Sunrise, Sunset, and Starlit Nights at Baealdo Island Garden
24th Gwangyang Jeoneo Festival to Be Held September 12-14
Live Jeoneo Fishing Demonstration at Sea Promises Unique Attractions
As Ipchu (the start of autumn) and Malbok (the last of the three hottest days) have passed, and with Cheoseo?when even mosquitoes' mouths are said to become crooked?just ten days away, the city of Gwangyang in South Jeolla Province is drawing attention by inviting people to welcome autumn at Mangdeok Port on the Seomjin River.
Autumn in Korea begins when schools of plump, silver-scaled Jeoneo (gizzard shad) start leaping their way into Mangdeok Port in Gwangyang.
The Jeoneo caught at Mangdeok Port are known for their firm texture and rich flavor, thanks to the active swimming required in the fast currents of the brackish waters where the Seomjin River meets the sea. This helps revive the appetite lost during the summer heat.
Rich in calcium, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids, Jeoneo is a perfect autumn food for the whole family, supporting bone growth in children and promoting vascular health in the elderly alike.
Whether enjoyed as freshly sliced raw Jeoneo, tangy and sweet Jeoneo Hoe-muchim (spicy salad), or Jeoneo Gui (grilled with coarse salt until golden brown), the fish offers a variety of flavors and textures to suit every palate depending on the cooking method.
The name "Jeoneo" carries several meanings: "Jeoneo" (錢漁) suggests the fish is so delicious that people buy it without considering the cost, while "Jeoneo" (全漁) refers to the fact that every part of the fish, including the head, can be eaten.
There is no shortage of witty proverbs and humor surrounding Jeoneo, such as "Even a runaway daughter-in-law returns home for the smell of grilling Jeoneo," "The head is filled with sesame seeds," and "One autumn Jeoneo is worth ten bowls of freshly harvested rice."
While rising water temperatures have led to increased Jeoneo production in other areas, nothing matches the scenic beauty and exceptional flavor of Mangdeok Port. Historically, Mangdeok Port was home to a shipyard for Jeolla Left Naval Command, and it is also renowned as a literary sanctuary that preserved the handwritten manuscripts of poet Yun Dongju's "Sky, Wind, Star, and Poem."
Strolling leisurely along the arc of the port, visitors will come across the Byeolhaeneun Bridge, shaped like a Jeoneo, and the minimalist Haemaji Bridge, both connecting to the round Baealdo Island Garden that seems to float gently in the water.
Baealdo Island Garden, now a symbol of romantic waterfront platforms, captivates visitors all day long with its beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and sparkling starlit night views.
Lee Hyunju, head of Gwangyang’s Tourism Division, said, "Mangdeok Port, where the Seomjin River completes its 550-ri (approximately 215 kilometers) journey to finally meet the sea, is the gateway to autumn and a place of rest for modern people living hectic lives. I hope visitors will take a break from the heat and fatigue of daily life in Gwangyang, where lively, savory Jeoneo leap, and where the port, islands, poetry, and romance flow together."
Meanwhile, the 24th Gwangyang Jeoneo Festival, a signature autumn event, will be held for three days starting September 12 under the theme "A Night Counting Stars, a Feast of the Sea Delivered by Jeoneo" throughout the Mangdeok Port area.
This year’s festival will feature a variety of programs, including a barehanded Jeoneo catching experience, the Gwangyang Jeoneo Song Festival, the Jinwol Tourism Stamp Tour, and national contests in essay writing and drawing for elementary school students. Notably, for the first time in the festival’s history, there will be a live demonstration of Jeoneo fishing at sea, expected to provide a unique spectacle for visitors.
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