Wolㅣam Village, south of Wolchulsan Mountain in Gangjin, is all about tea fields. Under a huge green tea field is the Lee Han-young Tea Culture Center. Lee Han-young created Baegun Okpan Tea, Korea’s first tea brand, in the 19th century. The Lee Han-young Tea Culture Center has been preserving the tea-making methods learned from Jeong Yak-yong (pen name: Dasan) for five generations, and the center has a café where you can enjoy the tea he used to drink. A cup of tea in a quiet hanok (traditional Korean house) overlooking Wolchulsan Mountain is exceptionally mellow.

“Baegun Okpan Tea,” Korea’s first tea brand

Known as the celadon mecca of the Goryeo period, Gangjin was also famous for its tea production. The area under Wolchulsan Mountain, which had a favorable climate for tea, was filled with wild tea fields. It wasn’t until the Joseon period that the tea industry in Gangjin began to develop into a proper tea producer. Dasan Jeong Yak-yong came to Kangjin in exile and stayed, spreading the culture and method of making his beloved tea. When Jeong Yak-yong returned to Hanyang after his exile, he missed the tea of Gangjin. His pupil Lee Si-heon made a tea to suit his master’s taste and sent it to Hanyang.

The tea delivery business was passed down to Lee’s descendant, Lee Han-young. Whenever Lee sent his tea, he carefully wrapped it in hanji (Korean paper) and stamped the name of the tea on the front and a plum blossom pattern on the back. The tea was named Baegun Okpan Tea, the first tea brand in Korea.

Gangjin Wollam Village is surrounded by tea fields, and the Lee Han-young Tea Culture Center is located under the lush green tea fields. Director Lee Hyun-jung, who is the great-grandson and successor of Lee Han-young, retired from teaching to continue the tea roasting. It is the very same tea that Dasan missed so much.

“The tea and letter you sent last time arrived safely. I’ve been very sick, and it’s only thanks to the tea (Tteokcha) you sent me that I’m able to sustain my weak body.” This is part of a letter from Dasan Jeong Yak-yong to Lee Shi-heon in Gangjin on March 15, 1830.

Enjoying a cup of tea with a view of Wolchulsan Mountain

The Lee Han-young Tea Culture Center is located alongside Lee Han-young’s birthplace. There are programs for making Baegun Okpan Tea and tea ceremony, as well as a café where you can enjoy tea. When you enter the Baegun Teahouse, you are greeted by the fragrant aroma of tea and tteokcha (coin-shaped tea) hanging in the window. The menu includes Baegun Okpan Tea, Wolsan Tteokcha, Lotusmine Tea, Americano, handmade confections, and more.

A special menu awaits in the hanok of Lee Han-young’s birthplace at the back of the cultural center. You can enjoy Okpan Tea Set Menu and Wolsan Tea Set Menu in a private tea room with a view of Wolchulsan Mountain, served with tea sweets, such as handmade mugwort rice cakes, traditional Korean sweets, and handmade red bean paste jelly.

If you make a reservation, you can also experience making tea and tea ceremony. During the tea-making experience, you can make tteokcha, a traditional Korean fermented tea from the Goryeo period. During the tea ceremony, you can listen to the story of Lee Han-young, the creator of Baegun Okpan Tea, and learn tea ceremony etiquette while enjoying tea and tea confectionery.