[Pyeongchang Winter Olympics] Hyo Seok Cultural Festival and Bongpyeong 5 Days Market
In Pyeongchang, the city which hosts the 2018 Winter Olympics, there is a place with endless flower field. This place is featured in a novel by Lee Hyo Seok (1907 – 1942).
Buckwheat Flower Field
The Hyo Seok Cultural Festival is held to remember the Korean writer and his popular novel – When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom, a novel which links the human life and the beauty of nature through the dazzling scenery of Bongpyeong. Festival goers will be able to partake in many different activities such as poem exhibition, literary night, Hyo Seok essay contest, nature experiences (e.g. fingernail painting using balsam), buckwheat food cooking, and many more. Visitors may also tour Lee Hyo Seok’s birthplace and memorial hall.
Lee Hyo Seok Cultural Village
Hyo Seok Cultural Festival Information
Admission/Participation Fees: Free
Period: 2 – 10 September 2017
Address: 157, Ihyoseok-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Transportation: Take an intercity bus to Jangpyeong Intercity Bus Terminal. From Jangpyeong Terminal, take a local bus bound for Bongpyeong or Phoenix Park shuttle bus.
An Introduction to Lee Hyo Seok
Born in February 23, 1907 in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, Lee used the pen-name Gasan. With 70 fictions under his belt, Lee first attracted the literary world in 1928 when his story City and Ghost was published under Joseon Jigwang (a monthly magazine claimed to support racial movement, mostly featured academic essay and literary work). Many other notable works include Unanticipated Meeting, Shattered Red Lantern, and At Sea Near Russia, all reflects his socialist empathies. The novel When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom was set in his hometown, in which the area is still famous for buckwheat production.
When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom (1936)
Tells the story of Mr Heo, a Jangdeolbaengi (vendors who moved around the 5 days market mainly in Pyeongchang, Jecheon and Yeongwol area) who lost his money gambling and moved to Bongpyeong Market place with his best friend Mr. Cho. There, they met a young Jangdeolbaengi and together they moved to a new market place. On a journey to their new place, Mr Heo started talking about his lifetime love which he met 20 years ago in Bongpyeong Market when he was a young Jangdeolbaengi. It was a night when the buckwheat flowers bloomed like scattered salts in the field.
Lee Hyo Seok Culture Village and Culture Hall
The village was named first national cultural village by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The village comprised of the author’s birth house, a water mill, Chungjujip, Gasan Park, Lee Hyo Seok Memorial Hall, and a buckwheat museum. Beautiful scenery of snow-white fields of buckwheat flowers can be experienced during the height of the blossom season.
The literary house includes Literature Exhibition (chronology of Lee Hyo Seok’s works), Literary Class, Art Research, Creative Idea Room, and a Theatre for literary plays. A mock-up of the old Bongpyeong Marketplace and videos for children and a number of other activities are available.
Lee Hyo Seok Cultural Hall
Admission/Participation Fees: Adults – 2000 won; Middle and High School students – 1500 won; Elementary School Students – 1000 won
Address: 73-25, Hyoseokmunhak-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Operating Hours: November – April 9am to 6pm, May – October 9am to 7pm
Bongpyeong 5 Days Market
Bongpyeong 5 Days Market
Bongpyeong Market operates on 2nd and 7th day with the interval of 5 days. Buckwheat has been the top product of the market, ranging from buckwheat noodles, buckwheat pancake, buckwheat crepe, buckwheat steamed bun, buckwheat noodles hotpot, buckwheat bibimbap and more.
Buckwheat Pancake
Market opening days: Every 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd and 27th of every month
Address: 14-1, Dongijangteo-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Traditional Market Revitalization Project with Hyundai Card
Under the slogan “Development for Sustainability”, Bongpyeong Market Project 2014 conserved the basic infrastructure of the market and adopted exterior design in each shop.
Bongpyeong Market draws in more than 5000 people with more than 100 stores in its peak season, with this, Hyundai Card designed and installed canopy tents and stands for the stores to create more space for the visitors.