Autumn gold of Korea

Lost in a Hanok Village

My days in Korea coincided with the most beautiful season in the country. And autumn here, for me, begins with the ginkgo trees in front of my house turning yellow, and the persimmon trees starting to bear tiny fruits.

Autumn rain occasionally falls on the small village, a dreamy drizzle outside the window. On a leisurely weekend, I wandered along the riverside promenade, lined with colorful poppies and wildflowers, searching for the Hanok Village. This village, built during the ancient Joseon dynasty, boasts moss-covered tiled roofs adorned with golden leaves.

Here, it feels as if you've been transported back in time, as if you've wandered into the winds of yesteryear, where you met the mischievous eunuch and the prince in "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds"—a famous historical drama filmed in these ancient buildings.

And beneath the centuries-old ginkgo trees, their leaves ablaze with golden hues, countless shy girls in colorful hanbok dresses, adorned with hairpins, pose radiantly for commemorative photos. Their youthful smiles, like sunshine, make passersby turn their heads, captivating and radiant enough to capture the passionate spirit of their youth.

Passing through the ancient rooftops, we strolled into the tunnel where the two main characters of the film "25, 21" met to say goodbye – a farewell of youth, filled with wistful reflections on reunion and separation.

Then, strolling through the forest, the maple leaves ablaze like twinkling stars, I suddenly hummed an old song by Vu: "Autumn falls into you, into yesterday's dream," thinking about autumn passing and winter approaching, and the dreams lulled by autumn, yet incomplete...

Festival season

Autumn is also the season of festivals. It's Chuseok, the Mid-Autumn Festival – a day for families to reunite, admire the moon, and eat Songpyeon – soft, chewy, fragrant, and sweet round rice cakes.

The annual October Bibimbap Festival is held on the streets of Jeonju – the culinary capital and birthplace of the famous Bibimbap dish. There, people parade through the streets, enjoy giant bowls of bibimbap together, and pray for a bountiful harvest.

As autumn arrives, crabs are at their best, as people often say, autumn is the season for enjoying chrysanthemums, admiring the moon, and eating crab.
Driving through forests whose leaves are changing color, heading straight south, you'll reach Yonsu – a coastal city – and queue up at one of the most famous small restaurants (in Korea, famous eateries are often small and charming) to enjoy their renowned marinated crab.

Peel back the shell, and the translucent crab meat blends with the soy sauce, tasting sweet and not at all fishy. Add a spicy green chili, and you can feel the flavors of all four seasons swirling together.

Looking out the window, you see the azure sea under the autumn sky, the Dolsan cable car drifting slowly by, and inside the cozy restaurant, a steaming pot of kimchi crab hotpot.

Or one morning in Busan, watch the sunrise over Haeundae Beach, the sea calm and the sun gentle in autumn. In the afternoon, buy a Blue Train ticket to sit and watch the train slowly ascend the mountain, opening your eyes to take in the panoramic view of Busan's sea.

Then, we wandered along the beach, occasionally catching glimpses of fireworks someone had suddenly set off, bursting brilliantly into the night sky.

The familiar path I walk every morning and evening, lined with red maple leaves and ginkgo trees ablaze with golden foliage, reminds me of the story of the vows and the longing of a childhood love in the Conan manga with its fan-shaped wings.

Next door, in the old building, the persimmon tree is shedding its fruit, making way for plump, round berries. Take a deep breath, knowing that the cycle of nature is eternal. But this autumn will paint my memories golden, no matter how many other seasons pass in my life...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/vang-thu-xu-han-3141935.html