This visit happened after I’d uttered the phrase, “If you’ve seen one Korean Folk Village…” Which, I can now reluctantly invalidate because the Jeju Folk Art Village provided a few distinct experiences I’ve yet to encounter in it’s sister sites dotted throughout Korea.
Things didn’t start off on that great. Drizzle quickly turned into slushy flurries which almost caused us to turn around. Instead, Ian and I, dashed inside the souvenir gift shop and purchased a few hats. He remarked that mine resembled something an ajumma might sport, but I refute that notion on every level and even if he could produce an ajumma wearing my hat I’d give her a high five for savvy fashion sense.
Suitably wrapped, capped, and gloves against the elements we began our folk art adventure in earnest. One of the most notable sections of the village included a set from a former Korean Drama. Ian explained that she was like some combination Princess Ariel and Dr. Quinn medicine woman.
The entire village recreates village life of people during this period of time. No detail is spared. They even had the little outhouse connected to the pig sty where the infamous black haired pigs would feed on human waste. Apparently, they were renowned for their fantastic tasting meat. Yeah, seriously, I’m not joking. One nicety the folks running the village include is the various spots where you can try on or use the clothes and gear the villagers used way back when. Ian tried on some wooden snow shoes. I hauled a backpack around. Another spot had a photographer ready to snap your photo in complete traditional wedding garb.
During our exploration we came across people who seemed to be actually living in the village. One guy had a little shop set up with wood carvings. He was merrily whittling away while we peeped in to check him out. His prices were steep. I doubt the folks way back when were shelling out 40,000won for a little wooden duck. Another guy had a pot of stew going in a big old pot. It smelled good and for a second I considered that these people weren’t acting at all and actually lived there.
The village ground also includes some interactive activities. We ran through a frazzled hedge maze which will probably be more exciting in the full bloom of spring. We also tried out the old kid games the village youths used to play. There’s one with a big mosh pit I had no idea what to do in, another involved several sticks you took turns tossing sticks into, there were a couple of foot swings, and one game where you had to keep a wheel rolling with a stick.
On the way out we thought we’d seen all the village had to offer, but one last spectacle, the best, was left. There in the cold were a bunch of Ostriches huddled together for warmth. Who knew that the ancient medieval Korean folk villagers had ostrich farms?
40-1, Pyoseon-li
Seogwipo-si, Korea
064-787-4501
