‘Chery Blossom Oyster’ to bloom when apricot flowers bloom

This reporter visited Hadong Harbor Park near the Seomjin River in Hadong County, South Gyeongsang Province on Monday afternoon, when temperatures were hovering at 14 degrees Celsius. Japanese apricot flowers and Japanese Cornlian Cherry seem to be racing to bud at the place where the hit drama "Heo Joon (the Medicine Man)” was filmed many years ago. Lovers who were seen taking a walk amid breezes from the river were also embracing a deepening spring in their heart.

Spring flowers started advancing toward north along the ridges of Mount Jiri. After Japanese apricot blooms wane, large cherry trees will go into full blooms at Ssanggye-sa (Buddhist Temple) Valley. Pear flowers go into full blooms at Manji Village, the home of Hadong Pears.

“Hadong, the Alps of the Republic of Korea, is full of apricot flower scent,” Handong County Mayor Yoon Sang-ki said. “Please come visit Hadong, which is blessed with beautiful natural sceneries and magnificent cultural relics, and rich in eateries.” About 70 percent of Japanese apricot flowers were blooming at hills linking Hadong-eup to Hawgae Jangteo on National Road 19 along the Seomjin River. Japanese apricot blossoms are in full blooms at sunny places in-between sections of green tea fields around Pyeongsa farm field in Akyang-myeon, displaying the view of giant cotton blanket.

"Yongji Tug-of-War," an event meant to unite the Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces, will take place at Namdo Bridge on the Seomjin River at 2 p.m. on Friday. The Gwangyang Japanese Apricot Blossom Festival will take place at Daap Maehwa Village between Friday and next Sunday. "Spring Wild Vegetable Market" will open at areas around Hadong Market on Saturday and Sunday next week.

The 21st Hwagae Jangteo (marketplace) Cherry Blossom Festival will take place on April 1 – April 3. The ceremony to reopen Hwagae Jangteo, which has been renovated after the 2014 fire, is also scheduled during the period. The festival offers lots of things for visitors to watch and enjoy including cultural performances, a cherry blossom song contest, fireworks, and experience-focused events.

There are a wide variety of foods to enjoy as well. This time of the year is the season for "Cherry Blossom Oysters" that convey fresh taste of a new spring, on top of Jaecheop, the popular indigenous shellfish. There are many restaurants specializing in indigenous specialty recipes in Shinbang-chon, and Jaecheop Village. You should not miss the wonderful taste of freshwater crab stew at the Seomjin River, and raw sweetfish at Hwagae.

하동=강정훈기자 manman@donga.com