deliciously good food, amazing spots, and beach attractions, to many opportunities to grow and learn Korean culture and history, for sure you will have a memorable stay in this part of Korea. With the successful hosting of the 2019 ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, it has gained growing global interest and continued to influence the world to unite for the betterment of many. Through this, the city has maintained its spotlight as the center for international conventions and one of Korea's most inviting, beautiful and livable cities. Come, experience Busan this summertime!


"Experience Busan, Korea’s premier hub for international conventions," October 29, 2019 was first published on the Talk Talk Korea web portal. All photos used herein are property of Annyeong Korya which are protected under applicable copyrights.
23 June No comments
Sageuk are generally based on historical archives and one of these is the remarkably detailed Annals of the Choson Dynasty. It’s the daily record of the nearly 500-year reign of the longest dynasty of Korea that documents the headship of the Joseon kings. These historical records and manuscripts were accurately recorded by historiographers called sagwan so it is exceptionally rich in content and this is why these annals are the core source of various historical period set drama series and films nowadays. If you have watched some sageuk, you’ll probably noticed the palace historiographers that wherever the king goes, they follow along with their papers and ink brushes to record his daily activities and state affairs.
The life story of Empress Myeongseong, official wife of King Gojong and the last Empress of Korea, is portrayed in the self-title drama ‘Empress Myeongseong’and motion film ‘The Sword with No Name.’

Joseon Dynasty
Joseon, officially the Kingdom of Great Joseon (1392-1897), is the last dynasty that ruled over Korea for about five centuries. It’s the longest ruling dynastic state based on the ideology of Neo Confucianism in which enormous progress have been recorded in the history of Korea particularly the foundation of its classical culture, art, literature, education, early science and technology, and its society.

After nearly 500 years of Goryeo’s rule, the kingdom concluded with the founding of Joseon. Born as Yi Seong-gye, Yi Dan was the founder and first king of the Joseon Dynasty that revived the legendary kingdom of Gojoseon (2333 BC-108 BC). The then General Yi Seong-gye gained his power through his contribution in the military which later led a coup d'etat that resulted in the dethronement of previous rulers particularly his puppet king Gongyang of Goryeo (r. 1389-1392). King Gongyang was exiled to Wonju along with his family where they all ended up murdered. Following the seized of the throne, Yi Seong-gye has found an alliance with aristocrats Jeong Do-jeon and Jo Jun who were also became instrumental in his ascension in the Joseon throne as King Taejo (r. 1392-1398). A part of King Taejo’s reign is depicted in the blockbuster historical period feature film ‘The Pirates.’

A scene in the drama series ‘Deep Rooted Tree’ where in King Sejong the Great speaks with So-yi who helped him in the creation of Hangeul. King Sejong of Joseon is credited in the invention of Hangeul, or the official Korean alphabet.

The conflict in politics between Jeong Do-jeon, who was involved in helping King Taejo to establish Joseon, and Prince Yi Bang-won, who wanted an absolute power and will later reign as King Taejong of Joseon (r. 1400-1418), was portrayed in the popular Korean drama series ‘Six Flying Dragons.’ Meanwhile, its loose sequel ‘Deep Rooted Tree’ is centered on the early years of King Sejong (r. 1418-1450) specifically his reign after his grandfather King Taejong’s headship and the depiction of the historic creation of the Korean alphabet Hangeul until it was introduced to the public that helped many commoners of Joseon to learn how to write and read. Moreover, King Sejong's more in-depth life story is depicted in the sageuk ‘King Sejong the Great’ where in his enthronement as Joseon king and his huge contributions to the nation’s flourishing culture and heritage was exceptionally portrayed.

Joseon scientist ‘Jang Yeong-sil’ is illustrated in a self-title drama series. When King Sejong the Great passed a policy on national civil service where the selection of officials for government posts will be based on their talent and not by their social class, Jang Yeong-sil successfully entered the royal palace and worked at the Hall of Worthies despite being a commoner born. In Joseon, inventor Jang showed his potential and made great contributions to the advancement of science and technology of the early modern Joseon. Some of his notable inventions include the honcheoni celestial globe used in astronomy, iron-made printing press gabinja, jagyeokru water clock, agbu ilgu sundial, cheugugi rain gauge, and significant research on the progress of Joseon’s weaponry.

Dae Jang Geum, the first female royal physician of Joseon, is depicted in the global hit sageuk television series ‘Jewel in the Palace.’


Moreover, the story of Joseon’s first female royal doctor was chronicled in the hit historical television drama series ‘Dae Jang Geum,’ more widely known as ‘Jewel in the Palace.’ Besides the Joseon physician's journey, the life and politics inside the royal palace, and the thriving culture and traditions unique to Korea including its inviting royal court cuisine and traditional medicine were also showcased in the sageuk. While it‘s loosely centered on Dae Jang Geum’s life, the drama also chronicled the ruling years of many Joseon kings, from the reigns of King Seongjong (r. 1469-1494) and Yeonsangun (r. 1494-1506) until the time in power of King Myeongjong (r. 1545-1567) as the 13th king of Joseon. Dae Jang Geum is one of the sageuk dramas that best represents the grandeur and dynastic rule of the Joseon nation which has earned huge viewership globally.

King Sejong’s sons, Grand Prince Suyang who will reign as King Sejo (r. 1455-1468), the 7th king of Joseon dynasty, and Grand Prince Anpyeong is depicted in the historical period drama series ‘Grand Prince’ in which the story was roughly based in their life as princes and rivalry in the Joseon throne. Yeonsangun, the 10th monarch of Joseon, who was the eldest son of King Seongjong by his second wife, is illustrated in the Korean stage play turned into movie ‘King and the Clown.’ Set in the 15th century, the story is loosely based on the favorite court clown of the Joseon king named Gong-gil who was mentioned in the annals. In history, Yeonsangun is often regarded as the worst ruler of Joseon for disgracefully leading the killings of elite scholars and bringing many women to serve as entertainers inside his palace. Relevantly, as gisaeng are common entertainers during the Joseon period, one drama series that best depicts their typical lifestyle is ‘Hwang Jini’ which was set during the reign of King Jungjong (r. 1506-1544). Hwang Jini, also known by her gisaeng name Myeongwol, or 'Bright Moon,' was one of the most famous gisaeng of Joseon who is said to be with exceptional beauty and intelligence.

The kings of Joseon with interesting stories are undoubtedly the most portrayed in sageuk dramas and movies. One of them is the tragic life story of Prince Gwanghae of Joseon (r. 1608-1623) who was deposed from Joseon throne in a coup and later exiled in the island of Jeju due to the feuds between political factions during his reign. Born with the name Yi Hon, the realistic ruler Gwanghaegun was the second son of King Seonjo (r. 1567-1608) to royal concubine Lady Kim Gongbin. Gwanghaegun, the 15th king of Joseon, along with his contentious relationship with his father King Seonjo who is recognized in reforming taxation laws and his efforts in the Seven Year War (1592-1598) between the Ming Empire of China and Japan over the Korean peninsula are loosely depicted in various hit Korean historical period dramas such as ‘Splendid Politics’ and ‘The King's Face’ including the blockbuster Korean sageuk films ‘Warriors of the Dawn’ and ‘Masquerade.’ Although the latter film about Gwanghaegun is merely fictional, it still depicts the glory days of the Joseon king.

Korea’s highest grossing film of all time ‘The Admiral: Roaring Currents’ which was based on the legendary feat of the historical figure and naval commander Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) was also set during King Seonjo's reign. The sageuk film revolves around the historic Battle of Myeongnyang during the Imjin War in 1597 which was regarded as the admiral's greatest naval victories for successfully defeating more than 300 Japanese vessels against his own fleet of 13 ships. Besides, the drama series ‘Goddess of Fire, Jung Yi’ which showcases the magnificent pottery and craft of the Joseon-made white porcelains was also set during Prince Gwanghae’s reign. It depicts the real-life historical figure Baek Pa-sun, renowned first female potter and porcelain artist of Joseon who was appointed as china craft maker for the royal family. BaekPa-sun was among the Korean artisans captured in force by the Japanese during their invasion in 1592 and who continued their craft in pottery in the foreign land.

Shin Saimdang (1504-1551) is also a notable historical figure of the Korean history in which her inspiring story is represented in the sageuk drama ‘Shin Saimdang: Memoir of Colors.’ Although the famous Joseon era-artist, poet and calligrapher's life is loosely portrayed in the television series, the story showcased her contributions in Korean culture and history as well as the portrayal of being a wise, loving, and wonderful mother to her children and Yi I (1536-1584), her son who later became a prominent Korean Confucian scholar and was also portrayed in the drama in his early childhood. Some of her poetry works, remarkable paintings, and the treasured Goryeo paper were also featured as part of the well-plot sageuk. In the modern day, for her achievements and legacy, Shin Saimdang is the first woman to be included on Korea's official banknotes, the 50,000 Korean won note in particular, along with his son Yi I who appeared in the current 5,000 Korean won.

Significant events in Korean history are as well illustrated in some historical period dramas. The Second Manchu Invasion of Korea (1636) is depicted in the novel turned into film ‘The Fortress’ where King Injo (r. 1623-1649), the 16th king of Joseon, and his followers seek refuge in the Namhansanseong fortress. After the Qing invasion of Joseon which occurred in 1636, it gave a way to yet another invasion of Manchu where the historical period film ‘War of the Arrows’ was set. Archery has long been used by Korean warriors during the olden times in which the film was heavily focused on.

During the dynasties of Korea, besides the queen, it was common for kings to have many concubines especially if they have no heirs to take over the throne. In sageuk dramas, the queen’s conflict with royal concubines is often portrayed but it is uncommon that their life stories are showcase in a drama series. Few of these are the historical television series ‘Jang Ok-jeong: Living by Love’ and ‘Dong Yi’ which are loosely based on real life historical figures and Joseon's best known royal noble consorts Jang Ok-jeong(1659-1701) and Choi Suk-bin (1670-1718) respectively. In history, the two concubines had conflict over the royal power which resulted in the death of Jang Ok-jeong in favor of Lady Choi by King Sukjong (r. 1674-1720). Choi Suk-bin's second son Prince Yeoning was crowned as King Yeongjo of Joseon (r. 1724-1776), the 21st Joseon king, who was the father of Crown Prince Sado and grandfather of Yi San.

The reigns of King Yeongjo, Crown Prince Sado and his son Yi San, the future 22nd ruler of Joseon as King Jeongjo (r. 1776-1800), is dramatized in the sageuk ‘Secret Door’ and ‘Yi San: Wind of the Palace.’ In the two Korean drama series, the conflicted relationship between the king father and his crown prince son as well as the later King Jeongjo's rise to Joseon kingship is greatly depicted.

Other than that, the ‘Painter of the Wind’ set during the reign of King Jeongjo was centered loosely on the story of Shin Yun-bok (1758-1813), a realistic painter during his time in which he is compared to renowned Joseon painters Danwon and Geungjae. In the drama series, around forty notable paintings such as Shin Yun-bok's Gidalim (Waiting) and Kim ‘Danwon’ Hongdo's Songhamaenghodo (Drunkard Under a Tree) were featured to showcase the astounding craftsmanship and painting skills of Korean painters in the early times.

There are more Korean historical period dramas and films showcasing the other aspects of the early modern period of Joseon such as the ‘Moon Embracing the Sun,’ which shows the old practice of shamanism against the power of faith, and the novel-based drama ‘The Merchant Gaekju,’ which chronicles the lives of peddlers during the period in which the story centers on the conflict that most common Joseon traders are facing against the most powerful in business and trading. In addition to, ‘The Royal Gambler,’ also known as ‘Jackpot,’ portrays the gambling world in the Joseon era while the historical period film ‘The Royal Tailor’ tells the conflict story of two great tailors of Sanguiwon where the royal attire and hanbok were made during the Joseon dynasty. The sageuk film showcases the elegance of hanbok, or the traditional Korean clothing used by the Joseon royalties. Even though these content are mostly not based on real life stories, they still represents significant part of Korea’s culture and history as a whole.

Korean Empire
‘Gunman of Joseon’ was set in the newly transitioned Korean Empire (1897-1910) under the third year reign of Gojong (r. 1863-1907), the last king of Joseon (r. 1863-1897) and first Emperor of Korea (r. 1897-1907). While the historical drama is not based on life story, the rapid progress and modernization of the later dynasty particularly the introduction of more advanced weaponry is depicted. Even though the drama series centers on the theme of fictional romance, it’s still centered on politics set within the era of the longest dynasty of Korea.

Empress Myeongseong (1851-1895), the first official wife of King Gojong and the last Empress of Korea, was portrayed in the self-titled television drama series ‘Empress Myeongseong’ and in the historical film ‘The Sword with No Name.’ In October 1895, she was assassinated at a private royal residence inside the Gyeongbok Palace by the Japanese agents under Miura Goro, which is known today as the Eulmi Incident. ‘The Last Princess,’ which was set in the later years of the dynasty, is also a remarkable sageuk as it depicts the life of Deokhye in Japan as the last princess of Joseon including a part of the life story of Emperor Sunjong of Korea (r. 1907-1910), the 2nd and last emperor of the Korean Empire. In the drama series, it chronicles how she was forcibly brought to Japan at a young age of 13 by the then Japanese Imperial government and her endeavour to finally return back home in Korea. The Korean Empire was abolished on August 29, 1910 and which ended the 519 years of reign of the Joseon dynasty.

These sageuk dramas and films are only a few of the many that are worth watching as they are of significance to the history of Korea. Although they are mostly fictional, they are still worthy to keep track as you will have a fascinating glimpse of Korea's great history and diverse culture that have survived time and series of wars. I have watched most of these sageuk and tracing Korean history from them is quite challenging as you have to consult various references but at the same it’s nurturing as you get to learn so many things. The classical culture, unique heritage, old traditions, beautiful language, life, politics, religion, society, and even the appeal of Korean food, all of these truly represents Korea that we know today.

"Tracing Korea’s great history through sageuk," October 29, 2019 was first published on the Talk Talk Korea web portal. All photos used herein are property of Annyeong Korya which are protected under applicable copyrights.
11 May No comments
Values-driven, beautifully told, and a showcase of culture, these are just few characteristics that made saguek, or Korean historical period dramas and movies, popular today. As part of hallyu, it contributed huge to the Korean phenomenon’s global popularity and continues to influence other cultures along with K-pop music and the Korean cuisine.

My fondness for watching sageuk dramas gave me valuable knowledge about Korea. Since the adaptation of sageuk content in the Philippine entertainment scene, it sparked my interest and endless appreciation of everything Korea particularly its great history and diverse culture which is said to be one of the world’s most inviting and well-preserved.

But what is sageuk all about? Sageuk are mostly based on historical figures and important events in the Korean history wherein mostly are stories depicting the life of notable princes and kings in the grand era of Korea’s great dynasties. Although sageuk dramas and films nowadays are fictional in nature, they are still based on prominent figures who significantly contributed in the culture and history of the country.
Jumong, enthroned as King Dongmyeong, was the great founder of Goguryeo Kingdom as depicted in the sageuk ‘The Book of the Three Hans: The Chapter of Jumong.’

Historical records and annals have been the main reference of many sageuk dramas and movies so we are blessed that by watching such content we can have a glimpse of the old Korea. Travel through time, take a journey with me and let us trace Korea’s great history back from the ancient kingdoms to the medieval and early modern periods of Goryeo and Joseon.

Buyeo and Goguryeo Kingdom
Jumong, a prince of Buyeo and later was enthroned as King Dongmyeong of Goguryeo (r. 37 BCE-19 BCE), was depicted in the historical period drama series ‘The Book of the Three Hans: The Chapter of Jumong.’ The sageuk focuses on Jumong’s life as the great founder of Goguryeo (37 BCE-668 AD) which is one of the ‘Three Kingdoms of Korea’ together with Baekje and Silla. While much of the drama series is fictionalized as there were only few details recorded in history about the kingdom of Goguryeo and its ruler, it tells the story of the young prince Jumong and his growing rivalry with his half-brothers who had intention over the power of the Kingdom of Buyeo (2nd century BC-494 AD). The drama also chronicles how he built his own army that eventually succeeded in establishing the Kingdom of Goguryeo where he became the first king of the new nation.

Baekje Kingdom
Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-660 AD) was briefly cited in historical period dramaseries Jumong but the ancient kingdom is best depicted in the sageuk ‘The King of Legend,’ which was based on the story of King Geunchogo (r. 346 AD-375 AD) as the warrior king of Baekje. The story centers on the royal and political power of the kingdom that once ruled a part of the Chinese region and its control over the entire Korea. On the other hand, in the historical drama ‘King Gwanggaeto the Great,’ the Kingdom of Goguryeo was shown to be less powerful compared to Jumong’s noble leadership. Prior to Gwanggaeto's birth, King Geunchogo overcame the forces of Goguryeo in which he showed the prowess of the Kingdom of Baekje during his reign. As the plot progresses, Goguryeo ended up showing its great feat and restored its former glory during the reign of King Gwanggaeto (r. 391-413) as the 19th monarch of the kingdom.

Silla Kingdom
The highlight of important events in the history of the Kingdom of Silla (57 BC-935 AD), the last of the ancient Three Kingdoms of Korea, is portrayed in the drama series ‘Queen Seondeok.’ The story centers on the entire reign of the first female ruler of Silla and of the Korean history. Born as Princess Deokman, along with the help of her siblings, she succeeded her father King Jinheung's throne and proved herself worthy of the power of Silla despite that most of her people did not want her as the ruler of the state. In history, Queen Seondeok of Silla (r. 632-647) made reforms on tax and livelihood policies specifically for her constituents and the poor who later supported her will against male aristocracy.

‘Queen Seondeok’ of Silla is represented in the sageuk drama with the same title wherein the story chronicles her entire reign as the first female ruler of the Korean history. The illustration features General Kim Yu-sin and then Princess Deokman as depicted in the Korean television series.

The elite warrior group hwarang composed mainly of young men during the period of Silla is depicted in the sageuk ‘Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.’ Although King Jinheung (r. 540-576), the 24th monarch of Silla, has been loosely portrayed in the drama series in which the story focuses on how Silla’s hwarang warriors was established to protect the power of the kingdom, a part of it is still based on Korean history especially the depiction of Queen Jiso as regent in replaced of her son Jinheung who inherited the Silla's throne from his maternal grandfather at the very young age. Hwarang was established during King Jinheung's reign which would later play a significant role in the unification of the three ancient kingdoms.

The ‘Three Kingdoms of Korea’ is historically recorded in the Samguk sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms, 1145) which was written in classical Chinese and was ordered to compilation by King Injong (r. 1122-1146), the 17th ruler of Goryeo. It is considered as Korea's oldest surviving historical record which also includes monographs and biographies of notable people of Korea’s ancient kingdoms. Besides the Samguk sagi, there is also its Buddhist counterpart Saguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms, 1512) which is mostly based on traditional stories, folklores and legends.

King Taejong Muyeol was the 29th ruler of Silla who succeeded in the unification of the ‘Three Kingdoms of Korea’ as represented in the television drama series ‘Dream of the Emperor.’


Unified Silla Period Unified Silla is often referred to as the Later Silla (668-935) after it successfully brought together the central and southern regions of the Korean peninsula. Historically, Silla dominated Baekje and Goguryeo in the 7th century with a strong alliance with the Tang of China. Although there’s not much sageuk that depicts the prosperous kingdom of Unified Silla and the important events that unified the Three Kingdoms of Korea, one drama series that’s worth mentioning is the ‘Dream of the Emperor.’ The story chronicles how Kim Chun-chu, the grandson of King Jinji of Silla (r. 576-579), succeeded in becoming King Taejong Muyeol (r. 654-661), the 29th monarch of the kingdom who led the unification of the kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. Before Kim Chun-chu became monarch, there were frequent conflicts that happened resulting all his blood line demoted in the bone rank sytem and were considered not fit to rule Silla. This was when his grandfather was dethroned due to his lack of actions from the attacks made by their counterpart Baekje. However, with the death of his aunt Queen Seondeok and the last seonggeol royalty of Silla Queen Jindeok (r. 647-654), Kim Chun-chu who was also born with the "sacred bone” ascended to the throne as King Taejong Muyeol.

Gaya Confederacy
Kim Yu-sin, one of the greatest generals in Korean history, was also portrayed in the sageuk Dream of the Emperor. He was one of the key figures who led the unification of the ancient kingdoms of Korea. Besides, he was the close friend of King Taejong Muyeol in which he became the commander in chief of the royal army during the reign of Queen Seondeok. Yu-sin was the great grandchild of King Guhyeong (r. 521-532), the last ruler of Geumgwan Gaya (43-532), which was the reason behind his high position in Silla Kingdom. Furthermore, King Munmu of Later Silla (r. 661-681) was also given life in the historical drama as the first ruler of Unified Silla and reign the kingdom for twenty years when it finally defeated Baekje and Goguryeo. In history, he was born as Prince Beomin, the son of King Taejong Muyeol and Queen Munmyeong, who was the younger sister of General Kim Yu-sin.

King Go’s life story as the first ruler of the multi-ethnic kingdom of Balhae is depicted in the television drama series ‘Dae Jo-yeong.’



Balhae Kingdom
Balhae (698-926) is represented in the sageuk ‘Dae Jo-yeong’ which tells about the life story of the kingdom’s great founder. Under the leadership of Dae Jo-yeong, also known as King Go (r. 698-719), he led the Goguryeo refugees in establishing the new and multi-ethnic kingdom of Goguryeo after its historic fall and which was later called Balhae. This was to carry out the order that he received from Goguryeo’s last ruler.

Later Three Kingdoms of Korea
In the 9th century, the power of Later Silla has weakened during the reign of Queen Jinseong (r. 887-897) as the nation was controlled by more powerful statesmen which has resulted in a series of civil wars. Gyeon Hwon (r. 892-935), a rebel during the period of civil war, revolted against Later Silla in the Jeolla region where he established the state of Later Baekje (892-936). On the other hand, the northern regions controlled by Later Silla were also captured with a rebellion led by Gung-ye (r. 901-918) in which the state of Taebong, or Later Goguryeo (901-918), was established. When Wang Geon, who was from the noble clan of Goguryeo, came to Taebong to follow his father to service, the newly formed state fell into his hands and killed the harsh ruler Gung-ye wherein he was crowned as the first ruler of Goryeo (918-1392).

Goryeo Dynasty
The historical period drama ‘Emperor Wang Geon’ and motion film ‘Wang Geon, the Great’ are two of the prominent sageuk content that highlights the life of the military commander, how he managed to unite the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, and accomplished to become Taejo of Goryeo (r. 918-943). Besides the stories of Goryeo’s first ruler, his family was also illustrated in the drama series ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.’ Although the sageuk was based on a popular novel and centers mainly on the theme of love, it still shows the political structure of the early state of Goryeo, especially the rivalry and ambition of the princes for the throne. King Taejo's sons who later became rulers of the dynasty were also portrayed in the historical television series ‘The Dawn of the Empire’ specifically on Wang So (r. 949-975), or King Gwangjong's reign as the 4th king of the dynasty. Goryeo was reigned by 34 rulers which took over Korea for about 474 years after it conquered Later Silla and the Later Baekje surrendered its power.

While most of sageuk are based on the life of well-known rulers of old Korea, there are also some that tell the stories of prominent figures who contributed a lot to Korean history such as the life story of ‘Jeong Do-jeon’ (r. 1392-1398) in a Korean drama series with the same title. He was a remarkable scholar of the late Goryeo period who played a major role in the development of the political ideology and framework of the future nation of Joseon.

"Tracing Korea’s great history through sageuk," October 29, 2019 was first published on the Talk Talk Korea web portal. All photos used herein are property of Annyeong Korya which are protected under applicable copyrights.
08 May No comments
Busan is a dynamic city of exceptional beauty. With the ever-smiling people, amazing sceneries, beautiful attractions, blue beaches, towering modern structures, sumptuous delights and fresh seafood, the metropolis of Busan truly is one of the representative cities of Korea.

On the first day of our familiarization tour in Busan, we visited the picturesque Gamcheon Culture Village 감천문화마을 and the historic Taejongdae 태종대 which are both amazing and breathtaking places. We even toured the old town center of the city, from its famous traditional fish market to a short hiking trail on Mount Cheonma. The entire Korea.net team simply enjoyed seeing the beautiful night views of the stunning Busan cityscape.

The next day, we headed to some of the most interesting attractions in the port city, one of the places being is the blessed temple of Haedong Yonggungsa 해동용궁사.
Great view of the Buddhist temple of Haedong Yonggungsa as seen from the viewpoint area near the coast. © Jeon Han, Korea.net


A temple dedicated to Buddha, the Haedong Yonggungsa is one of the few temples on Korean peninsula to be built on the coast as most of such can be found in the mountains. It was constructed in 1376 by the great Buddhist teacher Naong during the Goryeo Dynasty.

At the main entrance of the temple complex, visitors will find themselves in rows of shops selling various kinds of local delicacies and products. As you walk along the pathway leading to the entrance, you will be welcome by the stone sculptures of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac which appear to be guarding the temple. Our tour guide asked us about our birth year to know our animal signs and earth snake is my zodiac. It was nice to see flocks of people taking their photos right next to their respective zodiac and I couldn’t let an opportunity pass to get myself as well a souvenir photo with my guardian.

The main arc of the temple is adorned with a pair of golden dragons meticulously designed to form the pillars. I don’t know what the real purpose of these dragons are but in Korean mythology and folklore, they served as guardians of the place. Besides the delicate arc, a stone pagoda will also greet all visitors upon entering the temple grounds.

The welcome arc of the Haedong Yonggungsa intricately designed with two golden dragons.


Just before going down to the sanctuary, about 108 stone steps welcomed us. According to our tour guide, these steps symbolize the 108 sacrifices a person has to face in his life before reaching enlightenment. The tradition is that you have to take all of the steps so as for you to overcome all sufferings in this life.

Stone stairs of 108 steps heading down the Buddhist temple of Haedong Yonggungsa.


A few steps from the temple entrance, a smiling Buddha with a big fat belly welcome visitors entering the stairway. The Buddha is said to bring good luck and help devotees by granting their desire for a son by rubbing his belly.

Korea.net Honorary Reporter Elena Kubitski tries out the customary tradition of rubbing the belly of the ‘Buddha of Sons’ for good luck. © Jeon Han, Korea.net



A timeworn footpath lead visitors to the complex of the Haedong Yonggungsa. © Jeon Han, Korea.net


Halfway down the 108 steps, we made a stop at the viewpoint area from which great views of the temple can be appreciated. With the beautiful soothing sounds of the waves crashing through the limestone boulders, it truly was a perfect spot to have a scenic view of the whole temple and watch the beautiful setting of the sun over the ocean.

Continuing our journey back down the stairway, we then reached the pretty attractive Half Moon Bridge which is a few steps away from the main temple. The beautiful stone bridge offers a magnificent view of the sea cliff and Busan’s clear waters. Moreover, there are also a number of images featuring the many faces of Buddha and a wishing Buddha down the bridge facing towards the open sea.

A narrow passage lead visitors to the main Buddhist temple.


There really is a great feeling of joy when you reach and finally see the Haedong Yonggungsa yourself. The sacred place is actually a complex consisting of landscapes, structures and pagodas devoted to Buddha in which the Daeungjeon is the main sanctuary decorated with traditional Korean Buddhist designs and intricate wooden dragon sculptures. The beautiful Yongwangdang Shrine, a unique Buddhist sanctum, a golden Buddha and three-story pagoda with four lions which signifies joy, anger, sadness and happiness are also located in the temple area where one can solemnly offer their prayers.

Crowds of devotees flock to the Haedong Yonggungsa.


Every day, thousands of people pay their visit to the Buddhist temple. One proof of this was the crowd of people appreciating their temple stay along with their friends and or families when we arrived inside the main grounds. After our tour guide gave us some instructions regarding our visit time, I made sure to make time to pray inside the temple’s main sanctuary.

Colorful, intricately designed Daeungjeon serves as the main sanctuary of the Buddhist temple.

Decorated with intricate designs, the Daeungjeon Main Sanctuary is the central attraction of the Haedong Yonggungsa where worshippers offer their prayers and requests to Buddha.

As a sign of respect, visitors take off their shoes before entering the main sanctuary of the Haedong Yonggungsa temple.


Upon entrance to the main sanctuary, you will be filled with a sense of tranquility while the incense burns and the Buddhist monks chant their prayers. This was my first time to pray inside a notable Buddhist temple which has a beautiful sanctum and a very solemn ambiance. Although I don’t have an actual experience on how to appropriately pray in a Buddhist temple, my personal observations inside the main altar and a little bit of knowledge gained from historical period dramas presented an opportunity and a great experience for me. I am not a follower of Buddhism, but if I have the rare opportunity to visit a sacred sanctuary such as this, I make sure to pray and at least pay my respects to the religion.

Buddhist monk chant prayers in the temple’s small shrine. © Jeon Han, Korea.net


After offering my prayers, my feet led me to the viewing platform of the shrine just a few steps away from Daeungjeon where a large statue of the goddess Buddha stands tall and in which you can see the whole complex in a spectacular setting nearby Busan’s north-eastern coast.

Besides, the temple place also features the Gulbeop Buddhist Sanctum, a unique altar enclosed in a cave. Even though I haven’t visited the site myself, it’s said to be one of the interesting sites in the temple where in visitors can offer their prayers. As it’s a cave, there’s as well a natural spring flowing inside it from which you can sample the said solemn water.

The temple is traditionally visited every celebration related to Buddha, particularly on his birthday when the place is ornamented with thousands of lit paper lanterns. Also, it’s a popular spot among Koreans on New Year's day where they gather to make a wish as they witness the first sunrise of the year, as well as during the springtime when all the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Aside from the many stands located in the entrance, there are also shops in the vicinity of the temple in which various Buddhist articles and souvenirs are being sold.

While visiting the temple brought peace to my mind, I considered our short temple stay a wonderful blessing as Buddha allowed us all to see, visit and pray inside the sanctuary of the Haedong Yonggusa with new hopes and a beautiful experience to cherish.


"Haedong Yonggungsa: praying for the first time in this great Buddhist temple," December 2016 was first published in the Korea.net blog. Some of the photos used herein are from the official Flickr page of the Republic of Korea which are for general educational and informational purposes only. All other forms of media included in this article are property of Annyeong Korea and protected under applicable copyrights.
30 April No comments
Korea is a haven for different types of travelers. The beautiful language, warm people, scenic attractions, captivating nature, wonderful seasons, array of food, hip-popping music, trendy fashion and advanced technology are just few of the many reasons why everyone loves to visit and wants to experience Korea.

As the season of spring starts anew, I suddenly think on what I would like to do in Korea the next time I visit? If given the chance to experience Korea again, the travel I am looking forward to will be more on the different side and unseen beauty of the country as I want to know more about it a little further and something beyond the ordinary. Kimchi, taekwondo, K-pop, K-dramas, cosmetics and electronics, I know the ‘Land of the Morning Calm’ is beyond these things as there really a lot to anticipate about and experience in the country. In this series, join AK as we travel Korea off the beaten track this season of spring.

Experience homestay the entire visit.
Immersing in Korean culture is the main goal of my travel so it would be nice to start the journey through homestay. As I want to experience the country like a local, signing-up in a homestay program hosted by a warm Korean family will be one of the best cultural immersions to try in Korea. Living with the locals where you can be one with the place, observing how Korean living is like, helping out with the daily chores, and trying out new things is engaging totally in a different view of the culture particularly the family culture which is said to be generally warm, loving and closely-knit. It will be a whole lot of experience for me and to start my travel along with a Korean family will for sure make my Korea stay even more memorable especially if it’s set away from the city.

Savor authentic homemade Korean flavors.
In Korea, food is no exception, so finding the best of Korean cuisine and to savor some of the most popular traditional dishes is also a way to understand the culture and the country as a whole. While in a homestay program, it's also a great opportunity to taste authentic recipes and homemade Korean food. Jeonju bibimbap (rice with mixed vegetables and meat), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), dotorimuk mari (acorn jelly noodle), yeonipbap (lotus leaf rice), jaecheopguk (shellfish soup), daetongbap jeongsik (bamboo rice set), and heukdweji gui (grilled black pork), are just few of the traditional Korean food favorites that I want to try. I love all the food setup on a Korean table so there’s no reason for me to miss out the chance to experience and learn the traditional way of cooking them. This culinary experience is sure to satisfy the chef in me with the best ways in Korean cooking.


Stroll in the less journeyed alleyways.
They say the best way to experience a place is to take the less travelled road specifically those that are tucked in between cities and unknown to many. Although I find it strange, I know there really are interesting finds through Korea’s unappreciated neighborhoods. Most of these have quite an unusual vibe compared to the ones in the city that are full of life. But one thing is for sure as various pojangmacha (food tents), cafes and other shops are also dotted here wherein the local people spend their spare time to dine and drink. I want to discover these places especially the old ones to immerse in the society and local culture that will fascinate me to understand and directly observe the common lifestyle of the many Koreans.


Get lost in the complex subway.
As part of the journey, it’s also a good idea to get lost in the country through its efficient network of subways, railways, and other reliable transportation systems. Korea’s efficient public transportation network is one of the world’s impressive systems of its kind where you can explore the capital city and beyond. I think getting lost in the complex Seoul Metropolitan Subway just like a local will definitely give me a deeper understanding of the everyday life in Korea particularly the transport culture where you can come across so many faces, witness the current situation of a place, and among other things.


Be an artisan at a Korean folk village.
With the ease of using these modes of transportation all over Korea, I will also pay a visit to one of Korea’s premier folk villages especially the one situated in the province of Gyeonggido where I want as well to experience wearing the hanbok, or the Korean traditional clothing, again. It may seem common but to learn more about the old culture of the country through one of it’s fascinating villages while donning the hanbok is what makes it beyond the ordinary. Exploring the Joseon-built village and its historic streets is a wonderful cultural immersion to experience at first hand as you get to travel to the past while learning something new about Korea’s culture and great history through various workshops, unique food experiences and live music performances. I really can’t imagine myself hanging around in this massive cultural village so I better be prepared.


Visit a traditional fermentation farm.
After enjoying the cultural activities in the folk village, it's also great to know and learn more about the soul flavours of the Korean cuisine as the ganjang, doenjang, and gochujang. I want to experience how to make these key sauces that represents the food culture of Korea that pleases the palate and benefit the body at the same time. There are so many documentaries that I've already watched whether it’s all about how they are made from scratch and the beautiful stories behind them but to personally know and even learn how to make them is a fulfilling way to satisfy my hunger for new knowledge. How does it feel like to visit a traditional farm where hundreds of onggi breathing jars are lined up against the clear blue sky? Isn’t it a delicious experience to taste an aged sauce straight from the earthen jar made with great love, dedication, and time?


Climb the mountain to be one with nature.
Besides the Korean flavors, I might as well do hiking in one of Korea’s scenic peaks and see the untouched beauty of this side of the country. This activity has been in my Korea travel bucket list for a long time now so making it into a reality will be a fulfilling experience. An exciting hiking set in springtime would be a great experience when the mountains are lovelier and thousands of cherry trees are in full bloom. Experience forest bathing, setup a camping in the mountainside, and ascend at the trail’s peak while enjoying the picturesque surroundings and be one with nature are just few of the things that I also want to tick-off my list. For me, it’s not typical to do hiking abroad and it’s one of the activities that I usually enjoy so I will grab the opportunity if time permits me. But whether it’s spring, summer, fall, and or winter, whichever season, I can be sure that I will enjoy the best of Korea has to offer.


Be a monk for a day in a Buddhist temple.
Like a homestay program, I would like to experience to be a monk for a day in a templestay. When I first visited the famous Buddhist temple of Haedong Yonggungsa in Busan years ago, the experience for me was the most memorable of the entire cultural tour. It was my first time to ask for prayers in a Buddhist sanctuary and it was such an amazing experience as they were later answered. Praying inside the main sanctuary and seeing the Buddhist monks chanting their prayers for the devotees made me think of their life inside the temple. They say that the life of a monk is mainly centered on the appreciation of all living things so to be one at least for a day and experience their daily routines will for sure give me a new perspective on life and learn more about Buddhism which has hugely influenced the country for long years and still valued until to this modern day.

A tour in the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
Additionally, I want to be an army of peace and tour the DMZ, which for long years has been the symbol of division of the Korean peninsula, is what I am also looking forward when I visit back to Korea. The Korean DMZ, or the 250 kilometers-long Demilitarized Zone, is actually one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world that even though it is called 'demilitarized,' still the security in the area is strictly enforced beyond its boundaries. How does it feel to be a civilian in the DMZ where peace and conflict coexist? What does it feel like joining a DMZ tour escorted by a Korean soldier on-duty? What is life really like in the demilitarized zone which is just a few kilometres away from the northern part of the Korean peninsula? A tour of the DMZ is definitely one of the exceptionally uncommon activities to try and still at the top of my Korea travel bucket list because it is of historical significance. Despite the situation of the place and only select areas are allowed for both civilians and tourists, I want to learn not only the history that happened here but also to know how to be part in the campaign of promoting permanent peace in the entire peninsula.

Meet the South Korean president.
Following up the visit in the Korean DMZ, I want to meet President Moon Jae-in. I know it’s far beyond reality to meet one of the world’s inspiring leaders today but to see him speak in the public at the very least is but an experience of a lifetime. Since the Korean people had him in the government post over two years ago and with his influential platforms, I have become one of the president’s growing fans. I do really admire Moon administration’s recent accomplishments notably the realization of the new era of peace in the Korean Peninsula and the immediate response to the COVID-19 outbreak that both received worldwide praises. But seriously, if given the chance to meet him in person, I will shake his hand and tell him that he’s doing a great job for Korea.

These are just few of the things that I have set in my mind for now which you can also include on your itineraries when you visit Korea. There really are a lot of interesting activities and endless possibilities to make our entire Korea travel experience off the usual: taste test all cherry blossoms-flavored food and drinks you can imagine, stay in a traditional Korean house hanok a day or two, get a soju fix and experience the vibrant night life in the city, enjoy a day of relaxation in a Korean public bathhouse jjimjilbang, watch a blockbuster Korean movie without subtitles, attend a traditional Korean wedding, and the list goes on.

I don’t know how far I will go with this list but one thing is for sure, I will do it one at a time. I know some of these are further than the usual things but discovering Korea off the beaten track this season of spring is immersing in an entirely new approach to understand and appreciate more the different side of the country as it provides a unique window into the Korean culture. What’s more, it’s also another way to experience the good, the bad, and the ugly.

*This article was both published on the Talk Talk Korea (“[John’s Top 10] Travel Korea off the beaten track this springtime,” March 16, 2020) web portal and Korea.net (“My top 10 picks for springtime traveling in Korea,” March 19, 2020). All photos used herein are property of Annyeong Korya which are protected under applicable copyrights.
22 April No comments
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Annyeonghaseyo!

I am Jap, a Korea.net Honorary Reporter based in the Philippines. The geek behind this Korea centered web hub. Come along with me as I map the inviting countryside of Korea, try [even cook] delicious Han food and experience the best of Korean culture.

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