A groundbreaking cultural space has opened its doors to the public in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, marking the debut of what's being called South Korea's first "humanities garden." The Médongaule, which welcomed its first visitors on September 1, represents a unique fusion of philosophy, art, and Korean tradition nestled in a secluded valley.
The ambitious project is the brainchild of a wealthy entrepreneur who dedicated 13 years to creating this philosophical haven after selling the company he had built over more than a decade. Drawing inspiration from Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of the Übermensch, the visionary sought to leave a meaningful legacy for future generations. The garden's name, Médongaule, comes from a native Korean term meaning "a valley once filled with vibrant blooms of morning glory," reflecting both its geographical setting and botanical significance.
Spanning nearly 198,000 square meters, the expansive garden is thoughtfully divided into three distinct sections: a traditional Korean garden, a modern garden that blends art and philosophy, and a large forest area. The design process involved collaboration with prominent architects and landscape designers, including renowned architect Seung Hyo-sang. Access to this exclusive space is carefully controlled, with admission priced at 50,000 won ($36) per person and limited to just 150 visitors daily on a reservation-only basis. Despite the premium entry fee, approximately 500 people visited during the first two weeks of operation.
The Korean garden section offers a fresh perspective on traditional themes, focusing on the lives of common people and Korean scholarly culture rather than exclusively celebrating royal or aristocratic traditions. This innovative approach reimagines everyday rural life through carefully planned garden elements. Practical crops such as cotton, eggplants, and rice are incorporated as design features, while the pathways and stone walls draw references from traditional folk songs and acclaimed films like "Sopyonje" (1993).
One of the most impressive features is an entirely artificial stream system that appears completely natural to visitors. Small streams and ponds, inspired by painter Kim Hong-do's (1745-1806) famous work "Laundry Place," have been meticulously constructed using carefully positioned stones to simulate natural watercourses. The ambitious construction required transporting enough stones to fill 300 twenty-five-ton trucks to build the 400-meter-long artificial valley.
The second area of the Korean garden is dedicated to scholarly traditions, reflecting the values of study and refined living that characterized Korea's intellectual heritage. This section features ponds that symbolize traditional cosmology and pavilions modeled after Joseon-era (1392-1910) architecture. Notable structures include buildings designed by Seung Hyo-sang and inspired by famous Confucian academies such as Seongok Seowon and Byeongsan Seowon in Andong. Together, these carefully planned sites explore Korea's rich heritage of Confucianism, Buddhism, and broader philosophical traditions.
The modern section of the garden, scheduled to open in May of next year, will showcase the Uberhaus, a striking architectural work designed by internationally acclaimed architects Mauricio Pezo and Sofia von Ellrichshausen. This landmark structure interprets Nietzsche's concept of the Übermensch through innovative architecture, standing as one of several installations that merge modern philosophical concepts with built form.
Visitors typically spend several hours exploring just the Korean Garden section alone, guided by knowledgeable docents who provide detailed explanations of the philosophical and artistic concepts behind each carefully designed area. Traditional performances are also offered to enhance and complement the overall experience. "The visual beauty is just one part," explained a woman in her 50s who visited the garden. "When you understand the underlying stories and philosophy, you feel a much deeper sense of emotion. Listening to the docent beforehand enriches the experience."
Kim In-hye, curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, praised the project as "an artwork in which architects and landscape designers translated a philosopher's worldview into spatial language." The Médongaule represents more than just a garden – it embodies one person's vision and persistence transformed into a space where visitors can walk, reflect, and rediscover the profound connections between philosophy, tradition, and the natural world.
