Anapji

Anapji (안압지) is an artificial pond in Gyeongju (경주) that used to be a part of the palace complex during the Silla dynasty. It was constructed under the order of King Munmu in 674 AD. In 1975, restoration began on the site and was completed in 1975. Anapji is now a big tourist destination in Gyeongju and a popular place for couples to go at night.

At night, the pond itself is quite impressive. The reconstructed buildings and pond are well lit, making it a photographer’s dream. Littered around the pond are signs in Korean and English describing the different artifacts that have been found at the pond as well as describing Silla dynasty palace life.

At the center of the pond, there is a large pavilion that acts as a mini-museum and contains several artifacts found in the pond. In the middle of the mini-museum is model of the entire pond complex during the Silla dynasty.

With benches placed throughout the pond, it makes it a comfortable 30-45 minute walk to see the entire complex.

It serves as great romantic place to slowly walk around with significant other, though the majority of visitors are families with children.

The pond is open during the day as well as during the night. Anapji is more famous for its night views than for its day views. I went at night, and it was a truly beautiful sight. I can only imagine walking around this pond during the fall when the leaves are changing colors.

Admission is a cheap; 1,500 won for both day and night. It’s within walking distance of downtown Gyeongju (about a 20-30 minute walk). You can also get to the pond by cab or bus. However, I recommend walking so that you can walk through the lotus pond, see Korea’s ancient astronomy tower, and walk through the kings’ tombs.

If you enjoy photography, history, or just beautiful view, visit the Anapji pond in Gyeongju. 

Why did I come to Korea?

I got asked this question last night. For starters, this question actually peeved me. Not the question itself, but the conversation that led up to the question.

I was at a dinner, welcoming incoming students to Korea University, where I started asking the age old question, “Why did you come to Korea?” Some replied it’s because they have family here, some said just to see, but the overwhelming majority said “K-pop”. There was no other reason for them to be in Korea. The sole reason they came was for the cookie cutter K-pop world.

The restaurant we went to happened to have music videos playing in the background. Anytime a K-pop band appeared on the screen, the large table of 20 went silent to intently stare at the screen filled with gorgeous boys or girls, occasionally letting out screams when their favorite idol did “idol things”. This left the remaining few of us in awkward silence while we watched these girls salivate over a TV screen.

When the question came back to me, asking why I came to Korea, they first asked if I was part Korean. I am not. Then they asked if I liked K-pop. I do not. Then they all looked at me perplexed. “Then why did you come to Korea?”

The question, when asked in such a way completely dumbfounded me. Why do people like to go to France, or Spain, or Australia? Are they going simply because they are obsessed with the pop culture there? What reason is there to go to another country other than for pop culture or family?

I took a moment to gather my thoughts before simply replying, “Just because.” I did come to Korea “just because.” When looking to study abroad, Korea wasn’t even on my map. I knew of North Korea, I knew my grandfather fought in the Korean War, and I butchered the pronunciation of Seoul. However, when asking about going to a different country, the man at the study abroad booth said, “Hey, what about Korea instead?” He then proceeded to tell the story of how he wound up in Korea. He didn’t choose it, as a matter of fact, he wanted to go to China, but he didn’t get accepted so it was suggested to him that he go to Korea instead. So he did. And he loved it. The story he told me was a story filled with love and passion. I thought to myself, maybe I can love Korea, too.

When the time came for me to actually study abroad, Korea was on my list, but it was not my first choice. Rather, I wanted to go to Japan.  However, in a twist of fate, I couldn’t go to Japan and had to “settle” for Korea. I’m not going to lie; I wasn’t excited about this at first. I really, truly wanted to go to Japan. I had been fascinated with Japan ever since I was a little kid, from the history to the culture to the fashion. I wanted to experience Japanese culture, not Korean.

Something my mother taught me was to always look on the bright side. Even if a situation is grim, there is one shimmer of light. So I went to Korea, knowing nothing about the language and culture, I made the decision that I must look on the bright side, and since I loved Japanese history and culture so much, why not give that same chance to Korea?

I have never regretted giving Korea that chance.

I didn’t come here for family or K-pop, I came here for the same reasons so many students study abroad every year—I want to experience and learn a different culture, and I have loved every minute of doing so.