Living in Jeju for 20 years
The announcer who delivered Jeju news every day
A deep Jeju story!

The taste of living in Jeju!

Jeju Island is the hottest tourist destination in Korea.
When international travel was blocked due to the coronavirus outbreak, everyone flew to Jeju Island.
Over the years, countless books about Jeju have been published.
It is no exaggeration to say that almost every book that could be written has been published, from pilgrimages along the Olle Trail to introductions to famous cafes and restaurants, to even the trendy one-month stay experience.
But how much do we really know about Jeju, Korea's most beautiful destination and a national treasure? Perhaps we travel with only the latest trendy cafes, affordable restaurants, and stylish photo spots in mind.
Since this is a trip for fun, relaxation, and a change of pace, knowing this much might be enough.
Still, I'm always curious about the lives of the locals.
Even when introducing a restaurant, if it says "recommended by a local," I tend to believe it without hesitation.
I wish someone would write a book that tells the story of the locals' lives...

If you live in a city for 20 years, that city no longer feels new.
I don't really feel like exploring every nook and cranny.
But there are people who are curious about the foundation of their lives every day.
Even the commute to work is exciting.
The author of this book, Lee Young-jae, is a KBS announcer who longed for life in Jeju and requested a posting to Jeju. He lived there for nearly 20 years, starting in 2002.
And every day, we delivered news from Jeju.
Because I came here as a foreigner, every single scene of Jeju was enchanting, and because I lived there as a local, I came to deeply understand the pain and joy that Jeju holds.
Besides, isn't he the one who conveys the joys and sorrows of the citizens?
This one paragraph, which perfectly captures the essence of his life in Jeju, is not only enviable but also annoying.


“There are more than one or two good things about living in Jeju.
The greatest joy, surprisingly, comes when I am not in Jeju.
On the plane back to Jeju after a vacation abroad, I got goosebumps at the thought that the place where I would return to my daily life after my trip was none other than Jeju.
“Isn’t it a place to live that is much more beautiful than a vacation spot?”

There are more than one or two good things about living in Jeju.
The greatest joy, surprisingly, comes when I am not in Jeju.
On the plane back to Jeju after a vacation abroad, I got goosebumps at the thought that the place where I would return to my daily life after my trip was none other than Jeju.
Isn't it a place to live that is much more beautiful than a vacation spot?

--- p.173

The contrast between deep blue and dark brown felt at the boundary between the sea and the island, along with the dark sheen of the deep green fields and the stone walls surrounding them, unfolds an exotic blend of colors.

--- p.14

It would be rude to leave out the moonlit night scenery from the name Aewol (涯月).
On the day when the Aewol sea becomes a mirror reflecting the sky and gives birth to another full moon, everyone becomes part of the scenery.
The night sea of ​​Aewol does not approach me as an object to be admired, but rather becomes one with me, allowing me to fall into a state of selflessness.

--- p.22

Susan-ri, Aewol-eup, is a place that is little known to tourists.
It is a village that is rare in Jeju to have a reservoir, and it has a unique charm where you can view both the sea and the reservoir at the same time when you climb to a high place.
It is called 'Susan-ri (水山里)' because it is famous for its water and mountains, and just by its name, you can tell that it is a place where you can live in the embrace of nature. It is a typical Jeju countryside village, and its old name, 'Mulmegol', feels even more affectionate.

--- p.43

Pyeongdae-ri is a pleasant place with few people even during the peak summer vacation season, but recently, even small beaches have been attracting quite a few people.
This may be because people who are tired of large-scale resorts are increasingly seeking smaller, cleaner places.
I don't really want to see Pyeongdaeri Beach, which is like an innocent girl, transform into a mature woman.

--- p.64

People who find happiness in 'slowly' completing things are probably the best suited to walking the Olle Trail.
With every step you take, you get 70 centimeters closer to your goal, and with the view guaranteed to be 70 centimeters ahead, how could you possibly stop?
If there was a job where I could earn as much money as I walked, I would raise my hand without hesitation.

--- p.76

No matter what style you choose, there is a heaven and earth that you cannot help but draw.
Jeju, where you can be enchanted by every nook and cranny you walk through, is destined to become an island filled with art.
On this island, I encourage you to draw, hear, and write.
Even if you come and go for a while.

--- p.82

I became curious about the 'tto' in Baekjutto because it's a cute pronunciation.
This is what Jeju people call their god.
Baekjutto's son, Gwanegi, is also called Gwanegi-tto.
It seems natural for a child of God, but it makes you wonder if it is right to give the status of a god to a bastard who plucked out his father's beard.
Compared to Greece, where there are gods who live while drunk, Jeju's gods are noble.
As I was walking down the street, imagining Baekjutto, a lottery ticket booth caught my eye.
Aha, who would have thought that calling the omnipotent God 'again' would be so touching.
There was a lottery that was a modern-day symbol of omnipotence.

--- p.97

The 2002 statistics show that there were less than 200,000 vehicles, which is a truly crazy increase in vehicles that far exceeds the population growth rate.
In the near future, among the elements of Samdado - stone, wind, and woman - we may have to replace 'woman' with 'car'.

--- p.133

The changes in the world are as overwhelming as the headwind hitting your face while driving.
When the daily grind of running against the wind weighs down on your weary heart, the island of Jeju simply offers a soothing embrace.
The grandmothers of the Jeju-like Halmang Market say through the wrinkles on their foreheads that nothing is burdensome in the end.

--- p.140

What brought citizens to the city hall was not simply their discontent with a society that failed to provide a safe working environment for workers.
It was anger at a world where human rights were merely optional rights given to the weak at times.

--- p.165

The way to my workplace, the filming location, is smooth, and the way back to the office after filming is brisk.
In short, living in Jeju is like living a traveler's life.

--- pp.173~174

It is inexplicable why the scenery of Jeju Oreum goes beyond mere scenery and pierces the very soul of the person.

--- p.205

Jeju was a gift.
How fortunate I was to be able to be held in the arms of the mercilessly beautiful Tamra for so long.
I am simply grateful for Jeju's mountains, Jeju's sea, and everything about Jeju.

--- p.300