🎧 Yul's Korea Audio Guide
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Narrated in English with Korean phrases by YUL of KVIBE IDOLS.
🎵 Background music: Still in That Spring (그 봄에 머물러) — KVIBE IDOLS · Listen to the full song →
Full transcript
Annyeong, yeoreobun! Yul here, and listen... crash! Those are the waves. Most Korean temples hide deep in the mountains. But this one? It sits right on the rocks by the sea. Welcome to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple!
According to the temple, it was founded in 1376 by a famous monk named Naong. Legend says a sea god appeared to him in a dream and told him to build a temple here. It was first called Bomunsa. Some historians question that date, but what a story, right?
Then, tragedy. During the Japanese invasions of the 1590s, the temple was destroyed. Then in the 1930s, a monk named Ungang rebuilt it and gave it a new name: Haedong Yonggungsa, the Dragon Palace Temple of Korea. A palace for the dragon king of the sea. So cool!
To reach it, you walk down 108 stone steps. Why 108? In Buddhism, it stands for the 108 worldly temptations. So by the time you finish, you're basically a brand-new person! Look for the big seaside statue of Gwaneum, the goddess of mercy, the twelve zodiac guardian statues, and the golden pigs that visitors rub for good luck and fortune. Rub, rub!
Yul's tip! This is one of the best sunrise spots in Busan, so come early to beat the crowds. And around Buddha's Birthday in spring, the whole temple is covered in colorful lanterns. Daebak!
Next, let's sail along the south coast to the city of Korea's greatest admiral. Kaja!
