Stay with Memories — Planting Memories in a Space in Gyeongju, Stay Sirae

Sirae-dong (時來洞) in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a neighborhood located near Bulguksa Temple. True to its name, which means ‘the time will come,’ Stay Sirae welcomes travelers here without disturbing the natural surroundings, embracing them just as they are.

Interviewer Parc Jinmyoung
Interviewee Kim Taenam (operator of Stay Sirae)

Could you briefly introduce Stay Sirae?
It’s an accommodation in Sirae-dong, a quiet village where past and present coexist in Gyeongju, known for its wide rice paddies that turn beautiful colors through all four seasons. Under the slogan ‘a place where time lingers,’ it’s a warm space decorated with pieces I personally collected from various artists.

What brought you to settle in Gyeongju?
Gyeongju is the city where I spent my childhood. After majoring in metal crafts in college, I worked at several galleries in Busan, then returned to Gyeongju after getting married. Sirae-dong is also the neighborhood where my husband’s family has put down roots for three generations.

What led you to open the stay?
This place used to be a storage shed where my father-in-law, who farms rice, kept rice and farming equipment. According to my husband, he built many memories here playing as a child. Just as this space gave him only good memories from childhood to adulthood, I wanted it to become that kind of space for someone else, and that’s how I came to open the stay.

Is there a sustainable practice at Stay Sirae you’d like to highlight?
I try to practice sustainability starting from the smallest things. The towels, robes, dish cloths, and bath mats in the rooms are all products made of sochang (traditional cotton gauze) from Somidang. The bedding, made of natural linen and cotton, fully returns to nature when discarded. Since they’re all natural materials, I regularly boil-wash them to maintain them. Because these are things that touch the skin, I pay extra attention to them. Seeing guests use them and feel satisfied gives me a great sense of pride.

I heard you can also experience works by craft artists here.
Please take a close look at the lighting and curtains made of hanji (traditional Korean mulberry paper). They were specially created for Stay Sirae by artist Ko Somi, who works across installation, craft, and textiles using hanji as her main material. The light fixture named ‘Sirae’ uses hanji made from rice seeds and husks from the rice my father-in-law grows. By using the rice seeds and husks discarded after harvest, it adds new warmth to this space. It was surprising and delightful to see how hanji, a traditional Korean material, could be connected to everyday life.

What’s your favorite place in Gyeongju?
That’s such a difficult question. Gyeongju is a city where you can encounter beautiful scenery in every season. Among the places near Stay Sirae, I like Bulguksa Temple the most. In spring, the double cherry blossoms bloom abundantly; in summer, the lush greenery creates cool shade. In autumn, the vivid foliage creates a stunning view. Walking among the beautifully shaped trees at Bulguksa in summer especially clears my mind and puts my heart at ease. In the neighborhood below Bulguksa, charming shops and cafés are popping up one by one, so it’s also fun to explore and find places you love.

What’s the most memorable trip you’ve taken?
An unplanned trip to New York. It was the first time I traveled alone, and since I had no fixed itinerary, there were many amusing mishaps. But wandering aimlessly through an unfamiliar city alone turned out to be more fun than I expected. I still vividly remember the taste of the coffee at the café I ducked into to escape a sudden rain shower. I still keep the postcard I wrote there as a cherished memory.

What special moment do you hope travelers will experience at Stay Sirae?
I’ve set up various facilities within the stay so that staying here itself becomes a special trip. During the day, guests can stroll in the garden or enjoy tea and coffee, and relieve everyday fatigue in the pool, sauna, or jacuzzi. Above all, I hope guests will experience complete rest by sitting on the long sofa in the living room, gazing at the grass swaying in the wind through the large window. Play your favorite song and listen to it all the way through with full attention. I believe moments like these give us the strength to live our daily lives well.

What are your future plans or goals?
I plan to offer activities and sights that can only be experienced at Stay Sirae. Currently, I’m sharing craft pieces that reflect my personal taste, and going forward, I’d like to collaborate with various creators to present interesting projects.