Chungcheongnam-do(Seosan-si)

The exact founding date of Munsusa Temple is unknown because there are no official records that have been discovered. The temple is estimated to date back to the Goryeo Dynasty, because a prayer found at the Gilt-bronze Seated Buddha in the temple’s Geungnaksiljeon Hall (hall of paradise) in 1973 dates back to 1346. Around 600 items were discovered along with the prayer, including unbleached ramie cloth, a short-sleeved gown, rice, and barley. Munsunsa has the tranquil atmosphere of a mountain temple. When spring arrives, cherry blossom flowers and wild flowers bloom across the mountain and the nearby cattle farm call to mind a traditional Korean painting. Munsusa Geungnaksiljeon Hall is a beautiful building constructed according to Jusimpo style (the column brackets placed only on top of the columns) combined with Dapo style (the column brackets placed between columns as well as on top of the columns). It is designated as Chungcheongnam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 13. Inside the gorgeously and majestically carved hall are many relics including Gilt-bronze Seated Buddha, Samsebulsang statues (statues of Buddhas of Three Times (past, present and future)), Nahansang statues (statues of disciples of Buddha), and various portraits of Buddha. The Gilt-bronze Seated Buddha (x_height: 70cm, length between knees: 50cm) was created in 1346 (the second year of King Chungmok’s reign, the29th king of the Goryeo Dynasty). It is one of the fine examples of late Goryo dynasty style Buddha statue along with Gilt-bronze Seated Bhaisajyaguru Buddha of Janggoksa Temple (Treasure No.337).


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

Hanok Pension is an old traditional Korean house located in Samjinae Village, Changpyeong-myeon, Damyang-gun, the first village in Asia to be listed as a 'Slow Village.' It has 16 guestrooms in traditional Korean house buildings along a stone-wall road just like in the old days in Korea. The guesthouse is conveniently located for those planning to visit Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden) and Metasequoia Street, which is regarded as the most beautiful street in Korea, because they are all within 30 minutes away from the guesthouse on foot. The old traditional Korean house consists of one main building and two detached buildings, between which is a large front yard. The two detached buildings are divided into different sections for the guests to stay in. You will see lots of different wild flowers in and around the premises. The tea room is another popular feature of the guesthouse because of the calming atmosphere.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Tohamsan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest is home to various broad leaf and needle leaf trees, animals, and plants. It is close to Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Cave, and other famous tourism sites that make the area a nice natural and resting area. Cabin House is a suitable camping site. Group accommodations are available and reservations can be made through the homepage.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Tohyang Gotaek (The Old House of Tohyang) is one of the many historic houses in Bonghwa-eup that are full of the charming features of a hanok house, including a cozy pond, the subtle scent of ink and clay, and a quiet environment. It is run by a calligrapher-potter and his wife, an ex-Korean teacher. Baraemi Village in Bonghwa, where noblemen of the Yeongnam region lived for many generations, contains many old hanok houses. Notably, Tohyang Gotaek is the only house to provide guests with an opportunity to experience traditional Korean culture and creative arts activities. The house was originally inhabited by the owner’s great-grandfather. The owner returned from Seoul to his hometown in 1977 and entered the hanok stay business in the summer of 2012. The most popular hands-on program is the pottery making program which allows visitors to try their hand at making pottery with the potter’s wheel. The pottery space is set apart from the accommodation and consists of the wheel room, glazing room, and kiln room. The pottery program allows participants to make and glaze pottery, after which it is baked by the owner and then packed separately and sent to the participants. The House also provides other experience programs including Reading Experience, Debate, Poetry Composition, Sijo (traditional three-verse Korean poem) and Calligraphy programs. Situated next to the Pottery Workshop is a pine grove that surrounds the rear side of the hanok building like a folding screen. One of the most impressive features of the house is its tall gate (soseuldaemun), which rises higher than the roofs of the anchae (women’s quarters) and sarangchae (men’s quarters) thus, allowing a nobleman’s sedan chair or horse to enter the house easily. Passing through the tall gate, the keun sarangchae and jageun sarangchae are situated at the front, and there is a small passageway linking (them?) to the daemunchae along the wall. Entering the passageway, there is a square-shaped anchae along with a small lotus pond with a fantastic atmosphere. Tohyang Gotaek is packed with the owner’s artworks including ceramic and calligraphic works. Moreover, the owners’ smiling faces and warm-hearted services attract many guests all year round.


Jeollanam-do(Naju-si)

Naju Moksanaea was the private residence of the moksa, the title of highest official in the region. This traditional hanok house was built in 1825 and is recognized as Jeollanam-do Cultural Hertiage No. 132. The house is open to the public during the day, and operates as an accommodation during the evenings.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongsong-gun)

Jeolgol Valley in the southeast of Juwangsan Mountain isn’t special just for its pure and clear water flowing year-round. With amazing rock formations that tower high above like bamboo sprouts, and a dense forest all around, entering Jeolgol Valley is like entering another world. Upon entering the valley, the wind that buffeted the rock face outside becomes a refreshing breeze, keeping hikers cool even in high summer. The beauty of this 8km-long valley is second only to Juwang Valley. Located about 1km into the valley is Jusanji Pond. This reservoir is peculiar in the fact that there are many large, old willow trees growing out of the water, creating a mysterious atmosphere.


Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu)

The Blue Dragon Film Awards draws all Korean stars to the red carpet. Hosted by Korea's Sports Chosun newspaper, the Blue Dragon Film Awards Show started in 1963 with the goal of raising the quality of Korean movies and further developing Korea's movie industry. The Blue Dragon has now established itself as the Grand Prix of Korean movie cinema and is the undisputed authority in the field.The selection among the movies released in the previous year is made based on the number of votes cast by Netizens and the opinions of movie experts. Then the final winner is selected by a nine-member jury recommended by the Executive Committee. Awards Program: The Blue Dragon Film Awards considers only blockbusters and popular movies of high artistic value released during the previous year. During the award period, about 40 movies that have made to the final list are screened to the public for free.After the screening of each selection, the awards ceremony opens in full swing. The categories are Best Film, Best Director, Best New Director, Best Leading Actor, Best Leading Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best New Actor, Best New Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Music, Best Art Direction, Technical Award, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Lighting, each recognizing those who have contributed to the development of Korean movies.Other interesting categories are the Most Popular awarded to the star that received the most Netizen votes and the Most Popular Film awarded to the movie with the highest viewership throughout the previous year. A week prior to the award ceremony, the previous year's award recipients gather for a handprint event to immortalize their Blue Dragon award. Festival Highlights: Since this is an awards ceremony, guessing which movie will be the winner and comparing your guess with the official results is one way to enjoy the ceremony. This is also a chance to see all of Korea's most popular stars in one place, so a camera is a must. The shows by popular artists during the award ceremony also add to the entertainment.


Gangwon-do(Hongcheon-gun)

Located in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do Province, Namusae is a hanok-style pension that was built in 2011. It is surrounded by beautiful scenery and boasts a panoramic view of Palbongsan Mountain from the front of the building and the Hongcheongang River below. It consists of various types of independent and convenient hanok buildings, including rooms equipped with the Korean style of floor heating system (ondol), rooms with beds, a modern-style kitchen, and high ceilings. The pension’s buildings were constructed with pine wood from Unduryeong Hill at Gyebangsan Mountain, while the interiors were made with natural red clay, charcoal and pyroligneous liquor. Guests can enjoy diverse leisure activities as the pension is adjacent to the famous resort Vivaldi Park (10 minutes’ drive).