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| Autumn scenery of Nami Island, where gentle ripples meet colorful foliage |
Prologue: The Memory of a First Visit
Dear readers, today I would like to introduce a travel destination that is popular among both Koreans and foreigners. That place is none other than Nami Island. Let’s get started.
The road to Chuncheon in Gangwon Province always stirs a sense of anticipation. Driving along the highway that follows the Bukhan River, the landscape unfolds as if painted on a canvas. Sunlight shimmers and dances on the water, and in the river’s center a round, inviting island appears. From a distance it may look like an ordinary river islet, but as you approach, you begin to sense that this place holds stories far beyond a simple landscape.
To reach Nami Island, you must take a ferry or shuttle boat. Although the crossing lasts only a few minutes, it always feels like the true beginning of the journey. The thought of heading to an island in the middle of the river brings with it the thrill of leaving daily life behind and stepping into another world. As the boat glides smoothly across the water, the island’s dense trees gradually come into view. The moment you set foot ashore, Nami Island’s distinctive air surrounds you.
1.The Name and Historical Origins of Nami Island
The origin of the name “Nami Island” is more layered than it first appears. The island’s original name was Namseom (南島), literally meaning “an island positioned before the river.” Over time, however, it became entwined with the legend of a historical figure.
That figure was General Nami, a military commander active during the reign of King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty. Although he achieved great deeds at a young age, he was falsely accused of treason and suffered a tragic death. According to local tradition, his remains were buried under a mound of stones on a hill near the island. In remembrance, people began calling the place Namiseom (南怡島)—“the island of Nami.”
Historical records also support this tradition. The late Joseon scholar Jeong Yak-yong (정약용) mentioned the island in his travel writings Cheonu Gihaeng and Sansu Simwon-gi, referring to it as “Namiseom (南怡苫)” and “Namiseo (南怡嶼).” This shows that the name is not merely legend but one attested in historical sources.
Today, monuments and relics honoring General Nami remain on the island, allowing visitors to enjoy its natural beauty while facing a piece of history. On my first visit, I paused before his stone memorial nestled in the forest. It reminded me that this was not just a tourist site but land infused with the tragic yet enduring legacy of one man.
2.Transformation into a Cultural Destination
Nami Island’s rise as an international tourist destination was not accidental. The transformation began in 1965, when Min Byeong-do (민병도), a banker and publisher, purchased the island. He cultivated its forests and shaped the area into a space where nature and culture coexist. At the time it was an unremarkable river islet, but under his stewardship it became lush and carefully tended.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the island gained attention as the venue for the Riverside Song Festival and served as a filming location for the production based on the novel 겨울나그네 (Winter Wanderer).
Its true breakthrough, however, came in 2001, with the broadcast of the KBS drama Winter Sonata (겨울연가). Scenes of the protagonists confessing their love against a snow-covered Nami Island resonated deeply across Japan, Southeast Asia, China, and beyond. This phenomenon drew countless international visitors and significantly boosted South Korea’s tourism industry.
Today, Nami Island welcomes around 3.3 million visitors annually, a testament to both its natural charm and the thoughtful strategies that cultivated its cultural appeal.
3.Naminara Republic: A World of Its Own
Another element that makes Nami Island unique is the imaginative cultural brand known as the Naminara Republic. The island is presented not simply as a destination but as an “imagined nation.”
The Naminara Republic features its own flag, anthem, passport, currency (Nami Tongbo, 남이통보), stamps, and even a unique script called Nami-jja (나미짜). Visitors pass through the entrance as if going through immigration—presenting tickets like entry documents—and sometimes receive a symbolic passport as a keepsake.
At first this concept may strike visitors as playful, almost whimsical. Yet as you stroll the island and encounter landscapes and cultural details designed around the idea of a “mini-nation,” you genuinely feel as though you have stepped into another world. This imaginative framing elevates Nami Island from a sightseeing spot to an immersive cultural experience.
4.Seasonal Landscapes and Experiences
Each season reveals a different face of Nami Island.
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Spring: Cherry blossoms and fresh shoots transform the island into a soft, radiant scene. Families gather for outings, and the laughter of children fills the air.
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Summer: A celebration of green. Cool breezes from the Bukhan River and the shade of the forest offer relief from the heat. Renting a bicycle to circle the island, you’ll often feel sunlight sparkle on the water as if following you.
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Autumn: Truly breathtaking. The famed Metasequoia Lane glows with red and gold foliage, evoking the sensation of walking through a fairy tale. It’s easy to see why so many films and dramas have used this island as a backdrop.
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Winter: Nami Island reveals its most iconic charm. Snow blankets the paths, and scenes from Winter Sonata come to mind. In the hush of falling snow, the island offers a romantic beauty unmatched by many other destinations.
Animals such as ostriches, squirrels, and rabbits roam freely on the island. Children delight at close encounters with these animals, while adults smile, recalling childhood wonder.
5.Why Nami Island Is Special: Social and Cultural Values
Nami Island pursues more than natural beauty and tourism; it is also a place that practices social responsibility.
In 2010, Nami Island was designated the world’s first UNICEF Child-Friendly Park, providing a safe and joyful environment for children. The island has expanded facilities for multicultural families and for visitors with disabilities, and it supports independence activists and environmental initiatives.
Walking through Nami Island, I often feel that it is not merely a place to generate profit but a stage for culture, art, and social solidarity. The scenery here seems to carry meaning beyond beauty, embodying values that resonate with visitors.
Epilogue: An Invitation to the Reader
Nami Island is a place where nature and history breathe together. It is the land of General Nami’s legacy, the realization of Min Byeong-do’s vision, and the stage where Korean drama and art reached a global audience. Today it continues to grow as a living cultural space devoted to children, multicultural families, and environmental stewardship.
Each visit reveals more than scenic views: you encounter echoes of history, the fragrance of culture, and a harmonious relationship between people and nature.
If you are considering your next travel destination, I wholeheartedly recommend Nami Island. There you will not only enjoy beautiful scenery but also step into a living story—a special world where time, place, people, and nature are woven together.
I hope you had an enjoyable trip today. Next time, I will be back with even better content. Thank you.
