Explosive Popularity of 'Wooyoungwoo Paengnamu': Will It Be Designated as a Natural Monument? Cultural Heritage Administration Conducts Investigation

The Zelkova tree in Changwon Bukburi, Daesan-myeon, Uichang-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam. It appears in the ENA tree drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and is also known as the "Woo Young-woo Zelkova tree." Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] The Zelkova tree featured in the drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" is increasingly likely to be designated as a natural monument.

On the 29th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it conducted a designation survey to assess the actual cultural heritage value of the Zelkova tree located in Bukbu-ri, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. The committee members who participated in the on-site investigation each wrote a designation survey report, and if they determine that the tree has designation value based on the report, the agenda will be submitted to the Cultural Heritage Committee meeting scheduled for the 24th of next month.

This Zelkova tree became a hot topic after appearing in the popular tree-themed drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" aired on ENA on the 21st. In the drama, it was introduced as a Zelkova tree threatened with disappearance due to a road construction plan crossing the village.

According to Changwon City, this Zelkova tree is estimated to be 500 years old, with a height of 16 meters and a trunk circumference of 6.8 meters. It was already designated as a protected tree in 2015 but has not yet been designated as a natural monument. Currently, old trees (ancient trees) designated as natural monuments include the Hwangmokgeun tree in Geumnam-ri, Yonggung-myeon, Yecheon, Gyeongbuk, and the Zelkova tree in Sudong-ri, Gochang, Jeonbuk.

Meanwhile, as the Zelkova tree suddenly became a star, side effects have also emerged due to the influx of tourists. The once quiet rural village is suffering from tourists illegally dumping trash.

A netizen living near the Zelkova tree said, "There is a lot of trash, and the elderly and villagers are struggling," and urged, "Please enjoy your visit but take your trash with you." Another netizen reported, "There are graves on the Zelkova tree hill, but many children are stepping on them."

In response, Changwon City has installed trash bins at three locations near the Zelkova tree and plans to install public restrooms and request traffic guidance from the police in the future.