WJSN’s Seola and Soobin Explore Imsil, From Nongak to Cheese Cuisine

WJSN members Seola and Soobin enjoyed a journey through Imsil in North Jeolla Province, experiencing the area’s traditional culture and regional specialties firsthand. Their trip brought together local history, natural scenery and a range of activities centered on Imsil cheese.

Presented through video content from KBS WORLD TV, the journey followed the two performers as they completed several courses highlighting different sides of Imsil. Each stop offered a closer look at the county’s cultural heritage, landscapes and distinctive cheese traditions.

The Energy of Pilbong Nongak and the Serenity of Hanok

Seola and Soobin began at Chilhagwon inside Pilbong Culture Village, where they took in the atmosphere of traditional hanok architecture. In the video, the cast commented on a tree that appeared to be more than 100 years old and the tranquil mood created by the surrounding hanok, drawing attention to the appeal of Korea’s traditional houses.

Chilhagwon was introduced as a place where visitors can stay in a hanok and participate in traditional cultural activities. The quiet setting provided the opening chapter of the trip before Seola and Soobin moved on to a more energetic encounter with Imsil’s musical heritage.

During their Pilbong Nongak experience, the two handled the janggu hourglass drum and buk barrel drum themselves, discovering the appeal of the region’s traditional music through performance. The cast expressed excitement about trying nongak, which was presented as part of pungmulnori, a form of music central to agrarian society.

They learned how to hold the janggu sticks and how the buk serves a bass role, using those lessons to practice the basic rhythms of nongak. The tradition was introduced as Pilbong Nongak, which stands at the center of Imsil’s culture of musical enjoyment. After completing their performance, the cast delightedly remarked that they felt as though they had become immortals.

The History and Flavors of Imsil Cheese

After finishing their traditional cultural activities, Seola and Soobin traveled to Imsil Cheese Theme Park and visited the Imsil Cheese History and Culture Center. There, they traced the work of Father Ji Jeong-hwan, who established Korea’s first cheese industry in Imsil and devoted himself to helping farmers and people with disabilities.

The cast examined artifacts displayed inside the center as well as records arranged by year. Through the exhibits, they encountered the historical background of Imsil cheese and learned how that history developed over time.

The visit then shifted from history to food. At their meal, Seola and Soobin sampled several dishes made with cheese, including cheese pizza, cheese pork cutlet and cheese spaghetti, experiencing the local specialty in a variety of forms.

As they tasted the generously cheese-filled dishes, the cast shared their surprise at the flavor. “We wondered how different cheese could really be, but it is not greasy at all,” they said, expressing their appreciation for the distinctive taste of Imsil cheese.

Rest and Natural Beauty at Bungeoseom Garden

For the final course of the journey, Seola and Soobin visited Bungeoseom Garden. The site takes its name from the shape of its terrain, which resembles a crucian carp when viewed from above.

The cast crossed a swaying bridge while admiring the surrounding natural scenery. Amid the garden’s beautiful landscape, they concluded the journey with WJSN’s song “Our Garden” playing in the background, connecting the group’s music with the final views of the trip.

Looking back on the experience, Seola said that she had become completely captivated by Imsil’s cheese history and beautiful natural surroundings. Soobin kept the sense of adventure going by mentioning Jeonju as their next destination, bringing their enjoyable Imsil journey to a close with another trip already in mind.