The 'Once a Month' Promise: The Grandmother at Geumsan Mountain Lodge at 705m Altitude

Near the summit of Namhae Geumsan Mountain (705m), there is Geumsan Mountain Lodge, boasting a history of over 100 years across four generations. The EBS 'Journey Through Korea - Namhae Part 1: Promise of Geumsan' broadcast on July 1, 2013, contains the story of Lee Jeong-sun, who has protected this lodge for about 20 years while serving food to hikers, and Kim Ja-ya, who promised to visit the lodge once a month.

Geumsan, the mountain that was gifted a name instead of silk

A story involving a promise is also passed down regarding the name Geumsan. According to the video description, about 610 years ago, Yi Seong-gye prayed at Geumsan to become king, promising that if he ascended the throne, he would wrap the entire mountain in silk. Having succeeded in establishing Joseon, instead of covering the mountain in silk, Yi Seong-gye gifted the mountain the name 'Geumsan' (Golden Mountain) by using the character for 'gold'. Its original name was Geumsan Mountain.

When climbing the mountain, beautiful sea paths unfold refreshingly below, and the 38 scenic views of Geumsan proudly display their splendor. Boriam Hermitage, an ancient temple said to have been built by Wonhyo during the reign of King Sinmun of Silla, is one of the three major prayer sites in the country. Geumsan, the only mountain park in Hallyeohaesang National Park, is frequently visited. Some hikers return remembering visiting it during their freshman year of university in 1971. Even after about 40 years, Namhae Geumsan Mountain remains the same. Inside Ssanghongmun, which is said to have been pierced through by Shakyamuni Buddha, there are three holes; it is said that if you throw a stone through all three holes, your wish will be granted.

'Overnight guests are the best': A day in the life of the lodge grandmother

In the lodge that always stays in its place like a rock overlooking the village, there is a grandmother who guards the lodge alone. During her 20 years of lodge life, the grandmother has become a master at catching flies. She says she loves it most when guests come to sleep, stating that guests are the most welcome. She is always on standby to welcome guests, and she has even secured a prime spot, known as a place where immortals once sat. It is a spot where anyone sitting would feel like they could become an immortal.

The grandmother has her own specific spot in the lodge. This is because, if she sits there in the summer, a gentle breeze blows in, keeping her cool, and she can look down the path to see if guests are coming. The grandmother, who says she asks what they would like to eat as soon as she sees guests descending, says she likes this spot.

Once a month, the older sister who comes to help with the dishes

According to the video description, the two met at Geumsan and formed a bond like older and younger sisters, and the older sister, Kim Ja-ya, promised to visit the lodge strictly once a month. As a guest who visits faithfully, the older sister is a VIP at Geumsan Mountain Lodge.

Lee Jeong-sun recalls the connection between the two like this. The older sister, who came because she loved the mountain, helped her on a day when work had piled up due to too many guests, for which she was very grateful, and they ate a meal together and stayed the night. When the older sister visited again a month later, she saw a mountain of dishes to be washed and helped with the dishes again, and so they have come and gone once a month for about 20 years.

On the day the older sister visits, the lodge grandmother prepares a simple and sincere meal. The vegetable garden is full of pollution-free vegetables, and the soybean paste stew, made with soybean paste fermented from our beans and Namhae water, is the signature dish of the lodge. Although there are not many ingredients that can be sourced from the mountain, the grandmother does not skimp on ingredients.

Makgeolli passed down through four generations, sharing a bowl on top of the mountain

To serve the guests who visit for the taste of the makgeoli, there is never a moment when the lodge runs out of makgeoli. At Geumsan Mountain Lodge, which has continued for four generations, the grandmother says she inherited the makgeoli recipe from the second-generation grandmother. The explanation continues that the taste of makgeoli depends first on the hands and second on the water. Since it must be steamed rice to make good makgeoli, she prepares a large pot of fluffy white rice, spreads it gently on a straw mat, pours nuruk over it, and mixes it evenly with the rice. She has now made so much makgeoli that she can do it with her eyes closed. In the video, it is even said that this is not the taste of the makgeoli, but the taste of the kettle. As long as people who remember her handmade taste come to this lodge seeking makgeoli, the grandmother will continue to brew it.

After finishing all her duties and at a time when no more guests arrive, the two grandmothers tilt their makgeoli glasses together. This spot is equal to everyone while sitting there. This is because both immortals and humans, guests and owners, all merely look down from atop the mountain. When she woke up the next morning, the older sister was already gone, but the lodge grandmother is not lonely. This is because she has the older sister who promised to come next month, and the guests who visit the lodge.