Exploring the Sonagi Village: A Literary Retreat in Yangpyeong
[Reporter: Jeon Hyun-soo]
Do you remember the short story "Sonagi" from your Korean literature textbooks during school? The innocent yet poignant sadness of a rural boy and a city girl, the purple bellflower, and the sudden rain shower remain an indelible nostalgia in our hearts. A special place exists in Gyeonggi Province where you can experience this pure literary ambiance through your senses. This is the 'Hwang Sun-won Literary Village,' located in Seojong-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, where the landscape of a real downpour is beautifully recreated based on the story's sentences.
The Hwang Sun-won Literary Museum was established in collaboration between Yangpyeong-gun and Kyung Hee University to honor the literary spirit of Hwang Sun-won, a writer known for his aesthetic of purity and restraint, who left behind numerous masterpieces in poetry and fiction.
The literary village was built on the premise that the spatial setting of the story is indeed in the Yangpyeong area, inspired by the phrase "Tomorrow, the girl will move to Yangpyeong-eup." Spanning over 47,000 square meters, this complex cultural park goes beyond mere exhibition purposes, offering visitors a place to wash away daily fatigue and enjoy emotional relaxation.
The interior of the museum, built over three floors, features a recreation of the author's writing room, original manuscripts, and rare books donated by his family and the literary community.
Recently, the museum has transformed into a modern cultural space incorporating digital technology through a project by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The media art experience hall showcases cozy, non-stimulating animated videos, allowing children and elementary school students to immerse themselves in literary narratives.
Interactive smart programs are available for visitors to participate in writing and communication, adding to the excitement. Personally, I found the exhibition space themed around Hwang Sun-won's short stories, which I read often in my youth, to be the most delightful. Seeing the contents I read in the stories represented through images and sculptures transported me back to my student days when I used to write book reports.
The most essential experience at Sonagi Village is the 'Artificial Sonagi Performance' held in the square. Every hour on the hour and every three minutes past the hour, refreshing water cascades down, perfectly reenacting a scene from the story. On sunny days, a beautiful rainbow emerges amidst the mist, bringing great joy to family visitors and children.
With huts and structures resembling rice straw scattered throughout, children who find it difficult to get wet can safely observe from inside, making it convenient to store belongings or change clothes. Watching the sudden downpour from inside the hut makes one feel like a character in the story.
The outdoor walking paths are designed for a healing experience, and various photo zones reminiscent of scenes from the story make it perfect for family outings.
This summer, instead of crowded and tiring vacation spots, I recommend embarking on a quiet journey to enjoy the literary atmosphere amidst the lush nature of Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. May you find refreshing coolness and cherished nostalgia at Sonagi Village this summer.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeonggi_gov/224353089400
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