The Korean Folk Village is the largest theme park in South Korea, located in Giheung-gu, Yongin-si. Despite its name suggesting a national facility, it is actually privately operated.
“Experience the Atmosphere of a Joseon Dynasty Village at Yongin Folk Village”
The Korean Folk Village faithfully reproduces and preserves buildings that existed during the Joseon Dynasty. Traditional tiled-roof houses, thatched houses, government offices, guard posts, and taverns, among others, can be found here. In addition to these, you can also explore the homes of the aristocracy, pottery, kilns, blacksmith workshops, private academies, pharmacies, and fortune-telling shops.
As it is a folk village, you can also find various folk foods and markets. Additionally, there are folk museums, making it a frequently used location for period dramas.
“Established in 1974, Yongin Folk Village”
The Korean Folk Village opened in 1974 with the concept of providing a place where visitors can experience the lives and wisdom of their ancestors through the reproduction of traditional Korean culture and folk life.
Initially, it was known as a folk village that preserved tradition well. However, starting in 2012, it gained significant popularity online.
“Yongin Folk Village Gains Online Popularity Since 2012”
In the past, the atmosphere of Yongin Folk Village was akin to a traditional folk village where elementary students would go for field trips. However, with the advent of the social media era, various actors with different concepts were placed throughout the folk village. They began to interact with tourists and started to garner attention.
Various roles, such as beggars, criminals, mythical creatures, and merchants, emerged. They were aspiring actors, and as a result, they were able to earn money while gaining practical acting experience. Yongin Folk Village provided them with a space to freely express themselves, creating a symbiotic relationship that led to mutual growth.
The synergistic effect of these actors spread news about the events happening at the folk village online, and as videos circulated, it gained significant popularity. Both the folk village and the actors took advantage of opportunities, becoming a great example of mutual growth.
“A Considerable-Scale Folk Theme Park”
Yongin Folk Village covers a vast area. Even if you stroll leisurely, it takes hours to see everything. The views from the folk village are also splendid, so you can not only witness the appearance of old Joseon, but also create wonderful memories while walking along well-maintained paths.
“You Can Also Find Some Rides at Yongin Folk Village”
In reality, folk villages and amusement rides don’t always go together, but you can find some rides at Yongin Folk Village. Perhaps because families with young children often visit the folk village, some rides that children would enjoy have been set up.
While there isn’t a strong connection between folk villages and amusement rides, one side of Yongin Folk Village showcases well-preserved Joseon Dynasty houses and streets, creating a serene atmosphere, while another side offers a completely different concept. This allows visitors to enjoy various concepts in one place, making it a theme park worth visiting.
The admission fee is relatively high, but if you haven’t been before, it’s worth visiting at least once. It’s a special place where you can build memories while watching the performances of aspiring actors working at the folk village.
“Yongin Giheung Korean Folk Village”
- Address: 90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17075, South Korea
- Phone: 031-288-0000
- Website: https://www.koreanfolk.co.kr
- Operating Hours: (Mon-Fri) 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM, (Sat-Sun) 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM