JIRO Local, Now

Hello! This is JIRO! 😊 A general dressed in red, whose fearless tactics struck fear into the invading army. Follow the story of Gwak Jae-woo, the Red-Robed General who led Korea's first Righteous Army, and discover the history of Uiryeong. The story of the Red-Robed General, which was even adapted into a film! Why was he called the Red-Robed General? He always wore red robes and called himself the Red-Robed General (Hongui Janggun, 紅衣將軍). He charged through enemy lines with incredible speed, striking and retreating as if he were flying. Although the enemy unleashed volleys of bullets and arrows, they could never hit him. The 25th Year of King Seonjo... Before the war, General Gwak Jae-woo lived a peaceful life as a scholar in the mountains. But when the Imjin War broke out, he stood up, saying, "We cannot leave the defense of our country to the government alone." He hung a drum from a zelkova tree at the entrance of the village and beat it to gather the people. Thus, he ...

Hello! This is JIRO! Did you know that Korea's famous folk tale Heungbu and Nolbu is connected to a real place? Known for its timeless message that kindness is rewarded, Heungbu and Nolbu has been cherished for generations in Korea. In Namwon, there is a village believed to be where Heungbu began a new life and found prosperity. Local legends and traditional place names still preserve traces of the story, allowing visitors to experience the tale beyond the pages of the book. Let's explore Heungbu Village and discover where folklore meets travel. Where Is the Setting of Heungbu and Nolbu? A beloved Korean folk tale about kindness, generosity, and good fortune. Seong-ri Village in Namwon is believed to be the place where Heungbu settled and found prosperity, based on local legends and traditional place names. According to local tradition, this village is considered a place that brings good fortune and prosperity. Heungbu and Nolbu is one of Korea's best-known folk tales. It t...

Hello, this is JIRO! It's been a while since our last post. We hope you've been doing well. Today, we'd like to introduce Chuncheon through one of Korea's most beloved literary classics, Camellias by Kim You-jeong. Let's discover the real flower behind the story and explore the places that inspired it! Did you know? The flower in Kim You-jeong's Korean classic Camellias is actually a Korean spicebush flower? Why is the story called Camellias? In the Gangwon region,  people once called the Korean spicebush ,  which blooms with small yellow flowers  in early spring, " mountain camellia. " Because true camellias were rare there, Kim You-jeong used this local name as the title of his story. One of the Most Famous Scenes in the Story "Bet you don't have this at your house!" Jeomsuni teases the boy almost every day. She starts chicken fights, throws potatoes at him, and picks on him whenever she can. Yet behind her playful teasing, the author ...

Hello, this is JIRO~~ This month marks the 6th edition of the JIRO Letter! The star of this issue is none other than Wando County in Jeollanam-do, South Korea. From the Milky Way and the Slow Trail to the legacy of Jang Bogo and Wando's famous abalone, we've packed this edition with the unique charms that can only be found in Wando. Let's dive in and explore! The Milky Way over Cheongsando Surrounded by blue mountains, blue seas,  and blue skies, the island was named Cheongsan (青山), meaning "Blue Mountain." If Cheongsando by day is an island of emerald seas and stone-walled paths,  then Cheongsando by night belongs to the stars. The Milky Way offers a different kind of beauty in every season, making Cheongsando worth visiting year-round. Asia’s First Cittaslow! Recognized by Cittaslow International as the world's first Slow Trail. Cittaslow is a movement that began in Italy. It is a movement in which local residents takIt encourages local residents to preserve...

​Hello~~~ This is JIRO~~~!! 👋 Last Saturday (June 13), JIRO visited the 27th Eumseong Pumba Festival. A few days ago, we shared the story behind the Eumseong Pumba Festival and its origins here on the blog. Today, we'd like to take you on a tour of the festival and share what we experienced on-site! If you'd like to learn more about the history of the festival, be sure to check out the article below. Related Article Link:  https://blog.en.localnow.kr/2026/06/eumseong-pumba-festival-choi-gwidong-2026.html