Yeonpung Gotaek (the Old House of Munchung) / 연풍고택/문충고가

Located in the village of Gaesil in Hapga-ri, Ssangnim-myeon, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the Old House of Yeonpung is an historic 150-year-old house, and was formerly the anchae (the inner house) among the four structures built by the current owners’ ancestor, who served as the governor of Yeonpung-hyeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. The house was restored after being bombed during the Korean War, and is currently is used to accommodate visitors or for village events. The Old House of Yeonpung is situated behind Hwasanjae Pass, which is the traditional wedding experience site of Gaesil village. It is considered a propitious site according to geomantic theory as there is a bamboo forest to its rear. During restoration work in 2010, the large anchae, which covered about 2,644m2, was renovated into a modern structure with four rooms. In particular, the Juksil and Maesil rooms are very large, making them ideal for families and groups. A separate building with a large courtyard and a BBQ facility is available for guests who want to cook or have a barbecue. The charming courtyard comprises a well, a bench, and various flower trees. Known as the village of the Seonsan Kim clan, Gaesil Village was founded by the descendants of Kim Jong-jik (pen-name: Jeompiljae, 1431-1492), a leading Korean Neo-Confucian scholar of the early Joseon period who died during the Literati Purge of 1498. The head house of Kim Jong-jik (Provincial Folk Material No. 62) and Doyeonjae (Provincial Cultural Heritage Material No. 111), the old village school, are also situated in the village. In addition, the nearby Daegaya Museum displays the writing accessories of Kim Jong-jik (Provincial Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 209). The village is also known as Gaehwasil, meaning “a beautiful valley with blooming flowers” as it is surrounded by a flower-covered mountain called Mt. Hwagaesan, a 350-year-old bamboo forest, and Jeopmubong Peak, which is said to resemble a fluttering butterfly. Over 80% of the village houses are traditional hanok buildings nestled amid a cozy environment. During the Campaign to Create Beautiful Communities conducted in 2001 and the Farm Experience Village Development Project in 2005, the village’s hanok were renovated or entirely rebuilt, earthen-stone walls were built, walking paths created, and refined landscaping works carried out, establishing the village in its current form. Furthermore, a village shelter, experience center, Internet café, and other facilities were built for the convenience of residents and visitors alike. In recognition of the villager’ efforts to revitalize their community, Gaesil was awarded the presidential citation at the Korea Rural Village Awards in 2011. Designated as a NongHyup’s Farm Stay Village in 2003, Gaesil operates a wide variety of hands-on experience programs relating to nature, agriculture, and local traditions, such as collecting sweet potatoes and rice planting; Korean traditional etiquette and tea ceremony; kite making and straw handicrafts; traditional food experiences such as yeot (Korean hard taffy) and yugwa (deep-fried sweet rice cakes); traditional games such as riding on a swing and neolttwigi (Korean see-saw); as well as loach fishing, ice sledding and so on. Gaesil Village, a representative farm stay village that “blooms” in every season, attracts around 50-60,000 visitors every year.