JIRO Local, Now

Hello! This is JIRO! Did you know that Korea's famous folk tale Heungbu and Nolbu is connected to a real place? Known for its timeless message that kindness is rewarded, Heungbu and Nolbu has been cherished for generations in Korea. In Namwon, there is a village believed to be where Heungbu began a new life and found prosperity. Local legends and traditional place names still preserve traces of the story, allowing visitors to experience the tale beyond the pages of the book. Let's explore Heungbu Village and discover where folklore meets travel. Where Is the Setting of Heungbu and Nolbu? A beloved Korean folk tale about kindness, generosity, and good fortune. Seong-ri Village in Namwon is believed to be the place where Heungbu settled and found prosperity, based on local legends and traditional place names. According to local tradition, this village is considered a place that brings good fortune and prosperity. Heungbu and Nolbu is one of Korea's best-known folk tales. It t...

 Hello~~ This is JIRO. The May 2026 edition of JIRO Letter featuring Yeongdeok County has been released! With this issue, JIRO Letter has already reached its 5th edition. Thank you always for your continued support and for following JIRO Letter. In this issue, we explore the story of the famous Yeongdeok snow crab loved by King Taejo Wang Geon, local legends surrounding snow crabs, and stories of local businesses that bring Yeongdeok’s charm to life. Now, let’s dive right in~~ The following story is recorded in Yangchonjip, written by Gwon Geun: “When Taejo of Goryeo (Wang Geon) fought against Gyeon Hwon’s forces near Hahoe Village in Andong, he achieved victory with the help of the Yeonghae Park family in Andong. As a gesture of gratitude, Wang Geon later visited Yeongdeok and ate snow crab with them in Chayu Village, where he was deeply impressed by its taste.” From that point on, Yeongdeok snow crab is said to have become a delicacy offered to the king. Although this is not a s...

​ 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. 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.