KBS Special - The Island Behind Kijang's House, 'Okjeongho' Where is your hometown? What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your hometown? In the city life that changes rapidly day by day, isn't your hometown always a name that you miss and feel fond of? However, your hometown that you left behind is no longer the old image that remains in your memories. Over the years, development has continued at a rapid pace, and the affectionate scenery of your hometown has disappeared one by one. Where has the image of your hometown that gave peace of mind to modern people who are tired of city life gone? ■ Unam-myeon, Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do, which holds a special story Unam-myeon, Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do, is a place that holds a special story. It is a place that suffered from the pain of flooding when the Seomjin River Dam was built in the 1960s and Okjeongho Lake was created. However, some people still remain and continue to live tenaciously. Due to the flooding, most of their hometown village, many neighbors, and the rice paddies and fields that were their livelihoods were lost, but there are still people living here who stick to their way of life and protect their hometown. ■ Naema Village with Okjeongho Lake as its front yard Naema Village is a small, remote village that requires two bus transfers along a winding mountain road. This is also a submerged area where more than half of the village was submerged when Okjeongho Lake was created. Before the submergence, about 50 households lived there, but after about 20 households were submerged, there are now only 9 households living in this small village. Before the submergence, the fields were wide and it was good for farming and living. Even during the Japanese colonial period and after the Korean War, it was a village that lived well compared to other villages, with electricity. However, after the submergence, people left one by one, and it remains as one of the remote villages. After the submergence, more than half of the land was submerged, so people in Naema Village mainly live on dry fields. The main source of income for the people in this village is pepper farming. They live a year by pouring their heart and soul into pepper farming that lasts from January to October. ■ Story of Choi Gi-jang, a native of Naema Village The Choi Gi-jang couple, who are protecting their hometown, live here. The husband is 65 and the wife is 54. The couple, who have an 11-year age gap, are like jangseung (totem poles) in Naemaeul Village. Choi Gi-jang, who started farming with his father when he was 15, is a kind-hearted country grandfather who always welcomes people with a big smile. His wife, who was a city girl in Jeonju, came to the rural village through a matchmaker at the age of 18 and became Naemaeul. Although they were not well off, his wife, Kim Jeong-ae, said that she spent her time without any difficulties because she had a husband who cared for her. It is not easy to farm with her husband, who is a natural farmer, but she is happy because she has a husband who cares for her with the same heart. Although they lost the old appearance of their hometown because of Okjeongho Lake, this is the story of the Choi Gi-jang couple who adapted to the changes in their hometown and lived their lives relying on Okjeongho Lake. ■ A mountain that became an island, Bungeoseom Island An island floating leisurely in Okjeongho Lake. Its name is Bungeoseom Island. It was a mountain before it was submerged, but it became an island after being submerged in Okjeongho Lake. It is called Bungeo Island because its floating shape resembles a crucian carp, but the old name called by the people of Naema Village is Seomjak-eum or Oeyatnal. Mr. and Mrs. Choi Gi-jang grow peppers on this Bungeo Island. Although they have to cross Okjeong Lake by boat every day to farm, there is no place where farming is as successful as Bungeo Island. That is why Bungeo Island is the foundation of their life for Choi Gi-jang and his wife and they are always grateful. However, Imsil-gun is planning to develop this place into an eco-tourism site, so they may lose this foundation at any time. What will happen to this couple in the future? ■ Okjeong Lake, where countless stories are buried When Okjeong Lake was created, 2 counties including Imsil-gun and Jeongeup-si (then Jeongeup-gun), 5 townships, and 24 villages were submerged, and 3,000 households or 20,000 people were displaced. The displaced people who have lived only farming for generations fought to demand that the government come up with a perfect resettlement plan, and the resettlement plan for the displaced people also emerged as a major social issue at the time. Okjeongho Lake is filled with the pain and sorrow of those who had no choice but to leave their hometown, and it still contains unforgettable memories of their hometown. Choi Gi-jang thinks of his hometown every day when he crosses and faces Okjeongho Lake. ■ A life relying on Okjeongho Lake What kind of life would Choi Gi-jang be living if Okjeongho Lake did not exist? Choi Gi-jang reached a turning point in his life when Okjeongho Lake was created. He was once a boatman who operated the village ferry, and before Okjeongho Lake was designated as a water source protection area, he made a living by catching fish. Now, he is a farmer who crosses Okjeongho Lake every day and farms. Okjeongho Lake is a scary thing that took away his hometown, but it is also a thankful thing that gave him a new place to live. Through the story of Choi Gi-jang, who lives leaning against the blue Okjeongho Lake, we will tell you about his beloved hometown that we have forgotten. ■ Choi Gi-jang, are you happy today? Choi Gi-jang has had many ups and downs this year. The peppers got sick due to heavy rain during the growing season, and the harvest is less than half of last year. In addition, unexpected heavy rain filled the feed warehouse for Choi Gi-jang's cattle, forcing him to endure a summer crisis. He also suddenly injured his shoulder and had to undergo surgery. Despite all this, Choi Gi-jang lives on, adapting to the life given to him. What kind of enlightenment will his happy life give us today? #Okjeongho Lake #Naema Village #Hometown