[Mun Ho-nam's Snap and Write] 'Ipchun' Spring Arrives at Changgyeonggung Palace

The azaleas in the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace have begun to bloom. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

White flower buds have peeked out. It is the harbinger of spring, the plum blossom. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Honam] Today marks 'Ipchun,' the beginning of spring. It hasn't been long since welcoming 2021, but spring has arrived in the blink of an eye. The weather outside the window is still chilly. Although spring has come, it feels like spring has not yet arrived. The arrival of Ipchun is not strongly felt.

To find 'spring,' I visited the Grand Greenhouse at Changgyeonggung Palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Inside the greenhouse, the atmosphere was already full of spring energy. A heavy silence also lingered. While Changgyeonggung is open, the Grand Greenhouse, classified as an indoor facility, is closed. Due to the elevation of social distancing to level 2.5 in the metropolitan area because of COVID-19, indoor cultural heritage viewing facilities under the Cultural Heritage Administration are inaccessible.

Flowers were preparing to welcome spring before people. Heralds of spring such as Winter Jasmine (Yeongchunhwa), Jangsu Plum (Jangsumae), Plum Blossom (Maehwa), Camellia (Dongbaekkkot), and Hongcheon Bird (Hongcheonjo) had bloomed buds. Among them, the purple azalea caught the reporter's heart. Although the petals had not fully opened yet, the azalea striving to welcome spring was admirable.

We have endured a harsh winter with record-breaking cold waves and COVID-19. It has been a very painful year for students, job seekers, and self-employed individuals alike. However, this winter has also passed. The spring that once seemed distant is approaching. Our spring will soon bloom like the azalea.

※This report was conducted solo while adhering to quarantine guidelines with the cooperation of the Cultural Heritage Administration.

/Photo & Text = Reporter Moon Honam munonam@

Beautiful flowers have bloomed on the camellia trees in Hakdong, Geoje. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The flower that first heralds spring, Yeongchunhwa (迎春花), is in full bloom. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The fruit is densely packed on Baekryanggeum, which is said to grow only in Jeju Island and the southern regions due to its sensitivity to cold. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Delicious-looking kumquats. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The Hongcheonjo (Daphne flower) is flaunting its red beauty. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The greenhouse was filled with the spirit of spring, but a heavy silence prevailed as access was restricted for the general public due to COVID-19. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Pink camellia flowers are catching the eye. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

The red Jangsu plum blossoms are blooming. It is called Jangsu plum (長壽梅) because the flowers last a long time. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

The white Jangsu plum has fully bloomed. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The quince tree is blooming. Photo by Honam Moon munonam@

An announcement regarding the suspension of the greenhouse tour to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is installed at the ticket office of Changgyeonggung Palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.