Exploring the Hidden Beauty of Jeopsik Flower Village
By Jo Yun-hee, 14th SNS Reporter
Jeopsik Flower Village (Deokjeon-dong, Baekse Village)
- Address: Sanari 603-10, Gaya-eup, Haman-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Recently, I visited Sanari in Gaya-eup, where the Jeopsik Flower Festival was held, while stopping by my great-aunt's house. Despite the high temperature and humidity, making it a sweaty afternoon, I felt it was worth the visit to Baekse Village (Jeopsik Flower Village).
The exact origin of the village's name is unknown, but it is believed to be derived from its location, nestled among three villages: Gaya-ri, Myosa-ri, and Baeksa-myeon. Sanari, which is situated in the innermost part, was once the capital of Aragaya, one of the six Gaya states, and was incorporated into Silla during the reign of King Beopheung. On May 1, 1979, Gaya-myeon was elevated to Gaya-eup, leading to the present-day Sanari.
Located on the western edge of Gaya-eup, it borders Gunbuk-myeon to the west, Myosa-ri to the north, Gaya-ri to the east, and Chungok-ri and Sineum-ri to the south. Deokjeon-dong, where the Jeopsik Flower Festival took place, is a village formed around a valley and flatland extending from the northern mountains. The main road, Hamma-daero, runs east-west along the narrow flatland of Pildong, with side roads connecting to neighboring villages, making it about a 7-minute drive from my great-aunt's house.
The rows of Jeopsik flowers planted along the roadside create a beautiful sight that seems to touch the hearts of passersby. One flower appeared to be reaching out, almost as if it wanted to give a high-five, so I captured that moment.
It is fascinating to think about how many places use the Jeopsik flower, a herald of early summer, as a theme for their festivals. Starting in 2024, Haman's Deokjeon Village will begin a project to cultivate and develop Jeopsik Flower Village.
As part of the 'Ara Rural Village Regeneration Project' initiated by Haman-gun, Baekse Village has established signposts and stone guardians to inform visitors that it is a community cultivated by residents under the leadership of village head Jeong Chang-hyo.
A brief stroll around Jeopsik Flower Village doesn't take long, and if you happen to miss the beautiful flower hills and paths, I encourage you to remember them and make sure to visit next year.
The Jeopsik flower, commonly seen in village entrances and yards, evokes warm feelings for many Koreans. I used to see them often in my childhood, but they seemed to have gradually disappeared from my surroundings, becoming a flower only found in rural areas. Thus, it was a delightful surprise to see them in clusters.
While various sculptures are placed among the flowers, they harmoniously blend into the scenery, perhaps due to their colors. The Jeopsik flower, native to China, Western Asia, and Eastern Europe, is a biennial or perennial herb.
Once it blooms, it flowers sequentially from the bottom to the top, allowing for an extended viewing period of its vivid and beautiful blossoms, typically starting in early June and continuing until August. The flowers at the lower part bloom first, followed by those above, ensuring a long-lasting display. The buds, which appear around the rainy season in June, still abound on the stems, leaving us hopeful for continued blooms.
The Jeopsik flower, with five petals and a star-shaped calyx, is also known as Althaea rosea, derived from the ancient Greek word 'althaino,' meaning 'to heal.' The species name 'rosea' means 'rose-colored' in Latin, reflecting the flower's large and vibrant blooms. Traditionally, the roots and leaves have been used to soothe inflammation, particularly the white Jeopsik flower root, which is known to be effective for women with severe menstrual pain.
Here are some benefits of the Jeopsik flower:
- Promotes blood circulation and has a fever-reducing effect
- Acts as a lubricant and detoxifier
- Has anti-inflammatory properties and improves kidney function
- Helps with gynecological issues and various other treatments
While the Jeopsik flower offers many health benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone. Due to its cooling properties, those with digestive issues or stomach pain should avoid excessive consumption, and it is contraindicated for pregnant women as it may stimulate blood flow and the uterus.
In Baekse Village, which features a 1.5 km-long Jeopsik Flower Path, the festival from June 6 to 8, 2026, will include flower path walks, photo zones, resident-made sculptures, traditional Korean house miniatures, bird watching, and a farmers' market. I hope to visit during the festival next year.
Under the leadership of the village head, residents have planted Jeopsik flowers, maintained the paths, and created sculptures from reclaimed wood and metal. The efforts in this regeneration project have earned Baekse Village the Best Award, demonstrating the collective sweat and affection of the villagers.
As I share my experiences in this blossoming community, I wish that your days, too, bloom beautifully.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/arahaman/224321816097
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