On their recent travels through the north-eastern province of South Korea, the Harrington's felt it necessary to make a pit stop at a famous, yet 'risque' Korean landmark named 해신당공원 Hae Sin Dang Park or Penis Park. Yes, you read that correctly. The Harrington Times does not make a habit of publishing rsique articles but feels a certain obligation to inform readers of this quarky little park with as much honor and respect as is possible. That being said, let us continue on our report of the Harrington's and their afternoon meandering Hae Sin Dang park.
Just south of Samcheok on the coast of the Eastern Sea lies a quaint little fishing village by the name of 신남 Shi-nam. This village once underwent the loss of a lovely young virgin to the angry sea and rough rocks jutting from the ocean floor. In distress her husband to be screamed for his love. Village lore states that villagers were convinced that by erecting sculptures of certain male anatomy the sea and the virgin sea 'monster' would take no more captives. (This may or may not be an accurate retelling of village-lore, however THT has done it's best to set the stage for the creation of Hae Sin Dang Park). It is on this backdrop that Shi-nam became home to a festival which would honor and showcase a number of phallic sculptures. Not long ago the festival was shut down due to Christian protest but there remains a lovely park area showcasing some of the sculptures from days of old and ensuring no more virgin sacrifices need to be made. (A large, ship shaped museum is located in the park which offers a bit of history regarding fishing as well as the need for phallic sculptures)
Readers may find themselves slightly disgusted by the Harrington's attendance to such a place. Others are likely chuckling to themselves, wishing they too could go to such a location. However, most readers, regardless of which side they find themselves on, likely find themselves asking 'What exactly did the Harrington's think about this small piece of the Republic of Korea?' We at the Harrington Times make it our personal mission to faithfully report on the life and times of the Harrington's and have scored a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to interview the couple and get their verbatim insight as to how this trip sat and continues to sit with them.
THT: Can you tell us the reasoning behind making your way into Hae Sin Dang Park in the first place?
Melissa: "We were in the area, we were on vacation, it's one of the places to see if you're going to live in Korea for a year, seemed to be a no-brainer."
Mike: "We saw some pictures in the Lonely Planet, thought it was pretty unique."
THT: What was your first impression upon entering the park?
Mike: "Beautiful. Beautiful coast. Peaceful village. Glad there's not a lot of people here."
THT: Was the experience awkward as a male? as a female?
Mike: "No."
Melissa: "Occassionally. Some sculptures depicted women as part of the male anatomy and felt a bit more risque or grotesque or intimate and better showcased in a private collection. However, since it's winter and most people aren't out walking along the ocean, the awkward factor was much lower than it could have been.
THT: Would you return to Hae Sin Dang Park?
M&M: "Without a doubt!"
Melissa: "It really is a lovely plot of land. The views of the sea and the surrounding mountains are quite extraordinary and honestly, the sculptures, or very few of the sculptures, are overly offensive, some are actually quite impressive."
THT: What is your overall impression with this bit of Korean culture and Korean tourist destination?
Mike: "Very unique, very beautiful. Highly recommended."
Melissa: "It's quite quarky and a bit strange. Unlike anything you'd find in the US, so in that alone, worth the visit. The location, again, was absolutely stunning and the fishing village was the epitomy or peacefulness, a chance to slow down. In so many ways, it was an enjoyable - entertaining- place to visit."
Getting There: Upon arriving in Samcheok, simply wait at the Bus Terminal for bus 24 ride the bus for about 30 minutes. Keep your eyes open for some phallic sculptures toward the sea. There are two entrances to the park and a stop near both, one at the top a hill (easy to miss) one at the bottom which takes you through the little village, past a coffee shop and into the park. Bus should cost less than 2,000 W each
When to go: The Harrington's were quite happy with their decision to go in the winter. Less people gave them more time to less awkwardly enjoy the sites and views, meander through the fishing village museum, and take a ton more pictures than they otherwise would have.
Just south of Samcheok on the coast of the Eastern Sea lies a quaint little fishing village by the name of 신남 Shi-nam. This village once underwent the loss of a lovely young virgin to the angry sea and rough rocks jutting from the ocean floor. In distress her husband to be screamed for his love. Village lore states that villagers were convinced that by erecting sculptures of certain male anatomy the sea and the virgin sea 'monster' would take no more captives. (This may or may not be an accurate retelling of village-lore, however THT has done it's best to set the stage for the creation of Hae Sin Dang Park). It is on this backdrop that Shi-nam became home to a festival which would honor and showcase a number of phallic sculptures. Not long ago the festival was shut down due to Christian protest but there remains a lovely park area showcasing some of the sculptures from days of old and ensuring no more virgin sacrifices need to be made. (A large, ship shaped museum is located in the park which offers a bit of history regarding fishing as well as the need for phallic sculptures)
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THT: Can you tell us the reasoning behind making your way into Hae Sin Dang Park in the first place?
Melissa: "We were in the area, we were on vacation, it's one of the places to see if you're going to live in Korea for a year, seemed to be a no-brainer."
Mike: "We saw some pictures in the Lonely Planet, thought it was pretty unique."
THT: What was your first impression upon entering the park?
Mike: "Beautiful. Beautiful coast. Peaceful village. Glad there's not a lot of people here."
THT: Was the experience awkward as a male? as a female?
Mike: "No."
Melissa: "Occassionally. Some sculptures depicted women as part of the male anatomy and felt a bit more risque or grotesque or intimate and better showcased in a private collection. However, since it's winter and most people aren't out walking along the ocean, the awkward factor was much lower than it could have been.
THT: Would you return to Hae Sin Dang Park?
M&M: "Without a doubt!"
Melissa: "It really is a lovely plot of land. The views of the sea and the surrounding mountains are quite extraordinary and honestly, the sculptures, or very few of the sculptures, are overly offensive, some are actually quite impressive."
THT: What is your overall impression with this bit of Korean culture and Korean tourist destination?
Mike: "Very unique, very beautiful. Highly recommended."
Melissa: "It's quite quarky and a bit strange. Unlike anything you'd find in the US, so in that alone, worth the visit. The location, again, was absolutely stunning and the fishing village was the epitomy or peacefulness, a chance to slow down. In so many ways, it was an enjoyable - entertaining- place to visit."
Getting There: Upon arriving in Samcheok, simply wait at the Bus Terminal for bus 24 ride the bus for about 30 minutes. Keep your eyes open for some phallic sculptures toward the sea. There are two entrances to the park and a stop near both, one at the top a hill (easy to miss) one at the bottom which takes you through the little village, past a coffee shop and into the park. Bus should cost less than 2,000 W each
When to go: The Harrington's were quite happy with their decision to go in the winter. Less people gave them more time to less awkwardly enjoy the sites and views, meander through the fishing village museum, and take a ton more pictures than they otherwise would have.
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