Gangneung is full of energy and constantly changing.
The proof is that new artists are steadily infiltrating Gangneung. From Haslla Art World, a home for art in Gangneung, to Arte Museum, which shows the art of light and sound through immersive media art, works that transcend time and space await travelers.
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K-content collection BTS bus stop, Sodol Lighthouse, Son Rock Park
In the north of Gangneung, there are a series of filming locations that have appeared as the backdrop for K-content such as dramas and music videos. Representative examples include the BTS bus stop, Sodol Lighthouse, and Son Rock Park.
Among these, the place that receives the most love is the BTS bus stop at Hyangho Beach. It is so popular that you have to wait in line to take pictures on weekends. It was temporarily erected for filming and then demolished, but was redecorated as a photo zone as tourists continued to visit. Afterwards, through word of mouth, the fact that it was the filming location for the album jacket of the BTS song 'Spring Day' became more known, and it has now become a must-visit destination for BTS fans at least once.
As the number of visitors increased, surrounding facilities were also strengthened. For solo travelers, we also created a photo zone where they can take pictures by mounting their smartphones. The bench in front of the pine forest was painted purple, the symbolic color of BTS. The names of BTS members are written on the chairs. The heart-shaped rocking chair on the beach is also a pretty purple color.
Next, it's time to head to Sodol Lighthouse, which appeared in the Netflix drama <The Glory>, which captured the hearts of countless people around the world. It is about 1.5km away from the BTS bus stop, so you can walk along the sea. In the final scene, Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) and Joo Yeo-jeong (Lee Do-hyeon), the lovers in the play, drink beer on the Sodol breakwater, and the Sodol Lighthouse appears in the background. The waves are strong, and the red lighthouse sends a ray of light into the darkness. Although it is lonely, I think about the final feelings of the main characters as they head toward a new life in front of the lighthouse.
The last place is Sonbawi Park, which is connected to Sodol Lighthouse. At Sonbawi Park, the Gangneung episode of Korea Tourism Organization's overseas promotional video 'Feel the Rhythm of Korea' was filmed. It features Dano-gut and Gwanno mask dance, Gangneung's traditional cultural heritage, against the backdrop of the blue sea and strange rocks. Although the appearance time was not long, the image was strong and many people came here after watching the promotional video.
Son Rock Park is a collection of natural works created by wind and waves over a long period of time. It is a tafoni landform in which holes are hollowed out as particles fall off the rock surface, and there are many rocks with holes hollowed out like honeycombs. The most famous rock among these is Son Rock. There is a story that says that an old couple who desperately wanted a child received a son after praying for one hundred days. In addition to Son Rock, there are rocks of various shapes, including elephant, turtle, cow, and Daehakhwa Rock, so let's look for them as if you were playing a hidden object game. There is a walking path around Sodol Beach around Son Rock, so you can admire the rock from various angles.
Haslla Art World, a treasure of Gangneung where nature and art come together
Haslla Art World is a treasure of Gangneung. It is a complex art space where the mountains, the sea, people, and art come together, and is a great place to nurture your heart and develop your imagination. As you walk while smelling the strong scent of pine, a sculpture will quietly speak to you, and as you cast your eyes into the open sea, Pinocchio beckons. There are several photo zones where you can take the photos of your life, and it is also loved as a family travel destination because people of all ages can enjoy it together.
In 2003, Haslla Art World was born based on the passion for art of artists Park Shin-jeong and Choi Ok-young. ‘Hasella’ is the name given to Gangneung during the Three Kingdoms period, and the name Haslla Art World embodies its identity as an art space in Gangneung. It opened as a sculpture park, but later established itself as a complex art space with the opening of the Art World Museum Hotel, the Museum of Modern Art, the Pinocchio Museum, and the Marionette Art Museum one by one.
Haslla Art World is located on a low mountain behind Deungmyeong Beach. It stands tall, showing a strong presence through its colorful colors. As soon as you pass through the ticket booth and enter the gallery, you will be greeted with tons of unique works of art. As you enter, a cello is placed on top of a vertical piano, and a huge hippopotamus made of staple needles is on display inside. Numerous convex mirrors hanging from the ceiling and emitting light also caught the eye. In this work by artist Park Shin-jeong, the numerous images created by shaking mirrors symbolize endless energy. The kinetic art work that visitors could directly control was also special. My steps become slower as I try to imagine the author's intentions.
Even the passage connecting the exhibition halls is unique. The passage itself seemed like a work of art as it continued like a maze. In particular, the passage leading to the Pinocchio Museum created a powerful image as it looked as if Pinocchio was entering the belly of a whale.
The Pinocchio Museum is a favorite place for children. While encountering Pinocchio, seen in children's books, in various forms, children's creativity grows even further. There are a series of amazing works, such as a moving Pinocchio and a doll from the Czech Republic.
After meeting Pinocchio, you will come across a stone wall that is popular as a photo zone. Yellow umbrellas are also available so you can take fun photos, so let's use them. Right next to it is a work depicting rolling waves, and the view of the emerald sea from there is spectacular. As you go up the road, the observatory and the work 'The Return of Poseidon' appear one after another.
Behind the building, there is a beautiful sculpture park that is one with nature. There are many works of art that will make you stop, including the Venus of Willendorf statue, which symbolizes fertility and abundance, an insect hill decorated with flies, ladybugs, and spiders, and a cow dung gallery with artist Choi Young-ok's 'cow dung' work. With the blue sea in the background, it creates an absolutely enchanting sight. When you look down at Haslla Art World from a high place, you get the feeling that Haslla Art World itself, harmonized with the sea, is a large work of art.
*You can apply for a docent tour separately. It also operates a museum hotel decorated like a gallery and a cafe with a refreshing view of the sea.
Arte Museum Gangneung, a fantasy world created by light and sound
If you are bored with your daily life, you should go to the Arte Museum. My eyes light up and my ears open wide. The flat space becomes three-dimensional, and a scent blows in from somewhere. Travel to mountains, oceans, valleys, waterfalls, and forests all in a short period of time. Exclamations of exclamation erupt from everywhere at the sweet sound and fantastic color feast.
Arte Museum Gangneung opened on December 23, 2021 as an immersive media art exhibition hall. It is an 'experiential exhibition hall' on a different level from an art museum that displays paintings or sculptures, allowing you to feel the works with all five senses. Although it was opened for the third time after Jeju and Yeosu, it is so popular that more than 100,000 people visited within a month after opening.
Arte Museum Gangneung’s exhibitions are decorated with 12 concepts. The first work you encounter is Flower, where petals fill the wall and floor. Small flowers swaying everywhere catch the eye. Even though you know that it is an effect created by technology, you cannot help but fall in love with it. If you are immersed in the endless flower petals and take a step forward, the 'Spirit Forest' appears, created by combining the four elements that make up all things: water, wind, earth, and fire. A deer, the spirit of the land, is walking leisurely. When you place your hand on the wall, colorful flowers decorate the deer.
In addition, there are fantastic worlds in each space, such as the 'Waterfall' that falls from a height of 8m, the surreal 'Beach', the 'Star' made of paper art, and the 'Cave' that makes you feel like you are standing in space. It continues. The interactive exhibition ‘Live Sketchbook’ is also not to be missed. After coloring animals such as tigers and dogs and uploading them to the scanner, you can see your coloring work moving on a large screen. It is easy to see children immersed in amazing and fun games.
There is always a long line in front of the 'Sun' for people to take a picture of their lives with the sun in the background. The climax of the fantasy journey is the ‘Garden’. A media art show based on ‘Gangwon’ and ‘famous paintings’ will be screened repeatedly. Paintings by famous painters such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Botticelli color the exhibition hall with bright light.
In line with the theme of Arte Museum Gangneung, 'Valley', there are also works that show the characteristics of Gangwon-do. This is ‘Gangwon, the beauty created by natural time’. The scenery of the four seasons, such as the sun rising over the sea, rainy temples, starry ports, and snow-covered mountains, moisturizes the heart. Let's not forget the Tea Bar. This is a special space where you can enjoy tea, and you can see media art with the moon rising and flowers blooming above the cup.
*There are mirrors everywhere, so be careful not to hit them. The viewing time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. There are also free lockers at the entrance.