A Quiet Weekend in Rural Korea: Coffee Served by My Daughter

A white coffee cup with gold trim on a dark kitchen counter during a quiet family weekend in rural Korea

Not every weekend needs a special plan. Sometimes, the best way to spend a weekend is simply to stay at home, sleep a little longer, and enjoy the small moments that are easy to overlook during a busy week. That was exactly how we spent this weekend in rural Korea. My children and I slept … 더 읽기

A Simple Evening Walk with My Son in Rural Korea

Golden autumn sunset over silver grass and fields in rural Yeonggwang, South Korea

Sometimes, the most memorable moments in life come from the simplest plans. One evening, my daughter was away on a school field trip, so it was just my son and me at home. We decided to go for a walk through our village. We eventually decided to walk to a small local shop called Dongrak … 더 읽기

The Kindness of Rural Korea: Seasonal Gifts from Our Neighbors

Seasonal persimmons and Korean zucchini shared by neighbors in rural Korea

There are days when living in the Korean countryside feels especially heartwarming. Today was one of those days. We received two unexpected gifts from our neighbors: freshly picked persimmons and a beautiful green zucchini. Neither gift was expensive or elaborate. They were simply seasonal foods that our neighbors had grown themselves. But these small gestures … 더 읽기

What Grows in Rural Korea? From Chili Peppers to Ramie Leaves (Part 3)

Rows of red and green chili pepper plants growing across a large field under a clear blue sky in rural South Korea

When people think about the Korean countryside, they often imagine rice fields, mountains, and quiet village roads. But there is something else that makes rural Korea interesting: the many different crops growing in the fields. In Part 1 of this series, I shared our occasional morning walk to school. In Part 2, I showed the … 더 읽기

Beautiful Countryside Views in Rural Korea: An Autumn Morning (Part 2)

Golden rice fields with green mountains and a clear blue autumn sky in rural South Korea

When people imagine South Korea, they often think of Seoul’s busy streets, tall buildings, and colorful city lights. But there is another side of Korea that looks completely different. It is a place of golden rice fields, quiet country roads, low mountains, and small villages surrounded by farmland. I live in rural South Korea, and … 더 읽기

Do Children Walk to School in Rural Korea? Our Morning Routine (Part 1)

Children walking along a country road between golden rice fields in rural South Korea

On a beautiful autumn morning in rural South Korea, the sky was a brilliant blue, the rice fields were turning golden, and our children were ready for school earlier than usual. It was the perfect day to leave the car at home. So we decided to walk to school, bringing along our Shiba Inu, Sonny. … 더 읽기

What Can You See on an Ordinary Morning in Rural Korea?

Blue morning glory blooming beside a home in rural Korea

When people imagine Korea, they often picture Seoul—crowded streets, tall apartment buildings, busy subway stations, and brightly lit shopping districts. But an ordinary morning in rural Korea can look very different. One morning, I took my children to school as usual. Around our house, morning glories were blooming in many places. At the school, I … 더 읽기

Beautiful Rural Korea: Driving Along Yeonggwang’s Baeksu Coastal Road

Seaside cafe along Baeksu Coastal Road in rural Yeonggwang, South Korea

When people think about traveling in South Korea, places like Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island usually come to mind first. But Korea has another side that many overseas visitors rarely get to see. I live in Yeonggwang, a rural county in Jeollanam-do, and one of the most beautiful places in this area is Baeksu Coastal … 더 읽기

Harvesting Jujubes From the Tree in Front of Our Home in Rural Korea

Fresh Korean jujubes harvested from a tree in front of our home in rural Korea

There is a large jujube tree right in front of our home in rural Korea. Most of the year, it is simply part of the scenery. We pass by it every day without thinking much about it. But when autumn comes, the small green fruits begin to change color, and suddenly the tree becomes impossible … 더 읽기

How Is Water Controlled in Korea’s Rice Fields?

Agricultural water channel running beside rice fields and a farm road in rural South Korea

When you look across the Korean countryside, rice fields are usually the first thing that catches your eye. In late summer and early autumn, they can stretch across the landscape in shades of green and gold. But there is another part of this landscape that is much easier to overlook. Look beside the narrow farm … 더 읽기