"It is a symbol of freedom" Why middle-aged men gather at a remote location 700m above sea level through rugged paths

Deep in the mountains of Wonju, Gangwon Province, where even navigation cannot guide the way. After passing through rugged paths so difficult that wheels get stuck in the mud and require ropes to pull the car up, a secret hideout for three friends appears. This place, cultivated by three people—Lee Seong-yong, Lee Gwang-yong, and Lim Yeong-rok—is a space where the dream of middle-aged men is realized, featuring a treehouse they built themselves using fallen trees and a vegetable garden.

"Time to become part of nature" A forest hideout found at the end of a rugged path

Daily life here is entirely different from the pace of the city. While they live their respective lives during the weekdays, the friends gather one by one on Friday evenings. Smiling as they say, "If we actually farmed, it would be too hard to do," they define this place not as a farming site, but as "a space where we can do what we love to our heart's content." For these friends who secured land together to enjoy their favorite activities, life in the mountains is a sanctuary for relieving stress.

The vegetables grown in the garden without a single grain of fertilizer boast a crunchy texture and hold the pure taste of nature. Meals in the mountains are their greatest joy. 'Firewood pizza,' made with potatoes they harvested themselves, is an exotic feast enjoyed in the mountains. When combined with spicy braised hairtail cooked with sweet potatoes, a meal that serves as a natural tonic is completed, even if it is not extravagant. The participant conveyed the taste of nature, saying, "Coming to nature, growing it, harvesting it, and eating it right then is the best."

700m above sea level, a 'symbol of freedom' where a Mongolian ger is located

There is another special space at an altitude of 700m in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. This place, operated by Na Yeong-in, houses a traditional 'ger' brought directly from Mongolia. This ger, which has been repaired in various places to suit the local environment while maintaining the traditional method of having no windows, often serves as a hideout where siblings gather. Na calls this space "a precious treasure and a symbol of freedom." This is because it is the place where he achieved his long-held dream of living in nature.

When family members gather, a special ritual is performed here. They dig for wild ginseng around the mountains and harvest crops from the garden to make a 'magic all-purpose sauce' that enhances the flavor of any food. This all-purpose soy sauce, made by adding plenty of kelp and pairing it with milk, is a precious fruit shared by the family. Na expressed his affection for the freedom enjoyed in nature, saying, "This is a truly precious treasure to me."

"We move so we don't rust" The strength that sustains middle-aged life

Life in the mountains is not purely relaxing. Constant movement is required, such as tending to the vegetable garden, gathering firewood, and cleaning the house. From putting in effort while making firewood to checking if "it breaks cleanly without using force," to doing a big clean-up together on rainy days, every moment of mountain life is connected to labor. However, for them, this hardship is not exhaustion but vitality. As they say, "It's not about getting old, it's about rusting," they constantly move their bodies and fill their own time.

The delicious food and honey-like rest shared in the forest hideout go beyond mere enjoyment; they become the strength to return to daily city life and live tomorrow. The table, featuring freshly picked vegetables from the garden, meat pancakes, and food containing a mother's touch, completes the family's happiness. This time shared with friends and family in the embrace of nature is becoming more than just a rest; it is becoming a sturdy root that sustains their lives.