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.’

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

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.’

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.

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.

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.