Hydrangeas are in full bloom – here's where to see them
From central Korea to the southern coast, here are three hydrangea-viewing destinations that offer not just floral beauty but immersive seasonal experiences: Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden, Yulbom Farm and the poetic and secluded Manhwa Secret Garden.
Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden
Located in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden is the largest hydrangea garden in Korea's central region, spanning over 43,000 square meters along the scenic Yugu Stream. The garden boasts 22 varieties and more than 54,000 hydrangea plants, including Enamel, Endless Summer, Pink Annabelle and Mophead hydrangeas.
The garden features flat, easy-to-navigate walkways, making it accessible for all ages. Pastel-colored hydrangeas bloom most densely behind the garlanded area near Yugu Bridge, which has become a popular photo zone. Even after peak bloom, the dried petals offer a unique aesthetic that adds to the garden's charm.
In June, the garden hosts the annual 'Gongju Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Festival,' now in its fourth year. This year's events extend beyond the garden itself to include the nearby Yugu Traditional Market, highlighting local culture through performances and themed activities.
The festival kicks off on Friday with the 'Jeong Eui-song Hydrangea Song Festival,' featuring 15 performers selected through a preliminary contest. On Sunday, acclaimed poet Na Tae-joo takes the stage in a musical poetry concert titled 'Songs That Became Flowers, Hearts That Became Poems.' Folk, jazz and Korean traditional music performances by local artists are scheduled throughout the festival period.
The garden also offers a luminous experience by night in the Yugu Saekdong Moonlight Garden, with light installations that enhance the dreamlike ambiance. A night market-style food and drink venue, the Hydrangea Night Pocha, adds flavor to the evening events.
'This is more than just a sightseeing event,' said Gongju Mayor Choi Won-cheol. 'It is a meaningful festival that combines the region's nature, culture and the pride of our local residents.'
Yulbom Farm, quiet garden for flower enthusiasts
For those seeking a more serene, low-key escape, Yulbom Farm in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, offers a more intimate hydrangea-viewing experience. The private botanical garden is not widely promoted on social media, meaning it is still a hidden gem for those looking to enjoy flowers without the crowds.
As early June brings the first whispers of summer, hydrangeas in gentle shades of lavender, pink and sky blue cover the landscape. Unlike traditional parks, Yulbom Farm blends agriculture, nature and art into a cohesive experience that lives up to its name — 'Yulbom,' or "the quiet spring."
The garden is known for its intentional simplicity. Carefully planned plantings, clean walking paths and subtle artistic installations create a harmonious atmosphere.
But it is the understated presence of the flowers like watercolors softly blending into the landscape that leaves the strongest impression.
More than a garden, Yulbom is a certified Rural Art Theme Farm, offering educational programs using seasonal produce. Children can learn about ecology through hands-on farming experiences, while adults find a peaceful retreat from urban life.
Manhwa Secret Garden, living canvas of hydrangeas in the south
In the foothills of Byeokbangsan Mountain in Goseong County, South Gyeongsang Province, lies the Manhwa Secret Garden — a 330,000-square-meter sanctuary named after the phrase 'Manhwa Bangcho,' meaning 'a place of 10.000 flowers and fragrant grasses.'
Founded in 1997 by garden director Jeong Jong-jo to offer solace to city dwellers, the garden now features over 200 varieties of hydrangea, 700 species of wildflowers and 66,000 square meters of wild tea fields. Designed with minimal artificial alteration, trails follow old animal paths and the landscape flows with nature's contours.
The garden's Hydrangea Flower Road is its crown jewel, where the flowers stretch as far as the eye can see. A hydrangea festival runs through July 13, showcasing the full bloom of these vibrant flowers.
Despite the stunning scenery, Manhwa retains a 'secret garden' quality — it was once known only through word of mouth and has only recently begun receiving public attention.
Visitors can explore wildflower fields, a natural rock garden, a small pond filled with yellow lotus blooms and shaded trails lined with cedar and hydrangeas. Traditional clay houses serve as spaces for rest and even natural dyeing workshops, while giant wooden totems mark the entryway to the garden's more rustic areas.
Climbing higher toward the summit of Byeokbangsan Mountain, visitors are rewarded with views of the East Sea and an experience that feels more like wandering an old village hillside than a manicured tourist attraction.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Korea Herald
The sound of now: young Korean creators redefine tradition and form
At Sejong Center's Sync Next25, haeum player-compsoer Joo Jeong-hyeon meets classical music composer Choi Jae-hyuck Composer-conductor Choi Jae-hyuck and haegeum player-composer Joo Jeong-hyeon have been on the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' radar since the launch of its summer contemporary music series, The Sync Next, in 2022. This year, for the first time, the center brought them together to explore what kind of synergy might emerge. The performance, part of the Sync Next 25 program running from July to September at the Sejong Center's S Theater, pairs Choi's ensemble, Ensemble Blank, with Joo, an experimental haegeum player whose work spans performance, composition and video. It also marks their first-ever collaboration. 'Joo is an expert improviser — she's especially known for combining the haegeum with other elements in bold, experimental ways,' Choi said during a recent interview. 'We, on the other hand, are trained to play strictly notated scores. So we thought, why not try blending the two? Some parts are composed, others are improvised. It's a challenge for both of us, which is exactly why we think the audience will experience something truly new.' Choi, who first gained international attention as the youngest-ever winner of the Geneva International Music Competition's composition category in 2017, leads Ensemble Blank, a contemporary group known for its adventurous programming. 'Both Ensemble Blank and I are people who constantly think about what it means to be contemporary, and how we can achieve that. So I think the main focus of this collaboration will be creating sound together — building something collectively, rather than just presenting individual pieces,' Joo said. Joo is a 2024 recipient of the Korea National Academy of Arts' Young Artist Award. The program on Friday and Saturday opens with Alexander Schubert's 2014 piece "Serious Smile," a hyper-digital, rhythmically driven piece. This is followed by a striking contrast: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's "Ave Maria a 8 voci," written in 1572, arranged for wind and string instruments, offering a moment of Renaissance polyphony and meditative calm. Joo takes the stage solo with a haegeum improvisation, highlighting her signature blend of embodied technique and spontaneous expression. The program continues with Choi's own 'Straight to Heaven,' a large-scale ensemble work that moves with cinematic intensity. The evening will also see Ensemble Blank and Joo perform the Asian premiere of Jessie Cox's "Quantify,' an experimental piece from 2017 that explores the interplay of sound, identity and time. The program concludes with the world premiere of Joo's 'Primitive Happiness,' a new audiovisual work written for Ensemble Blank that fuses live instruments and video. The stage design for this performance reflects the playful creativity of the two artists. The setup features a small triangular stage and a larger triangular stage positioned opposite each other, like an hourglass, with the audience seated in between. As Choi and Joo, both born in 1994, and Ensemble Blank explore a borderless space where familiarity gives way to unexpected listening, Choi emphasized the importance of simply knowing that certain artistic experiences exist. 'Even if it's unfamiliar at first, having that encounter becomes part of one's inner world — something you can return to, draw from and eventually express,' he said. Joo echoed that sentiment, offering a reflection on Korean audiences. 'Lately, as I've been doing more work in Korea again, I've really come to feel that Korean audiences are far more open to a wide range of things and are actively seeking out new experiences. Especially among younger generations, I think we're now in a time when people embrace stimulating, dopamine-releasing experiences without resistance,' she said. 'In that sense, maybe what we're doing won't feel all that unfamiliar after all.' Two performances will take place at Sejong Center's S Theater: At 7:30 p.m. on Friday and at 5 p.m. on Saturday. gypark@
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Korea Herald
'Nikola Tesla' triumphs as DIMF closes 18-day celebration of musical theater
Chinese musical 'Panda,' new musical 'Shakespiece' win awards The 19th Daegu International Musical Festival, Korea's leading global musical theater event, concluded its 18-day run Monday with awards recognizing outstanding productions and talents from both Korea and abroad. The grand prize was awarded to Hungarian production "Nikola Tesla: Infinite Energy," which tells the story of the 19th-century inventor using modern stage technology. The award for original musical went to "Shakespiece," a Korean production developed through DIMF's support program, which imagines the possibility that Shakespeare may not have been a single author. The award for a foreign production was given to Chinese musical "Panda," which closed the festival. The Korean-Chinese co-production uses music, physical performance and set design to follow a panda family's journey, delivering a message of coexistence and environmental awareness. In the performance categories, Jang Eun-joo was recognized as best leading actress for her role in "My Love Oksoon," portraying a woman living with dementia with subtle, sustained emotion. Best leading actor was awarded to Song Yoo-taek in "Seol Gong Chan" for his portrayal of a legendary character from folklore and Shin Jae-beom for "Sidis: The Right to Be Forgotten" for his portrayal of mathematician William Sidis. Emerging performers were also recognized, with Son Woo-hyun and Solji of K-pop girl group EXID receiving awards recognizing new actors for "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" and "Hero," respectively. The College Musical Festival, DIMF's student section, awarded its top prize to Dankook University's "Elaborate Lives." The festival also recognized works by Chung-Ang University, Kyungsung University, Hansei University and Baekseok University, acknowledging the continued development of young talent within Korea's musical theater scene. The Asung Creator Award, presented to contributors advancing Korean musical theater, went to Kim Hee-chul of Daegu Arts Center for his work in producing youth-oriented musicals and supporting local musical ecosystems. Launched in 2006, DIMF is Korea's only international musical festival, serving as a platform for cross-cultural exchange while supporting the development of original productions. This year's festival featured 30 productions from six countries.
Korea Herald
28-06-2025
- Korea Herald
Hydrangeas are in full bloom – here's where to see them
As summer sets in, hydrangeas bloom in brilliant shades of blue, pink and lavender across Korea, drawing flower enthusiasts and tourists alike to gardens and nature parks across the country. Known for their large, lush petals and various hues, hydrangeas reach their peak from early June through July. From central Korea to the southern coast, here are three hydrangea-viewing destinations that offer not just floral beauty but immersive seasonal experiences: Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden, Yulbom Farm and the poetic and secluded Manhwa Secret Garden. Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden Located in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden is the largest hydrangea garden in Korea's central region, spanning over 43,000 square meters along the scenic Yugu Stream. The garden boasts 22 varieties and more than 54,000 hydrangea plants, including Enamel, Endless Summer, Pink Annabelle and Mophead hydrangeas. The garden features flat, easy-to-navigate walkways, making it accessible for all ages. Pastel-colored hydrangeas bloom most densely behind the garlanded area near Yugu Bridge, which has become a popular photo zone. Even after peak bloom, the dried petals offer a unique aesthetic that adds to the garden's charm. In June, the garden hosts the annual 'Gongju Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Festival,' now in its fourth year. This year's events extend beyond the garden itself to include the nearby Yugu Traditional Market, highlighting local culture through performances and themed activities. The festival kicks off on Friday with the 'Jeong Eui-song Hydrangea Song Festival,' featuring 15 performers selected through a preliminary contest. On Sunday, acclaimed poet Na Tae-joo takes the stage in a musical poetry concert titled 'Songs That Became Flowers, Hearts That Became Poems.' Folk, jazz and Korean traditional music performances by local artists are scheduled throughout the festival period. The garden also offers a luminous experience by night in the Yugu Saekdong Moonlight Garden, with light installations that enhance the dreamlike ambiance. A night market-style food and drink venue, the Hydrangea Night Pocha, adds flavor to the evening events. 'This is more than just a sightseeing event,' said Gongju Mayor Choi Won-cheol. 'It is a meaningful festival that combines the region's nature, culture and the pride of our local residents.' Yulbom Farm, quiet garden for flower enthusiasts For those seeking a more serene, low-key escape, Yulbom Farm in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, offers a more intimate hydrangea-viewing experience. The private botanical garden is not widely promoted on social media, meaning it is still a hidden gem for those looking to enjoy flowers without the crowds. As early June brings the first whispers of summer, hydrangeas in gentle shades of lavender, pink and sky blue cover the landscape. Unlike traditional parks, Yulbom Farm blends agriculture, nature and art into a cohesive experience that lives up to its name — 'Yulbom,' or "the quiet spring." The garden is known for its intentional simplicity. Carefully planned plantings, clean walking paths and subtle artistic installations create a harmonious atmosphere. But it is the understated presence of the flowers like watercolors softly blending into the landscape that leaves the strongest impression. More than a garden, Yulbom is a certified Rural Art Theme Farm, offering educational programs using seasonal produce. Children can learn about ecology through hands-on farming experiences, while adults find a peaceful retreat from urban life. Manhwa Secret Garden, living canvas of hydrangeas in the south In the foothills of Byeokbangsan Mountain in Goseong County, South Gyeongsang Province, lies the Manhwa Secret Garden — a 330,000-square-meter sanctuary named after the phrase 'Manhwa Bangcho,' meaning 'a place of 10.000 flowers and fragrant grasses.' Founded in 1997 by garden director Jeong Jong-jo to offer solace to city dwellers, the garden now features over 200 varieties of hydrangea, 700 species of wildflowers and 66,000 square meters of wild tea fields. Designed with minimal artificial alteration, trails follow old animal paths and the landscape flows with nature's contours. The garden's Hydrangea Flower Road is its crown jewel, where the flowers stretch as far as the eye can see. A hydrangea festival runs through July 13, showcasing the full bloom of these vibrant flowers. Despite the stunning scenery, Manhwa retains a 'secret garden' quality — it was once known only through word of mouth and has only recently begun receiving public attention. Visitors can explore wildflower fields, a natural rock garden, a small pond filled with yellow lotus blooms and shaded trails lined with cedar and hydrangeas. Traditional clay houses serve as spaces for rest and even natural dyeing workshops, while giant wooden totems mark the entryway to the garden's more rustic areas. Climbing higher toward the summit of Byeokbangsan Mountain, visitors are rewarded with views of the East Sea and an experience that feels more like wandering an old village hillside than a manicured tourist attraction.
