Crafting a trip just for you...
Searching for hidden Korean treasures...
“The legend behind Gongju's name: a she-bear of Gomanaru on the Geum River lived with a woodcutter and bore his children, but when he crossed the river and left, she threw herself into the water with her cubs — and people built the Ungsindan shrine to soothe her spirit. A one-day course asking about waiting and leaving, at the water's edge of Gomanaru. 9 missions across the Hanok Village, Gongju National Museum, the Tomb of King Muryeong, the Gomanaru pine grove, Gongsanseong Fortress, Geumgang Singwan Park, the Jemincheon alleys, chestnut desserts, and Sanseong Market.”
6 spots total. Take them in any order.
How many are going?
You pay after you finish getting ready
See every spot in this course at a glance. Tap a colored pin to read the one-line intro.
First, choose a role. At every stop, whoever suits that place steps forward and opens the story. When you arrive, a character from the folktale speaks to you. Answer the quiz and finish the mission to win back a shard. Collect them all, and you close the story at the final place.
Long ago, a big mother bear lived by the Geum River. One day she took a man who had come to gather firewood into her cave. She blocked the cave mouth with a big rock so he couldn't get out, and she brought him food, and they lived together. A few years passed like that, and two cubs were born. The bear thought, now this man won't run away. One day, when she went out to find food, she didn't move the rock. The man came out of the cave and ran to the river. He got on a boat and crossed the river. When the bear came back, the cave was empty. She took her two cubs and ran to the riverbank and shouted. Come back, she cried — and if you don't, look what I'll do to the cubs. The man did not look back. The bear held her cubs and walked into the river. After that, people called that ferry crossing Gomnaru. In the old words, a bear is called Goma. So it is Gomanaru. The name of this town came from there too. The one you will meet today is that Goma. But one thing. Goma tells the things that happened to her as if she did them herself. She doesn't say she caught him — she says she brought him. She doesn't say she was left behind — she says she let him go.
Starting point — walk slowly through the hanok village lanes and recall one house you once shared with someone.
Wander the gallery slowly and stop before the stone bear. Then choose the one feeling closest to your heart right now. There is no right or wrong — today, you are the answer.
Boss spot — the very site of the legend. Walk through the pine grove to the shrine, or to where the Geum River opens up, and capture in one photo "one thing you let cross to the far bank."
The final spot — close the course with one warm bowl at Sanseong Market: gukbap, kalguksu, or sujebi. In front of the bowl, write one line about the scene from today that will stay with you longest.
Walk the fortress wall to where the Geum River shows itself best. Then recall the direction you have watched the longest in your life.
Walk slowly through the park and Mireu Island, then choose the one face of the Geum River closest to you right now. There is no right or wrong.