Korean Folk Village 한국 민속촌 in South Korea

Recently, I was sitting down talking with Audrey about places we ought to visit before our time teaching ESL in Korea expires.  With just a few weeks left on my contract, I realized there was a place I had to take her before the harsh chills of winter crept up on us.  That place was the Korean Folk Village (한국 민속촌) located in Suwon/Yongin, South Korea.

The Folk Village is a living museum displaying various elements of traditional Korean culture and life.  Visiting in the fall, as we did, turned out to be a wise decision because of the gorgeous colours of the leaves surrounding us.  We enjoyed taking in various types of culture performances that included a tight rope walker, equestrian stunts and the reenactment of a traditional Korean marriage.  As wandered around we feasted on delicious Korean food with our favourite being pumpkin taffy candies.

The following is a photo essay and travel video capturing our time at the Korean Folk Village:

Audrey showcases the Korean totem poles which happen to be quite smiley :)

Audrey showcases the Korean totem poles which happen to be quite smiley 🙂

This Korean man performed numerous stunts, flips and jumps during his tightrope walking performance.

This Korean man performed numerous stunts, flips and jumps during his tightrope walking performance.

This Korean boy had the crowd mesmerized by his equestrian stunts.

This Korean boy had the crowd mesmerized by his equestrian stunts at the Korean Folk Village.

This is a traditional Chinese / Korean character written on one of the traditional homes at the Korean Folk Village.

This is a traditional Chinese / Korean character written on one of the traditional homes at the Korean Folk Village.

The gorgeous colours of fall at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Korea.

The gorgeous colours of fall at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Korea.

A Korean elderly man read from this Korean scroll during the traditional Korean marriage ceremony.

A Korean elderly man read from this Korean scroll during the traditional Korean marriage ceremony.

During the Korean traditional wedding ceremony this Korean man hauls some the newly-wed couples present and/or belongings at the Korean Folk Village located in Yongin, South Korea.

During the Korean traditional wedding ceremony this Korean man hauls some the newly-wed couples present and/or belongings at the Korean Folk Village located in Yongin, South Korea.

This is one of my favourite shots I've taken with Audrey. We were truly happy that day experiencing the Korean Folk Village together.

This is one of my favourite shots I’ve taken with Audrey. We were truly happy that day experiencing the Korean Folk Village together.

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Our video from our experience at the Korean Folk Village

This Korean man dressed in traditional attire performed a hilarious take on the popular Korean song Gangnam Style by Psy.

This Korean man dressed in traditional attire performed a hilarious take on the popular Korean song Gangnam Style by Psy.

Here a Korean staff member dressed as a traditional farmer tends to a watering can.

Here a Korean staff member dressed as a traditional farmer tends to a watering can.

This young Korean boy was definitely one of the stars of the show. Here he is pretending to be falling off of the horse as it races around the ring.

This young Korean boy was definitely one of the stars of the show. Here he is pretending to be falling off of the horse as it races around the ring.

In this photo Audrey is posing with two Korean men who participated in the reenactment of the Korean traditional marriage ceremony.

In this photo Audrey is posing with two Korean men who participated in the reenactment of the Korean traditional marriage ceremony.

This Korean equestrian rider is attempting to grab the cloth placed on the perimeter of the ring. Do you think he grabbed it or not? :P

This Korean equestrian rider is attempting to grab the cloth placed on the perimeter of the ring. Do you think he grabbed it or not? 😛

Audrey is definitely 'the model' in our relationship. If I was to stand in front of the camera more often it surely would be broken by now :P

Audrey is definitely ‘the model’ in our relationship. If I was to stand in front of the camera more often it surely would be broken by now 😛

I know personally that I can barely ride a horse normally. I can't imagine the amount of hours and training that would be required to perform such equestrian feats.

I know personally that I can barely ride a horse normally. I can’t imagine the amount of hours and training that would be required to perform such equestrian feats.

The Korean groom drinks from a cup during the wedding ceremony at the Korean Folk Village.

The Korean groom drinks from a cup during the wedding ceremony at the Korean Folk Village.

The groom bows several times during the traditional Korean wedding ceremony in Yongin, South Korea.

The groom bows several times during the traditional Korean wedding ceremony in Yongin, South Korea.

Here the Korean bride gracefully sips on the offering in her cup - Suwon, South Korea.

Here the Korean bride gracefully sips on the offering in her cup – Suwon, South Korea.

The stunts and overall athleticism of the Korean equestrian performers was truly off the charts spectacular. I think this qualifies under the category of 'do not try this at home' :P

The stunts and overall athleticism of the Korean equestrian performers was truly off the charts spectacular. I think this qualifies under the category of ‘do not try this at home’ 😛

Everyone was racing to the front to capture a photo of the Korean performers but I thought it would be more interesting to capture what the crowd was doing.

Everyone was racing to the front to capture a photo of the Korean performers but I thought it would be more interesting to capture what the crowd was doing.

Taking photos with camera phones is all the rage in Korea these days. Actually, what's just as common are photos with tablets and ipads.

Taking photos with camera phones is all the rage in Korea these days. Actually, what’s just as common are photos with tablets and ipads.

A group of tourists with expensive photography gear huddle together to take the same photo. As a travel photography tip, I recommend doing exactly the opposite. Don't try to take the photos that everyone else is doing. Instead head off on your own and look for creative angles and vantage points that are unique.

A group of tourists with expensive photography gear huddle together to take the same photo. As a travel photography tip, I recommend doing exactly the opposite. Don’t try to take the photos that everyone else is doing. Instead head off on your own and look for creative angles and vantage points that are unique.

While riding the horses a select group of talented performers were shooting bows and arrows at the target in the centre of the ring.

While riding the horses a select group of talented performers were shooting bows and arrows at the target in the centre of the ring.

Korean toilet for women at the Korean Folk Village.

Korean toilet for women at the Korean Folk Village.

Here is the Korean toilet for men. If you travel enough in Korea you'll notice that toilets often have colourful, humorous or animated types of signs.

Here is the Korean toilet for men. If you travel enough in Korea you’ll notice that toilets often have colourful, humorous or animated types of signs

Join the Conversation

11 Comments

    1. says: Audrey

      It really is colorful! Not just the trees but also the outfits. I really liked the traditional clothes the performers were wearing. 🙂

  1. says: Erik

    Wow, this is endlessly fascinating. I love these types of cultural experiences, and this is the first post I’ve read on one of these in Korea. Great pictures!

    1. says: Audrey

      It was great, Erik. Korea has a lot of traditional performances – especially when it comes to reenacting the Joseon dynasty. We seem to stumble upon them wherever we go. 🙂

  2. A great set of action shots, Sam!
    The toilet signs are cute 🙂
    And I agree, this pic of you and Audrey is really good! You look happy in fall colours 😉

    1. says: Audrey

      Thanks! We were both really happy to get to explore the village. If you’re ever in Korea, this place comes highly recommended. 🙂

  3. says: Natalie

    You have done well to get the pictures of poeple in mid-action. What settings on the camera did you use? I know if that was me, the photos would have been blurred

  4. says: Andrea

    You guys are cute! This looks like an awesome day out – I’d love to visit Korea one day

    1. says: Audrey

      Thanks Andrea! Korea is a fun place to visit, especially if you enjoy traditional and cultural performances. 🙂

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