The Story of Culture and Arts

Scenario

What began as one man’s garden became a garden for all. Although beautiful, it is a beauty that eludes words.
Let us take a look at Soswaewon, a traditional Korean garden where scholarly ideals and nature coexist in harmony.

A Garden Where Nature and the Scholar’s Spirit Converse

The Soswaewon.
It began as a second home for Yang San-bo after he gave up his government career and returned home. It was finished over a century later by his descendants. An architectural structure nestled in a traditional forest with nature left intact. This nobleman’s garden captures the ideals of classical scholars.

Beyond the bamboo thicket and across the narrow bridge over a hollow, catching sight of Soswaewon, you will feel as if you’ve left the secular world behind and entered Shangri-la. Daebongdae Pavilion sits at the entrance and provides full views of the garden. Visitors get a sense of the owner’s thoughts, his desire for a peaceful reign, and his anticipation for precious guests.

Following the sound of water flowing in the hollow, you’ll see Gwangpunggak Pavilion, where friends gathered to write poetry and enjoy music. The open layout pulls in the sounds of wind and water. This design scheme, called chagyeong, borrows from the surrounding natural scenery in the garden’s design.

Soswaewon was highly praised for its ability to allow visitors to enjoy nature and socialize. It was a place where poets engaged in various creative activities and discussed their work. Song Sun, Kim Inhu, Jeong Cheol and other famous men of letter who visited Soswaewon left behind many poems. We can still feel the beauty and inspiration they felt.

Soswaewon was also designed to show the harmony between Confucian ideals and nature. The value of filial piety is carved into this sun-soaked stone wall. Water flows as it should, and nature is embraced as it is. We observe the ideals and aesthetics of a traditional Korean garden.

瀟灑園中景 The distinguished views found in Soswaewon
渾成瀟灑亭 Come together and harmonize with Soswaejeong Pavilion.
擡眸輸颯爽 Looking up, I feel the cool breeze.
側耳聽瓏玲 Listening closely, I hear the sound of rolling water. - 小亭憑欄 “Leaning Upon the Railing of a Small Pavilion” Kim Inhu (Haseo), 48 Poems on Soswaewon, Poem 1

[Epilogue]

Soswaewon, where friends delight in nature. It is an exchange place for poets and scholars and where literature and ideals are unpacked. Let us listen to the stories that this traditional Korean garden has to tell us.

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Advisor: So Hyunsuc
Script/Storyboard: Kwak Ki-yeon
Editor: Im Ui-je, Myung Jaerim, Seo Myungwon
Narrator: Mary Katherine Chadwick
Filming: Yoon Suwon
General Editing: Park Injoon, Lee Seungsin
Illustrations: Kim Jongseok, Shim Hui-young
Recording/Music: Jo Donghyo
Logo: Min Seung-ook
Materials/Resources: Korea Heritage Service, Korea Heritage Agency, K-Heritage Channel, Soswaewon
English Translation & Editing: Mary Katherine Chadwick, Daniel Kane, Lee Jaeyeol Production Manager: Yoon Jongwon, Kim Kiwon
Administration: Kim Sanghee
Director: Shin Jeonghwa