Korea’s first 'humanities garden' opens in Yangpyeong after 13 years of planning
A view of the Korean Garden within Médongaule / Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
In a secluded valley in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, a unique cultural space has opened to the public — a garden designed to embody the spirit of philosophy, art and Korean tradition.
The Médongaule, which opened on Sept. 1, is being described as Korea’s first "humanities garden." Its name, derived from a native Korean term meaning “a valley once filled with vibrant blooms of morning glory," carries both geographical and botanical significance.
The project was the vision of a wealthy entrepreneur who, after selling the company he had built for over a decade, spent the last 13 years creating a place where philosophical reflection could take root.
He drew inspiration from Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch, deciding to leave a legacy for future generations.
Yongbanyeon Pond and Seomhwiru Pavilion seen from Yeonghyeondang in the Korean Garden at Médongaule / Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
The garden spans nearly 198,000 square meters and is divided into three parts: a traditional Korean garden, a modern garden blending art and philosophy and a large forest.
The design involved prominent architects and landscape designers, including Seung Hyo-sang.
Admission is 50,000 won ($36) per person, and access is limited to 150 visitors a day on a reservation-only basis. Despite the high entry fee, about 500 people visited in the first two weeks.
Yongbanyeon Pond seen from Seomhwiru Pavilion in the Korean Garden at Médongaule Garden / Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
Reinterpreting Korean traditions
The Korean garden section is devoted to themes such as “the lives of commoners” and “the culture of Korean scholars.” Instead of being modeled solely on royal or aristocratic gardens, the design reimagines everyday rural life.
Crops like cotton, eggplants and rice are planted as garden elements, while paths and stone walls reference folk songs and films like “Sopyonje” (1993).
Small streams and ponds inspired by painter Kim Hong-do's (1745-1806) painting "Laundry Place" have been created with carefully placed stones, simulating natural watercourses.
Though it seems like a natural stream that existed long before the garden, it is entirely man-made. Builders transported enough stones to fill 300 twenty-five-ton trucks to construct the 400-meter-long artificial valley.
The second area, devoted to scholars, reflects the values of study and refined living. Features include ponds symbolizing traditional cosmology, pavilions modeled after Joseon-era (1392-1910) buildings such as “Seongok Seowon,” designed by Seung Hyo-sang and inspired by Confucian academies like Byeongsan Seowon in Andong.
The Uberhaus, the landmark structure of the Contemporary Garden at Médongaule in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, rises toward the blue sky.
Together, these sites explore the heritage of Confucianism, Buddhism and the broader philosophical traditions of Korea.
A modern section of the garden, scheduled to open in May next year, will include the “Uberhaus” designed by international architects Mauricio Pezo and Sofia von Ellrichshausen.
The structure interprets Nietzsche’s idea of the Übermensch through architecture, standing as one of several works that merge modern philosophy with built form.
The Black Pond in the Korean Garden at Médongaule / Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
A space for reflection
Visitors often spend hours in the Korean Garden alone, guided by docents who explain the philosophical and artistic ideas behind each section. Traditional performances are also offered to complement the experience.
A woman in her 50s who visited said, “The visual beauty is just one part. When you understand the underlying stories and philosophy, you feel a much deeper sense of emotion. Listening to the docent beforehand enriches the experience.”
The laundry site at Médongnae Stream in the Korean Garden at Médongaule / Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
Kim In-hye, curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, described the project as “an artwork in which architects and landscape designers translated a philosopher’s worldview into spatial language.”
The Médongaule, born from one man’s vision and persistence, now invites visitors to walk, reflect and rediscover the ties between philosophy, tradition and nature.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.