Dragon’s Head Rock: Yongduam and Yongyeon Pond
Story and photos by Dawn Parks
According to some, the 10m high and 30m long volcanic rock formation perched along the ocean side is said to resemble a dragon’s head – a fact which has garnered the formation’s fanciful name of Yongduam; literally, Dragon’s Head Rock. Some say it no longer looks like a dragon, as a portion of the rock fell off during a heavy storm long ago. Others say it no longer looks like it’s perched for flight, as a backdrop of hotels …

Like any true child of the 80s, I know how to shoot – courtesy of the formerly modern technology known as Nintendo and my father, a card-carrying member of the NRA. No daughter of his was ever going to be allowed to stand in front of the TV, rifle cocked. Instead, it was mandated that both my sister and I stand as far away as possible, cord stretched to its limits, with our gun arms fully extended, the target in line with the scope. Other families with …

No matter when one listens from the outside of the door, the same sounds can be heard – groans, mock cries of pain mixed in with the occasion real ones, laughter, and cheers of accomplishment. If one glances into the room, though, the scene before them can vary depending on the day or even the minute. At one minute, limber students can be seen performing a succession of handsprings down the mat, trailed by less experienced students falling flat on their backsides. Several minutes later, various 2-person groups can …

Mr. Hong is concentration personified, with his puckered brow and pursued lips. A “hmmm” escapes as he scans the seemingly endless field of black and white chips. Mere seconds pass before he firmly places his white chip down. To the untrained eye, the spot he picked appears just as good as any of the other vacant spots on the 19×19 board grid. Mr. Hong knows better. The spot he chose has a distinct tactical advantage – one which his opponent may not understand for several turns. Such is …