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Get a move on, Jeju!Amid the stress of a unique moving tradition, the chance to give to charity |
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| ▲ Left, a scene of moving seasons past. At right, the ubiquitous truck-mounted lift. Photos courtesy Jeju City Hall |
Moving sale postings are up everywhere you look in the foreigner community. While the island’s non-natives seek new stomping grounds, end contracts, and whatnot, the Jeju community is also moving, but for an entirely different reason — Shingugan!
Traditions in Jeju, be they superstitious or not, are still held in high regard. Each year around the end of January and beginning of February, Jan. 25 – Feb. 1 in 2011, islanders believe that the 18,000 gods responsible for Jeju’s balance and order take a break. It is during this period that Jeju residents who have considered moving will have the best opportunity—that is, to avoid angering the gods.
According to legend, this is the only time of year the gods are away from their duties, so the hustle and bustle doesn’t disturb their usual process. Shingugan literally means “the period of old and new.” If islanders neglect to move during this particular time then they are subject to bad luck the rest of the year.
Although the islanders may escape ill fortune from the gods, they are subjecting themselves to higher prices.
“A price rise is predicted because of the concentration during Shingugan,” said Kim Bong Soo, a local real estate agent with Soobok agency. Kim has been in the market for the last 5 years. He said there haven’t been any significant changes and that the moving trends lean more towards habit than superstition.
Kim Woo Soo, another real estate agent, believes that the motivation behind moving during Shingugan is 70 percent superstition. Both men said the most movement will be seen in Yeondong and Nohyung-dong, but that doesn’t mean that those parts of the island are more superstitious than others.
Foreigners often rely on their employer to seek out accommodation; however, if you are looking elsewhere, Kim Woo Soo suggests Ido-2 district.
If you are looking for something in the City Hall area, Kim Bong Soo said you should expect to pay around 300,000 won per month for an unfurnished one bed-room with up-to-date appliances and only slightly more, around 300,000-350,000, for a pension near the water in Samyang or Hamdeok on the Northeast side of the island. Kim Bong Soo quoted 3.5 million a year for the pension price and 4 million annually for a place in City Hall.
If you plan to move during this time, don’t walk into your new home expecting cleanliness. According to the real estate agents, most islanders neglect to tidy up before heading out, so prepare to apply your own bit of spit shine before settling.
(Kim Soo Yang contributed to this report. Translation by Chris J. Park)
Another service on offer during the moving season is an annual exchange market organized by the non-profit Jeju City Sharing Market Committee at the Jeju Sports Complex, near the Intercity Bus Terminal.
Five non-profits, helped by Jeju City, work together to raise money for those in need. According to Kim Young Mi, a city employee, last year all the proceeds — 4.8 million won — were donated to 22 elderly and disabled people.
The main purpose is to exchange items. You can donate furniture and if you want you can pick out another item of similar value. If you don’t have anything to exchange, you can donate money for an item.
Kim said donations are accepted until the end of the market (this year it is Jan. 28 and Jan. 29). From March to November there is a similar market called the Environment Sharing Market, every fourth Saturday in Sanji cheon.
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ⓒ Jeju Weekly 2009 (http://www.jejuweekly.net)
All materials on this site are protected under the Korean Copyright Law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published without the prior consent of Jeju Weekly. |
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Copyright ⓒ 2009 All materials on this site are protected under the Korean Copyright Law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published
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