[HanCinema Korea's Photo Diary] Samcheok Haesindang Park

Tucked away in Samcheok Gangwon-do lies the popular Haesindang Park. The park is home to the local legend of Aebawi and Haesindang and is littered with penis sculptures to mark the couple's tragic love and the villagers' mourning of it. Last weekend was a long weekend here in Korea and many ventured out to the East coast of Korea to enjoy the time off. Since the Park is also close to Samcheok beach, another very popular attraction for both locals and travellers, it receives a lot of foot traffic during the holidays. Many are aware of the penis statues on Jeju Island and Haesindang Park offers something very similar if you can't make it all the way down South. Enjoy the pictures and venture out there if you ever get the chance!

Legend of Aebawi and Haesindang

"There once lived a young maid who was engaged. One day, the maid took her husband's boat out to sea to harvest seaweed. Her husband dropped her off at a rock that was at a distance from the beach. After promising to pick her up later, he returned to the beach to do his work. Later, the weather changed, and brought with it strong winds and pummeling waves. The man couldn't rescue his wife and she ultimately drowned. Since then, the village people caught no fish and some said that it was because of the dead maid. To soothe the spirit of the dead maid, the village people made several wooden carvings and held religious ceremonies on her behalf. After a while, the fish slowly returned and the villagers were able to live comfortably again. The place where the maid died was named Aebawi Rock and the building where the religious ceremony is held twice a year was named Haesindang. The ceremony is still honored today as a traditional folk event".

(Taken from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr)

 

 

- C.J Wheeler (chriscjw@gmail.com)

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