JIRO Local, Now

Hello, this is JIRO! It’s been a while since our last post—hope you’ve been doing well. The weather has been especially cold in Korea recently, and we hope you’re staying warm and healthy wherever you are. In today’s post, we explore Korean food culture shaped by U.S. flour aid after the Korean War. Our focus is on two iconic dishes: tteokbokki, and Busan’s beloved milmyeon. Let’s take a closer look.

Hello, this is JIRO! Recently, we attended the “Locale Conference – The Alleyways We Live In” held in Daejeon. While we were there, we got around the city using Daejeon’s city buses. Based on what we noticed during those rides, we’ve put together a short quiz for you. Give it a try! Daejeon city buses are all about __. 1. First-aid kit At the back of a Daejeon city bus, we spotted a first-aid kit. There’s no law that requires it— yet it’s there, placed purely for safety. 2. Driver AM / PM shifts In Daejeon, most routes run on AM–PM shifts with fixed bus assignments. Compared to irregular schedules, this reduces driver fatigue and helps improve safety. 3. “Do not stand up until a full stop.” Standing up before arrival has become the norm. That bold message says it all— Daejeon city buses take safety seriously. Daejeon city buses truly care about safety. That’s all for our look at Daejeon’s city buses. Isn’t it impressive how seriously they take safety? If you ever visit Daejeon, take a ...

Hello, this is JIRO! 😊 As mentioned in our previous post, JIRO visited Iksan last week to conduct an interview with CEO Aelim Kim of BeMike. During the trip, we came across a great local eatery in Iksan. Today, we’d like to introduce that spot to you—so let’s take a look!

Hello! This is JIRO 🙂 On the 15th, we visited the Locale Conference: “The Alley Where I Live,” held at the Social Economy Innovation Town in Daejeon. Arriving in Daejeon We took the train and got off at Seodaejeon Station, then headed toward the Social Economy Innovation Town. Lunch: Jajangmyeon After that little detour, it was finally time to dive into the conference.

 Hello, this is JIRO. On the 13th, JIRO traveled to Iksan to meet Kim Aerim, CEO of BeMike. From publishing a local magazine to organizing a fully self-funded festival, and even operating Miji, a select shop in the old downtown area— we’d like to share the story told by Kim Aerim, who continues to demonstrate the possibilities of “local.” Miji is located just a four-minute walk from Iksan Station. We met Kim Aerim in a space filled with products closely connected to Iksan. Stepping Away from Familiarity Discovering what makes a place special begins with stepping away from familiarity. Kim Aerim emphasized the importance of not assuming we already know a place simply because it feels familiar. The more familiar a place is—especially one we grew up in—the easier it is to say, “There’s nothing here,” or “I already know everything.” She explained that this mindset is one of the biggest reasons people end up leaving their hometowns. Just as we often ignore advice from those closest to u...

​ Hello, this is Jiro. Have you ever heard of Hendrick Hamel? He was a Dutch sailor who, during the Joseon Dynasty, was shipwrecked while sailing in East Asia and eventually arrived in Korea. Through the record he later wrote—known today as Hamel’s Journal—Joseon Korea was introduced to the Western world for the first time. Today, I’d like to explore the story of Gangjin County in Jeollanam-do, where Hamel spent nearly seven years of his life.

​Hello, this is Jiro. Today, I’d like to introduce the story of Gangjin, a county in Jeollanam-do, South Korea, once known as a place of exile during the Joseon Dynasty. One of Korea’s most influential scholars, Jeong Yak-yong—better known by his pen name Dasan—was sent into exile here. Yet rather than fading into silence, his years in Gangjin became a period of profound intellectual growth. Let’s take a closer look.

Hello, this is Jiro. We’ve been continuing our series introducing different regions of South Korea. Today, we’d like to share the story of a forest that once protected Damyang, a county in Jeollanam-do. This place is also closely connected to one of Korea’s most famous classical novels, Chunhyangjeon. Let’s take a closer look. Gwanbangjerim, Damyang, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

Hello! This is JIRO 🙂 It’s been a while since our last post—how have you all been? On December 29, JIRO attended the “2026 Inbound & Outbound Tourism Demand Forecast and Tourism Strategy Seminar” hosted by Yanolja Research, held at the aT Center in Yangjae, Seoul. This time, all members of the JIRO team were able to attend the seminar together. The venue was completely full—so much so that some members who arrived late had to stand throughout the session. The atmosphere was energetic and intense. Many local government officials were in attendance, and we could truly feel the passion of those working on the front lines to revitalize regional tourism. So, without further ado, let’s dive into what was discussed at the seminar—and what the outlook for tourism demand in 2026 looks like. Inbound Tourism: A Record High Expected To start with the conclusion: In 2026, inbound tourism to Korea (international visitors) is projected to reach 20.36 million visitors, an 8.7% increase year-on-ye...

​Hello, this is Jiro. Today, we would like to introduce the pavilions of Damyang, Jeollanam-do, through the lens of Korean classical poetry. Rather than simply listing architectural sites, this journey explores pavilions that are deeply connected to Korea’s literary tradition—places where poetry, philosophy, and nature came together.

​ Hello, this is JIRO. Yesterday, we shared a post about tourist attractions in Haenam. Today, we’d like to take you somewhere quieter— to temples in Haenam that feel especially meaningful during the snowy winter months.

Hello, this is JIRO 😊 Today, we’d like to introduce eight must-visit travel spots in Haenam, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. Located at the southernmost edge of the Korean Peninsula, Haenam is a place where history, nature, and quiet beauty come together. Let’s explore the highlights of Haenam, one by one.   Ttangkkeut Tower (Land’s End Tower) Address : 60-28 Ttangkkeutmaeul-gil, Songji-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do Google Map:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/afFBsffF5ncfHomW9 Ttangkkeut Tower stands at the southernmost point of mainland South Korea, symbolizing “the end of the land.” Its pyramid-shaped structure is inspired by the sail of a ship heading toward the open sea, carrying dreams forward. Many visitors come here to pause, let go of their worries, and return home with renewed hope, making it a place filled with quiet reflection and meaning. Old Mokpo Ninth Lighthouse Sunset Observatory Address : 582 Maebong-gil, Hwaweon-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do Google Map:  https:...

​ Hello, this is Jiro! It has been a while since our last post. We hope you have all been doing well. Today, we would like to introduce a compelling case of regional revitalization through the reuse of a closed school—a growing issue faced by many regions experiencing population decline.

Hello, this is Jiro! Today, we’d like to introduce Yeoncheon, a region in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Located just outside the Seoul metropolitan area, Yeoncheon is a place with a unique character—one where the legacy of the Paleolithic era still lives on today. In Yeoncheon, an ambitious initiative has recently begun, aiming to attract 10 million annual “living population” visits. One key part of this effort is the Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival, held every year in celebration of the region’s rich prehistoric heritage. Built around a fully realized Paleolithic theme, the festival offers an immersive experience that draws large crowds and plays a meaningful role in boosting Yeoncheon’s living population. Jiro visited the Paleolithic Festival in person. Based on what we saw with our own eyes and experienced firsthand at the festival, we organized a set of ideas aimed at further expanding Yeoncheon’s living population and held an exchange of views with officials from the Yeoncheon Co...