Photos - The Korea Times

Hoeryongpo Village

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Walking up the steep hill for 10 minutes, visitors of the Hoeryongpo Village find themselves looking down at a small town surrounded by a dragon-like lake, twisting and turning around the houses and walls. Hoeryongpo Village, in North Gyeongsang Province, got its name from the bends of the Naeseongcheon River, a tributary of the Nakdong River. The river takes a 350 degree turn around Mt. Biryong, which is 190 meters high, offering an interesting, yet breathtaking landscape to villagers and visitors. The area is small enough to scoop up with a shovel and is known as the ``island within the mainland,'' as it is surrounded by the river. The best way to enjoy the view is to walk up to the observatory along the 1.5 kilometer trail that leads up to Jangan Temple on Mt. Biryong, which was built during the Unified Silla Kingdom (668-935). Moving up to the second observatory, visitors can find the ``bongsudae,'' or the beacon mound, which was restored in Nov. 1997. Walk along the hiking route for about 40 minutes to the ``Wonsanseong,'' w

Nov 26, 2009

Okyeonjeongsa

A Night of Centuries ― Old Manor By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Serenity fills the space, without a note of desolation. Only the draft passing through the lattice windows disturbs the silence. Warmth seeps in through the heated ondol floor and the cozy scent of burning firewood, comforting the tired limbs. Perhaps this is how it felt to be a noble scholar back in the days. Chirping birds announce day break. After watching the sun rise in the backyard one is greeted with a homemade meal. Hahoe Village, located in Hahoe, Pungcheong-myeon, North Gyeongsang Province, is designated Main Folk Asset No. 122. The Nakdong River flows through in an ``s'' curve, giving the village its name. The village's traditional Korean charms ― ``yangban'' or nobleman houses and Buddhist temples ― attract many domestic and foreign tourists every year. A few years ago, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 73rd birthday here with a big traditional meal. Spending a night at a ``hanok'' (classical Korean house) is one of the best ways to experience the local tradition. The hanok is neit

Nov 19, 2009

Bokgeo Village, Where the Tiger Left His Mark

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Judging from its entrance, there's something uncanny about Bokgeo Village. Everything ― from its houses and walls to its gates, roofs and lampposts ― is adorned with drawings and sculptures. Like a village from a magical folk tale, murals whisper stories to passersby. In particular, depictions of tigers are everywhere. A tiger figurine made with scraps of farming tools sits on the roof of a house and a nearby wall is adorned with an image of a tiger smoking a pipe. Bokgeo Maul (or Bokgeo Village in English) in Geumgwang-myeon, Anseong, Gyeonggi Province was built next to a hill that is shaped like a prostrate tiger. Local legends say tigers used to frequent the village. With a population of just over 300, Bokgeo Maul is a typical agricultural village ― except for the countless images of tigers. The town, populated mostly by senior citizens, is quiet. But as part of a state-funded project that began two years ago, local artists, students and villagers started decorating it under the theme ``The Village Where the Tiger Used to Live.''

Nov 12, 2009

Gosam Lake

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The view of Gosam Lake unfolds like an oriental painting. A flock of ducks paddles by, leaving behind ripples that seep into the still waters like ink strokes bleeding onto a paper canvas. The morning mist announces the coming of the day and an almost mystical sight meets the eye. Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, is home to over 60 lakes, including reservoirs that were crucial to farming during the Three Kingdoms Period (1 B.C.to the 7th Century A.D.) and through the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Gosam Lake is one of the reservoirs, which was completed in 1963. Spanning over 840,000 pyeong, it is wide enough to be called an inland sea. It even has three small uninhabited islets that protrude in the center: 8-sided Palja Island, round Dongeuram Island and Biseok Island, which got its name from a legendary dragon that set up the ``biseok,'' or stone slab. Small floating lake houses can also be spotted on the lake. Many come to enjoy fishing while taking in the breathtaking scenery at anytime of the week. The pure water and abundant waterweed cater

Nov 5, 2009

Oido

An Island of Its Own By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Sunshine sparkles like diamonds on tidal land. People search for something in the mud as if they are on a treasure hunt. Life forms of all sizes make their presence known on this endless moist land. Fresh wind full of the salty smell of the ocean promises to drive away your troubles ― at least for a while. Oido Island, located on the southwestern most corner of Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, in reality is not an island. It used to be an island 4 kilometers away from land, but a dike was constructed to build a salt farm in 1922 during the Japanese colonial period. This allowed ground transportation to and from Oido effectively making it a part of the mainland. After several changes, the island was named after its shape that resembles a crow's ear. The landscape on Oido Island is very different at different times of day. At high tide, shores are filled with ships selling seafood, and at low tide the island reveals its splendid tidal land. If you are into archaeology, there is a prehistoric site featuring a shell mound f

Oct 22, 2009

Dreaming of Becoming a Wise King

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Numerous heirs to the throne during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) studied in various fields to become an ideal ruler. The reigning king trained his heirs and offered them necessary experiences, making sure only the best could succeed to the throne. This preparatory education for royal succession was one of the most important tasks the royal court took care of, and many institutions worked on the ideal educational system and environment for future kings. Daily quizzes called ``beopgang'' were carried out three times a day, while ``hoegang,'' lectures and exams that were conducted in front of the seoyeongwan (tutors), the king himself and other government officials, were held every month. There were also ``sodae,'' classes in which princes would discuss important issues regarding the royal court and nation with the king, and ``yadae,'' for which the king would call on his wisest scholars at night for a special lecture. The Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation is holding a special reenactment event called ``Education for the Crown Prince Du

Oct 15, 2009

Byeokgolje ― The Oldest Reservoir in Korea

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter An endless stretch of golden rice paddies is ripening under the autumn sun in Gimje, North Jeolla Province. The Byeokgolje Reservoir in Gimje is one of the representative irrigation facilities in Korea, along with the Uirimji Reservoir in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, and the Susanje Reservoir in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province. Byeokgolje is the country's largest and oldest artificial reservoir. Thanks to the irrigation facilities, Gimje is considered the birthplace of rice-farming culture in the country, and has been designated as a ``rice town.'' According to the ``Samguk Sagi'' or ``The History of Three Kingdoms,'' the embankment was built in 330 A.D. by King Biryou of the Baekje Kingdom (18 -660 A.D.) and later expanded in 790 A.D. by King Wonseong. Old records also indicate the reservoir originally had five water gates. Byeokgolje measured 3,240-3,245 meters in length, 5.7 meters in height, and the water in the five gates flowed from east to west, south to north. Now, only two flood gates are left. According to leg

Oct 8, 2009

Jinju Ogwangdae

Five Mask Performers’ Dance Drama of Jinju By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Five clowns, hiding their faces behind colorful masks, dance along to the music. Their exaggerated movements are at times funny but at other times poignant, making the audience shed tears. The performers accompany musicians who play traditional instruments such as the ``kkwaenggari'' (small metal gong), ``janggu'' (hourglass-shaped drum), ``buk'' (drum), ``jing'' (gong) ``haegeum'' (two-stringer zither) and the ``piri'' (small flute). Each clown dons different clothes, masks, sings different songs and dances corresponding to the character they play The performers woo the audience with their South Gyeongsang Province dialect, while some even surprise them by jumping out from behind them. The performance then escalates, bringing together both the actors and the audience in one joyful moment. ``Ogwangdae'' is a traditional mask performance enjoyed around South Gyeongsang Province. It is called the Ogwangdae because five clowns with masks dance in five acts. It is commonly known in Tongye

Oct 1, 2009

Autumn

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Fall is here again. The golden rice plants are swaying easily under the autumn breeze and sun. The dragonflies are flying and mating. Butterflies are donning the flowers while the mountains and trees are beginning to wear the tints of autumn foliage. This time around, mountain, and even non-mountain, climbers eagerly look to head to the hills to enjoy the scene. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that the first autumn color will come to Mt. Seorak on Oct. 1 before spreading to Mt. Naejang by Nov. 5. With many sunny days forecast for this fall, the foliage is expected to be better than any other year. The autumn in the city might not be as visible as in the countryside. But look into the shop windows and the mannequins are fashioned from head to toe in autumn finery. But one can get a little closer to autumn at the 30 ecological sites designated by Seoul City Government, including World Cup Park, Gildong Ecological Park, Seoul Forest, Seoul Iris Garden and Olympic Park. There is also the Gangseo Wetland ecological park located

Sep 24, 2009

Red Ginseng

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Red ginseng, made by processing ginseng, is used widely as an ingredient for medicine and other health food products. With the spread of Influenza A, more people are turning their attention to ginseng and red ginseng to boost their immunity. Ginseng, which used to grow strictly in the wild, is now grown in various ways. It differentiates into "sansam," "jangnoesam" and cultivated ginseng, depending on its location. Sansam refers to ginseng grown deep in the mountains whereas jangnoesam is grown in the woods. The ginseng also has different names depending on how it is processed. It is called "susam," if used as unprocessed, "baeksam," or dried ginseng, and hongsam," or red ginseng, to refer to ginseng that is peeled, cooked and then dried. Among these, red ginseng preserves well as it's easy to store for a long time without affecting its quality. Also, new elements are added into the red ginseng as it is peeled, cooked and then dried. It is first air-dried and then sun-dried, or dried through other methods so that the moisture level r

Sep 17, 2009

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