Romantic Alley

[Anchor Lead]

Today, we take you on a retreat to a romantic street in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Province. The destination features story-telling murals, a market and workshops for young business owners. Let's go.

[Pkg]

Our train arrives at Chuncheon Station. The first destination in the city is a neighborhood called Hyoja-dong. A tour along the street begins from the huge "Hyoja-mun" gate. Murals along the 1.3-kilometer alley tells about Ban Hee-eon who was famous for his strong filial piety for his parents during the Joseon Dynasty period. The neighborhood's name "Hyoja" means a person of filial virtue. There is a library in the neighborhood. It serves as a space both for the locals and tourists to take a rest while reading books. Children love this library, in particular, since they can go down the slide to the first floor after choosing books on the second floor.

[Soundbite] Shim So-ah(Visitor) : "Many libraries are just for adults. But this place has books for children so both mothers and children can read books comfortably."

A local market near the neighborhood is also a popular destination. The market was first established to sell goods coming from nearby U.S. bases after the Korean War. A warm, romantic atmosphere can be felt at this decades-old place. Recently, a group of young businesspeople have begun to open stores on Yookrim Hill near the market This bakery sells loafs of bread containing rainbows.

[Soundbite] Kwon Seong-ki(Bakery Owner) : "I came up with rainbow bread, since I wanted to produce bread different from those at other bakeries."

The dough of five colors is quite beautiful itself. Cheese is spread and chestnuts are added into the stacks of dough. After some time in the oven, the dough has become rainbow bread.

[Soundbite] Kim Jeong-sook(Customer) : "First, the shape is fantastic. And it is not sweet with the filling of cheese. It is mild and savory."

Next, let's visit a doll craft shop. All the dolls sold here are made of socks. Dolls are shaped with careful needlework. Sock dolls are complete with a filling of cotton. Customers find more meaning in the dolls that were made with their own efforts.

[Soundbite] Park Eun-ji(Visitor) : "It is more rewarding and meaningful, since I can make my own doll and bring it home."

Packed with a lot of fun and hands-on experience programs, this romantic street is a good place for a brief escape from the mundane everyday routine.