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Episode 5 of EBS1’s Korean Journey series, These Days, Jeju, zooms in on life across Jeju’s villages—each with its own palette and personality—and the people who live there. Named after the Jeju word for village, ‘gareum,’ the episode invites viewers into the daily rhythms of local residents.
◈ ‘Korean Journey’ These Days, Jeju — Episode 5: Garum, Gu-gyunghere Obseoyang
Jeju’s villages each boast a distinct identity and vibe. True to the word ‘gareum’—the island’s term for village—these places hold stories visitors are increasingly eager to live through, not just observe. Tourism is shifting from quick sightseeing to staying in villages and experiencing everyday life alongside residents.
Gyorae-ri, Jocheon-eup sits on the slopes of Hallasan and opens onto vast grasslands, offering a striking natural backdrop. The village centers on a ranch where about 40 racehorses roam freely. Visitors get rare chances to interact with the horses and can walk barefoot across the wide, open fields to feel the land beneath their feet. Locals also study and document rare species, compiling field-guide material as they explore the environment. Kim Eun-sook, who left life in Hong Kong for Jeju, now guides visitors through the island’s expansive racehorse pastures and showcases the village’s hidden charms.
Mureung 2-ri, Daejeong-eup feels like stepping into the warmth of a hometown you remember from childhood. Along the Mureung Gotjawal trail, visitors practice “sound walking,” a mindful activity of listening closely to the natural soundscape. The area also offers hands-on rural experiences—from harvesting the local Kara-hyang citrus to making tangerine preserves—letting guests taste and take home a piece of village life. After leaving a corporate career, Kim Sun-il moved to Jeju and now introduces visitors to the village’s simple hospitality and heartwarming spirit.
These village getaways offer more than pretty views—they answer a modern craving for real human connection and a reconnection with nature. Expect more travelers to seek deeper engagement with locals, a trend that could redefine the value of village tourism on Jeju Island.
◈ EBS’s long-running flagship documentary ‘Korean Journey’
EBS1’s Korean Journey first aired in August 2009 and has since become a signature documentary series for the network. The show consistently highlights natural landscapes, regional customs, and the everyday lives of people across Korea, earning its reputation as a long-running favorite.
The series focuses on seasonal changes in scenery, local cultures, and residents’ routines across different regions. Each week centers on a single theme told over five episodes, with each installment running about 30 minutes. One of the program’s strengths is how it captures distinct lifestyles and atmospheres unique to each area.
Korean Journey favors unobtrusive, on-location storytelling over heavy production. Narration is used sparingly, allowing visuals to calmly unfold the stories of nature and the people who live there.
Settings range from mountain villages and fishing ports to island communities, rural towns, and cities, introducing viewers to lesser-seen local cultures and landscapes while documenting Korea’s regional diversity.
The series continues to air regularly on EBS1, bringing a new theme and location to viewers each week.
The show airs Monday through Friday at 9:35 PM. Broadcast details are available on the Korean Journey preview page on EBS1’s website.
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