Media Log


Her name is Mary Rachel who is from Singapore. As long as I remember she was one of my clients 4 years ago. And then few months ago I got a mail from her. U
pon getting a mail from her I was little surprised  because I could hardly remember who she is. Well, Then recalling all the clients I had then, I can vaguely remember them because they were quite loud women group. Anyway I was glad to hear from her. Thanks for remembering me. 

​The mail says that she wants to visit to Jeju island with her friends because she missed spring in Jeju that was so beautiful that time. Well...Spring of Jeju island? Yes, Cherry blossoms and yellow flowers are harmonized in spring time in Jeju island, I prefer fall though. Anyway blossoming of all kind of flowers is one of the quality for visitors at Jeju. 

They finally arrived in Jeju and started a tour. Upon arriving of them, I hunched that they are crazy about taking photos. Meeting diverse people from all over the world makes me good opportunities to exchange the knowledge of each countries. According to their saying Singapore was parted from Malaysia in 1965 and started from a poor fishery village and has become a well off metropolitan country. I had talked a lot about politics, economy, and cultures. We had very interesting conversation while North and South Koreas are trying to reconcile. 

During a conversation one thins I got impressed that they don't mind even though their country is a dictatorship. Well, as long as they have enough freedom, they seem not care about their politics much. I don't know if it's a good sign or not. However, there are different things between Korea and Singapore. In Korea General Park had led the country with a gun meanwhile Lee Quan Yu a leader of Singapore had led the country with a broom. Both countries have achieved economical development but the evaluation of each leaders are different from their own people. 

Anyway, my clients love flowers in Jeju island. I didn't realized flowers in Jeju are that much beautiful, so pretty even to me. There was a photographer named Keo Mason who is an excellent photo maker. Later she sent me some photos which are like magic work. During 4 days we had visited most of good places as well as my hidden places. They endlessly pressed a camera shutter such as they likely to put all scenery of Jeju island in their camera.

As I am very interested in South Asian culture these day I learn lot of things from my clients. That is one of the merits in my job as a tour guide. And I like to have a tour with people who love taking pictures because they seem to know how to see beauty of things.   




(Church of sky on the reflexion of water)
I think it's very encouraging to see the pattern of Jeju tour is changing. So far people have thought that Jeju island is just normal honeymoon destination. However, people start being interested in diverse tour program. So, if you try to find to have meaningful tour in Jeju island, you can have many things to enjoy and rich your life. 
People specifically looking or Eco tourism, Dark tourism, or Architecture tourism tend to come to Jeju island. last year I had Begium people for Architecture tour and this year is Danishes. 
We visited Daum space 1, Sky church, Glass house, and Genious Loci. Most of them are works of Anto dadao and Itami Jun. I feel little shame for that. Because there are many works by Korean architectures'
Personally I prefer domestic arts which contains traits of Jeju island. If I made an Itinerary I would list Gwandeokjung which is symbolic building of Jeju, Castle of Shell which is one of first modern building in Seokwipo, and Teshipon which is practical house in Jeju in 1960s. etc.
My intention is to show Jeju buildings to my clients, not just famous foreign artists's work. Well, those building by famous foreign artists's works are worth visiting though. 
Anyway, Thanks to working with architectures my level of appreciation of art seems to be improved. 




















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(Seongsan Ilchulbong in a frame in Genious Loci)








(The character of Genious Loci is expose concreat and straight line with dim light)








(Sky church, or it is called Ark church because it looks an ark)








(Bonte museum, another Ando dadao's work)









(Danish architects visited in jeju)















A few weeks ago I got a message from KTO(Korean Tourism Organization) that they requested me to take a tour with a blogger. The name of Blogger is Drew Binsky who is a very famous power blogger over the world travels all over the world to shoot a short video. One of his postings about North Korea got 9 million views. I thought It was so cool to have a tour with a power blogger. I always have been wondered how power bloggers work and post on their work. And It was a good chance to look into it. 
On the first day, when I met him at the airport he was carrying just two bags. His luggage was so simple. I might bring a too big car for only two people(He and I). He is supposed to come with his Filipino girl friend but she couldn't come because of a visa problem. Anyway we headed to Manjanggul lava tube which is the longest lava tube in the world.  
The theme of this tour was 'Romance in Jeju' but we have to change it. But it sounds ridicule to have a tour with two guys. I am very good at showing nature so I suggested that I want to show great nature in Jeju. He said he is good at filming nature too. Then we have decided to have a subject of 'Nature and Culture of Jeju island' Mangjanggul is one of  UNESCO natural heritages in Jeju island. So, I decided to go there first. 


Normally inside of the cave(tube) is damp and dripping water from the ceiling but this time it was so dry. Bit disappointed with much dry inside. However, he said he was impressed with the size and process of forming the tube. He was an English teacher in Korea for two years in PyeongTaek mainland. and have been a blogger since 2012. He have visited 115 countries so far including North Korea. Wow! 115 countries for five years! It was amazing. Traveling around all over the world by sponsorship to make a film could be my dream job.  


He carry a small drone for his film. When I see his posting there are many drone shots. I think Jeju island is one of the best places for drone shot. Jeju island is a volcanic island and lava black stones and which beaches are well combination to give a great view. After Mangjanggul lava tube we headed to eastern part of Jeju island named Weoljungri. This place is famous for beautiful beaches and black stones. Yeah, he must fly a drone for the shot.


We have three famous fish in Jeju island. Merclrol, Seabrim, and oar fish. We call oar fish tail fish because it has a long silver color tail. Tail fish is the most expensive fish among them and that much it is delicious. Drew had it first time and he thumbs up for the taste. We enjoyed the dinner even though it's expensive. 

Next day, we climbed up Seongsan Ilchulbong(sun rise peak) for the morning shot. Unfortunately it was cloudy to see the fine view beyond the volcanic crater. He really wanted to shot of a volcanic crater, so we went to A-Bu Oreom which is not high hill crater. The weather suddenly became good. Well, weather in Jeju island is notoriously fickle. Always changeable. Bad weather in the morning changed to be good in the afternoon. I think it's good sign for us.


Seogwipo city southern part of Jeju island is my home town. It might be prejudice but I think the most beautiful place in Jeju island is Seogwipo city. We have 6 big waterfalls and other small ones. Black cliffs with solitary rock is awesome. When we visited the Play K-Pop, receptionists gave us a good mini concert. It was so cool to listen real music. Ofcourse we had a photo with the beautiful girls. 



Jungbang waterfall is the one which is cascading to the ocean directly. There are only three waterfalls falling down directly into the ocean in the world. Jungbang waterfall is the one of them. The more interesting thing is that water from the waterfall in Jeju island is spring or ground water comes from under the ground because Jeju island is a volcanic island, so whenever it rains water just penetrates into the ground and comes out near the shore. Seogwipo has lots of cliffs on the shore and water falls down from the cliffs. So cool city I live.

I had a pleasure to have a tour with him and learned lot. As I mentioned before he is a power blogger. I think lots of people want to be a power blogger. I want to be a power blogger too. So I tried to see how he works. One thing impressive is that he always write and takes pictures. He shot film for more than 6 hours for 2 minutes post. That mean lots of work. and always work. I asked him "why don't you write it after work?"  then he said smiling. " If I don't write right now, I will forget the feeling of now, so I don't want to lose the feeling of right moment".  






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


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As I am a tour guide ​I meet diverse tourists from all over the world.  Some times quite amazing experience I get from my job. This time my clients are balloon artists.
I saw people who do balloon art as their hobby but never seen as a profession. Well, they made so many things by blowing balloons. Interesting!

Wherever we stopped by such as a restaurant, shops, scenic places, they started making a balloon of art and gave them to local people as a gift. Of cause locals are so amazed by their performance and so happy when they got the presents. 

The artist name is Dee and my name is Dee too. His Dee is an abbreviation of Daniel and mine is abbreviation of Donghak. Anyway we use same name.

We had a lot of conversation and slowly our subject went to Politics. I think politics is our common interesting. I think talking politics is the best way to get to know the circumstance of the countries and most of visitors are interested in our politic situation as well. However, sensitive things must be avoided.  

First, we had talked about Trump and and prospect of future of America. They were really anti Trump. And the subject smoothly moved to a current president 'Park' and a huge protest in Seoul. It's shame for both of us because we had to talk bad thing about our presidents. And we both are worried the whole world is go to be nationalistic. Talking was going on and on and time went flies.

They were very interested in history of Korea and Jeju island. It took a lot of efforts to explain about the history from bottom to top such as Tamra kingdom, Mongolian occupation, uprising in Choseon Dynasty, April 3rd massacre. However, it's worth explaining all the details. The more they are interested, the more I wanted to explain. Let them know your culture and history is the purpose of my job,

I said " you should join a protest in Seoul and learn how to expel the president. Because you probably need it to get Trump down" he was laughing and agreed with that. Well, it was very enjoyable traveling with them. 

When we farewell they made a quite a few arts of balloons for my kid.



Well... 43 clients from India...I think there are too many people in my group but I am sure I can handle it. I think 4 days are bit long time to take all of them to show around jeju island. And there are also 6 handcapped people in the group. However, I have to try to handle with it. I know It's a big challenge for me. 

People say handling Indian people are most difficult for tour guides. When a tour guide got a call from an agency for touring for Indaian people, they hesitate to take them. Because they

In my assume 4 days was bit long to take all of them around Jeju island. And even there were 6 handicapped people. So, It was a big challenge for me. As you know clients from Middle East, India, and Russia are well known for their picky characters.
There was no way to know what story would come out. It would be a good episode or terrible story.




It was a first day of tour with Indian clients.

It showed on the screen that the plane CX from HongKong arrived at the airport. After while People were coming out with their lots of luggages and there were some people coming out on a wheelchair taken by airline staffs. " I am sorry, we have to go back with wheelchairs. We can take them only here " the staffs told me that they can't take handicapped people out of a building of airport.

Well, it was a long distance to the parking place for them. So, I asked the driver to come here instead of our going there. But the driver denied that because of the ticket camera.

Anyway we could manage to go to the bus with a lot of luggages. Actually bus was full with 43 people.
After counting, there were 3 people short. I hurried running down to the building to find them. They were slowly coming towards. "I am sorry, we were smoking" Lame excuse they game me. I hunched it would be a difficult tour. 


It took only 20 minutes to come to a hotel. While checking in, they just sat on chairs in private coffee shop and opened Indian cookies they brought and started eating. According to the rule of hotel, they shouldn't do that.

Hotel workers tried to stop them but it is already impossible because of a language barrier. They came to me to stop them. It already went chaos.

" How can I get WiFi?", "Can I get some water?" "I want some coffee for cookies" "Where can I wash my hands?" They just came to me ask bombarded. Come on... I was at lost. I couldn't find how can handle these people for 4 days.

On the way to dinner, my head was getting really heavy. I need a help. I have 43 clients from India.

Continued...

Frankly speak, I am still nervous to meet my clients at first.

I suppose they feel as same as I do.

Well, through my experiences travel always starts like that.



Whenever we meet people first impression is very important. When first impression is not good I saw lots of things went wrong.

I tried to figure out their purpose and meaning of coming in Jeju island, whether they come here for just sightseeing or for a real traveling.

Surveying for few hours brings a decision on what kind of travel it will be.



Rosemary is a Korean-American who moved to US at age 3. It is a first visit for her to her mother country since she moved away. I could see that she was expecting a lot in Jeju island.



When you think of honeymoon, it remind you of delicious foods, exotic atmosphere, and relaxing beaches. And if they are looking for those things, they might not need a tour guide like me. They need a tour assistant. But they need me because they want a real travel.

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Even though I been tour guiding for a long time I still don't know what is a right way for a honeymoon couple.

A cousin of Rosemary asked me for a special tour for the couple. Then I made a special plan for them. Well, It's easy for me to make a nature friendly itinerary and also makes me feel comfortable.



Make a good memory and find a meaning of coming of this island is more important than just taking a rest.

"We didn't have time to make an itinerary for the tour, sorry" the agency told me. I said "no problem at all, some times no plan makes a better tour" Actually it is true.



Jeju island is one of best places for food tour in Korea. The culture is very different from main land. And So is food. Food is a part of their own culture.

'Korean food is always spicy and chilly' well, that is a prejudice. 'Koreans always sit on a floor on having food' that is another prejudice. Once you abandon the prejudices, you will enjoy Korean food more than you expect.



Last thing we did was climbing Mt Hallasan. We had a hard tour rather than easy sightseeing. And we had local foods rather than touristic foods. That was successful!



My clients will assess my tour. I don't know if they give me a good point or not. However, in my opinion a tour guide must have his/her own philosophy or pursuit to the right tour.

We can't satisfy all clients but we should keep consistent the right way.

​Hi! people.

This is Mr.Dee Jeju island English speaking tour guide.

Today, I am going to post on IHIE(International Horse Industry Expo) where I visited few days ago.

The mission of that day was to translate and give a tour for Lynn from Australia and Aydin from Turkey.

 

Frankly speak, I wan't confident to explain about Jeju horse to the experts of horses.

Yes, Lynn and Aydin are experts of horses.​

However, As you know, I am always willing to face new things and learn frm them.

 

I thak this is a good chance to learn a new things about Jeju island.

 

So, I believed that today would be another great day.

 

 

When we( Lynn and I) arrived at Let's go Park(Jeju horse track)

they were already preparing an exhibition.

 

The fromal title of horse expo was International horse Industry Exhbition(IHIE).

 

​They hosted a festival and expo at the same place in 'Let's go Park'.

 

Well, I haven't heard of 'Let's go park' before.

Later, I found out they have changed the name of the horse racing rack to 'Let's go park'.

 

It seems quite funny that they changed the name to attract children.

I think they have changed the name of the park because the original name 'Jeju horse track' give connotation of gambling place.

I saw many parents take seats here or there holding their kids hands.

However, today this place is not a gambling place, it's a leasure place.

Anyway,  they could have a good chance to get to know about Jeju hourse and they could interact with horses as well.

 

 

I like the logo of Expo.

I think It's really standing out.

​Even the color is my favorite, Emerald green.

 

The lady on the right side is Lynn and Aydin on the lesf on the picture.

They are middle ages.

 

One thing made me scared is that  Aydin got fainted and went to a hospital the day before came to Jeju island.

 

I started to be careful of them.

After helping build a booth and greeted with a chair man of Horse organixzation, I went to out to look around the park.

 

It was bigger than I imagined.

Espcially the playground is as good as an normal amusement park.

It was so neat to me.

 

But...

Well...

I think it is a kind of a strategy of the compay to lure children to come the horse tract with their parents.

 

I am bit afraid that innocent children would learn gambling with watching horse racing which is for adults.

Anyway I don't like that idea.

 

 

When we met a big horse, Lynn got a notice what kind of this horse is with one glimpse.

The horse on the picture has been used as a mail coach in Britain.

Sorry, I forgot the name of kind of this horse is.

If you know the what kind of this horse is, please let me know.

Anyway this horse is too big to be a horseriding.

 

 

I newly learned about the differences between Jeju horse and Halla hours yeaterday.

Jeju horse is a mixture between native Jeju horse and Mongolian pony horse whic came to Jeju island 700years ago.

 

Now it is preserved as national treasure.

and there is another kind of horse named 'Halla horse' which is a mixture betweem Jeju horse and British breed named 'thoroughbred'.

The height of Jeju horse is 110cm and it was suitable for riding for old people because they were shorter than people now.

 

But bigger horse has been needed as people are getting bigger.

So, they mixed the genes.

 

Thoroughbred is around 150cm that is too big for Korean people.

Then there comes 'Halla horse'

'Halla horse' is suitable for Korean people to horseback ride.

The height of 'Halla horse' is about 115cm~130cm.

 

Now, We got to know about horses in jeju.

 

We started an actual tour after lunch.

We were supposed to have a tour with Japanese clients but they had their own matter.

Then we have decided to have a tour by ourselves

As the topic of today is 'horse'

So, the first place we visited is 'Pony horse museum'

the only pony horse museum in Jeju island.

There is Ttarabi orum(volcanic crater) for breeding horsed in old times.

We called this place 'Gammajang'

The Gasiri local people have cooperated each other to make this place a museum and a park.

Upon arriving there, 'world peace festival' was at high peak.

And they are giving an invitation performances as well.

In my personal opinion, even though they give a small size of festival, it would be an international that can be shared with other people from all over the world.

 

I always enjoy an exotic performance.

 

It was shame not to have enough time to look around.

 

According to the itinerary, we were supposed to go to Seongsan sunrise peak but the condition of Aydin wasn't good, so we headed to Sepjikoji.

 

Actually Sepjikoji is a quite scenic place on the back of Seongsan sun rise peak.

I explained about geological knowledge and culture.

but time wasn't enough to explain in detail.

There are Bangsatops on the other side of Sepjikoji.

Stone towers that contains lots of Jeju cultures I wanted to show them.

 

8)

 

I think if there wan't un ugly 'mint restaurant' 'Sepjikoji' is the one of the best trailing course in Jeju island.

 

 

About to wrap up a tour of today, the tourism organisation called me.

And said they want me to take them to SeoWatKot horseriding course.

​​

I wonder if Lynn and Aydin could ride a horse because they both were not good enough condition for horseriding.

 

But they were experts for horse.

Ofcause they could do it.

 

I hope they have a good memory with riding a horse on the Seongsan sun rise peak.

 

Sunsetting with Seongsan ilchulbong and enjoy riding a horse.

 

How many places they can offer this beauty.

 

 

I been to here so many times but I never seen this beautiful Seongsan sun rise peak before.

 

It was so beautiful.

Even Lynn and Aydin deeply admired the scene and said 

they never seen this much beautiful scene before.

 

They said it looks like a scene on a movie.

 

I had a small talk with Lynn about Australia on the way back home.

It recalled me travelling in Australia.

The place I can still remember is Katumba and 3 sisters.

Whenever I talk about Katuba, Australians are happy right along with me.

By the way, I always have a problem having a conversation with Australians because their strong Australian accent makes me understand them well.

 

But Lynn speak British English.

 

Slightly feeling strange, I asked her about her back ground.

 

She told me she immigrated to Australia when she was 18.

She has lived in Australia for almost 40 years but she can't get rid of her British accent, said Lynn

I agree that the habit of language is quite die hard.

Lynn has shared the feeling with horses for her life and it's her job.

 

Horsinity is the organisation which makes people share feeling with horses.

 

The program is for sharing not only feeling but also knowledges with horses.

 

It was very short tour and time wasn't enough though.

 

I hope they have a good memory in Jeju island.