Cradled in pristine mountains about a 30-minute drive from Pyeongtaek, you’ll come across Oeam Folk Village in Asan City. The village feels like you’ve stumbled into the past as it was built in the early 1500s during the Joseon Dynasty. In a country where countless historical sites were burned and bombed throughout invasions, wars and colonization, the village still remarkably holds traces of history, preserving its original form for over five centuries.

Backed by mountains and facing rivers, the village sits on a spot believed to bring good fortune, according to Korean geomancy. Today, it serves as a timeless window into the daily life of Koreans of the past. If you live near Pyeongtaek, stop by for a peaceful walk through Korea’s living history.

• Address: 5 Oeam Folk Road, Songak-myeon, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do

• Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (April–October) / 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (November–March)

• Admission: Adults 2,000 won / Children 1,000 won

• Parking: Two parking spaces are available for free. Parking lot 1. Parking lot 2.

• Website

• Address (Naver Map)

HISTORICAL VALUE OF THE VILLAGE

As soon as you step into the village, you’ll feel like you’ve slipped back in time, surrounded by the lively beat of folk drums and people in colorful hanbok. Oeam is one of the few folk villages in Korea, remaining unspoiled by time and modernization, so the entire village is much like a living museum with well-preserved traditional houses and folklore. Due to its historical value, the village is designated as a National Folk Cultural Heritage site and tentatively listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. From the Joseon era to now, the village inhabitants still farm the land and remarkably retain their traditional way of life.

Jangseung (장승)

When you enter the village, you’ll be greeted by a group of traditional jangseung, Korean totem poles, standing tall at the entrance. These wooden statues, carved with strong and fierce faces, were believed to scare away evil spirits and keep the village safe, serving as spiritual guardians for villagers. Each village had its own jangseung and their designs could differ from place to place.

THINGS TO ENJOY

On weekends and holidays, the village comes alive with cultural events such as traditional music performances and seasonal festivals like the First Full Moon Day and Korean Straw and Hay Cultural Festival. Residents offer a variety of hands-on activities at traditional houses such as tea ceremonies or paper crafts. Some experiences require fees from 10,000 won to 25,000 won per person. Many schools and educational institutions bring their students for group experiences. Couples can also take part in a traditional wedding ceremony, wearing hanbok wedding attire for photos. The wedding experience is only available during spring and fall on weekends. Since many events are hosted by residents, schedules may vary. For more information about events and activities, inquire at the ticket booth, pick up a map or check their website.

To rest and enjoy a quiet moment, look for cozy restaurants and hanok cafés in the corners of the alleyways. Run by locals, they serve authentic traditional Korean dishes, beverages and desserts.

• First Full Moon Day Festival: Celebrated on the 15th of the first lunar month (the date varies every year, usually held between January–February)

• Korean Straw and Hay Cultural Festival: Three days (Fri.–Sun.) in October (the exact dates vary annually)

• Activities

HANBOK RENTAL

For a more memorable experience, you can rent a beautiful hanbok, traditional Korean attire. Located at the entrance, the shop offers a variety of styles and designs for all ages. Rental costs about 10,000–20,000 won for 2 hours depending on the design. The village creates a truly picturesque setting, gracefully blending traditional scenery with nature—lush mountains, lotus ponds, narrow alleys, hanok houses, flower fields and wide farms. As you stroll in hanbok, every corner unfolds breathtaking scenes that you will remember long after your journey in Korea ends.

• Location: In front of the entrance of the village

• Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, from July to mid-August, and during hot or rainy days)

• Prices: 10,000 won for regular hanbok / 20,000 won for signature designs (2 hours)

• Phone: 010-7707-0872

TRADITIONAL HOUSE, HANOK

Oeam Folk Village is a rare place where you can see two different styles of hanok side by side. Traditional Korean houses, known as hanok, feature two styles reflecting social status: tile-roofed hanok for the upper class and thatched-roof hanok for ordinary people. While many famous hanok villages like Bukchon and Jeonju are lined with mostly tile-roofed houses, Oeam is home to a cluster of thatched-roof hanok for commoners along with a few tile-roofed homes for noble families. Made of reeds, rice straw and clay, thatched-roof houses feel simple and rustic. By contrast, tile-roofed ones seem elegant and refined, yet both styles have their own unique charm and beauty.

In Oeam Folk Village, you don’t just observe the houses, you experience them like a local. Visitors can even stay overnight, renting one of the historical hanok houses. Guests are welcome to explore the village after business hours, soak in the serene scenery both day and night and even enjoy BBQ parties in the hanok yards.

Book your hanok stay

Both tile-roofed and thatched-roof hanok homes are available as guesthouses. Reservations can be made through the website or by phone. Since most residents don’t speak much English, you may need a translation app or help from a Korean speaker. Prices vary depending on the number of guests, the house type and room size, but it’s usually around 100,000 won–200,000 won for 4–6 people.

• Phone: 041-541-0848

• Website

Gamchaldaek House (감찰댁)

If you’re looking for a truly special stay, Gamchaldaek House is one of the most beautiful hanok accommodations in Oeam Folk Village. This grand, tile-roofed house once belonged to a “Gamchal” government inspector during the Joseon Dynasty and is considered one of the village’s most historically significant buildings. In the garden, surrounded by mugunghwa (Korea’s national flower) and green grass, you can even enjoy a Korean BBQ under the stars. Spending a night here feels like stepping into a historical drama, making it one of the most unforgettable experiences in the village.

• Prices: 100,000 won–150,000 won for 2 people / 200,000 won–300,000 won for 4 people

• Website

PRO TIPS

• The best seasons to visit are spring and fall when the weather is perfect for outdoor activities and hanbok rental. Summer can be hot, but it’s also a wonderful time to enjoy lotus ponds, sunflowers and green fields.

• Strollers are welcome, but bicycles aren’t allowed.

• Pets are allowed as long as they’re on a leash. However, large dogs over 10 kg (22 lbs) must wear a muzzle and dogs that fall under the five dangerous breeds aren’t permitted. These prohibited breeds include the Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler and their mixed breeds.

• A 5-minute walk away, you’ll find Oeam Folk Market Street where more restaurants, cafés and local attractions are available. Make sure to stop by during your visit!

• Naver Map

Speakin’ Korean: Folk village lingo

Words

• Hanok (traditional house): Hanok (한옥)

• Hanbok (traditional clothing): Hanbok (한복)

• Village: Maeul (마을)

• History: Yeoksa (역사)

• Tradition: Jeontong (전통)

• Experience / activity: Cheheom (체험)

• Map: Jido (지도)

• Korean traditional totem pole: Jangseung (장승)

• Rose of Sharon (Korea’s national flower): Mugunghwa (무궁화)

Phrases

• Hello: Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요)

• Thank you: Gamsahamnida (감사합니다)

• It’s so beautiful!: Neomu yeppeoyo! (너무 예뻐요!)

• Can I take a photo?: Sajin jjigeodo dwaeyo? (사진 찍어도 돼요?)

• How much is this?: Igeo eolmayeyo? (이거 얼마예요?)

• Where is the restroom?: Hwajangsil eodiyeyo? (화장실 어디예요?)

• Please give me a map of the village: Maeul jido juseyo (마을 지도 주세요)

• I’d like to know what experiences I can do today: Oneul eotteon cheheom-eul hal su inneunji algo sipeoyo (오늘 어떤 체험을 할 수 있는지 알고 싶어요.)

• I want to try the traditional wedding experience: Jeontong honrye cheheom hago sipeoyo (전통혼례 체험하고 싶어요)

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