This summer vacation, our family once again coordinated schedules with my sister-in-law’s family. We met up in Yeonggwang, spent one night in a hanok, and then headed to the recently opened Jaeun Island Resort for the rest of our vacation. Of course, I still didn’t know exactly where we were going until we left; I just drove wherever the navigation system directed me.

I’d heard that Yeonggwang’s Beopseongpo dried yellow croaker was famous, and sure enough, the entire neighborhood was packed with dried yellow croaker restaurants and small processing factories. We went to the most famous set meal restaurant without a reservation, but it was the busy lunch hour, so naturally there were no seats available. After wandering around a few places, we were finally able to get a meal.

We booked a one-night stay at a cluster of hanok-style pensions, a place where two families could fully relax and enjoy a barbecue.

And this place is where Buddhism first arrived in our country, located right next to our lodging, so we paid a brief visit. Honestly, I had expected a museum or historical buildings, but the newly constructed temple and statues left me a bit puzzled. So, on a hot day, I took a walk around the grounds and came back.

The statue of Buddha in ascetic practice carved into one side of the building was striking, and I found myself wondering if such severe asceticism was truly necessary to attain the truth of life. While Korea’s renowned monk Seongcheol was also known for his wall-facing meditation, it made me question whether religion, rather than liberating humanity, might instead impose constraints.

The next day was Liberation Day, August 15th, so we posed for photos holding the Korean flag we had prepared in advance and soon departed for Jaeun Island. In the past, it was an island requiring a boat to reach, but since the completion of the Cheonsa Bridge in 2019, it has become an island easily accessible by car. It is said that the bridge was named Cheonsa Bridge because Shinan County is home to 1,004 islands.

Upon arriving at the resort, I headed straight for the beach. A quiet and beautiful shoreline stretched out before me, and I saw people enjoying kite surfing—a combination of surfing and paragliding.

The next day, we crossed the Angel Bridge again and arrived at the pier, boarding the ferry to Soak Island.

On Soda Island, known as the Pilgrim’s Island, stood structures inspired by the Twelve Apostles. The buildings, created by domestic and foreign artists respectively, were outstanding works of art in their own right. It was astonishing to find such creations on this deserted island.

On the way back to Songdo, we stopped in Gunsan for lunch and visited the Hirotsu House, a Japanese-style residence built during the Japanese colonial era. Even now, the garden in the front yard and the building’s style were incredibly luxurious. Though I couldn’t identify the owner, I imagined they must have been a tremendous wealthy figure at the time. Seeing such a house near Gunsan Port, well-known as a place where rice was plundered from Joseon, made my heart feel a little heavy.

After completing our 3-night, 4-day summer vacation itinerary, we returned to Songdo and took time to give thanks.