The Korea Travel Organization (KTO) has seen a lot of attention from its ‘Feel the Rhythm of Korea‘ series, which features dance troupes spreading across famous landmarks while jamming to modern renditions of traditional Korean music. Although the trend of these videos naturally began with their Seoul features, it later expanded to popular cities such as Busan and Daegu. In this article, we will look at the stops explored in the Feel the Rhythm of Korea episodes Daegu and Suncheon. Futhermore, we’ll show you the original versions of the songs featured. Be sure to leave a comment and let us know which version you like better – traditional or modern?
Daegu (대구)
The Places
Bukseong Industrial Tools Street (북성공구골목)
Bukseong Industrial Tools Street first opened around 1947 when Daegu locals began to collect obsolete tools leftover by the US military following the collapse of Japanese occupation. Many of these tools were not yet manufactured on the peninsula, making them valuable both practically and financially. A large trade community has since blossomed here; the street is now home to over 500 businesses and is constantly expanding.
Address: 24 Taepyeong-ro 28-gil, Seongnae 2(i)-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu | 대구광역시 중구 태평로3가
Nearest Subway: Jungangno Station Exit 4 | 중앙로역 4번출구
Nearest Bus: Gyeongjin Tech Villa Apt (Bus 234, 651, 653 – Toward Daegu Concert House Geonneo)
Opening Hours: Varies by shop
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Main road is accessible, some alleys might be restrictive due to size
Website: Click Here
Yakjeon Alley (약전골목)
Yakjeon Alley is home to all things traditional. Perhaps its most famous export is its ancient medicine options. You can buy any number of herbs here while also visiting traditional medical clinics. Fan favourites such as herbal teas, ginseng and red ginseng are available on every corner. There are plenty of options here if you’re aiming to look and feel incredible in an entirely natural way.
Address: Namseongno Jung-gu Daegu | 대구광역시 중구 남성로
Nearest Subway: Banwoldang Station Exit 14 | 반월당역 14번 출구
Nearest Bus: Yangnyeong Market Geonneo Dongseongno Entrance (Bus 204, 304, 349, 401, 410, 503, 518, 650, 706, 730 – Towards Gyeongsang Gamyeong Park Geonneo)
Opening Hours: Varies by shop
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Main road is accessible, some alleys might be restrictive due to size
Website: Click Here
House of Yi Sang Hwa (시인이상화고택)
Yi Sang-hwa was a national poet who wrote and spoke out against Japanese colonisation on the peninsula. The home you can visit in Daegu was his main dwelling from 1939 until his death in 1943. Although his house was somewhat neglected after he died, a citizens’ movement from 1999 was able to successfully preserve the house. Eventually, it was donated to the City of Daegu on October 27th, 2005. It has since been restored and open to the public as a museum of the brave poet’s life and work.
Address: Gyesan-dong 2(i)-ga Jung-gu Daegu | 대구광역시 중구 계산동 2가
Nearest Subway: Banwoldang Station Exit 18 | 반월당역 18번 출구
Nearest Bus: Yangnyeong Market Geonneo Dongseongno Entrance (Bus 204, 304, 349, 401, 410, 503, 518, 650, 706, 730 – Towards Gyeongsang Gamyeong Park Geonneo)
Opening Hours: 10AM – 5:30PM (Closed Mondays)
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Many rooms are visible from the group, steps not required
Website: Click Here
March First Independence Movement Road (3.1운동길)
The March First Independence Movement began in protest of the Japanese occupation of Korea. On March 8th, 1919, students from various Daegu high schools secretly assembled in a pine forest to rally against the Japanese. Today, that pine forest has been converted into a 90-step staircase. Visitors can walk the same path the students took while viewing photographs and historical artefacts from the time.
Address: 881-3 Dongsan-dong Jung-gu Daegu | 대구광역시 중구 동산동 881-3
Nearest Subway: Cheongna Hill Station Exit 9 | 청라언덕역 9번 출구
Nearest Bus: Eldis Regent Hotel Geonneo (Bus 405, 609 – Towards Hyundai Dept. Store Dongga Shopping Geonneo)
Opening Hours: 24/7
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Staircase protected by wall on one side; potential for wheelchair to be pushed up depending on the size
Website: Click Here
Gwanmun Vintage Market (관문시장)
Gwanmun Market boasts stalls selling nearly everything a shopper could want. Its most famous selection is vintage clothing, which tumbles upon you as quickly and messily as some of the stalls appear to be organised. If you’re looking for eco-friendly shopping at a ridiculously affordable price, look no further than Gwanmun Market.
Address: 1291 Daemyeong-dong Nam-gu Daegu | 대구광역시 남구 대명동 1291
Nearest Subway: Seobu Bus Terminal Station Daegu Exit 3 | 서부정류장역 3번출구
Nearest Bus: Seobu Bus Stop (Rural Bus [Green] Goryeong to Seobu)
Opening Hours: Varies by shop
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Main road is accessible, some alleys might be restrictive due to size
Website: Click Here
Anjirang Gopchang Alley (안지랑 곱창 거리)
Never heard of Gopchang? This refers to the Korean food which is made up of cattle intestines that are then fried and eaten with other various side dishes. It’s a common dish among Korean people, and although the thought often puts foreigners off, I haven’t met a single person whose turned away at it a second time. In this alley, you’ll have your fair share of Gopchang restaurants to choose from. If it’s hard to choose, just close your eyes and point: they’re all bound to be good if they’ve survived the competition this long.
Address: 67 Anjirang-ro 16-gil Nam-gu Daegu | 대구광역시 남구 16길 안지랑로 67
Nearest Subway: Anjirang Station Exit 3 | 안지랑역 3번출구
Nearest Bus: Anjirang Negeori 1 (Bus 306, 410, 518, 564, 649, 651 – Towards Daegu Transportation Broadcasting Ap)
Opening Hours: 12PM – 2AM
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Restaurants vary in size, most entrances comfortable for wheelchairs
Website: Click Here
The Song
The song in the video is a rap version of Kwae Jina Ching Ching Nane (쾌지나 칭칭 나네), a fun and lighthearted song that was used to pass the time while working. It was remade by BIG Naught x EMET SOUND. You can hear the original minyo (민요), folk song, in the video above.
Suncheon (순천)
The Places
While showing us the countryside through landscapes such as Yogok Village and Gusan Village, this unique video shares with us the rural lifestyle that is so prevalent outside of Seoul. We not only get to see the natural beauty that is so hidden from Seoulites’ daily routines, but we also get a glimpse into the lifestyle of Korea’s older population. The video starts with an announcement declared across the village (they really do this): someone is celebrating their 100th birthday. After the residents work their day in the field, they gather to drink ginseng liquor, makgeolli (막걸리, rice liquor) and eat with their native Korean dogs and friends – a truly idyllic 100th birthday party.
Yogok Village (요곡마을)
Address: Yogok-ri Juam-myeon Suncheon-si Jeollanam-do | 전라남도 순천시 주암면 요곡리
Nearest Subway: N/A
Nearest Bus: Yogok Station (Bus 19, 111 – Towards Mungilsam Street [문길삼거리])
Opening Hours: 24/7
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Village can have some rocky pathways
Gusan Village (구산마을)
Address: Gusan-ri Juam-myeon Suncheon-si Jeollanam-do | 전라남도 순천시 주암면 구산리
Nearest Subway: N/A
Nearest Bus: Geumgok Station (Bus 19, 111 – Towards Hoam)
Opening Hours: 24/7
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Village can have some rocky pathways
The Song
The song featured in the video is an R&B version of Sae Taryeong (새타령). The lyrics describe the sounds and motions of different local birds on a bright spring day. The modern version is retitled ‘View’ by Trade L. Lifestyle. To hear the original folk song, check out the video above.
