Discovering Jeju Folk Village's Timeless Charm
The Jeju Folk Village stands out as the most authentically Jeju-like spot for Koreans. Though much of old Jeju life has faded from the 1890s through the 1980s, this place keeps it all alive just as it was.
A Glimpse into Traditional Jeju Living
The preserved houses, villages, schools, clinics, and workshops once home to hunters, farmers, fishermen, and haenyeo families offer a vivid window into the past. Jeju, the stunning island at South Korea's southern tip, is dotted with volcanic rocks from eruptions up to a thousand years ago, and constant sea breezes sweep across it.
To fend off those winds, locals built sturdy stone walls and lashed thatched roofs down tight with ropes so they wouldn't blow away. In pigpens, toilets sat atop stone steps—whenever folks used them, pigs below gobbled up what fell through.
A Personal Memory from Jeju
Back in my 20s, during a trip to Jeju Island, I stayed at a family homestay. Every bathroom visit meant facing small black pigs snorting and eyeing me hungrily, hoping for scraps from under the toilet floor.
The old man farmed grains and veggies, while his wife was a haenyeo—a fearless diver harvesting sea cucumbers, sea squirts, sea snails, abalone, and octopus.
Cultural Riches Amid Hard Times
Korea was one of the world's poorest nations back then. Yet most families brimmed with social and cultural wealth, rooted in deep love and bonds among family, friends, and neighbors.
The Jeju Folk Village even recreates the exact house and toilet from my stay. Those little black pigs are still there, grinning up at visitors.
Jeju's Black Pigs Today
Nowadays, black pig pork barbecue and meat noodles top the must-try list for Koreans flocking to Jeju. The pigs get fed grains these days—no more human waste.
