DIARY

Hallyu Diary Vol.13

After traveling to the many corners of Korea, I wanted to try something different this time
by going where the vibes of hallyu would take me.
And so, I headed to Daegu, a city where traces of hallyu are hidden in every corner!

With filming locations, streets rich in tradition, and inviting spaces for both the body and mind,
Daegu was a city where the charm of hallyu and a peaceful calm coexisted together.
Let me share some of the magical moments of hallyu healing I discovered in this city.

As soon as I arrived in Daegu, I headed straight to Yangnyeong Market Street!
The market hosts numerous large and small herbal medicine shops,
each steeped in the cleansing aroma of traditional herbs.
It is the oldest herbal medicine market in Korea with over 360 years of history.
Just walking through the space fills you with a soothing calm.

Strolling by the market, you might stumble upon the Gyesan Cathedral, another amazing find.
It’s where the wedding scene of Geum-myeong,
the main character in the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines, was filmed.
Charmed by the romantic mood, I couldn’t help but snap a couple photos in this relaxed setting.

Every year, the market hosts the Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Festival,
where visitors can experience Korea’s traditional medicine and herbal culture up close.
I also felt drawn to explore the world of hanbang Korean traditional medicine myself,
so I headed over to the Korean Medicine Experience Town nearby.

The town is a K-wellness hotspot where you can experience deep healing from the inside out.
When I stepped inside, the place seemed both unfamiliar and familiar at the same time,
as it reminded of the scene from KPop Demon Hunters
where Rumi visits a traditional clinic after losing her voice.

Here, you can enjoy a variety of hanbang experience programs,
with the most popular being the herbal foot bath.
At the foot bath area, you can choose between a warm wet bath infused with medicinal herbs
or a dry infrared foot bath that soothes your tired feet.

I went with the dry foot bath, and as I sipped a cup of herbal tea,
I could feel my body slowly relax and my mind grow clearer.
I realized, Ah, so this is what Korean-style healing feels like.

After some R&R at the Korean Medicine Experience Town,
I wanted to unwind in a slightly different way.
So I headed to Gunwi, known as the filming location of the movie Little Forest.
Nestled in this quiet town is the home of the film’s main character, Hyewon.

To be honest, I wanted to visit Gunwi not just because I was a fan of Little Forest but because
I was inspired by how Hyewon chose to leave the city to live her best life, in her terms.
I’ve always wanted to see the space in person, and today my wish came true!

To see the place I’d long imagined, I made my way to the town where Hyewon’s house was in.
Along the way, I passed murals and sculptures marking the film’s shooting locations,
and I couldn’t resist taking a few photos at the photo zones to mark this occasion!

When I finally arrived, I could sense the warmth of the movie.
Everything was perfect, from the cozy wooden porch, the faint smell of timber indoors,
and the peaceful views of the landscape outside.
There was also a guestbook filled with visitors’ heartfelt messages,
and I added my own, hoping to long cherish this moment.

In one corner of the yard stood the bicycle that Kim Tae-ri,
the actor who plays the film’s protagonist, actually rode.
It was open for anyone to try, so I hopped on and started pedaling.
The cool breeze made me feel like I were Hyewon herself, cycling quietly through nature.

Lastly, since I couldn’t stop thinking of how Hyewon cooked her meals with homegrown veggies,
I headed to Gunwi Traditional Market, where I enjoyed a bowl of barley bibimbap
topped with fresh greens and a hearty bowl of soybean paste soup.
The rich, deep flavors made me realize why locally sourced food always tastes the best.
This was truly a peaceful yet deeply fulfilling visit.

After spending a couple of peaceful hours at Hyewon’s House,
I headed to Sayuwon to more fully immerse myself in nature.
Nestled in the quiet mountains of Gunwi, this place truly embodies the meaning of rest.

Photo credit: Sayuwon (Photographer, Jong Oh Kim)

You can buy tickets on-site, but since same-day sales are limited to any remaining spots
after advance reservations, it’s best to book ahead.
Fortunately, I’d booked mine early, so I was able to enter without a hitch.
There’s even a shuttle bus from Dongdaegu Station, making it an easy and stress-free trip!

Sayuwon also happens to be one of the Top 100 Korean Tourist Attractions for 2025–2026,
as the balance between its elegant architecture and the sweeping forest fills visitors
with calm energy each step they take.
This place was even featured in the drama Queen of Tears as the hunting grounds
for the chaebol family, which I immediately thought of as I walked in!

Once inside, I was greeted by the soft scent of phytoncides in the air.
Since it was autumn, the quince trees planted in the grounds gave off a sweet smell,
and the mix of those scents with the cool air made me feel truly at peace.

Photo credit: Sayuwon (Photographer, Jong Oh Kim)

But I was particularly struck by a space called Soyoheon.
Here, natural light shifted subtly throughout the day, casting shadows on the building that revealed the aesthetics of the lines created by the balance between architecture and nature.

Photo credit: Sayuwon

But Sayuwon is more than a simple arboretum.
Depending on when you visit, you can also enjoy opera gala concerts, jazz performances,
the Sayuwon Academy programs, and art exhibitions.
It’s a place where nature and art coexist, where visitors can enjoy peaceful walks and
cultural entertainment as well, so you don’t want to miss it!

Since I’d spent the entire, jampacked day walking around the city, I felt myself grow weary.
And so, to mark the finale of this amazing trip,
I headed to the Sumokwon Life Spa, known as the oldest hot springs of Dalseo-gu, Daegu.

First of all, a jjimjilbang, or Korean sauna, is an iconic Korean healing experience
which often appears in dramas and variety shows featuring K-pop idols.
It’s an absolute must-try for any hallyu fan.

As soon as I got inside, I changed into the sauna clothes so I could look around,
but not before I rolled my towel into the classic sheep head style before exploring!
I bet I looked a bit like Huntrix during their downtime, from KPop Demon Hunters.

I started my tour at the Chuncheon Yeonok bulgama sauna,
where the intense heat wrapped around my whole body to melt away all the built-up fatigue.
With every drop of sweat, I could almost feel the toxins leaving my body.
If you’re a beginner, I recommend starting at a moderate-temperature room,
like the hwangto mud room or the yakdok mineral stone room.

After a while, I stepped outside feeling much lighter and my head completely clear.
And of course, no jjimjilbang visit is complete without the classic combo of
boiled eggs and a cup of sikhye rice punch! -★
When that cold sikhye touched my lips after a deep sweat session, it was pure bliss.  

This particular jjimjilbang also had hot spring baths,
so after the sauna, I slipped into the warm mineral water and felt my skin turn silky smooth.
They even had an indoor gym so visitors can enjoy a time of true wellness.
Surrounded by warmth and self-care, this felt like the perfect end to my day of healing.