Moonlit whirlpools and poetic streams: finding solace in Miryang's landscapes

The author found respite from a demanding work schedule in the serene landscapes of Miryang, South Korea. Overwhelmed by deadlines and late nights spent working on a book and script, he felt a profound need to escape. "Go anywhere. Just go and sit blankly," he told himself, a sentiment that led him to Wolyeondae, a historic pavilion overlooking the Miryang River.

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Go anywhere. Just go and sit blankly.

Nestled on a cliff where the Miryang and Danjang rivers meet, Wolyeondae was built by Yi Tae, a scholar who sought refuge there during a tumultuous political period. He called himself 'Wolyeonjuin,' meaning 'master of the moonlit whirlpool.' The author mused on what name he might give himself at his age, having lived more than half his life on the move.

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Master of the moonlit whirlpool

As he walked the narrow path to Wolyeondae, the author was struck by the poetic names given to the area's features by ancient scholars. The bridge, Ssangcheongyo, means 'clear things forming a pair,' referring to the clear river water and the clear moon. The stream below is Yeongwolgan, 'stream that greets the moon.' The pavilion itself, Sangyeongdang, signifies 'clear mirror,' reflecting the river and moon. These names, he felt, revealed a deep aesthetic sensibility.

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Clear things forming a pair

Sitting on the pavilion's floor, gazing at the Miryang River, the author imagined the scene on a full moon night, when the moonlight forms a 'pillar of light' on the water, a spectacle called 'Woljugyeong.' He wondered if he, burdened by city life, could truly appreciate the 'luxurious joy' of the scholars who gathered there for poetry and drink. Leaving Wolyeondae, he visited Wiyangji, an ancient reservoir surrounded by centuries-old trees, finding further inspiration in the tranquil scenery.

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Stream that greets the moon