올 여름, 농촌민박 어때요? [리부팅 지방시대] / 연합뉴스TV (YonhapnewsTV)

A quiet rural village in Gangjin, South Jeolla Province, is bustling with the sound of children's laughter for the first time in a while. About forty farmhouses have willingly opened their doors to welcome students on a school trip from the city. Although they are meeting for the first time, the students eagerly embrace the elders as if they were grandchildren reunited after a long time. The children scatter among the unfamiliar farmhouses to fully experience the warmth of the countryside, while the elders begin their day with excitement, wondering what else they can do to take care of them. The teachers leading the group put aside their worries and look forward to the values ​​of compromise and communication that the children will learn here. Gangjin is a place that possesses a restrained beauty worthy of being called the "Jeju of the mainland," and it is the home of Southern Korean cuisine, where the delicacies of the mountains, sea, and fields come together on a single table. The children learn about the vitality of nature by pruning Korean melon vines and picking plums, and at night, gazing at the flames in front of the hearth, they encounter a peaceful rest that can never be found in the city. The country table, prepared with great care, is filled with ingredients grown and raised in Gangjin. The homeowners find even greater happiness simply by watching the children enjoy their meal. A table adorned with freshly picked lettuce, perfectly ripened kimchi, and generous hospitality becomes an unforgettable memory for the children. The nights of Gangjin, untouched by city lights, offer deep sleep to some and peaceful contemplation to others. This place is also a special sanctuary for family travelers. Warm hospitality that embraces even a child's unique circumstances is the village's greatest asset. Rural homestays have established themselves as healing spaces that go beyond simple accommodation, allowing people to connect with neighbors and regain a sense of ease in life. For the couple who returned to farming, meeting guests serves as a source of daily vitality and provides financial support. While the realistic concern of an aging farming population remains, efforts toward a generational shift are also quietly continuing. This small movement, launched under the name FU-SO, has generated tangible income of 7.7 billion won to date, breathing new life into the region. Gangjin is no longer a land on the verge of extinction for children. It is a living classroom where nature and people harmonize, and a site that demonstrates the potential of true local business. 'FU-SO,' a stay-type rural experience brand developed by Gangjin, South Jeolla Province to overcome the crisis of population decline, has deeply taken root in our lives as a warm culture where people rent a single room to stay and share the life of the place, rather than as a hotel or resort. ▣ Subscribe to Yonhap News TV's documentary channel 'Docu-Digging'    / @docu-digging   ▣ Subscribe to Yonhap News TV YouTube Channel    / @yonhapnewstv23   ▣ The beginning of Korean news, Yonhap News TV / Yonhap News TV http://www.yonhapnewstv.co.kr/