Let’s face it — if you’re ready for weird stuff, sex parks are right up there with hell temples in my book. Although I’ve written about each of these places individually, it’s time to roll them up into one awesome post. Here we go!
Haesindang Park (Samcheok, Gangwon-do)
Call it ‘Penis Park’ if you prefer the more common name. Mentioned in some mainstream guidebooks as a sidebar, Haesindang Park is all about the penis. It won’t take long to see why:
For one thing, they’re everywhere. They’re incorporated into some benches, intricately carved into wood or stone, and get a chuckle from most everyone that dares to go.
Those chuckles are coming from the ajummas (literally, married women) themselves. You’ll be chuckling too.
In case you’re wondering, there’s actually a legend at play here. While there may now be a sign explaining it in English, a young betrothed virgin’s husband-to-be stayed on a rock while he fished. A storm came, the husband-to-be was unable to reach her, and she eventually drowned. The fisherman noticed the harvests had been going down, leading some to believe the young woman’s spirit was causing the lack of fish. One day, a fisherman peed into the water, and he was able to catch fish again. Suspecting the young woman’s spirit desired to more penises, the community erected phallic statues, and the fishing eventually returned to normal. A statue of her is on display, and they still hold a religious ceremony twice a year to honor her.
The main attraction here are the dozens (hundreds?) of carved wooden statues. Small plaques on the ground offer some basic information, though unfortunately time has been less kind to the plaques. The full walk-through will take 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending on how much ogling or photography you do, and whether you opt to take in the sideshow fishing museum. It’s a fine respite from the rain, but otherwise missable if you need to move on.
Name: Haesindang Park AKA Penis Park (해신당 공원)
Address: Gangwon-do, Samcheok-si Wondeok-eup Galnam-ri 457–7 (강원도 삼척시 원덕읍 갈남리 해신당공원) (GPS: 37.265765, 129.323662)
Directions: Take a bus to Samcheok in Gangwon-do (if coming from Seoul, start at the Express Bus Terminal). Once at Samcheok Bus Terminal, wait for intercity bus #24. Jump on and settle in for a 40km ride. Keep your eyes open, or ask the bus driver to announce when you arrive. Once at the exit, walk down the hill towards the water and through a rural village. You’ll see the more up-to-date ‘touristy’ section after about 8–10 minutes walking.
Hours: 9am-5pm (during summer months, open until 6pm)
Admission: 3,000 won
Phone: 033–572–4429
Website: http://tour.samcheok.go.kr
Loveland (Jeju city, Jeju-do)
Let’s continue with the one most people have heard about — Loveland. They were the first to arrive, and can legitimately be considered the ‘original’. We can thank the rather conservative nature of 20th century Koreans for giving rise to the need for sex education. To quote myself:
Jeju-do (Jeju island) has served as a honeymoon destination for Koreans since the Korean War. Some marriages were arranged by parents, meaning there was a bit of awkwardness of trying to bed this new spouse they may have just met. Also, Koreans weren’t allowed to leave the country until the early 1990’s meant ‘getting away’ was going to Jeju instead of Thailand. According to Wikipedia and Der Speigel, some hotel employees served as ‘professional icebreakers’ (read: marriage consummation helpers) while hotels offered ‘entertainment packages’ to help couples relax and, um, get things started.
University students created the first statues, though it’s unclear how many of the original ones remain, or who the artist is for many of them.
It wins the award as the artiest and most original of the sex museums… but read on! Don’t think for one second you’ll have seen it all — there are five sex parks / sex museums around Korea in all.
Like most of the other sex museums, admission is those 19 years and up (19 in Korean years is 18 in Western years since you’re considered 1 year old when you emerge from your mother).
Name: Loveland (제주 러브랜드)
Address: 680–26 Yeon-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (제주도 제주시 연동 680–26) (GPS: 33.451974, 126.487784)
Directions: Loveland is located 10 minutes from Jeju International Airport — a taxi will be the fastest and easiest option. If part of a group tour, let the bus driver get there. Taking a local bus is also an option — from Jeju’s airport, walk 200 meters to the Daho Village (near Goryeo Gas Station), then take bus 38 or 887 to Halla Hospital. Transfer to bus 1100, and get off at the Livestock Farming Complex. Like I said, take a taxi.
Hours: 9am-midnight (last admission at 11pm)
Admission: 9,000 won
Phone: +82–064–712–6988
Website: http://www.jejuloveland.com/eng.html
Love Castle (Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
You won’t read about this one in the Lonely Planet. In that mainstream book, Gyeongju is the beacon of history from past dynasties, guiding you to see places where buildings once stood. Old temples and a grotto are around, but honestly…?
Booorrriiinnnnggg….
Alternating between indoor museum pieces and outdoor exhibition halls, Love Castle goes beyond basic historical exhibits to spice things up with light shows and mirrors.
I personally enjoyed the outdoor exhibits a bit more, although the indoor ones are nicely categorized by country. Enjoy the photo ops, but put the camera away for one of the later indoor sections containing plenty of sex toys (including a decent selection to purchase). Don’t miss the ‘every country’s love-making sound’ section, either, and be sure to pull the penis in the second indoor exhibition room.
Name: Love Castle (성박물관 러브 개슬 — seong-bak-mul-gwan leo-beu gae-seul)
Address: Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju-si, Ha-dong, 350 (경상북도 경주시 하동 350) (GPS: 35.812341, 129.307291)
Directions: Get to Gyeongju, first and foremost. Buses and trains come here on a regular basis from Seoul, and frequently from Busan.
If you arrive at Gyeongju’s Express Bus Terminal, turn right and go around the corner for the intercity bus terminal. Look for yellow bus 10 or 11 and get off at the 하동점마을 (Ha-dong-jeom ma-eul) bus stop. A taxi from here costs about 17,000 won.
From Gyeongju train station, go out the exit and walk straight to the intersection. You’ll want to cross the LEFT crosswalk near the IBK bank. Walk 50 meters to the bus stop. Look for yellow bus 11 and get off at the 하동점마을 (Ha-dong-jeom ma-eul) bus stop.
From Singyeongju station, it takes a bit longer. Catch bus 700 towards Gyeongju Bus Terminal and go from there. This new station is somewhat outside the normal routes, so expect the journey to be a little over an hour.
Hours: 9am-midnight (last admission 11pm)
Admission: 13,000 won
Phone: +82–54–776–3318
Website: lovecastle19.kr
World Eros Museum (Seogwipo, Jeju-do)
Hidden inside Jeju-do’s World Cup Stadium means you’re probably not going to stumble in. When there isn’t a soccer / football game on tap, the stadium borders on ‘it’s quiet… too quiet’ territory. In any case, look for the few signs around to lead you to the right place.
Gotta love a good Indian orgy.
Focusing mainly on foreign, erm, endeavors, with Korean explanations, the Eros makes up for its small size with some unusual displays and a souvenir store to pick up stuff to make people blush.
Within the same building is the more family-friendly Dak Paper Doll Museum — show your ticket from the World Eros Museum to get 50% off here.
Name: World Eros Museum (세계성문화박물관 — se-gye seong-mun-hwa bak-mul-gwan)
Address: Jeju-do Seogwipo-si Beophwan-dong 914 (World Cup Stadium, 1F) (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 법환동 914 월드컵경기장 본관 1층)
Directions: Catch airport bus 600 to go from Jeju’s airport to the World Cup Stadium. You can also take bus 100 or 200 from the airport to the Jeju Express Bus Terminal. Transfer to a Jungmun express bus and get off at Jeju World Cup Stadium. If driving a rental car, type the address into your GPS device.
Hours: 9am-8pm
Admission: 7,000 won
Phone: 064–739–0059
The Museum of Sex and Health (Seogwipo, Jeju-do)
A more serious, educational look at sex and health.
It does have some light-hearted moments — beyond the chance to play golf with major distractions, look for the mummy with an erection.
Name: Museum of Sex and Health (건강과 성 박물관 — geon-gang-gwa seong bak-mul-gwan), AKA S’Meca
Address: 1736 Gamsan-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, Jeju-do 699–920 (제주도 서귀포시
안덕면 감산리 1736번지) (GPS: 33.254804, 126.346773)
Directions: By bus, look for red bus 780 to make the one-hour trip from Seogwipo City.
By your own vehicle (recommended), input the address into the GPS device, or take route 1132 west out of Seogwipo and ride for about 20 kilometers. Around the 16km mark, take the left fork to stay on route 1132. Look left for the museum.
Hours: 9am-8pm everyday (until 10pm during peak summer season)
Admission: 12,000 won
Phone: 064–792–5700
Website: http://www.sexmuseum.or.kr
