By Honorary Reporter Lalien Guillen from Philippines 

Photos = Lalien Guillen

Cheong Wa Dae from May 10 will be fully opened to the public after 74 years as the presidential office. Living in Korea since 2012, I have fond memories of my four trips to the so-called Blue House that I want to share here. 

First visit (Oct. 18, 2017)

My friends and I wearing Hanbok pose for a picture in front of Cheong Wa Dae in 2017.

When my friends from the Philippines and Australia visited Korea, I strongly recommended the Cheong Wa Dae Tour as part of our travel itinerary. After undergoing ID checks, we rode a bus to the site along with another tourist, the driver and a security officer.

Also memorable was wearing Hanbok during our visit. We rented beautiful outfits while touring Huwon Secret Garden at Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace. Our traditional attire matched well with the traditional architecture of the Cheong Wa Dae buildings. We learned about the history of the compound and the beautiful nature there, with our favorite spot being the umbrella-shaped pine tree at the garden Nokjiwon. 

Second visit (Sept. 11, 2018)

I wore a modern Hanbok while visiting Cheong Wa Dae in September 2018. 

After my first memorable visit, I tried to go again whenever I was in Seoul. I went on my second tour alone wearing a blue modern Hanbok, and while the procedures and itinerary were the same, I received a new souvenir. Every visitor received a souvenir after undergoing a brief orientation of the presidential compound. I got an ID holder during my first visit and a mug in my second.

Third visit (May 20, 2019)

My third visit to Cheong Wa Dae was on May 20, 2019, to attend the Honorary Reporters induction ceremony along with first lady Kim Jung-sook, who was the guest speaker.

My third visit in 2019 was for the induction ceremony for Korea.net Honorary Reporters at Yeongbingwan (state guest house). This facility was normally only for official events with high-level foreign guests or large official meetings.

I entered Yeongbingwan as an Honorary Reporter. First lady Kim Jung-sook shook hands with every Honorary Reporter and posed for a group picture. She called us "dandelion seeds that spread hope in the world" and thanked all of us worldwide for informing the world about Korea. 

​Fourth visit (Nov. 14, 2020)

I made my fourth visit to Cheong Wa Dae in fall 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

My fourth visit in fall 2020 was more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone wore masks and social distancing measures were strictly enforced. The number of people riding the tour bus was halved and all participants had to keep at least a 2-m distance from one another.

This year, I found out about the opening of Cheong Wa Dae to the public from May 10. Given what I've learned and the wonderful memories gained from my previous visits there, the prospect of seeing much more of the presidential compound makes me excited.

kalhong617@korea.kr 

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.