Dream destination for weddings and guests from abroad in Jeju South Korea

In Jeju, a province in South Korea, more precisely on the subtropical volcanic island of Jejudo, which lies south of the Korean peninsula, wedding fever has broken out, so to speak, for a long time. Weddings take place here every day. Many South Korean guests from abroad who come here on vacation get married on the island and thus dare to take the step into a whole new life as a couple. The island, also known as Quelpart, is the largest Korean island apart from the peninsula and has had Special Autonomous Province status within the territory of South Korea since July 1, 2006. The island can also be described as a wedding island and has been the holiday destination of numerous South Korean couples on their honeymoon since the 1970s. Around 500,000 locals live on the island itself. The locals call their island Sam-Da-Do. In the middle of the island, the highest of the local volcanic mountains towers over everything, the Halla. And at the heart of the island is Loveland, an erotic theme park with 140 sculptures. All this makes the island a dream destination for people who no longer want to walk their path in life alone.

Island to marry with a dark past

Jeju – the island of honeymooners and those who want to celebrate weddings there, the island is a dream destination. However, guests and many locals know nothing about the rather dark chapter in the history of this island, which belongs to South Korea. Because between dreamy white beaches and picturesque sunsets, no one would have thought that Jeju Island was once the scene of a drama that South Korea actually wanted to cover up for 60 years. It was 1947 when the South Korean Workers’ Party called for protest movements against the then South Korean regime. The army and police, on the other hand, acted brutally. The insurgents were to be isolated inside the island. As a result, all villages within four kilometers of the coast were virtually razed to the ground. There were also death sentences and shootings and a collective grave. This is located near the airport, where guests today land to celebrate their wedding and honeymoon on the island. Today the topic is dealt with openly. The processing of the incidents at that time already took place in the 1980s. The dream destination Jeju thus offers very contrasting images – first the caves where the insurgents hid and then beautiful places, such as the beautiful beaches and Loveland, the park for lovers. For South Koreans in particular, it is difficult to reconcile these two things. For Europeans, however, it is no more than a dark chapter in a nation that is now one of, if not the largest, in Asia’s economy.

Local fruits and treats

But back to the sentimental. Wedding Island even has its own native citrus fruit – Hallabong, a type of tangerine. This is not only eaten as pure fruit, but also processed in Jeju chocolate. This chocolate is sold all over the island as a souvenir in elaborately designed boxes of chocolates. The tasting at weddings on the island is usually done with local or regional dishes. Of course, Hallabong also plays a role.