Jeju's nights are more beautiful than the days: A travelogue of the Seogwipo original city center 'Seom-Ya Season'

The night in Seogwipo, a time when excitement blossoms

In November, the scorching heat of summer in Jeju(Jeju-do) finally fades, and the best season for travel arrives. This weekend, I packed my bags in a hurry after hearing the news about the ‘Seom-Ya Season’ (Night Island Season) held in the Seogwipo original city center. From November 1st to 2nd, Seogwipo changes its attire every night, waiting for people. The magic of streets that were familiar by day taking on a completely different landscape as the dusk sets in—that subtle excitement is carried on the night breeze of Seogwipo.

Filled with romance, walking the Seogwipo night sea

The highlight of the festival is definitely the ‘Seom-Ya Night Walk.’ On the first day, November 1st, I left the noise of daily life behind, and every step I took was imbued with the night of Seogwipo. The briny scent of the sea at Seogwipo Port (Seogwipo-hang) brushed against my nose pleasantly, and when crossing Saeyeongyo Bridge, the brilliant, multicolored lights reflecting on the water danced with the undulating waves. The calm sound of waves heard from afar is like magical white noise that clears my complicated mind.

Following this, the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (Cheonjiyeon Pokpo) I encountered had a completely different face from the daytime. The water falling through the dense forest shines like the Milky Way under the night lights, and the grandeur makes me hold my breath for a moment. In the cold night air, the sound of the waterfall lingering in my ears seems to awaken every sense in my body. The path leading to the final course, Jaguri Park (Jaguri Gongwon), was the best promenade to fully face nature and myself within the city center.

How to enjoy the Seogwipo original city center more deeply

This festival does not end with just walking. The performances and events held throughout the original city center are enough to keep travelers captivated. The area around 120-12, Chilship-ro, Seogwipo-si is the center of the festival, and the surrounding commercial district is also vibrant, so I hope you take the time to step into a small shop nearby and enjoy a warm cup of tea or the tastes of Jeju when you get tired of walking.

As a travel tip, the night sea in November is quite chilly, much more than you might think. Bringing a jacket is essential. And if possible, try to arrive a little early to sit on a bench at Jaguri Park (Jaguri Gongwon) to admire the sunset slowly painting the sky before starting your night walk. Enjoying everything from the sunset to the night view at once—that is my secret to enjoying the night of Seogwipo by 200%.