Day Trip out of Seoul ~ Korean Folk Village (한국민속촌)

Korean Folk Village (한국민속촌)

Another place worth visiting! That is if you love Korean historical dramas (사극) like me! The Korean Folk Village is the filming location of popular Korean dramas such as The Moon that Embraces the Sun (해를 품은 달), Rooftop Prince (옥탑방 왕세자), Sungkyunkwan Scandal (성균관 스캔들) and Scholar Who Walks the Night (밤을 걷는 선비).  And yes, the filming location for Running Man Ep 185 Running Stars!

Address: 90, Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 경기도 용인시 기흥구 민속촌로 90 (보라동)

Filming location: Queen for Seven Days (7일의 왕비), The Moon that Embraces the Sun (해를 품은 달), Rooftop Prince (옥탑방 왕세자), Sungkyunkwan Scandal (성균관 스캔들) and Scholar Who Walks the Night (밤을 걷는 선비), My Love from the Star (별에서 온 그대)

How to get there: From Gangnam Station (Line 2 or Sinbundang), Exit 6, take bus 5001-1 (wifi available in the bus) from the middle bus stop. It takes about 1h 15 mins to reach the Folk Village. Stop at the Korean Folk Village stop (나곡마을.한국민속촌정류장). Walk about 900m to the entrance of the Folk Village.

I went there on a weekday so it was not crowded at all. I had some of the sites to myself for leisure photo-taking! The site covers about 243 acres, set in a natural environment, and there are more than 260 traditional houses of the Joseon Dynasty. Spend about 2-3 hours to explore the entire village. 

Other than the traditional houses, you can also participate in various activities such as pottery making, embroidery, knots making, etc. If you hit the timing, you can watch traditional performances as well at the arena.

 7-eleven outside the Folk Village, with traditional rooftop

Admission Fees: Adults (15,000krw), Youths (ages 13-18) (12,000krw), Children (ages 4-12) (10,000krw)

Opening Hours (Weekdays / Weekends or Public Holidays):

Spring(March~April)   09:30~18:00 / 09:30~18:30

Summer(May~September) 09:30~18:30 / 09:30~19:00

Autumn(October~November) 09:30~18:00 / 09:30~18:30

Winter(December~February) 09:30~17:30 / 09:30~18:00

Lockers are also available inside the folk village.

Thankfully I made it Equestrian Feats at 3pm at the performing arena. The performance was really entertaining and exciting! And some of the stunts looked so dangerous! Enjoyed it thoroughly nevertheless.

Here are some clips that I took! The most impressive stunt from the performance was rope jumping on the back of the horse! How much practice must have been put into that! 

There is also a small Folk Museum within the village, where you can see the traditions and cultures of the Joseon dynasty.

Tree with five-colour fabrics - the five colours represent the four directions and the centre, and is used to prepare for misfortune and disasters.

Rooftop Prince (옥탑방 왕세자)

Yoo Chun is one of the idol actors that I like! I really enjoyed this drama about time travel. Details such as noblemen or scholars having to spot long hair tied in a topknot (called Sangtu (상투)) to signify nobility, and how the time-travelled men had to chop off their locks in the modern world and said that they won't be able to return to the Joseon Dynasty, made me understand more about its history and made the drama interesting.

The Moon that Embraces the Sun (해를 품은 달)

This is one of my ultimate favourite Korean dramas! I seldom re-watch dramas because I think time is limited and there are so many more dramas I want to watch, but I had to re-watch this just because it's such a romantic and sappy show! Kim Soo Hyun is probably my favourite actor! 

Arang and the Magistrate 아랑사또전

One of those dramas I haven't watched

Sungkyunkwan Scandal (성균관 스캔들)

Another one of my favourites, because of the storyline, and pretty cast (Song Joongki included :)). 

Dr. Jin 닥터 진

Another time travel drama. (from wiki drama) Jin Hyuk is a genius neurosurgeon with a cold and severe attitude in his interactions with other people due to his personal pursuit of perfection. Through a mysterious power, Jin Hyuk finds himself transported back in time 150 years. He begins treating people there, but the lack of necessary implements and rudimentary medical knowledge of the period forces him to seek new ways to aid the sick. Through this challenging process, Jin Hyuk eventually becomes a genuine doctor.

Some scenes may be a bit gross, but definitely interesting given the medical element.

If you are hungry, there's an open foodcourt in the village.

 Around the village

활인서 (活人院) 

Filming location in the Moon that Embraces the Sun. Hwalinseo is a triage for the poor and the sick, and Wol stayed there to take care of the patients. 

 Hwalinseo courtyard

Wol's old house

Execution hall

Path where scenes of commoners going in and out of the city were filmed

I also decided to try pottery since I didn't have the chance to do that earlier. It costs 15,000krw for the experience and you get to choose what to make and design. Delivery to a local address costs 3,000krw and it takes about 3 weeks for delivery. It only took 10 mins to finish the cup, and then you can design the cup however you want it. 

I made a cup for myself with my name on it! :) Am quite proud of it since it was my first attempt and it didn't crumble. There were so many other activities I wanted to do, but didn't have the time to. Fortunately, there are also wood craft, glass craft and accessories making lessons available just at Ssamziegil Insadong. Read more on my Insadong post.