daoljae

A: It actually used to be a boarding house. Honestly, at first, I felt completely overwhelmed at the thought of bringing this space back to life. But an acquaintance kept encouraging me to do it together, so I took the leap. As I got into it, I found it incredibly fun. Everyone involved was highly skilled and talented, too. Since it's a traditional Hanok, we thought, "Why don't we preserve its charm and offer tea and tea ceremony experiences?" That naturally led us to provide Hanok stays, and we even developed "Maesil-Ssanghwa" (Plum-infused Ssanghwa tea) using Suncheon's local specialty, which we now sell nationwide. Thanks to all of this, we've grown into the business that offers the widest variety of hands-on cultural experiences.

A : It’s definitely the backyard garden. Before stepping inside, no one ever expects a space like this to be hidden here. I find it incredibly charming how a large garden suddenly appears right in the middle of downtown—it feels like a cozy countryside escape hidden within the city. Once, we even had a guest who enjoyed picking chili peppers straight from the garden plot! Our greatest charm lies in this harmonious combination of the Hanok and the garden. While it is visually beautiful, it feels truly complete because it serves as a place to introduce Korean culture. This beautiful slice of nature is located right on Culture Street, making it very convenient for public transportation. Oh, and our Hanok actually offers one extra room in addition to the standard five rooms, ensuring our guests have a spacious and comfortable stay.

A: I absolutely love the meaning behind the name "Daoljae." It means "May all the good things in the world come our way." I wanted to create a place where travel isn't just about sightseeing, but a space where you can form meaningful new connections—moving beyond just a place to sleep. Our hands-on activities, like grinding coffee beans with a traditional stone mill (maetdol) or participating in a matcha ceremony, are highly popular. It feels rewarding to introduce Korean culture alongside the beauty of Suncheon. Whenever guests tell me how much fun they had and express their gratitude, I feel deeply proud and reminded that I am doing work that truly makes my heart beat.

A: We usually host a lot of families. Sometimes we welcome large, multi-generational families. We also had a guest from the Netherlands who visited us four times in just three years! I actually introduced them to a professor, and now they are attending university here. I've also seen young groups of friends hosting bridal showers here. It looked so beautiful when they took photos in their dresses with the garden as a backdrop. I always hope this place feels like visiting a warm, welcoming maternal grandparents' home. While the atmosphere is relaxed, we pay meticulous attention to cleanliness and hospitality. Anyone who wants to meet warm-hearted people or enjoy a gentle, peaceful healing experience is more than welcome.

A: Taking a walk around the garden plot early in the morning is wonderful because the air is crisp and the view is completely open. Guests who wake up early often ask me, "Where is a good place to visit around here?" or "Where are the best local restaurants?" Whenever I give them a recommendation, they head right over. Honestly, you can find anything by searching online, but that’s not what travelers are truly looking for. For me, it's a wonderful opportunity to introduce our local area. These days, automated, unstaffed accommodations are common, but our greatest strength lies in this genuine, personal communication with our guests.

A: Since this is not an entire-house rental (private villa), multiple guests share the same overall property. It’s not that we have major conflicts, but occasionally, some guests drink too much and become loud or disruptive. Traditional Hanok houses aren't perfectly soundproof, so that can be a bit challenging. Also, in the beginning, some international guests would wear their shoes onto the bed. At first, I didn't understand it, but now I completely realize that it's just a difference in culture.

A: There is a quote by the poet Seo Jeong-ju. He said that whenever he comes here, it reminds him of his old hometown and his mother's warm embrace. I love it when guests visit to reminisce about old memories or to evoke nostalgic moments. I also highly recommend bringing your parents along. There was a young man who stayed with us before; even now, when he is working in Seoul and starts missing his mother or yearning for his hometown, he takes a trip down here. He just comes to sleep a night at our place before heading back. I truly think of this place as a home away from home—like a warm visit to your maternal grandparents or your old hometown.