The Reason Why I Live in Gongju — A Relay Interview with 11 Young People of Gongju

The Reason Why I Live in Gongju — A Relay Interview with 11 Young People of Gongju

There’s an African proverb that says, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Then what does it take to raise a young person? We found the answer in a small local community. Watching over one another — sometimes closely, sometimes from a distance — and discovering each other’s potential, 11 young people living in Gongju asked and answered the questions they were curious about.

Compiled by Parc Jinmyoung
In collaboration with Puzzle Lab

1. Park Jinseo
28 / Office Worker / From Daegu

The turning point that brought me to Gongju In April 2021, I took part in a local-living program run by Puzzle Lab. It was my first visit to Gongju, and I loved the quiet, relaxed feel of the old downtown. What moved me most were the townspeople. Their culture of greeting and chatting with each other whenever they crossed paths on the street felt warm. It was a time when I discovered the town’s potential for growth while also becoming certain of my own. I had been going through a difficult stretch of job hunting, but receiving positive feedback from my teammates and the program staff made me realize, ‘I’m someone who can do anything.’ After going back to Daegu and diving back into job hunting, Puzzle Lab reached out and asked me to come work with them. It wasn’t the position I originally wanted, but they adjusted things to fit my career path, and I moved to Gongju that May.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live A loosely connected local culture, the coexistence of different generations, and an environment where you can do what you want rather than what you have to.

My favorite moment of the day The commute. Riding a bike or walking along Jemincheon Stream, I take in the wide-open sky with no high-rises in sight. The sound of the flowing stream, birdsong, and the wind bring me a sense of peace.

Asked by Kim Haneul
What’s your favorite place in Gongju? Jemincheon Stream. It’s a place I rely on so much it could be called the driving force of my life. It’s great for running or walking all the way to the Geumgang River, and it’s also the place that keeps the townspeople healthy.

Is there a travel destination that reminded you of Gongju? I once traveled alone through New Zealand for three months, and sometimes living in Gongju brings that place back to mind. The relaxed atmosphere, the environment clean enough to walk barefoot, the pretty neighborhood scenery, the blue sky, people chatting quietly together — the two places have a lot in common.

What part of your life has changed since coming here? I meet all kinds of new people. In the city, you mostly end up seeing only people you already know, but here I’ve found myself striking up conversations with strangers while just sitting at a café. Thanks to that, my world has grown much wider. Discovering unknown sides of myself and new opportunities every single day has naturally boosted my self-esteem too.

2. Jo Sanghui
28 / Office Worker / From Seoul

The turning point that brought me to Gongju In 2021, I lived in Gongju for two weeks through the local-living program ‘Small City Adventure Log, Season 3.’ In the middle of a hot summer, I felt a kind of ease I’d never experienced in Seoul, which sparked new inspiration and a sense of motivation to take on challenges. Near the end of the program, I was offered a job at A Collective Grain, a local company that promotes the value of native grains and builds a healthier food culture, and that’s how I ended up moving to Gongju.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live A slow, simple life, safe housing, good jobs, and usable local infrastructure.

My favorite moment of the day Commuting by bike, feeling the change of seasons and looking up at the sky. I feel like I’m getting back, as a bonus, all the time I used to lose being stuck in public transit during my Seoul commute.

Asked by Park Jinseo
Do you ever think you’ll move back to a big city someday? Before moving to Gongju, I also lived in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. For someone who was born and raised entirely in Seoul, living in another region was a huge change — it completely reshaped my Seoul-centered way of thinking. I haven’t decided in advance which city I’d like to live in next, but I imagine it’ll just happen naturally.

What do you do in your free time after work? Mostly I read, cook, or go to a kickboxing gym to work out. Once I’ve gotten my heart rate up and worked up a sweat, I feel satisfied with the day.

Who do you talk to most these days? I talk the most with Park Jinseo, who asked me this question. Since we’re both fellow transplants who’ve been living in Gongju for over a year and are around the same age, we naturally lean on each other. After work, we go running along Jemincheon Stream together or grab a good meal and share the joys of living in Gongju.

3. Ahn Jaebeom
38 / Construction Business / From Gongju

The turning point that brought me back to Gongju It was 2014, and I was traveling around the country preparing to open a restaurant. On a beautiful day, I was walking along Jemincheon Stream in Gongju and decided to move here. The low rent in downtown Gongju also played a part.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live Affordable rent, a relaxed civic atmosphere, and geographic accessibility to other regions.

My favorite moment of the day Evenings spent with family.

Asked by Jo Sanghui
Why is the old downtown a good place to live? Personally, I feel that people in Gongju are rarely aggressive or ill-intentioned, and neighbors get along well. In particular, they don’t gossip or badmouth each other.

If you had to pick three beautiful buildings in Gongju? The Geumgang Railroad Bridge, Gongju’s answer to the Eiffel Tower; Jungdong Cathedral, cared for meticulously over the years; and Matkkal, a restaurant renovated from a former factory.

If you were to start a business in Gongju, what would it be? I recently started in construction, but if another opportunity came along, I’d like to try the restaurant business again.

4. Kim Yonghwan
33 / Runs a Feed Factory / From Gongju

Why I never left Gongju The distinct local sentiment here. People in Gongju look out for one another with consideration and respect. It’s the warmth I feel from the townspeople that has kept me living here my whole life.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live A low cost of living, a high level of culture, and countless support programs for young people.

My favorite moment of the day On a Saturday with nothing planned, sitting at an outdoor pub and exchanging greetings with acquaintances passing by.

Asked by Ahn Jaebeom
There are a lot of young transplants in the old downtown — do you ever feel left out as a local among them? Not at all. Getting to see young people from all kinds of regions mingle together and share their culture and lifestyles feels like a benefit to someone like me, who has only ever lived in Gongju.

There seem to be a lot of single people around you — does that have anything to do with living in Gongju? Nothing to do with Gongju. I’m just single. (laughs)

Besides the old downtown, is there another part of Gongju that’s good for young people to live in? Yugu-eup. It’s close to Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, and since agriculture and manufacturing are the main industries there, it seems like a place where you could try all kinds of new things.

5. Kang Woochan
42 / Visual Artist / From Paju

The turning point that brought me to Gongju For a few years after getting married, I hadn’t managed to establish myself as an artist, and my wife was similarly worn down by her job. We were both going through a hard time. A college friend, Cheon Jaebak, who runs a grain shop in Gongju, offered to have us come work together. Our family, looking for a way out, held onto a dream of small-town life and moved to Gongju.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live Residency programs for young artists, historic sites and natural surroundings close to home, and the power of a small but strong community.

My favorite moment of the day Early morning walks around the neighborhood with my dog, Misha. I really love the neighborhood, full of the warmth of everyday life, with its mix of houses and alleyways.

Asked by Kim Yonghwan
What’s it like being an artist in a small city? It’s fun. There are plenty of chances to connect with people, so I get to share and receive a variety of opinions and information, and it feels great when neighborhood friends come to see my exhibitions.

What led you to renovate and live in an old house? Honestly, there wasn’t any special reason — there were barely any jeonse listings available, so I didn’t have many options. I didn’t want to come all the way to Gongju just to live in a villa or an apartment. I also liked the vintage charm of an old house and the warm, cozy feeling that comes through the traces of time. We kept the original structure but renovated it enough to make daily life comfortable.

What kind of life do you dream of in Gongju? A life lived alongside the people in my neighborhood. In big cities with large populations, neighbors tend to grow distant, but in a small city, I dream of interacting with the people around me and living together. And honestly, that dream is already coming true.

6. Hwang Hyejeong
30/Owner of Kutka Cake Shop/From Seoul

The decisive reason for coming to Gongju A friend of mine opened a bookstore here, and that’s what brought me to visit in the first place. Walking around the old downtown, I thought, ‘There’s a place this unique and beautiful in Korea, and I almost went my whole life without knowing about it.’ Later, that same friend told me they needed someone to open a café in Gongju and asked me to work together, so I moved down right away.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live A medium-tempo city, nature within easy reach, and affordable housing!

Your favorite everyday moment Tasting coffee and dessert made just the way I like them at a café I love.

Kang Woochan asks
Is Gongju a viable place to start a business?
I’m cautious about saying that starting a business is feasible in any given city, but compared to Seoul, Gongju’s biggest advantages are cheaper rent and lower barriers to public support programs. I’ve only just crossed the starting line, but so far I feel like starting my business in Gongju was the right choice.

The old downtown has a relatively high proportion of elderly residents. Do you have any menu plans or business strategies that take this into account?
I don’t have a specific strategy for that, but Kutka’s competitive edge is using good ingredients so that people of all ages, regardless of gender, can eat safely and healthily.

How do you want to grow from here?
Since I did everything myself, from demolition onward, the preparation period stretched out longer than expected. Because I built the space with my own hands, I feel very attached to it, and I think it reflects my personal style well. I want to slowly grow it into a neighborhood cake shop that locals love. Right now it’s takeout only, but someday I’d like to create a space where people can stay and linger too.

7. Oh Namgyeong
29/Researcher/From Seoul

The decisive reason for coming to Gongju While studying at Kongju National University, I’d always thought I wanted to settle down somewhere in Chungcheongnam-do. Even though I had many options for graduate school, I chose the same university’s graduate program, and now I work at the Chungnam Institute, a policy research organization under Chungcheongnam-do. I also did my military service in Sejong, so I’ve effectively spent a third of my life in Gongju.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live A broad, walkable living radius, the coexistence of vitality and quiet stillness, and proximity to nearby big cities that can fill in whatever Gongju itself can’t provide.

Your favorite everyday moment Activities with the Chungnam Youth Network. It’s a group that organizes various programs for young people in the Chungnam region, including hosting the National Youth Exchange Day, building a youth center, and creating shared spaces for young people. Making new connections with people is always enjoyable to me.

Hwang Hyejeong asks
Why did you want to keep staying in Gongju? Having spent my college years in Gongju, my affection for this area gradually grew. The fact that my living radius was wide enough to commute to Sejong or Daejeon also played a part, and above all, I just loved the atmosphere of the old downtown.

Is there anything that sets Gongju’s young people apart from those in other regions? They work with real passion to build a foundation for their lives here. From locals to newcomers, everyone works hard toward the development of the region.

What’s a good way to spend time meaningfully in Gongju? When the weather’s nice, I like biking or picnicking at Geumgang Singwan Park. Enjoying the beauty and ease of the well-maintained park always makes me think I made the right choice living in Gongju.

8. Kim Hyeonjeong
28/Owner of an art studio and graduate student/From Gongju

Why you haven’t left Gongju I spend about half my week in Seoul and half in Gongju, and whenever I arrive in Gongju, I feel like I can finally breathe. It’s not just because it’s my hometown — after living through Seoul’s fast, hectic daily rhythm, coming to Gongju genuinely feels like time slows down. In Seoul, even with friends and colleagues around, I often feel lonely for some reason. In Gongju, on the other hand, there’s something that gets filled in by the people in the neighborhood.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live A quiet, calm environment, the comfort offered by water — the Geumgang River and Jemincheon Stream — and a variety of communities you can join based on your hobbies and interests.

Your favorite everyday moment Walking along Jemincheon Stream with my dog, Mari.

Oh Namgyeong asks
What’s the biggest advantage of pursuing art activities in a small city? There are naturally fewer opportunities than in the capital region, but there’s also less competition. And these days, thanks to how developed social media is, you can get support for exhibitions no matter where you live in the country, so that’s not too big of an issue either. But I think the biggest advantage is being able to get a studio at an affordable price.

Is there a place or moment in Gongju that has given you artistic inspiration? Lately I’ve been working on turning the ‘stone guardian animal’ (sculpted animal figure) discovered at the Tomb of King Muryeong into a character. I’m also thinking of tackling the history Gongju carries — the Donghak Peasant Revolution, the Joseon diplomatic missions to Japan — and translating it into art.

Any cultural and artistic activities in the old downtown you’d recommend? The recently opened Gongju Cultural Foundation runs a variety of programs. Beyond that, Daetong-gil Small Art Gallery, Lee Mijeong Gallery, and Suigal Dabang hold exhibitions on an ongoing basis, and the first floor of the Gongju Culture & Arts Village introduces not only works by resident artists but also pieces by a range of other artists. If you want to try something hands-on, you could come paint with us at the ‘Art Studio’ I run.

9. Ahn Seohyeon
32/Owner of Chwihyang Jejakshil/From Jeonju

The decisive reason for coming to Gongju I spent my college years in Gongju and fell in love with the charm of the old downtown. If you see the view along Jemincheon Stream, with its blue sky and lush green grass all at once,
you’ll understand why I settled in Gongju.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live A variety of support programs for young people, cityscapes that let your mind relax, and stars scattered thickly across the sky every night.

Your favorite everyday moment Listening to music while watching the old downtown’s sunset, as the blue sky turns pink.

Kim Hyeonjeong asks
What keeps your workshop business sustainable? It gives people who are so busy just getting through each day, with little time to themselves, a chance to explore their own tastes and discover a new side of themselves. Through soap and candles, Chwihyang Jejakshil dreams of becoming a landmark of Gongju.

Is there a driving force that keeps you going in Gongju? My neighbors and colleagues. If I didn’t have colleagues in this small town who work, cry, and laugh alongside me and cheer each other on, I probably would have left long ago.

What’s your favorite spot in Gongju? The window seat at Mijeong Jakeopsil, where you can watch the sunset over Jemincheon Stream with a beer in hand; Mireuseom Island in Geumgang Singwan Park, with its night view of Gongsanseong Fortress; and Daetong 1-gil, which offers a different scene every day across all four seasons.

10. Park Yeseul
27/Owner of Gongju goods brand Bavam/From Gongju

The decisive reason for returning to Gongju After my contract job in Seoul ended, there was a time when I was unsure where to go next. I decided to start a handmade-goods business and began living in Gongju. There, I took part in a youth entrepreneurship support program, met ‘Bavam,’ a character made from Gongju’s specialty chestnuts, and ended up staying in Gongju for good.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live A peaceful city where even natural disasters are rare, and compared to other small cities, it has a larger youth population that tends to absorb trends quickly.

Your favorite everyday moment When I’m satisfied with a piece of work I’ve made.

Park Yeseul asks
What inspired you to turn chestnuts into characters? The main characters are ‘Bami,’ inspired by the chestnut itself, and ‘Bamchi,’ made from the chestnut’s burr. I draw inspiration from natural objects whose shapes people can recognize intuitively. Being cute matters most of all. Cuteness saves the world, after all.

Was there a moment that made you determined to stay in Gongju? I wanted to make Gongju goods brand Bavam a success. Going forward, I want to survive in Gongju by opening a souvenir shop and chestnut dessert café that people simply have to visit whenever they come here.

What’s your favorite place in Gongju, and why? Geumgang Dunchi Park. Riding a bike around the park at sunset makes the whole world feel peaceful. I highly recommend it. (Want to go together sometime? Hehe)

11. Kim Haneul
Age 28 / Barista at Banjukdong247 / From Gongju

Why I stay in Gongju I love the quiet, calm temperature of this city. I do sometimes wish I could change my environment so I could keep doing what I want to do in Gongju, because let's face it—there are fewer experiences and opportunities here compared to the Seoul metropolitan area. I'd like to help create an environment where people can properly learn about coffee and work steadily in Gongju.

Why Gongju is a good place for young people to live The quiet, comfortable atmosphere, the geographic advantage of being able to reach most parts of the country within a 2–3 hour drive, and affordable housing costs.

My favorite moment of the day The time I spend alone at home after work. This might be because I recently moved out on my own, but since I hear music or people's voices at the shop every day, I love spending time completely quiet and alone at home.

Park Yeseul asks
What's a dream you'd love to fulfill in Gongju? Right now, I just want the café I work at to get busier. Beyond serving customers and making coffee at the shop, I'd like to expand our content by running coffee-related classes or programs. I already enjoy my work enough as it is, but since I find joy in achieving things, I want to keep growing along with the café.

Do you have your own way of relieving frustration in Gongju? I haven't found my own method yet. I chat with close friends or exercise.

Which café in Gongju has the best coffee? Banjukdong247 is the best, of course! But if I were to recommend other places, there's Homebound, MSDST, and Gabaeseorim. Homebound uses the beans (Deux's Coffee) that I've enjoyed most in Seoul, and MSDST is where I go when I want a hand-drip coffee—they have a wide variety of beans, so you can choose according to your taste. Gabaeseorim, a bit outside downtown Gongju, has an impressively smooth latte.