Things to see at Korean Folk Village in Suwon

Pyongyang, NORTH KOREA is WAITING

I’d recommend every traveler to Seoul to visit Korean Folk Village in Suwon to get to know South Korea’s culture through dance, music, wedding traditions, etc.

While there’s truth that it’s just a “tourist show”, no one can deny that this village has everything you want to know about South Korea. And the best thing about it is that visitors can even mingle with the performers before or after every show. They’re not really one of those shows where they act on stage and gone when they exit. In fact, there was no makeshift stage or platforms. They perform right there in open spaces with no iron-wrought fences to bar between performers and audience.

Here are the things not to miss at Korean Folk Village in Suwon.

Equestrians Show at Korean Folk Village in Suwon, Seoul, South Korea.

Get your groove on with the Traditional Korean Farmers’ Dance and Music
Want a taste of some Korean dance and music? This parade and performance would make you stand from your seat. Stomp your feet and don’t be shy to channel your inner Beyonce! Haha! The ribbon dance was spectacular! Love it!

Get your kids around the Acrobatic Show
Ok, this was kinda boring to me. But it was fun for the children. The acrobat repeated the same antics all over again until the end of the rope-balancing performance. If you go here with kids, they’ll surely love this.

The Acrobatic Show at Korean Folk Village in Suwon, Seoul, South Korea.

Pose with the villagers
I know it’s a very touristy thing to do but don’t sweat what others think. You are in the village so you are definitely a tourist! Ha! Ask nicely and they’ll be glad to oblige. As far as I know, they don’t accept bribes. They’re not like the buskers in New York’s Times Square. 😉

The villagers at Korean Folk Village in Suwon, Seoul, South Korea.

See the Public Arts
There are public arts inside the village. Take your time to see them and try to decipher what the artists’ want to convey. If you can’t, just take a picture and think about it later. Haha!

Public art at Korean Folk Village in Suwon, Seoul, South Korea.

Attend a Korean Wedding
Everyone is invited in this traditional Korean wedding at Korean Folk Village in Suwon. Don’t miss the wedding ceremonies. I wonder how many times this couple have been married over the years?

Traditional Korean wedding at Korean Folk Village in Suwon.

Don’t miss the Suwon Fortress
If you are familiar with Korean telenovela (reputed to be the world’s best), then, you shouldn’t miss Suwon Fortress. Some of the soap operas were made here, most notably the highly-successful, Jewel in the Palace.

Suwon Fortress is not really inside the Korean Folk Village. Ask the information desk on how to get there before you exit. You can walk if you’re into discovering Suwon on foot.

Suwon Fortress is located just outside Seoul.

And most of all, wear a traditional Korean costume
There’s an area in the village where people can try traditional Korean dresses for free. I put on three costumes because there was only me at the booth. Being alone, I saw the opportunity to try putting on the traditional Princess dress.

I tried to be discreet because I didn’t want to be caught by anybody so I set up my camera and tripod somewhere at the back of the building. Just as I was posing and waiting for the 10-second timer to finish, a guard (somewhere afar) came shouting at me, like he just saw the most beautiful princess ever! Haha! I ignored him because I was determined to finish the first shot. When it finally did, I grabbed my camera and he was lecturing me in Korean, which of course, I didn’t understand. All I understood were few English words he threw at me: “No,” “dress”, woman”, “no man.” He was irritated and all I could say was, “I didn’t know this is for women. I’m sorry.” He helped me undress like a petulant mother.

But, of course, I already got the shot I desired.  🙂

CLASSIC SOUTH KOREA