Wollyeongsuninjang
why
Jeju Wolryeong-ri Village, the Power of the Place to Start Your Journey
Fear and temptation is what we feel about the new. We travel to experience something new or to be surrounded by the scene of unfamiliarity. Travel is an act of crossing the bridge from “here in the moment” to “there, somewhere different”; it is an indulgence into an extraordinary day as a way to steer clear of relationships or your usual daily life that brought us where we are now. As we step into this unknown place, we become someone else just like the unfamiliar surroundings. As a stranger to ourselves, we discover something new within us or expand the span of our world and perception that we are accustomed to. As the novelist Kim Young-ha writes in his book Reason for Travel, we become “nobody” in the “absence of ordinary life” that lets us momentarily forget about who we are; we approach a new self from the old. When we turn our eyes over to the limitless horizon, outside what we are used to seeing, we gain a surge of energy to face and come closer to the core of lingering problems we have.
However, to experience something new and escape from ordinary life doesn’t necessarily mean we should go to another country or somewhere far away. The extent or quality of experiencing new things also doesn’t go in exact proportion to the physical distance, either; we only need somewhere that allows us to have adequate mental distance. In that regard, Jeju Island is the most reasonable and suitable option. Without having to spend too much time, you can still enjoy the airport and, above all, the exotic and new scenery of nature that is a far cry from the mainland; it’s as if you’re in a different culture. On top of that, new trends overflowing the island add more reasons to why we find Jeju Island a fantastic destination.
There’s a village in the island that magnifies the exotic quality of Jeju: Wolryeong-ri, Hallim-eup where the one and only wild cactus colony is located. Cactus, considered to grow in the harsh, rugged environment of the desert, was pushed out of the tropics by the Kuroshio Current and rooted in the crevices of the coast of Wolryeong-ri. At some point, the village has become a habitat for Opuntia—commonly called prickly pear. It grows clustered through the cracks of black stone on the coast beaten by the wind and waves and forms an exotic landscape that can’t be seen elsewhere.
In December, 2016, just like the cactus from the tropics that spread through the village without any notice, you can find the stay that quietly found its ground in the village to present the new experience and exotic night. Wollyeong Suninjang takes you to a world of the unfamiliar simply by staying with them. Z_Lab, who has already proved the possibility of the experience of a stay in harmony with a local village in their “Blind Whale” project, met the owner who envisions a similar direction and discovered the local value of the village, which is all melted into the unique space experience and identity of Wollyeong Suninjang.
Wollyeong Suninjang can be the purpose and the reason to make your way to Wolryeong Village, it entails the story of the village unknown to most. When the theme has shifted to going local in recent years, Wollyeong Suninjang has conveyed the unchanging value for three years and invites us to Wolryeong-ri, letting us reconfirm the meaning of travel that stands between the ordinary and extraordinary.
However, to experience something new and escape from ordinary life doesn’t necessarily mean we should go to another country or somewhere far away. The extent or quality of experiencing new things also doesn’t go in exact proportion to the physical distance, either; we only need somewhere that allows us to have adequate mental distance. In that regard, Jeju Island is the most reasonable and suitable option. Without having to spend too much time, you can still enjoy the airport and, above all, the exotic and new scenery of nature that is a far cry from the mainland; it’s as if you’re in a different culture. On top of that, new trends overflowing the island add more reasons to why we find Jeju Island a fantastic destination.
There’s a village in the island that magnifies the exotic quality of Jeju: Wolryeong-ri, Hallim-eup where the one and only wild cactus colony is located. Cactus, considered to grow in the harsh, rugged environment of the desert, was pushed out of the tropics by the Kuroshio Current and rooted in the crevices of the coast of Wolryeong-ri. At some point, the village has become a habitat for Opuntia—commonly called prickly pear. It grows clustered through the cracks of black stone on the coast beaten by the wind and waves and forms an exotic landscape that can’t be seen elsewhere.
In December, 2016, just like the cactus from the tropics that spread through the village without any notice, you can find the stay that quietly found its ground in the village to present the new experience and exotic night. Wollyeong Suninjang takes you to a world of the unfamiliar simply by staying with them. Z_Lab, who has already proved the possibility of the experience of a stay in harmony with a local village in their “Blind Whale” project, met the owner who envisions a similar direction and discovered the local value of the village, which is all melted into the unique space experience and identity of Wollyeong Suninjang.
Wollyeong Suninjang can be the purpose and the reason to make your way to Wolryeong Village, it entails the story of the village unknown to most. When the theme has shifted to going local in recent years, Wollyeong Suninjang has conveyed the unchanging value for three years and invites us to Wolryeong-ri, letting us reconfirm the meaning of travel that stands between the ordinary and extraordinary.
people
People who Choose Jeju to Live Their Life as Traveling
We have seen the consistently growing number of immigrants to Jeju who are dreaming of the new life on the island. Though shapes and sizes vary, most people share similar reasons for their decision to come to Jeju. The island consistently attracts those who want to pause the constant motion of life and take a slow breath; to do something that pleases them; or reconstruct daily life at their own speed. It’s not about the conventional concept of going from the ordinary to a special day, but living a typical day like traveling—that’s the reason they choose Jeju.
The same goes for the owner couple of Wollyeong Suninjang. Both working jobs in Seoul, they took hectic life in the city for granted until they had a baby. A successful life of building up a solid career path seems good but it also takes a lot away. That’s why they chose a life where they don’t have to lose what they enjoy. They moved to Jeju to spend more time with their child who kept growing bigger every day and ultimately to live a life in nature. Fortunately, they landed in Jeju before the price of land relentlessly soared and were able to set the direction to sustainable life in Jeju.
Initially wanting to create a place renovated from a Jeju stone house mostly because of Z_Lab’s previous project Blind Whale, the owner couple fell in love with the charm of Jeju stone houses as they saw Blind Whale and had been on the lookout for a stone house with a similar style and found Wolryeong-ri at the end of their journey. While looking for a place near Hyeopjae Beach, they accidently stepped into a village where wild tropical cactus was growing everywhere, which was the last thing they expected to see in the area. Exotic scenery of the village captivated the couple, which led to the decision to anchor at the point where three paths from the village entrance converge.
Besides the fact that the village is a unique and mysterious place that provides the habitat for wild cactus, it holds memorial ceremonies to commemorate Mumyeongcheon (cotton cloth) Lady, the victim and symbol of the Jeju Uprising, who once lived here; it’s also the temple of Jeju’s wind. The owner couple was naturally inclined to create a place that could present different textures of stories kept in the village that could harmoniously blend into the neighborhood. Above all, they wanted to start the journey with Z_Lab who inspired them in the first place.
Z_Lab acknowledged the owner couple’s definite direction and vision where they wish to tell the story of the village in the most humble way. Since they have sophisticated taste and preference on style in general, they had a picture of what they wanted their place to look and feel like, so clear that it impressed Z_Lab. Z_Lab began their effort to express and contain the village’s image and story in the unique identity of the stay to fulfill the owner couple’s wish to perfectly reflect their style to the extent it doesn’t damage Jeju-ness,
The couple initially wanted to add a café function so more people can come visit and enjoy the exotic view of the cactus over stone walls. However, this could negatively influence the privacy of the guests during their stay since the place was located in the corner of the three paths of the village as well as the land where the cactus grows situated below the path. Z_Lab expressed their concern and convinced the couple to focus exclusively on a single house stay that embodies the quality of the village and its stories, so Wolryeong-ri can be the visitors’ destination in Jeju.
The same goes for the owner couple of Wollyeong Suninjang. Both working jobs in Seoul, they took hectic life in the city for granted until they had a baby. A successful life of building up a solid career path seems good but it also takes a lot away. That’s why they chose a life where they don’t have to lose what they enjoy. They moved to Jeju to spend more time with their child who kept growing bigger every day and ultimately to live a life in nature. Fortunately, they landed in Jeju before the price of land relentlessly soared and were able to set the direction to sustainable life in Jeju.
Initially wanting to create a place renovated from a Jeju stone house mostly because of Z_Lab’s previous project Blind Whale, the owner couple fell in love with the charm of Jeju stone houses as they saw Blind Whale and had been on the lookout for a stone house with a similar style and found Wolryeong-ri at the end of their journey. While looking for a place near Hyeopjae Beach, they accidently stepped into a village where wild tropical cactus was growing everywhere, which was the last thing they expected to see in the area. Exotic scenery of the village captivated the couple, which led to the decision to anchor at the point where three paths from the village entrance converge.
Besides the fact that the village is a unique and mysterious place that provides the habitat for wild cactus, it holds memorial ceremonies to commemorate Mumyeongcheon (cotton cloth) Lady, the victim and symbol of the Jeju Uprising, who once lived here; it’s also the temple of Jeju’s wind. The owner couple was naturally inclined to create a place that could present different textures of stories kept in the village that could harmoniously blend into the neighborhood. Above all, they wanted to start the journey with Z_Lab who inspired them in the first place.
Z_Lab acknowledged the owner couple’s definite direction and vision where they wish to tell the story of the village in the most humble way. Since they have sophisticated taste and preference on style in general, they had a picture of what they wanted their place to look and feel like, so clear that it impressed Z_Lab. Z_Lab began their effort to express and contain the village’s image and story in the unique identity of the stay to fulfill the owner couple’s wish to perfectly reflect their style to the extent it doesn’t damage Jeju-ness,
The couple initially wanted to add a café function so more people can come visit and enjoy the exotic view of the cactus over stone walls. However, this could negatively influence the privacy of the guests during their stay since the place was located in the corner of the three paths of the village as well as the land where the cactus grows situated below the path. Z_Lab expressed their concern and convinced the couple to focus exclusively on a single house stay that embodies the quality of the village and its stories, so Wolryeong-ri can be the visitors’ destination in Jeju.
location
Where Wind Stays and Wild Cactus Thrives
Wolryeong-ri is a village on the Western shore located on the tip of Hallim-eup. The old name of the place is “Gameungil” or “Gamunjil” in Jeju dialect, meaning black path; it used to be Gotjawal Forest densely packed with rocks before the village was formed. Jeju people’s life that had to conform or resist at times against the brute nature of the island remains untouched here.
Another unique scene was added to the village. It’s the prickly pear brought by the current and has been growing between the cracks and crevices of the black basalt rocks. Villagers picked up the stems and planted them in their stone walls to prevent rats or snakes, which led the plant to spreading everywhere throughout the village—in every alley, in the clustered black stones, and even on the edge of streets. Blooming yellow flowers in summer and red-purple fruits in early winter, earned it the nickname baeknyeoncho, meaning one-hundred-year fruit, making an uncommon landscape in Korea.
In addition to the unique identity as Korea's only native cactus village, Wolryeong-ri is a place that forms an irreplaceable personality in which different stories are intricately intertwined.
“Wolgye Jinjwasu” a story of a hundred-year-old fox alluring humans stemmed from Banmaru between Wolryeong-ri and Geumneung-ri. In Jeju Island, abundant in three things—wind, stone, and women—Wolryeong-ri is particularly known for the stormy wind. Though blustery weather affects Jeju people’s lives all year round, its value was recognized as the sustainable future resource in the recent years and Jeju’s first wind power plant was established on the shore of Wolryeong-ri.
The tragic history of Jeju Uprising that should never be forgotten also took place in Wolryeong-ri village. Only 800 meters away from Wollyeong Suninjang lies the house of Jin Ah-young, known as Mumyeongcheon Lady, the victim of the event. Villagers hold a memorial ceremony for her every year.
Using “stay” as the main material, Wollyeong Suninjang chooses to tell the story of the village that has been accumulated over time; even those who are not familiar with Wolryeong-ri get to see the village on their trip to Wollyeong Suninjang. They used the language of the space to accentuate the local values of the village. A single house stay to experience the extraordinary day humbly offers the reason to head to Jeju Island “once again.”
Another unique scene was added to the village. It’s the prickly pear brought by the current and has been growing between the cracks and crevices of the black basalt rocks. Villagers picked up the stems and planted them in their stone walls to prevent rats or snakes, which led the plant to spreading everywhere throughout the village—in every alley, in the clustered black stones, and even on the edge of streets. Blooming yellow flowers in summer and red-purple fruits in early winter, earned it the nickname baeknyeoncho, meaning one-hundred-year fruit, making an uncommon landscape in Korea.
In addition to the unique identity as Korea's only native cactus village, Wolryeong-ri is a place that forms an irreplaceable personality in which different stories are intricately intertwined.
“Wolgye Jinjwasu” a story of a hundred-year-old fox alluring humans stemmed from Banmaru between Wolryeong-ri and Geumneung-ri. In Jeju Island, abundant in three things—wind, stone, and women—Wolryeong-ri is particularly known for the stormy wind. Though blustery weather affects Jeju people’s lives all year round, its value was recognized as the sustainable future resource in the recent years and Jeju’s first wind power plant was established on the shore of Wolryeong-ri.
The tragic history of Jeju Uprising that should never be forgotten also took place in Wolryeong-ri village. Only 800 meters away from Wollyeong Suninjang lies the house of Jin Ah-young, known as Mumyeongcheon Lady, the victim of the event. Villagers hold a memorial ceremony for her every year.
Using “stay” as the main material, Wollyeong Suninjang chooses to tell the story of the village that has been accumulated over time; even those who are not familiar with Wolryeong-ri get to see the village on their trip to Wollyeong Suninjang. They used the language of the space to accentuate the local values of the village. A single house stay to experience the extraordinary day humbly offers the reason to head to Jeju Island “once again.”
MAKING STORY
It’s obvious that the project was challenging in considering various exterior materials, and particularly small details that are not easy to put together. Construction was expected to be difficult, but with Starsis Design’s assistance, as Z_Lab collaborating previously on another project called Davingmat, lifted the pressure. Unusual collaboration and flexible communication gave clues to experimental attempts and finally created the high quality stay.
Among details, the roof was the most challenging to finish, with constant modification and examination required. Besides the glass ceiling in the dining room, the red-cedar for the roof is an unpopular material due to its weakness to storms, low rain resistance, and potential to warp, especially in a place like Jeju where rain and stormy wind is frequent. As a result of the construction without making holes, they found the solution in the mixture of the lively texture of the wooden roof and concrete walls. However, the glass ceiling was still a difficult assignment for both Z_Lab and Starsis Design.
Among details, the roof was the most challenging to finish, with constant modification and examination required. Besides the glass ceiling in the dining room, the red-cedar for the roof is an unpopular material due to its weakness to storms, low rain resistance, and potential to warp, especially in a place like Jeju where rain and stormy wind is frequent. As a result of the construction without making holes, they found the solution in the mixture of the lively texture of the wooden roof and concrete walls. However, the glass ceiling was still a difficult assignment for both Z_Lab and Starsis Design.
“The beginning of Wollyeong Suninjang is naturally the connection of two hackberry trees, stones and cactus to the internal space.” There used to be an old Jeju stone house where Wollyeong Suninjang lies today, but it had to be torn down. In this case, the owner of the land and building were separate, which required a lot of cost and time that involved complicated legal procedure. Ultimately, they had no choice but to demolish the stone house, but left the stone walls, a bunch of cactus, basalt rocks, and two old trees.
“Cactus” penetrates the theme of the project all the way from the beginning to the end; it was the project in which they tried to bring the image and characteristics of the village surrounded by cacti into the building. Besides the design aspect, they attempted to bring the unique space experience in constructing the building so it naturally blends into the landscape and culture of the village. Backed by the owner couple’s wish to build a single-story house, Z_Lab has designed the inward-looking and closed house, prioritizing the privacy of guests and considering its location as it’s in the mouth of the village.
“Cactus” penetrates the theme of the project all the way from the beginning to the end; it was the project in which they tried to bring the image and characteristics of the village surrounded by cacti into the building. Besides the design aspect, they attempted to bring the unique space experience in constructing the building so it naturally blends into the landscape and culture of the village. Backed by the owner couple’s wish to build a single-story house, Z_Lab has designed the inward-looking and closed house, prioritizing the privacy of guests and considering its location as it’s in the mouth of the village.
SPACE
Stay To Relish Extraordinary Moments Not To Be Found in Daily Life
Rooted deeply in the village, Wollyeong Suninjang embraces the quality of prickly pear that grows boundlessly on the island, or on the stone walls dividing the inside and the outside. Wollyeong Suninjang cuts through the boundary between the ordinary and extraordinary life. It provides the space with an unusual experience to those who seek the unfamiliar and new in Jeju, suggesting a special experience where staying with them itself becomes the purpose of the travel.
The space and function of the house is perfectly sectioned off following the shape of the pentagonal courtyard that adds a unique feeling to the space. That special feature makes it comfortable for two families to stay either together or separate. Their elaborate planning includes two bedrooms placed at the end of the movement flow on both sides, while different space experiences are presented on the way to the bedrooms. Bright atmosphere of one bedroom connected to the living room connects to the open-air bath behind the courtyard while the other dark-colored bedroom on the other side past the dining room faces the outdoor pool, leading the movement to the outside.
Visitors’ sight can have profound and diverse experience as they move. Regardless of where one stands, the thoroughly planned structure which includes a view of the inside and outside is overlapped. A landscape view of the village is simmered into the house when the courtyard in the middle stays open without separating the space.
The placement of the living room and dining room subtly cross each other, letting the eyes follow the open space from the front yard, living room and courtyard to kitchen and back yard where guests can experience the outside. With exposed concrete walls, epoxy floor and interior design with wooden materials, the feeling and texture of the material itself naturally blends with the indoor cacti. Refined sophistication here makes it hard to believe that it is a house at all. Dining room with a glass ceiling gives the most extraordinary moment and experience. The large table can accommodate a big group of people and they can enjoy the flow of time as the light of the sun constantly changes above their head.
In the front and back lies the courtyard, facing the pool and a columnar cactus almost as tall as the ceiling, contributing to the “extraordinary moment” surrounded by the exotic environment. A swimming pool touched with classic blue tiles is also the part of special experience. A private time at the pool while holding the Jeju’s landscape of prickly pear growing over the stone wall and old trees in sight is something only this place can offer. The spiral stairs vertically stretching from the courtyard are unique. Spending time reading a book on a small table of the rooftop garden, or enjoying the open-air bath without being disturbed is the ultimate rest only allowed in Wollyeong Suninjang.
The space and function of the house is perfectly sectioned off following the shape of the pentagonal courtyard that adds a unique feeling to the space. That special feature makes it comfortable for two families to stay either together or separate. Their elaborate planning includes two bedrooms placed at the end of the movement flow on both sides, while different space experiences are presented on the way to the bedrooms. Bright atmosphere of one bedroom connected to the living room connects to the open-air bath behind the courtyard while the other dark-colored bedroom on the other side past the dining room faces the outdoor pool, leading the movement to the outside.
Visitors’ sight can have profound and diverse experience as they move. Regardless of where one stands, the thoroughly planned structure which includes a view of the inside and outside is overlapped. A landscape view of the village is simmered into the house when the courtyard in the middle stays open without separating the space.
The placement of the living room and dining room subtly cross each other, letting the eyes follow the open space from the front yard, living room and courtyard to kitchen and back yard where guests can experience the outside. With exposed concrete walls, epoxy floor and interior design with wooden materials, the feeling and texture of the material itself naturally blends with the indoor cacti. Refined sophistication here makes it hard to believe that it is a house at all. Dining room with a glass ceiling gives the most extraordinary moment and experience. The large table can accommodate a big group of people and they can enjoy the flow of time as the light of the sun constantly changes above their head.
In the front and back lies the courtyard, facing the pool and a columnar cactus almost as tall as the ceiling, contributing to the “extraordinary moment” surrounded by the exotic environment. A swimming pool touched with classic blue tiles is also the part of special experience. A private time at the pool while holding the Jeju’s landscape of prickly pear growing over the stone wall and old trees in sight is something only this place can offer. The spiral stairs vertically stretching from the courtyard are unique. Spending time reading a book on a small table of the rooftop garden, or enjoying the open-air bath without being disturbed is the ultimate rest only allowed in Wollyeong Suninjang.
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INTERVIEW
Interview with Z_Lab
stayfolio
Wollyeongsuninjang
How did you initiate the Wollyeong Suninjang project?
A young working couple who decided to find home in Jeju came to us. The “Blind Whale” project brought them to us where they spent an unforgettable time. They fell in love with the charm of Jeju stone houses and had been searching for land and a house that would give the same feeling, and eventually discovered Wolryeong-ri and purchased the property. Probably because both of them were in the land marketing field for a long time, they had a clear direction and preference for the design planning, program and space experience. They already even knew what they wanted in the house—furniture design from Millord, speaker A9 from Bang & Olufsen, amenities from Aesop, etc. They wanted to build a stay that would perfectly and elaborately reflect the sophisticated touch of their tastes to the extent it doesn’t damage Jeju-ness. It was an easy decision for us since we’ve always wanted to do a new project in the west Jeju. Also, Wolryeong-ri’s landscape where prickly pear grows seemed so mysterious to us, too. Above all, we were at the critical point where we had to showcase the new project in Jeju, to demonstrate our capacity; the Wolryeong-ri project matched our goal, as it’s humble to the nature while embracing the local story and Jeju’s identity.
How did you feel when you first stepped into the property?
Where Wollyeong Suninjang lies now used to be the stone house. When we first saw the site, the house was already demolished, with only the stone walls surrounding the empty land left. Some of Jeju stone houses show the different owners for the house and the land, and Wollyeong Suninjang was one of the cases. The owner of the building wanted to preserve the stone house that endured a long time, but a complicated legal procedure and regulations left them no choice but to tear it down. I’m not sure if was because it was empty, but I felt inexplicable mystery from the clustered cacti wildly growing on the rough-textured stone walls and hills and between the boundaries of stone walls. Two hackberry trees magnified that feeling even more. Both owner and we agreed that we wanted to keep the trees as they were. Though we were sad about not being able to keep the stone house, we wanted our new building to have Jeju quality and quietly be part of the village. Most importantly, the owner’s wish to make a single-story house was a big support. Though we were aware that new building can’t avoid having the modern or artificial look, we continued our effort not to hurt the harmony of the surroundings of the village.
What was the main concern of the consideration during the project?
We focused on interpreting the village’s story and the image of a cactus into one consistent space language and identity. “Cactus” was the core theme of the project. The exotic feeling and image that cactus offers was melted into Wollyeong Suninjang’s unique space experience and design. When people visit the village to find the exotic view, Wollyeong Suninjang doubles the experience, capturing them in layers of unfamiliar sceneries. We designed the way staying here itself would allow guests to continue to feel and experience their travel with unrealistic and extraordinary view and space experience. Ultimately, we wanted Wollyeong Suninjang to be the purpose of the travel, which will bring people back to the village. They can expect to experience every function that a single house offers—rooftop, open-air bath, pool, barbecue grill, etc. We tried to breath the unique taste and sense into small and big parts of the house so the exotic air the village oozes out is connected to both inside and the outside of the space.
I believe to reach the result of a top-notch stay would involve a lot of trials and errors and difficulties in construction. Can you tell us any memorable episodes?
As I said earlier, Wollyeong Suninjang is the stay where almost every function of the single house stay is fully maximized. It’s unusual that a single house has a large size pool, outdoor deck, and two open-air baths. Two open-air baths were not part of our initial plan, though. The owner wanted the guests to have the panoramic view of the village and the ocean on the rooftop. I told them people don’t usually go to the rooftop unless it has other functions, and suggested to make an open-air bath on the rooftop as an example in G-Stay’s Soohwarim. These are where the owner’s care and enthusiasm is revealed. The bold touch of glass ceiling was also possible in the same context. At the end, all these together enrich the place.
Another episode is about the exposed concrete wall when the construction was finished. We sometimes implement exposed concrete wall to lower the cost of the construction but at the same time to give the natural look and feeling of the material. We had an in-depth conversation about this technique in advance but the outcome was different than what the owner had expected. They thought of the smooth texture of the concrete, so they were bewildered when they saw the rough exposed concrete wall for the first time. They said that it seemed awkward at first but they grew fond of it because it looks more natural and seems to get along well with the Jeju stone walls enveloping the property.
Another episode is about the exposed concrete wall when the construction was finished. We sometimes implement exposed concrete wall to lower the cost of the construction but at the same time to give the natural look and feeling of the material. We had an in-depth conversation about this technique in advance but the outcome was different than what the owner had expected. They thought of the smooth texture of the concrete, so they were bewildered when they saw the rough exposed concrete wall for the first time. They said that it seemed awkward at first but they grew fond of it because it looks more natural and seems to get along well with the Jeju stone walls enveloping the property.
I heard that Wollyeong Suninjang’s new presence in 2016 has considerably influenced Jeju Island’s stay market.
Besides the large amount of the capital invested, the owner’s experienced taste and insight for a space and the fact that the place contains the value of quality gives a pleasant shock and stimulation to the first generation of Jeju immigrants. Let alone the size of the investment, it alarmed people to realize that if the stay doesn’t represent its own story and local value, the business is unsustainable. I think Wollyeong Suninjang played a significant role in uplifting a new norm for the stay culture. For instance, a place like Moonwalk in the same village was directly inspired by Wollyeong Suninjang. This project was the 6th total design project for us after Blind Whale, Jocheondaek, Pyeongdae Panorama, June Loft and Hadohado. The owner with sophisticated and exquisite sense made the work meaningful for us that gave us a great opportunity to grow.
What’s special about Wollyeong Suninjang? Recommend if you have any space experience that you want the guests to experience during their stay.
I think the most charming point of the place is that one can witness the flow of time and the mystery of Jeju’s nature. In particular, the dining space where light falls directly is what makes it clearer. While sitting at a long table and feeling the sunshine coming through the glass ceiling, you can experience the open view of the back yard, kitchen and living room surrounding the courtyard, and even the front yard all overlapping each other. There are different kinds of cacti hard to find in Korea, which intensifies the unfamiliar and exotic view. I highly recommend going up the staircase which stands like an object of the courtyard; the panoramic view of the village and the vast ocean will wide open in front of your eyes that will be engraved in your memory.
STAY’s recommended
Local Destination
Mumyeongcheon Lady’s House
It preserves the house site of Jin Ah-young, more commonly known as Mumyeongcheon lady, the victim whose face was severely injured from the Jeju Uprising. A 26.4m2 house was revamped into a small museum that exhibits her old items.
Jeju Wolryeong-ri’s Cactus Habitat
The habitat for Korea’s only wild cacti in only 5 minutes away from Wollyeong Suninjang. There’s also the trail for the Olle Trail 14, a perfect place for a stroll with the view of Wolryeong-ri’s ocean and cacti.
Wollyeong Jeombang
Wolryeong-ri’s Wollyeong Jeombang where drinks and snacks are available, run by an old couple who kept the store for more than 20 years in the village.
STAY’s recommended
Local Restaurant
Suilmanhan Mulga (Restful Shore)
Café located in the entrance of the cactus habitat. Local’s specialty cactus juice and lemonade is available.
Doldam Neomeo Bada (Stone Wall over the Sea)
Near Hyeopjae Beach, you can enjoy Italian food made with fresh seafood from Jeju. It’s famous for Panpo-ri octopus spaghetti and abalone shrimp cream risotto.
STAY
Becoming Wollyeong Suninjang’s Traveler, Surrounded by the Unfamiliar Landscape
Writer Kim Yeon-su says in her book Someday, Maybe, “The purpose of travel doesn’t mean to move to a physical place, but to change the world around us.” She continues, “We become a traveler facing the unfamiliar.” I find the new place that excludes the scene of what I usually experience every day to get away from everything that distracts me. When time and money doesn’t allow me to travel far away to a foreign country, but when I still need to get out of the city, Jeju Island is the first place I think of. Surrounded by the new environment that comforts and refreshes me at the same time, I let Jeju’s wind, sea, and oreum (small defunct volcano) revitalize me and bring the energy back for me to go back to my routine. Probably because I only keep good memories about the island, whenever I feel like I need to get away, even if it doesn’t happen immediately, my mind always goes back to Jeju and looks for a place to stay while planning for my future trip in Jeju.
My destination was Wolryeong-ri village located northwest of Jeju Island. Wollyeong Suninjang was the purpose of my trip, along with the desire to see the village, home to wild cactus, the one and only in Korea. When I heard that a cactus village exists in Korea, I was determined to visit it one day. I was captivated by the exotic view where green cactus makes a strong contrast in colors growing through the cracks of the black rocks all over the shore. Jeju’s village with that unfamiliarity and Wollyeong Suninjang that will double the distinct atmosphere was the purpose.
Once I stepped into the entrance of the village, I saw the hackberry trees pushed on one side by Jeju’s whimsical wind and the single-story building with a gable roof made of wood. I noticed it was Wollyeong Suninjang that I saw in the picture. Holding my excitement, the first thing I saw was a small garden with a cactus that reminded me once again that I’m in the cactus village. Lighted courtyard led the path on both sides, making my heart beat faster.
I thought to myself that I knew one night wouldn’t be enough to take in what this place has to offer. I followed the path of the house that was flowing like a stream, looked around the house and finally sat at a long table of the dining room. Another view was overlapped. I looked around, stared into the surroundings, which gave me the inexplicable feeling that I was enveloped by layers of unrealistic, exotic landscape. I was certain it was Jeju, but something about it made me doubt that. It was surreal to me; I felt like I was far away in another country. Blue shades of pool water rippled in the backdrop of black stone walls. Jeju’s quality mixed with the exotic vibe was quite mysterious.
Besides the special experience that stay suggests, a night at Wollyeong Suninjang filled me with extraordinary moments that permitted me to have a psychological distance in which I don’t take anything for granted, even the movement of the light or shadows when the light touches objects. The more I was stunned by the place, the more curious I grew about the village. Above all, I decided to make a way to Mumyeongcheon Lady’s house the next day. Though my reason to be here was the village full of cactus and experience in Wollyeong Suninjang, I was glad to learn about the things that I didn’t know before. I also realized that my memory in Wollyeong Suninjang will provoke inspiration in the future waiting for me.
The last sentence of Kim Yeon-su’s book, Someday, Maybe was perfect for this moment: “Traveler is someone who stares into the landscape but even in that moment he changes faintly. I was certain that as the world around me changes, I also transform. That was the purpose of travel. The real travel begins from this moment.” My real trip has begun from the trip that brought me to Wollyeong Suninjang.
My destination was Wolryeong-ri village located northwest of Jeju Island. Wollyeong Suninjang was the purpose of my trip, along with the desire to see the village, home to wild cactus, the one and only in Korea. When I heard that a cactus village exists in Korea, I was determined to visit it one day. I was captivated by the exotic view where green cactus makes a strong contrast in colors growing through the cracks of the black rocks all over the shore. Jeju’s village with that unfamiliarity and Wollyeong Suninjang that will double the distinct atmosphere was the purpose.
Once I stepped into the entrance of the village, I saw the hackberry trees pushed on one side by Jeju’s whimsical wind and the single-story building with a gable roof made of wood. I noticed it was Wollyeong Suninjang that I saw in the picture. Holding my excitement, the first thing I saw was a small garden with a cactus that reminded me once again that I’m in the cactus village. Lighted courtyard led the path on both sides, making my heart beat faster.
I thought to myself that I knew one night wouldn’t be enough to take in what this place has to offer. I followed the path of the house that was flowing like a stream, looked around the house and finally sat at a long table of the dining room. Another view was overlapped. I looked around, stared into the surroundings, which gave me the inexplicable feeling that I was enveloped by layers of unrealistic, exotic landscape. I was certain it was Jeju, but something about it made me doubt that. It was surreal to me; I felt like I was far away in another country. Blue shades of pool water rippled in the backdrop of black stone walls. Jeju’s quality mixed with the exotic vibe was quite mysterious.
Besides the special experience that stay suggests, a night at Wollyeong Suninjang filled me with extraordinary moments that permitted me to have a psychological distance in which I don’t take anything for granted, even the movement of the light or shadows when the light touches objects. The more I was stunned by the place, the more curious I grew about the village. Above all, I decided to make a way to Mumyeongcheon Lady’s house the next day. Though my reason to be here was the village full of cactus and experience in Wollyeong Suninjang, I was glad to learn about the things that I didn’t know before. I also realized that my memory in Wollyeong Suninjang will provoke inspiration in the future waiting for me.
The last sentence of Kim Yeon-su’s book, Someday, Maybe was perfect for this moment: “Traveler is someone who stares into the landscape but even in that moment he changes faintly. I was certain that as the world around me changes, I also transform. That was the purpose of travel. The real travel begins from this moment.” My real trip has begun from the trip that brought me to Wollyeong Suninjang.
4 POINT OF VIEW
ORIGINALITY
Exotic Travel Destination Allowing the Psychological Stay
Despite the possibility of fatigue or stress that travel often causes, we always dream of traveling and reflect on the last travel we’ve had. Jeju Island is the number one place people think of when life takes a toll them or when they want to feel nature and exotic scenery. While Jeju Island itself is already an exotic place, a night at Wollyeong Suninjang suggests the space experience of the extraordinary day where staying itself becomes the purpose of travel, along with the exotic scenery of the village where cacti grow boundlessly over the stone walls.
DESIGN
Maximizing Effort to Create an Exotic Experience of an Extraordinary Day
Cacti on the stone walls are metaphorically expressed in the dimensional design that naturally blends into the village. The space is organized in a way that embraces the courtyard and unique movement flow giving the exotic space quality while the owner’s sophisticated taste and insight completed the design, styling and interior. Wollyeong Suninjang presents unfamiliarity of an extraordinary day to those who visit the village. The value it conveys is timeless; part of it is assumed to be ascribed to the design, furniture and small house items that are not easily influenced by constantly changing trends.
Hospitality
Embracing Local Value and Village’s Cacti
While Jeju is already an exotic place, the identity as Korea’s only cactus habitat makes Wolryeong-ri, Hallim-eup, more exotic and new. As a private stay in which stay itself can complete the travel experience of an extraordinary day, owner’s sophisticated sense of style and Z_Lab’s sentiment and interpretation came together so the village can be the sole purpose of travel.
PRICE
For the Day of Extraordinary Unfamiliarity.
Wollyeong Suninjang is a private rental house where two families can stay together without any discomfort. The house can accommodate 8 people at its maximum capacity where visitors can privately enjoy the large size pool, two open-air baths, rooftop, and courtyard in an exotic atmosphere. It’s said that memory of travel is the memory of the place: a night at Wollyeong Suninjang will reward you with memory and travel experience of the valuable extraordinary day.
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- Stay Name
- Wollyeongsuninjang
- Stay Type
- K - Rental house
- Contact information
- Address
- 411-1, Wollyeong-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, Korea
- Guests / No. of Room
- 4~8 / 1
- Price
- US$ 250.63 ~ US$ 486.94
- Check-in / out
- 16:00 / 11:00
- Feature
- Kitchenette, Swimming pool, Tub (ex. Jacuzzi, Hinoki)
PHOTO BY Lee Byung-Keun | nangmansien.com