The Damyang House: A Countryside Retreat
Gwangju is, as everybody knows, one of the best cities in Korea. Small enough that you may never actually use the one-line subway, and yet big enough that you do not have to emigrate for a decent shopping trip, this city has a vibrant social scene and enough culture to fill a multitude of ACCs.
Speaking as an international resident, however, it is imperative that one travels further afield than the daily commute and your bi-weekly Pizza Hut run. Gwangju is surrounded by dominating, lush, red or white (depending on the season) mountains, stretching farmlands and noisome marshes on all sides, which presents more-than-enough weekend material for the average photo-blogger. Looming over downtown is the great hump of Mudeungsan; head northwards and you will hit the bamboo wilderness of Damyang. Quietly nestled between the two is an innocuous village, proud of its makkeoli and haemul pajeon, and fond of the occasional evening fishing in the local lake. Here, squirreled secretly away in the shade of 6-meter-high bamboo, is The Damyang House.
Veterans of Gwangju – or, indeed, anybody who knows anybody who has ever lived in Gwangju – may have heard the legends. So institutional among the local residents that all three words must be capit
alized, The Damyang House is the very definition of a summer getaway. Regular BBQ parties are hosted by the owners Sean and Jojo, with outings including spontaneous mountaineering (or mountain driving if it is too hot/too much effort), fishing, swimming in glassy, natural streams and the occasional cornhole tournament. If you do not know what a cornhole is, you should come and find out. It is great.
The Damyang House is more than a party HQ, however. The owners make it their personal mission to welcome anyone and everyone to open-house events. Many local residents (this writer included) can thank the House for their first Gwangju meet-and-greet event, and friendships are forged by the fire pit or over a kettle of makkeoli on the patio. Sean himself is an avid cyclist, and regularly organizes adventurous “bike’n’hikes” for the more self-punishing among you. Dogs are more than welcome as well and will indeed be present and trying to steal your sausages at the next barbecue.
For those looking to escape the near-constant aural chaos of Korea, however, please do not be fooled by the aforementioned mass gatherings. The Damyang House is also very much available for personal usage via AirBnB. Previously an abandoned structure being swallowed up by the bamboo forest, the owners spent a year lovingly and extensively remodeling the house into a cozy, modern den in the countryside. Furnished with a modern kitchen, flat-screen cinema set-up and an actual bath, along with surrounding countryside ready to explore, The Damyang House is the perfect escape from Korea’s neon lights. Take a book, camera or drink up to the rooftop and appreciate the fact that, for the first time in conscious memory, the world is actually quiet.
Whether you are looking for peace and quiet, or making noise with friends and friends-to-be, The Damyang House is the place you are looking for. Readily equipped for outdoor dining in the summer heat or indoor hibernating during the winter snow, this hidden home quietly awaits.
www.thedamyanghouse.com/
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