Photo Essay: Pedro’s Voyagers

For most international residents traveling through or living in Gwangju, the name Pedro Kim has become a synonym of hospitality and guidance. With a little over four years into the business, the name “Pedro” has become an icon in the city, and a name people will call upon when in need for a place to stay or a fun tour in or out of the City of Light.

Pedro, his Catholic name, or Kim Hyon Seok, started his venture as a tour guide after graduating from Tourism and Culinary Arts and traveling abroad. “My original dream was to start a coffee or tea chain, but  I realized this wasn’t my cup of tea.”

Pedro further explained what he wanted instead. “I realized that what I really wanted to do was to meet and help people casually, and not to be limited to enclosed spaces and a daily time tables, like any supervisor would’ve done.”

After traveling abroad and having experienced living and working outside his mother country, he found a new dream and new hope for his life, which he was not really satisfied with at that time. “I didn’t want to follow the crowd and work for a big conglomerate like most people my age were dreaming off,” he said. “I wanted to live my own way and feel happy about my life and myself, so I began with small travel tours in and out of Gwangju, translation services and just helping people in general—a  freelance experience.”

After two years the idea evolved into a homestay business, and the amazing success he accomplished during the first two years led to his newest venture and one that has become already in a very short time a very successful establishment: Voyagers.

Voyagers is a bohemian café, with an unique style that gives visitors the sensation that they are passing through an airport terminal—but not just any airport. This unique place, decorated with a unique and warm human touch, will wrap your imagination and give you wings to fly en route to a faraway land.

The concept has been in the back of Pedro’s mind for a long time, as he wanted to connect visiting travelers with locals and give both groups involved unique timeless experiences within Gwangju.

Part of his plan is to be able to help local artists by selling and displaying their crafts and souvenirs in his café: photographs, paintings, calligraphy and anything else made in Gwangju.  He dreams of making his place into an international hub, not just for excellent coffee and drinks, but also for information, arts and culture.

“People tend to underestimate the amount of tourism that comes into Gwangju, but with my experience, I know thousands of tourists come every year because of the many different events hosted here—from conferences to festivals and sports,” he said. Pedro further estimated that over 5,000 visitors and backpackers have visited his homestay during the past two years.

Pedro’s motto is: “The world is to come together as one in the City of Light.” Truly, the atmosphere at Voyagers makes visitors feel in a world, where all borders have disappeared and the only rulers and rules have all agreed that the consensus of this place is to feel at peace and in global harmony.

If you want to escape from the ordinary daily life and feel that you have traveled abroad for a day, you know that there is such a place in town, where visas or passports are not required.

 

Pedro’s House

960-6 ssangchon-dong
Gwangju 502-260
Directions: by bus get off at Honam University Entrance or by subway: Ssangchon Station Exit 3

Phone:+82 10-9592-9993
email:info@pedroshouse.com/

Website: http://www.pedroshouse.com/