Insaeng sajin, literally translated to “life photo,” is a rather new word often used by young people in Korea to express a photo that came out very well, or the photo of a lifetime. It has become trendy to look up and travel to places that provide the perfect conditions to take an inseang sajin. If there were an insaeng sajin capital of Korea, it would probably be Jeonju. Here’s why…

After booking a ticket on the Express Bus app and taking a one-hour bus ride from the southern city of Gwangju, we arrive in Jeonju. It’s just about dinnertime. After a pit-stop at our hanok accommodation, a traditional Korean-style house, to drop off our luggage, we’re off to a place recommended by a Korean friend: the Nambu Night Market.

On Friday and Saturday Nambu night market comes alive

If I was hungry before the ten-minute walk from the accommodation, the market took my appetite to a new level. While the Nambu Market is a daily thing, the night market is reserved only for Friday and Saturday evenings. Summer hours are 18:00 - 24:00 while in the winter it’s open 17:00 - 22:00. The delicious smell of various Korean foods like gimbap and tteokgalbi along with exotic foods such as fried milk and lamb skewers, fill the air. It is truly a feast for the senses.

A modern twist on the traditional Korean tteokgalbi (grilled rib patties)

Cheesy pork cutlet

After a few dishes, my hunger disappears. At this moment, my belly is the center of my happiness. On the way home we pass Pungnammun Gate before entering the Hanok Village again.

Nambu night market

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The illuminated Pungnammun Gate at night

The streets of the Hanok Village are busy at night as well, but it feels very different once the sun sets. Many tourists, myself included, come to Jeonju for a day trip. They rent traditional Korean clothes called hanbok, take photos, eat Jeonju’s representative dish, bibimbap, and go back in the evening. Unfortunately, this means missing out on these beautiful and serene night views.

The streets of the hanok village have a different vibe at night

With this, our first adventure in Jeonju comes to an end, and it’s time to get some rest at the traditional Korean accommodation to gain energy for the next day.

The weather does not keep these Korean ladies from wearing hanbok and taking pretty pictures

Rainy reflections

Sleeping on a floor mattress is not common in my home country, but the next morning I feel well rested and ready for some more exploring. Unfortunately, the weather gods are not on our side today. Sliding the door of the hanok room open, rain greets us, and of course I didn’t pack an umbrella. My plans to rent a hanbok and take pretty pictures with it crumbled before of my eyes.
Slightly disheartened, we check out and make our way to the nearest convenience store to buy an umbrella. Luckily, the rain is not too heavy, and I soon realize that rainy days also offer some unique photo opportunities, be it reflections of houses in the puddles or umbrella-covered hanbok displays.

The Jeonju Handicraft Exhibition Hall and adjacent buildings offer interesting insights of Korean culture

The Jeonju Handicraft Exhibition Hall and adjacent buildings offer the opportunity to learn more about Korean culture and the chance to play Gonggi, a popular Korean children’s game. Basically it’s about throwing and catching five small, plastic stones, which doesn’t sound too difficult. My hopeless attempts prove me wrong, but it’s fun to try nevertheless.

Trying to play Gonggi, a Korean children’s game

One of the most popular photo spots is Jeondong Catholic Cathedral

On our way to lunch, we pass one of the most popular photo spots, the Jeondong Catholic Cathedral on the outskirts of the Hanok Village. Unfortunately, we were not able to enter it, but the main gate was open so we could get a peek of the impressive interior of the cathedral. Since it’s probably the tallest building nearby, it serves as an orientation guide, and throughout the day we spotted the cathedral from many different places and angles.

Jeonju’s representative food: Bibimbap

For lunch we have Jeonju’s representative food: bibimbap. Rice and a rainbow of vegetables, egg and meat are mixed together with spicy red pepper sauce before eating. It is, in one word: delicious.

As we come out of the restaurant, the sky is a little bluer than before. The rain has stopped. While walking the streets of the Hanok Village one last time, we are able to spot some early signs of spring.

In just a few weeks the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom. I think about how wonderful it would be to visit Jeonju during that time, wearing a hanbok, the enchanting fragrances of blooming flowers in the air, ready to take the photo of a lifetime.

Early signs of spring

Jeonju Hanok Village

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Jeondong Catholic Cathedral

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Exploring the Hanok Village in Jeonju is a great experience. There are restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and more, all in traditional Korean houses called hanok. The only thing that’s missing is the chance to actually spend the night in one of these traditional houses.

The warm lights of Siwon at night

A cozy and warm room

After living in Korea for almost 3 years, this was my first time staying in a hanok. To say that I was excited would be an understatement. When we arrived it was just getting dark in Jeonju and the lamps bathed the building in a warm, bright light. It was quiet and peaceful just like I imagined it. The friendly owners live in the same house and have a few rooms they rent out to guests. Our room was just at the corner of the building, and quite tiny. Traditional Korean houses don’t use beds, but floor mattresses. During the day, they are folded and stored away to make space. The best word to describe the room would probably be cozy. It felt like home to me.

Siwon Hanok Stay

One of the best things about sleeping in a hanok is the floor heating. After unfolding the mattress, which was surprisingly comfortable, and lying down, I felt the warm floor just underneath me and I quickly fell asleep.

The light entering the room softly woke me up in the morning. I had had a great night of sleep and felt ready to explore Jeonju one more time.

Staying at Siwon Hanok was more than just an accommodation choice, it was a wonderful chance to experience traditional Korean living and make a unique and unforgettable memory in Korea.

Private bathroom at Siwon