Spring Has Already Arrived in the South... Plum, Cornelian Cherry, and Azalea Buds Burst Open [Weekend Leisure]

Some flowers bloom ahead of the season and herald the arrival of spring. Plum blossoms, cornelian cherry blossoms, and azaleas are among them. In the southern region of South Korea, these flowers have already begun to burst into bloom, stirring people’s hearts. This year, flowering is expected to be earlier than usual, and the “queen of spring,” the cherry blossom, is forecast to start blooming between March 23 and 27 in the southern region. This week, consider heading to Gwangyang, Gurye County, Yeosu, and Jinhae District, where preparations for spring flower festivals are in full swing.Gwangyang Maehwa Festival, signaling the start of springTen days of cultural events, including a folk painting exhibitionThe Gwangyang Maehwa Festival in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do is one of the country’s signature spring flower festivals, marking the beginning of the season. This year’s festival runs for ten days from March 13 to 22 in and around Gwangyang Maehwa Village in Daap-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do. Under the theme “Plum Blossoms, Blooming in a Light That Never Fades Through All Four Seasons,” the city plans to present plum blossoms not just as scenery to admire, but as a cultural medium in their own right.
At the Maehwa Culture Center near Gwangyang Maehwa Village, there will be a special exhibition by folk painting artist Eom Jae-gwon, who is from Gwangyang. Visitors can also see works by eight media art artists, including Lee Lee Nam, Bang Woo-song, and Goonam Collective. In addition, programs designed for visitors to stay and enjoy the area include a two-night, three-day advance-reservation camping program at Geumcheon Valley Campground and a Fun Run starting from the riverside parking lot.
Local specialty foods prepared by the festival committee are also drawing attention, such as Gwangyang lunch boxes filled with bulgogi, a full meal set with seaweed soup, Gwangyang bulgogi gimbap, Gwangyang burgers made with maesil-fed Korean beef, and charcoal-grilled native chicken skewers. Residents of Seomjin Village are taking part in reviewing the menus and managing prices and quality, with the aim of creating a festival “free from price gouging.”
Admission has been raised by 1,000 won to 6,000 won for adults and 5,000 won for teenagers. However, the full amount is refunded in the form of local gift certificates, which can be used not only at the festival grounds but also at shops in the Daap-myeon area, Jungma Market, the Seafood Distribution Center, and other nearby commercial districts.Gurye Sansuyu Festival, a sea of yellow blossomsPerformances and hands-on programs under the theme of “eternal love”The Gurye Sansuyu Festival, which turns the whole landscape bright yellow, will be held for nine days from March 14 to 22 in the Jirisan Hot Spring Tourist Area in Sandong-myeon, Gurye County, South Jeolla Province.
This year’s festival is themed “Eternal Love, Yellow Fluttering Hearts Blooming in Gurye.” The program links White Day on March 14 with the flower language of cornelian cherry blossoms, which is “eternal love,” to create a series of themed events.
The festival’s official schedule begins at 10 a.m. on the 14th with a ritual praying for a good harvest at the Sansuyu Simok Site. At 3 p.m. on the opening day, the main festival venue will host an opening ceremony followed by a performance. The lineup includes trot singer Son Tae-jin, a former classical vocalist, as well as singers Hyun Jin-woo and Lee Jeong-ok, and K-pop girl group E11iVyn.
The “Tunnel of Light and Love” installed at the festival entrance is also a highlight. This tunnel-shaped experiential space is designed so visitors can write their wishes on heart-shaped message boards and hang them up. It offers a way to experience the meaning of “eternal love,” symbolized by cornelian cherry blossoms, and to capture the moment in photos.
Other hands-on programs include cornelian cherry seed-cracking, pounding rice cakes made with cornelian cherry, a cornelian cherry tea tasting, and making cornelian cherry character keyrings. On the final day of the festival, March 22, there will also be a National Intangible Cultural Heritage performance featuring traditional farmers’ music passed down in the Gurye County region.
"Burning Bright" at the Yeongchwisan Azalea Festival in YeosuTrail race and mountain-top concert: a feast of springNext is the Yeongchwisan Azalea Festival in Yeosu, where visitors can immerse themselves in waves of deep pink azaleas. Yeongchwisan Mountain is one of Korea’s three largest azalea colonies, and in spring the entire mountain seems to be set ablaze with red, as if splashed with crimson paint. Around this time, a festival is held in and around Heungguksa Forest Park, and events such as the Sanshinje (mountain spirit ritual) and a mountain-top concert announce the arrival of spring to visitors.
This year’s festival will be held for just two days, on March 28 and 29. At 7 a.m. on the 28th, before the opening ceremony, a 12-kilometer trail race will take place. It is a participatory sports event where runners can enjoy spring flower scenery while running along the azalea-covered ridgeline of Yeongchwisan Mountain. From 10 to 11 a.m., the Sanshinje and the opening ceremony will be held at the Yeongchwisan mountain shrine altar and the main festival stage, signaling the official start of the festival. At 2 p.m., there will be a contest to select promotional models for the azaleas.
The highlight of the second day is the mountain-top concert at Bongujae Pass on Yeongchwisan Mountain. Bongujae Pass is the point where hiking trails from different directions meet and is also one of the best viewpoints over the azalea colonies. Visitors can enjoy the luxury of listening to music while gazing out at the mountains dyed pink. Other programs this year include a stamp tour, an azalea craft workshop, and making hwajeon (flower pancakes). Promotional booths will also showcase and sell local specialties and regional foods from Yeosu.Jinhae Gunhangje Festival: "Welcome the Queen of Spring"Air show and music festival at top cherry blossom spotsThe Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, the largest cherry blossom festival in the country and a chance to welcome the “queen of spring,” will be held from March 27 to April 5 across Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. During the festival, visitors can enjoy splendid cherry blossoms at famous spots such as Yeojwa Stream, Gyeonghwa Station, and the Republic of Korea Naval Academy. In particular, on April 1, the Black Eagles air show is scheduled to take place on the grounds of the Republic of Korea Naval Academy, heightening expectations.
The Cherry Blossom Music Festival, where visitors can enjoy music along with the blossoms, will be held from April 3 to 5. On the first day, trot singers including Kim Yong-bin, Son Bin-ah, and Cheon Rok Dam will take the stage. On the second day, Roo'ra, So Chan-whee, and Hwang Chi-yeul will perform ballads and retro hits. The final day, designated as Band Day, will feature performances by Kim Jae-joong, Yoon MRCH, Car, the Garden, and others.
This year’s festival will also feature memorial events honoring the achievements of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Participants can reflect on the historical significance of the Gunhangje through the Memorial Rite for Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the Victory Parade reenacting his triumphant processions.
In addition, around Jinhaeru Pavilion there will be the Victory Commemoration Sea Fireworks Show, filling the night sky and sea with dazzling displays. Along Yeojwa Stream, the Starlight Program will offer nighttime cherry blossom viewing enhanced by special lighting effects.
jsm64@fnnews.com Jung Soon-min Reporter