Kyo-dong Mural Village

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In today’s Close Up, we take you to a village in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. Jecheon was originally famous for its scenic landscape created by the combination of a lake and sprawling mountains. A village in the region is emerging as a popular tourist destination thanks to the beautiful murals that decorate its homes. Let's set off for Kyo-dong Village in Jecheon.

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Rolling mountains surround Jecheon in Chungcheongbuk-do Province. Kyo-dong folk painting village is a newly discovered jewel in the region. The walls of low-lying one-story houses are decorated with folk paintings. Folk paintings depict the small wishes of ordinary people in a traditional style.

[Soundbite] Lee Jae-shin (Cooperative of Kyo-dong Folk Painting Village) : "Murals of folk paintings were drawn in 2015. It is a roofless museum of folk paintings. Popular subjects of folk paintings are longevity, harmony, wealth and prosperity. So the village attracts people with these wishes."

A course of seven different themes spread out from the center of the village. The village is not that large so about one hour is enough to check it out. The first destination is a route wishing for academic achievement. A giant carp drawn on the ground contains the hopes that a fish will become a dragon. This painting was drawn in the past for Confucian scholars who were determined to pass the state-administered civil service examination.

[Soundbite] Lee jae-hee (Cooperative of Kyo-dong Folk Painting Village) : "It means that a carp swims up through rough waves in order to achieve its dream of becoming a dragon."

It was just an isolated village two years ago. Local artists teamed up to draw folk paintings and murals on the walls of ramshackle houses. With the buzz generated over the project, the village began to attract streams of people who want to realize their wishes. This course wishing for social and career success is the most popular. Climbing up this stairway, despite the strenuous endeavor, symbolizes achieving career success.

[Soundbite] "I have succeeded!"

Next is a route wishing for fame. Folk paintings in hopes of achieving success and fame are found around the village. After a long walk, Let's stop by a store selling a local specialty.

[Soundbite] "Three dragon breads, please."

This is bread shaped like a dragon and filled with sweet red bean paste and cream.

[Soundbite] Chae Geum-sook (Cooperative of Kyo-dong Folk Painting Village) : "The bread was themed on a dragon in a folk painting. It wishes for good luck and success."

It represents hopes for success in exams or at work. A path toward the middle of the village leads to a cluster of craft workshops. Paper fans, hankies and a small table are all decorated with folk paintings. A workshop is packed with those who draw folk paintings themselves. With a sober look, they are absorbed in expressing their hopes in the drawings. The Kyo-dong folk painting village overflows with warmth, humor and hopes.