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With daytime highs above 18°C (about 64°F), people flocked to outdoor spots across the country.
On the morning of the 20th at Sangnok Park, a well-known cherry blossom spot in Seo-gu, Gwangju, visitors gathered around a single tree that had bloomed earlier than the hundreds lining the trails.
People on benches kept snapping photos against the pink blossoms.
Nearby trees were swollen with buds and on the verge of opening. A, a 63-year-old woman who manages the park, said, “Judging by the buds, they should be in full bloom next week. If they bloom this year, I’ll take my granddaughter by the hand and go see them,” showing a photo of her grandchild.
A couple in their early 30s said they mainly visit Sangnok Hall Park and Uncheon Reservoir in Seo-gu. They came out after hearing the cherry blossoms had already started opening and said they plan to travel together again this year to enjoy the blooms.
Weekend crowds packed major spots nationwide. On the 21st, thousands visited most of Gangwon Province’s national parks, and popular tourist sites such as Yeongwol — buoyed by the film The Man Who Lives with the King (Wang-sa-nam) — continued to draw visitors.
By 2:15 p.m. that day, Seoraksan National Park had recorded 4,662 visitors. At about 1:45 p.m., Odaesan National Park (counted at Woljeongsa) had 2,660 visitors; Chiaksan and Taebaeksan National Parks recorded 1,862 and 460 visitors, respectively.
Gariwangsan in Jeongseon also drew crowds. The Gariwangsan cable car had carried 272 riders by 1:40 p.m. that day.
That afternoon, the tree-lined streets of Yongho-dong in Seongsan-gu, Changwon, were bustling with people enjoying the mild spring weather. Most wore light layers, and some young men strolled in short sleeves, savoring the early warmth.
Several families spread mats on the grass and relaxed.
Choi, 41, who came with friends, said, “I saw magnolias blooming in my apartment complex this week and decided we should get out this weekend. There aren’t many green leaves yet, but you can already feel spring in the air and in the vibe here.”
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