The weather is getting cold and this semester is almost over. If you want to take a rest, the Gazette recommends Sonagi village.
Sonagi village is a reproduction of the village that is described in the novel Sonagi. As I entered the village, I felt cool because of its large green lawn. As you step through the gate of the zoo you will be amazed by the spectacular view.
In Sonagi square, sprinklers go off three times a day (at 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00), and remind visitors about the rain showers in the novel. They only go off for a short time, so if you want to enjoy the shower, you should be ready at least 5 minutes early. When the shower began, children shouted, and they played on the lawn under the hot sun. After the sprinklers stopped, I went to the museum of Hwang Sun-won. When I arrived at the museum, I was surprised by the entrance. It was decorated with a transparent board which was carved with a manuscript of Hwang Sun-won’s writings. These boards hung on the entranceway like rain drops. There are 4 exhibit rooms, each categorized by Hwang Sun-won’s articles and works, and a literature café. These can help you to understand Hwang Sun-won and his works. I enjoyed his novels more after seeing the different images, models and animation, so it was very interesting.
After I saw the exhibition center, I walked around the village. The nature walking road is designed with the images described in Hwang Sun-won’s novels. The most interesting place was the ‘you and I road,’ made with stepping-stones to illustrate where the boy crossed carrying the girl on his back in the novel Sonagi. When I crossed the stepping-stones, I identified with the novel’s characters. The walking road has eleven routes and takes about 40 minutes to complete.
The Sonagi village is not a luxurious place, but you will feel comfortable and relaxed. If you read Hwang Soon-won’s works before going there, you will have a special experience because you will identify with the characters. Sonagi village will let you take a break from your life, and it will bring out your emotions.
Location: San 74, Suneungri, Seojongmyeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Tel: 031-773-2299
Opening Hours: 09:00~18:00
*Closed on Mondays
Admission fee: Adult - 2,000won/Group - 1,500won
Soldier/Adolescent - 1,500won/Group 1,000won
Child - 1,000won/Group 500won.
*‘Group price’ refers to more than 30 people.
