Jeju island English speaking tour guide

Early in the morning, there were a lot of text messages coming to my phone. "Hey? Donghak, I am watching you on the TV. I am surprised and It is very nice seeing you..." Even my elementary school teacher called me. Tanks to my job which is an English speaking tour guide in Jeju island, I had a chance to be on TV. 

A few weeks ago I got a call from a TV writer Miss Ahn. She said that MBC broadcast staion wanted to make a 30 minutes documentary film about me and my profession. Because English speaking tour guiding for foreigners is not common thing in Jeju island, where is dominated by domestic and Chinese tourists. And beside of their suggestion, I was thinking to make a film on my tour guiding on my own. So being on public TV show would be a good idea for that. However, consent of me wan't enough to make a film because they needed a consent from my clients as well. And duet to no contact number there was no way to inform them in advance. 'Will they agree with being on TV? and, Even will they join my tour in positive way?" Suddenly I felt my brain heavy with so many questions and nervous for a project. 

The more problem was that they wanted to take my family on the film as well. I had to give a second thought for that. I didn't want to reveal my privacy. It's bit reluctant to ask my family. Anyway I told my wife about this and she said snickerly that "well...It's a good chance to say truth that you are such a idle guy". Well, It was joke with a serious meaning, However, my kid was so gleeful to think of being on TV. Anyway, we had decided to be on TV. How many chances can we get our whole family on TV? and It can be a life memory. 

The filming was divided into two parts. first part lasted 3 days, and second parts lasted 2 days. On the first day of starting to take a film, I and film director were waiting for the clients at the airport. As I mentioned I hadn't informed them about our filming in advance. 'Will they agree with that?' It was a first step for the filming to get an agreement from them. There are 6 people in the group. One was 4 people in Korean-American family and the other one was an Indian couple. Finally, we met them and introduced each other. Carefully asked for a consent for filming. They seemed bit embarrassed at first, but soon all of them said "Why not? It will be a good experiences for our Jeju tour" Yes! They were cool people.  

​As a camera kept following us, obviously it seemed my clients were nervous and uncomfortable. Even I was nervous that I couldn't do my guiding properly. Anyway on the first day I brought them to the stone cultural park and explained general knowledge of geology, culture, and history on Jeju island. Actually I love to explain about Jeju island to my clients when they show sincere interest. With doing a job I am good at, I felt confident and my clients seemed feel more comfortable on the camera. However, I felt like I was the one who got nervous mostly among us. 

The next day, filming went on all day long. The tension being on the camera had gone and they started joking and playing in front of the camera. When they seemed comfortable, I felt comfortable as well. My guiding became more natural too. And thankfully the Indian couple dressed in Indian traditional costumes for the film. It added more diverse effect and interests for the show. The director was excited with the Indian couple. 

​

It was a full and long day. I showed everything I could do in my tour program. I spared no efforts and it was fully rewarded. In the interview my clients gave a heartfelt compliment for my tour. Well, It was too much for me but I was delightful with what they said about me. The filming lasted two more days after we bided a farewell and more episodes came out. If you go to this site you can see a whole show.

https://db.tt/yVInLT93AA

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

In southern part of Jeju island there is an uninhabited island named Beoseom(literally meaning Tiger island). As you see the island it is a scenic and magnificent surrounded by lava columnar joints and eroded caves. However, the thing you can't miss is that the story on the island.

The story is that...
According to the history, Korea Dynasty had fought against Khubilai khan empire for 28 years. The war had started from Chingiz Khan era to Khubilai Khan. Through three times of invasions Korea Dynasty became occupied and even Jeju island at the end(1273).

Afterward Mongolian came to Jeju island they had established big ranches for raising Mongolian pony horses on the purpose of invasion to Japan. They had brought 160 finest Mongolian pony horses to Jeju island and started breeding. They had invaded Japan twice during 1257~1302 but failed due to the Typoon. Later the Typoon that had failed Mongolian invasions was named 'Kamikaje'(literally meaning 'a wind of god') 

The Mongolians who raise and bred horses were called Mokho(nomads from North) have settled down Jeju island since that. Generations to generations for 120 years they had mingled with Jeju locals and gradually became Jeju people. But still Jeju island was occupied directly Mongolian government which was different situation going on from main land Korea. 

About 100 years later, the circumstances of Asia was becoming rapidly changed. The power of Mongolian empire(Won Dynasty) had suddenly receded and at the same time the power of Myung Dynasty of Han Chineses was rising. And through the chaos Korea Dynasty had regained sovereignty from Mongolian empire(Won Dynasty). 

When Myung Dynasty was established after expelled all Mongolian descents informed Korea government that Jeju island should be taken to Myung government. The reason was that Jeju was once controlled directly by Mongolians, so that it should be controlled by Myung government. So Korea government had decided to send an army to expel Mongolian descents(Mokho-nomad from north) out of Jeju island in order to take Jeju island before Myung Government.

Mokho had strongly resisted against Korea Army. They had a war, fight, killing, and at the end massacre. In the long run Mokhos who were being defeated had fled to Beoseom and made last defense line. However, they were all killed by Korea Army and Jeju island went under Korea Dynasty again.

This island is not only beautiful but also is rich in stories. At having sight seeing, if you appreciate the story with imagining the last Mongolian descents who were fighting against Korea Government it would be more impressive. 

​

​

​