My reasons to go to haenyeo school (as a man), Jeju, South Korea

It is a woman. It can swim and dive very well under the sea. It catches shells, seaweed, and octopi. What is it? You may be thinking a mermaid, but, from the perspective of a Jejuite, it is actually a haenyeo.

Haenyeo is a word that literally means “sea women”. These women dive to catch turban shells, ear shells, and other marine goodies without the aid of underwater breathing apparatuses. They have a very unique job that is native only to Korea and some regions of Japan, though haenyeo originate from Jeju Island.

English Speaking Physicians, Jeju, South Korea

Doctors can be a scary thing to deal with when living in a foreign country. How do you know who to see for what and if they’re any good? Word of mouth has always been a safe method when seeking these individuals, so here are my recommendations of reliable English speaking physicians for you.

Book review: ‘The Dawn of Modern Korea’, Jeju, South Korea

There are few countries that can match Korea’s last century of explosive social and economic expansion and modernization. In his pleasantly readable novel The Dawn of Modern Korea, Andrei Lankov covers the recent and tumultuous history of our beloved Korea. Lankov, a Russian educated in Russia, North Korea, South Korea, and Australia, brings a unique perspective to his book, not being Western or Korean, and as a long-time resident of Seoul.

The Korean royalty of the late 1800s was quick and excited to introduce Western influences that came through missionaries and travelers. Pre-colonial Korea, or, rather, the young and impulsive King Kojong, was eager to accept Western ideas and discoveries such as Christianity, electricity, radio, and telephones- seeing these means as a way to modernize and separate themselves from their Japanese and Chinese neighbors.

Roomine pension, Jeju, South Korea

HE SAID: For all you men looking for a way to both dazzle and inspire the women in your life, I have a secret that is nothing short of extraordinary: ROOMINE. In a place as hotel saturated as Jeju, there are pensions, and then there are PENSIONS. Recently I had the opportunity of discovering the latter and want to spread the word about our positive experience there. On the northwest side of the island near shell beach off the coastal road is a particularly unique looking building. It stands apart from all those in the area because the architecture is not reminiscent of the typical Jeju style. Roomine is anything but traditional. With an open concept design, sleek modern look and vibrant decorative styling, the place screams “retro-cool California”.

Chuseok on Jeju, Jeju, South Korea

Every year, Chuseok, which falls on August 15th of the lunar calendar, is celebrated by families all over Korea. Family members return to their home-towns to be with family, causing huge traffic jams and resulting in trains, planes and buses being booked up months in advance. While many westerners refer to Chuseok as “a Korean Thanksgiving” or “kind of like our Christmas”, few non-Koreans really know what it’s all about. So, if you’re curious to find out what all the fuss is about, read on.

The kids’ perspective, Jeju, South Korea

My name is Olivia. I am nine years old. I came to Jeju when I was eight years old. I go to Samyang Primary School. At school, I have seven friends. I sit beside Coral, my Canadian friend. Sometimes I go to the beach with her. At the beach I make sandcastles and go swimming. I usually go under water with my goggles and look for fish, but I never see them. I think Jeju is fun because it’s an island and there are lots of beaches.

When Mongolia ruled Jeju, Jeju, South Korea

In 1270, Kim Tong-jeong’s Sambyeolcho army landed in Jeju. It was a motley assortment of Korean freedom fighters and liberated Mongolian Prisoners of War who had continued to fight Mongolia despite orders from the Goryeo court in Seoul to lay down their weapons. In pursuit were the Mongolian army and their new Goryeo allies, who had assembled a force of 10,000 men to hunt down and destroy them. With the help of local residents, Kim overtook Jeju’s indigenous army and erected a fortress near Halla Mountain. They held Jeju until 1273, when Kim and Korea’s resistance to Mongolia came to a bloody end. The Mongol-Goryeo force annihilated the Sambyeolcho at Hangpaduri, and Kim was forced to flee to the wilds of Halla Mountain, where he later committed suicide.

My First Impressions of Jeju, Jeju, South Korea

Like being hit by the infamous Apple itself, it came upon me one snowy evening in February to stray from my midnight essay writing routine and check the latest Facebook reel on the subject of ESL Teachers in Korea. Only two advertisements into my inspection, the words “Seeking Replacement Teacher for Position on Jeju Island” immediately seized my romantic heart and simultaneously thrust it into a swift commitment to international travel. Countless daydreams, e-mails, blogs, and Skype-talks later, the unpalatable task of connecting the American Indian Movement with the Vietnam War became but a trifling setback in my newly tailored plan for escape; three short weeks following my University graduation, I was due to arrive on Jeju-do, South Korea.

Featured Stories

Fire festival origins.
Joanna Burgess
Still crazy about Starcraft after ten years. Alex Cybulski

When Mongolians ruled Jeju.
Brian Miller

Featured Blogs

Jroc
A journey of self discovery
Justin Nalepa

A daily shot of Soju: Photos and news
Daniel Kojetin

An American living and working on Jeju
Lost on Jeju

Fashion and thoughts from Jeju
LoveK


Under the Volcano: life as an ESL teacher
Marcie Miller

Recent Stories

• • The Hwang Sa Byeong (황사평) Catholic cemetery and Catholic massacre of 1901 led by Lee Jae-Soo (이재수), Jeju, South Korea
  • Jeju Starlight World, Park and Planetarium, Jeju, South Korea
  • Korea House Restaurant, Jungmun Resort, Jeju, South Korea
  • Fire on the mountain, Jeju-do, South Korea
  • Yeon Wu Nae vegetarian restaurant, Jeju, South Korea
  • Jeju Ice Land, year round iceskating, Jeju, South Korea
  • Dutch cycling duo ends marathon trip on Jeju, South Korea
  • Coffee at Daum café, Jeju, South Korea

• Popular Stories

  • Korea House Restaurant, Jungmun Resort, Jeju, South Korea
  • Fire on the mountain, Jeju-do, South Korea
  • Jeju Starlight World, Park and Planetarium, Jeju, South Korea
  • The Hwang Sa Byeong (황사평) Catholic cemetery and Catholic massacre of 1901 led by Lee Jae-Soo (이재수), Jeju, South Korea
  • Fun Cafe board game room, Jeju, South Korea
  • Yeon Wu Nae vegetarian restaurant, Jeju, South Korea
  • The beaches of Jeju island, Jeju, South Korea
  • Jeju Ice Land, year round iceskating, Jeju, South Korea

• Categories

  • Art Galleries & Museums
  • Bars & Clubs
  • Books
  • Coffee Shops
  • Cooking
  • Editorial
  • English Speaking Physicians
  • Festivals and Event Ticketing
  • Getting Out of Jeju
  • Impressions of Jeju
  • Interviews
  • Jeju & Korean Culture
  • On the Roads
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Outlying Islands
  • Pets & Animals
  • Places to Eat
  • recycling
  • Shops & Stores
  • Sport on Jeju
  • Supermarkets & Markets
  • Things to Do
  • Things to See
  • Uncategorized
  • Visiting Jeju?

• Archives

  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • June 2007