Soaring Towards Dreams: The Majestic Egret
Standing at the coast of Daangjin's Waemok Village, the symbolic sculpture 'Saebit Waemok' glimmers under the afternoon sun. The sleek neck of the egret, crafted from stainless steel, shines brilliantly in silver. During low tide, visitors can walk along the exposed beach to reach the sculpture. The horizon stretches eastward, where the sun rises from the right sea in the morning and sets at the left end in the evening.
It seems like it has been nearly 20 years since I last visited Waemok Village. I remember coming here for a fishing trip with my children when they were young. This place was renowned for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets along the West Coast, making it symbolically significant. I am curious about how this familiar destination has changed over the years.
The landscape feels vaguely familiar, but new buildings have emerged, and the beach scenery has become more pleasant. However, the area is not as bustling as its fame might suggest. Waemok Village hosts a sunset event on December 31 and a sunrise event on January 1, making it famous for being able to witness both the sunrise and sunset along the West Coast.
The sun begins to set early due to the surrounding hills and tall buildings. As it coincides with low tide, the seawater recedes, allowing me to take slow steps toward the sea in front of the Waemok Village sign. To my left, there’s a viewpoint for the beach, and to the right, the 'Saebit Waemok' sculpture comes into view.
I walk on the exposed beach, and as I move further toward the shore, I find a stretch of small pebbles. During high tide, the soft sandy beach is visible, but once the water recedes, the black pebble mudflat is exposed. Standing before the 'Saebit Waemok,' constructed in 2018, I admire its impressive size—9.5 meters wide, 6.6 meters deep, and 30 meters tall—making it the largest coastal sculpture in Korea. It dwarfs the famous 8.5-meter 'Hand of Harmony' in Pohang.
The village of Waemok, located at the northern tip of the Taean Peninsula, stretches out like the neck of an egret, dividing the West Sea. This is why the village is named 'Waemok,' and the sculpture symbolizes the soaring egret towards its dreams.
As I gaze at the horizon where the blue sea meets the sky, I see distant low islands of the West Sea. Boats floating in the water are for tourists fishing, and at this time of year, the black rockfish caught directly from the sea is exceptionally delicious.
The breakwater is constructed with concrete walls, where boats dock inside. The landscape of the receded beach appears somewhat dull, resembling monochrome.
At the entrance to the breakwater, there is a photo zone featuring the Saebit Waemok. If you position yourself correctly in front of the wings, it looks as if you are soaring with the wings of an egret. During sunrise, this scene symbolizes hope.
A small yellow iron lighthouse stands out, and it seems too tiny to be a lighthouse. People gather around it, and as I walk along the breakwater towards the lighthouse, I can see clearly into the water below. Walking to the end of the breakwater is a thrilling experience, especially since the area near the lighthouse is always submerged, covered in green seaweed.
Many people are fishing, hoping to catch black rockfish or flatfish. I spot a student just lifting their line, and surprisingly, a crab is caught on the hook.
As I leave Waemok Village, I encounter expansive fields. In the rice paddies, I see dark spots that, upon closer inspection, turn out to be migratory birds resting. When they all take flight at once, it creates a spectacular scene. This area is also famous as a migratory bird habitat along the West Coast.
My visit to Waemok Village was filled with beautiful sea views, delicious seafood, and the sight of migratory birds, making it a fulfilling experience. As the autumn leaves have fallen, this season marks the off-peak travel time. For some peace of mind, how about a trip to the sea? I highly recommend Waemok Village for its stunning sunrises and sunsets along the West Coast.
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