Nami Island

Nami Island

Namiseom is a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province - about 60 km east of Seoul. It was formed in 1944 with the flooding of the land cause by the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam was built. The island is named after General Nami, who died at the age of 27/28 after being falsely accused of treason during the reign of King Sejo, the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty.The general was a young courageous soldier during the Joseon Dynasty who suppressed a riot led by Lee Shi-Ae. Commended for his actions he was promoted to Byeongjopanseo (Minister of National Defense).  In 1965, Byeong-Do Min, donated two thousand trees to the island that included Cherry, Ginkgo, Redwood, Tulip, White Birch, and White Pine.

Nami Island

Nami Island

Nami Island

Winter Sonata, the 2002 Korean drama credited with kicking off the Korean Wave (Hallyu) was filmed on Nami Island (and Chuncheon). The famous 'first kiss' was set on Namiseom as well as were other important scenes in the drama. Tourists come from all over Asia to retrace the star-crossed lovers steps.