Visual Journey through South Korea
I was recently given the wonderful opportunity to join Antje from @nextstopkorea and Dony from @BusanMate on an unforgettable journey through South Korea, capturing their adventures through my lens. What followed was a week of discovery, tradition and natural wonder that exceeded all my expectations.
Jeonju (전주): Where Tradition Comes Alive
Our adventure began in Jeonju, a city where history whispers from every corner. We dove straight into the culinary heart of Korea, savoring authentic Jeonju Bibimbap (전주 비빔밥) at its birthplace. This iconic dish, a harmonious bowl of rice, vegetables and gochujang (고추장, red chili paste), has evolved through Korean dynasties, with Jeonju often quoted as its home.
Wandering through Jeonju Hanok Village (전주 한옥마을) felt like stepping back in time. Traditional wooden houses with their elegantly curved roofs lined the streets and as evening fell, we experienced true Korean hospitality by spending the night on warm ondol (온돌, underfloor heating) floors in a traditional hanok (한옥, traditional Korean house).
Mokpo (목포) to Jeju (제주): Ferry Adventure
Our journey continued south to Mokpo, where we boarded a ferry bound for Jeju Island. Despite the overcast skies and steady rain, our spirits remained high. Upon arrival, we warmed ourselves with Jeju's signature Abalone Hot Stone Pot Rice (전복돌솥밥, jeonbok dolsot-bap), a bubbling comfort that perfectly captured the island's maritime character.
Meeting the Haenyeo (해녀): Women of the Sea
The following day was one of my personal highlights. At Haenyeo's Kitchen in Bukchon (북촌), we got to eat freshly made meals with locally harvested ingredients traditionally collected by Haenyeo - Jeju's legendary sea women. These incredible women have been free diving these waters for generations, some still diving well into their 90s. They harvest marine life like abalone, sea urchin and seaweed from the ocean floor without any breathing equipment.
Getting to learn about their culture and way of life through both their words and their food was humbling and left me with a deep sense of respect for their heritage.
Jeju's Natural Wonders
One of our most exciting stops was Jeongbang Waterfall (정방폭포), where three waterfalls drop straight into the ocean. Standing on the volcanic rocks with the group posing for photos, we could feel the raw power of the water and sea spray around us.
Bijarim Forest (비자림) was like stepping into another world. Walking among nutmeg trees (비자나무, bijanamu) that are hundreds, some even over a thousand years old, felt surreal. Sunlight came through the dense canopy, creating rays of light that danced through the afternoon mist. The forest floor was soft with moss and the air smelled of earth and ancient wood. This protected forest has stood here for centuries.
At Sangumburi Crater (산굼부리), we stood at the edge of a huge volcanic formation, looking down into the bowl-shaped depression below. Unlike most craters, Sangumburi has no peak - just a perfectly round hollow formed by a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago. The crater floor has a unique mix of rare plants and trees, creating beautiful layers of green that change with the seasons.
We took a quick ferry ride to Udo Island (우도), a small island off Jeju's eastern coast. Standing at the edge near Udobong Peak (우도봉), the dramatic rock formations jutting out of the turquoise water were incredible. The four tiny figures in our photo really show how massive these rock formations are!
Sweet Surprises: Green Tangerine Picking
One of the most delightful experiences was visiting a local tangerine orchard. Despite their vibrant green color, Jeju's green tangerines (풋귤, pootgyul) are incredibly sweet and juicy, a revelation for anyone accustomed to thinking green means unripe. We met a local farmer who generously shared his knowledge about cultivating these unique citrus fruits in Jeju's volcanic soil. The taste of a freshly picked tangerine, still warm from the sun, is something I won't soon forget.
서귀다원 Green Tea Fields
The rolling green tea fields of a local family-owned farm stretched before us like an ocean. Walking between the meticulously maintained rows, populated by hundreds of dragonflies, was like straight out of a fairytale. The green tea (녹차, nokcha) we tried here was one of the best green teas I have ever had!
Jeju Folk Village (제주민속촌): Wishes and Traditions
At Jeju Folk Village, we got to see what life on Jeju looked like in the past. This outdoor museum has authentic thatched-roof houses and shows traditional Jeju culture. We took part in traditional wish-making, something that has connected generations of Jeju residents to their ancestors. The ancient dol hareubang (돌하르방, stone grandfather statues) are scattered throughout, they have been protecting Jeju homes for centuries and you see them everywhere on the island.
Bonte Museum (본태박물관): Art Meets Nature
On our last day we visited Bonte Museum, a nice quiet break from all the outdoor activities. This art museum combines modern architecture with Jeju's natural surroundings and has collections of Buddhist art, Traditional Korean art and contemporary pieces. The wooden sculptures and colorful painted figures were beautiful and showed centuries of artistic tradition.
Reflections
This journey through South Korea was more than just a photography assignment, it was an immersion into a culture that honors its past while embracing the future. From the Haenyeo's century-old diving traditions to the modern wind farms powering Jeju's future, from ancient nutmeg forests to contemporary museums, every moment revealed another layer of Korea's rich tapestry.
Traveling with Antje and Dony and meeting the wonderful people along the way reminded me why I love photography. It's not just about capturing beautiful landscapes or interesting faces, it's about preserving moments and building bridges between cultures.
South Korea, with its warmth, beauty and endless surprises, has captured my heart.
All photographs © Nomi Sophie