Exploring Uiseong: A Journey Through Memories
Hello. I am Park Jun-sik, a writer who has become a supporter of Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2026.
I am a writer and journalist who works on photography and video projects centered around the theme of 'Seasonal Connections' in Uiseong and Pohang.
In this first post of 2026, I would like to share some representative landscapes I have experienced or am currently experiencing in Uiseong.
One day, I unexpectedly found a small room in a village called Bongyang in Uiseong with the help of the village head. I decided to experience Uiseong with just a camera and a couple of lenses, almost with nothing else.
It was an adventurous desire to seek 'romance,' and I found joy in the conversations I had with people I had no prior connection with, gradually weaving deeper ties.
In the village of Uiseong, I had memorable outings with the village head, his wife, and the residents.
At first, the local residents viewed me as a somewhat peculiar person, but we gradually became comfortable with each other, even becoming close enough to go on short trips together.
The Sansuyu tree is a specialty of Uiseong, but for me, it symbolizes a meaningful time in my life. Experiencing that time again might have been an attempt to fill empty memories with a yellow landscape.
While staying in Uiseong, I often participated in local community activities, one of which was creating a Cosmos path. I remember how the residents planted many Cosmos flowers along the road, enriching the autumn scenery.
However, after a few months, I realized that Uiseong is a place with not much to do. The fun memories faded when the elderly showed little interest after taking photos once or twice.
So, I took on part-time work, pulling garlic and trying my hand at farming.
But how skilled could someone who had only lived in the city be? I heard comments like, "Park is great at photography, but terrible at farming."
I pondered a lot about how to start my first post. I focused on the landscapes of Uiseong, where I spent the longest time and felt like home, and I am excited to think about what I will share in the future.
Have you ever slept in a rural mud house?
In winter, it is so cold that your lips might freeze, but the wood logs used as fuel for the village's boiler fill the town with a smoky aroma during dusky evenings.
On autumn mornings, I remember sipping instant coffee with the mothers while sorting pesticide bottles.
In the heat of summer, gathering with residents in a storage room to share a watermelon while watching a movie on a projector felt like a vacation.
Around this time, I often think of a café I used to visit in Uiseong.
A few years ago, as youth entrepreneurship flourished, various passionate young owners opened shops in Uiseong, bringing vibrancy to the town.
Today, I miss the charming cafés, photo studios, and makgeolli houses that were rare in Uiseong.
Through my activities as a supporter of Gyeongsangbuk-do this year, I aim to share the transformed stories and current state of Uiseong, along with the refreshing tales of the sea in Iga-ri village in Pohang. Stay tuned!
Thank you.
Images:
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeongbuk_official/224286188593
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