Buyeo brims with traces of the Baekje dynasty, which is said to have
created a rich and flourishing culture that served as the true beginning
of hallyu. Let’s take a look around the places of historic importance,
from Gungnamji Pond, Korea’s first manmade pond that preserves the
legend of King Mu known for his love story with Princess Seonhwa of
Silla, to Jeongnimsa Temple Site dating back to the Sabi era.
Gungnamji Pond, a Sought-After Backdrop for Period Dramas
Gungnamji Pond is Korea’s first manmade pond, complete with
a small island at its center representing the influence of Taoism.
The harmonious view of drooping willow trees, lotus flowers
in bloom, and tranquil water fully testifies to Baekje’s superior
landscape architecture. It has most likely served as a backdrop
for a range of period dramas based on its location in the middle
of a grandiose palace. It has been hailed for its scenic beauty
highlighted in the dramas Bloody Heart and The Last Empress
and the movie The Face Reader.
The promenade along Gungnamji Pond brings you to
Poryongjeong Pavilion elegantly floating on the pond and a
wooden bridge leading to the pavilion. This bridge is acclaimed
for its architectural elegance with its stone pillars and wooden
guardrail. This must be why it was also featured in the dramas
filmed at this location. In Bloody Heart, the characters cross this
bridge attired in colorful hanbok, and the contrast of the hanbok
and the refreshing green willow trees created a picturesque
scene. In The Face Reader, Paeng-heon (played by actor Jo
Jung-suk) begs for the mercy of Grand Prince Suyang (played
by actor Lee Jung-jae) against the setting of Poryongjeong
Pavilion and this bridge. It would be an interesting experience to
explore the local tourist attractions featured in the impressive
scenes in movies and dramas depicting the glamorous history
of Baekje. Gungnamji Pond is beautiful any time of the year,
from spring with its budding flowers to summer with millions of lotus flowers in full bloom, fall imbued with the rich fragrance of
chrysanthemums, and winter blanketed under white snow.
Historical Background of Gungnamji Pond
Gungnamji Pond is reminiscent of the word “love,” as it is
the main background of the legend of King Mu, who married
Princess Seonhwa of Silla. It is touted as Korea’s first and best
manmade pond and serves as an important source for research
on the history of East Asia’s landscape architecture. The
landscaping technique used for Gungnamji Pond is said to be the
origin of Japan’s landscape architecture for gardens with ponds.
The historical background of Gungnamji Pond remains intriguing
for all due to its surprisingly advanced landscape architecture.
As mentioned, this pond is related to the legend of Seodongyo
(literally meaning “Song of Seodong,” which was hyangga, a
genre of poetical folk song), one of Korea’s oldest love stories.
It is said that King Mu’s mother, who was a maid of King Beop
of Baekje, conceived him through a dragon here. The pavilion
was named based on this legend, with seodong meaning “a
child who digs wild yam.” Thanks to Seodongyo telling the story
of Seodong overcoming his challenges as a man of humble
origin, growing into a king, and culminating his love for Princess
Seonhwa, a royal family member of another country, King Mu
remains a familiar historical figure to this day.
Although we remember him as the hero of the timeless love
story, he must have felt weighed down by the burden he had to
bear as Baekje’s king. In the 35th year of his reign, after years of
territorial wars with Silla despite his marriage to the Silla princess,
he created this pond in the southern part of his palace. Now,
after 1,400 years, we can only guess if he had it built as a means
to flaunt Baekje’s superior techniques or a relaxing oasis for his
later years. Maybe he was truly as romantic as the legend says
and created it for his wife.
Jeongnimsa Temple Site Dating Back to the Baekje Era and Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Buyeo, the last capital city of Baekje and known as Sabi in
ancient times, is home to many important historic sites,
including Gungnamji Pond. Jeongnimsa Temple Site dating back
to the Sabi era is evaluated to provide significant information
for the study of the garam arrangement (garam refers to
“Buddhist temple,” and garam arrangement is the arrangement
of buildings unique to temples), building foundation, and stone
pagoda building techniques of Baekje. This site began to be
called Jeongnimsa Temple Site after the excavation of giwa
with inscriptions presumed to have been produced during the
Goryeo era (1028). The surrounding sites were purchased as
an extension of the improvement and maintenance project
for the ancient Baekje regions, underwent excavations, and
were restored as seen today. This site accommodates the Five-Story Stone Pagoda (National Treasure) also dating
back to the Baekje era. Artisans at the time employed stone,
instead of wood that posed many limits, to build pagodas.
This pagoda was created with granite that was finely polished
and intermeshed firmly, boasting the sophisticated aesthetics
of Baekje with its fluid curves and balanced appearance. It is
recognized for its historical value as a primitive pagoda form.
Baekje – True Beginning of Hallyu
K-culture, from K-pop to K-dramas and K-heritage, is widely
enjoyed and consumed by hallyu enthusiasts around the
world. Surprisingly, the true beginning of hallyu dates back to
ancient times. It began in the Baekje period, with its epicenter
in Sabi (present-day Buyeo) that served as Baekje’s last capital
city. Baekje is said to have had the most significant impact
on Japan’s culture among the three kingdoms at the time, as it was geographically the closet to Japan. Countless cultural
elements were transferred from Baekje to Japan, including
Buddhism by diplomat and Buddhist monk Norisachigye,
traditional dance by dancer Mimaji (during the reign of King
Mu), painting techniques, giwa-making techniques, and
landscape architecture as demonstrated through Gungnamji
Pond. Let’s take a walk from one point of cultural heritage to another, still imbued with the fragrance of Baekje after 1,400
years. We hope that these sites will emerge as the forerunners
of K-culture and come to be appreciated by even more fans.
Cultural Heritage in Our Neighborhoods
This section is dedicated to introducing valuable yet lesser – known cultural heritage of different neighborhoods. Share the artifacts or sites that you find significant or attractive with other readers of “Window to Cultural Heritage.”
Stone Seated Buddha at Gwanbong Peak of Palgongsan Mountain in Gyeongsan-si
By Kim ○ mi
I would like to introduce Stone Seated Buddha (Treasure) at
Gwanbong Peak of Palgongsan Mountain in Gyeongsan-si. Many
come here to wish for the passing of an important test because
the flagstone on top of the buddha’s head appears similar to a graduation cap. They say this buddha always grants one wish per
person, so I strongly recommend that you visit and try your luck.
San 44, Daehan-ri, Wachon-myeon, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Mugiyeondang Garden
By Han ○ yeong
Mugiyeondang Garden is located in Chilwon, Haman-gun. It
is a traditional garden locally acclaimed as a great destination
in Gyeongsangnam-do, but regretfully, it still remains a
low-profile site. Visit Mugiyeondang Garden and immerse yourself in its relaxing and comforting ambience.
Mugi-ri, Chilwon-eup, Haman-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do