Freezing Winds at Hallim Port, Jeju Island

2017-07-02 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

As we moved from Saryeoni Forest Path on the mid-slope of Mount Hallasan toward the sea, the snow gradually weakened. It was the first time in my life I was actually terrified of falling snow. While driving, I was internally praying, "Please see me and go around," as I crawled the car forward. If anyone complains that life is too boring and every day is the same, I would not hesitate to recommend Mount Hallasan in the dead of winter. If you drive here, the sweat on your back won't dry for a single second.

Just because we moved to the coast doesn't mean Jeju Island generously lets us travel in peace. As if it were furious about something, it sent fierce winds our way. While the mid-slope of Hallasan had weaker winds thanks to the trees but heavy snow, the seaside had no snow but winds that slapped our cheeks unfiltered, like a fastball from a pro baseball pitcher. You don't feel it at all inside the car, but the moment you step out to take a single photo, your body flails around as if you're getting beaten up by an invisible attacker. Jeju isn't famous for its wind for nothing.

View from inside a car of rough waves crashing in the sea beyond a coastal road and guardrail. — Surprisingly, even with the wind blowing like this, the waves aren't that high. My point of comparison is Bali, Indonesia.

A cloudy day seascape with waves crashing beyond a black basalt beach, and a red lighthouse standing on a breakwater in the distance. — Looking at this photo alone, it just looks cool, but in the selfie we took against this background, our entire family has our eyes squeezed tightly shut.

Neighborhood roofs and utility poles under a sky where sunlight leaks through dark clouds, creating crepuscular rays.

The reason we drove all the way to Hallim Port was for food. We went through all this suffering just to try bomal (sea snails) at Hallim Kalguksu. After eating a bowl of kalguksu (noodle soup), the wind died down a bit, so we decided to take a quick look around Hallim Port. Would it really wait calmly for us while we took a quick look?

Complex structures visible above a fishing boat moored in a harbor, with numerous other boats floating in the distance.

Fishing boats moored in a sea with rough waves and a flock of seagulls flying in the sky.

Many fishing boats moored in a windy harbor with ropes intricately tangled above them. — The boats are swaying wildly. The wave height is lower than I expected, but the churning power is terrifying. I usually don't think I'd die if I fell in, but in this sea, I definitely would.

The front parts of three fishing boats moored side by side in a harbor and tied with ropes, under a cloudy sky.

Several forklifts parked in a covered walkway at a harbor where fishing boats are moored.

A Golden Retriever tied to a chain in front of a store, looking directly at the camera. — You're guarding the house even in this wind? Aww~ what a good boy~ But you look really goofy.

We were supposed to romantically take in the port and its distinct, strong sea smell, but not knowing when the wind would pick up and attack us, we jogged around it instead. Just as we thought we had finished a quick lap around the port, the quick-witted wind started blowing fiercely again. It was a day with a lot of driving, and we picked the perfect day for it. The best place to travel today is right inside the car. If we tried to walk in this wind, we wouldn't be walking—we'd be flying.