JIRO Local, Now

Hello! This is JIRO! 😊 A general dressed in red, whose fearless tactics struck fear into the invading army. Follow the story of Gwak Jae-woo, the Red-Robed General who led Korea's first Righteous Army, and discover the history of Uiryeong. The story of the Red-Robed General, which was even adapted into a film! Why was he called the Red-Robed General? He always wore red robes and called himself the Red-Robed General (Hongui Janggun, 紅衣將軍). He charged through enemy lines with incredible speed, striking and retreating as if he were flying. Although the enemy unleashed volleys of bullets and arrows, they could never hit him. The 25th Year of King Seonjo... Before the war, General Gwak Jae-woo lived a peaceful life as a scholar in the mountains. But when the Imjin War broke out, he stood up, saying, "We cannot leave the defense of our country to the government alone." He hung a drum from a zelkova tree at the entrance of the village and beat it to gather the people. Thus, he ...

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 everyone! This is JIRO. Today, we’re excited to introduce the Eumseong Pumba Festival, which is happening right now in Eumseong County! We’ll be diving deep into the heartwarming history and origins of this unique festival. Curious to know the story? Let’s jump right in! Eumseong Pumba Festival: The Inspiring Story of Grandpa Choi Gwi-dong Born into a wealthy family, he was cherished and named "Gwi-dong" (meaning "precious child"). However, his life changed forever when he was forced into wartime labor in Japan, where he endured brutal torture. Upon returning home, he found his family ruined and his home gone. With nowhere else to turn, he had no choice but to live under the Mugeukcheon Bridge. The Awakening of Sharing Under the Mugeukcheon Bridge, he encountered other helpless beggars who had nowhere else to turn. Despite his own suffering, Grandpa Choi gathered leftover food to feed those who couldn't move, and with deepest respect, he buried the deceas...

  Here is a simple guide to the bus timetable at Gongju Station. You can easily check routes and schedules to travel to downtown and major attractions. Useful for first-time visitors to Korea. ※ Bus schedules may change depending on traffic conditions and operational circumstances.

​Hello, this is JIRO~~ In April, JIRO visited Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do for the JIRO Letter field trip. Gongju was the second capital of Baekje and preserves its culture well, which is why it has been designated as the Baekje Historic Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Shall we take a look at what Gongju was like~~! At Gongju Station, the gateway to Gongju-si, you can meet the city’s mascots, “Gongju” and “Gomagom.” If you take Bus No. 202 from in front of Gongju Station and ride for about 30 minutes, you will arrive at Gongsanseong Fortress. Since the buses do not run very frequently, it is recommended to check the timetable in advance! When you get off the bus, the lush green Gongsanseong Fortress welcomes you, and with traditional Korean music performances taking place, it feels as if you’ve stepped into history. Traveling while learning about a region seems to make the journey even more enriching ^^ There is an admission fee for Gongsanseong Fortress, but you can enter for free ...

Hi there! This is JIRO.  Today, I’m excited to share a story about a city in South Korea that is absolutely obsessed with strawberries: Nonsan. > Just how deep does their love for berries go? Let’s dive right in and find out!

Hello from JIRO! Today, we’re excited to share the March issue of the JIRO Letter, featuring Gurye County in Jeollanam-do. In an earlier post, we introduced spring in Gurye, when the cornelian cherry blossoms come into bloom. This new issue explores the story in greater detail, so we hope you’ll take a look. JIRO Letter March Issue: Discover Spring in Gurye, Jeollanam-do Spring in Korea? Make it Gurye. Gurye County is one of the first places in Korea where you can  truly feel the arrival of spring. This is because Gurye has the largest number of cornelian cherry trees in the country. Their yellow blossoms bloom earlier than cherry blossoms, quietly announcing the beginning of spring. By mid-March, the entire village is painted yellow with blooming cornelian cherry flowers. It is also the time when the Cornelian Cherry Blossom Festival takes place. As you immerse yourself in the festival and feel spring with your whole body, you may find yourself filled with yellow excitement. And p...