VisitJEJU

Jeongbang Falls is one of the Jejudo Island’s top 3 falls, along with Cheonjiyeon Falls and Cheonjeyeon Falls. It is the only fall in Korea where water falls directly into the sea. The fall is 23m high and the two streams of waterfall that fall down the black cliff create a thrilling sound and a wonderful view. Moreover, the steep cliffs and old pine trees around the fall create a picturesque view, and this view was chosen as one of Ten Scenic Sights of Yeongju with the name of “Jeongbanghapok.” It is said that the words ‘Seobulgwacha’ are engraved on the cliffs of Jeongbang Falls.

According to legends, a man named Seobul came to the island in search of an elixir plant on the orders of China’s Qin Shu Huangdi a long time ago. Unable to find the elixir plant, he headed west to return to China, and became captivated by the site of Jeongbang Falls, leading to him writing “Seobulgwacha’ on the cliff. However, these words have yet to be found in real life. It takes approximately 5 minutes to go down the stairs leading from the parking lot to the fall.

An inscription reading “Seobul Gwacha (徐市過此)” is found carved on one side of the rock wall near Jeongbang Falls, the origins of which are explained by the following legend

Long ago, Emperor Qin Shi Huang of China had the whole world at his fingertips, envying no one, for he lived a life of unmatched power and authority. Yet even one as great as he had worries he could not escape, for all his power could do nothing to stop the process of aging. Despite all his great dignity and majesty as an emperor, and his bravery as a warrior who had repelled Japanese raiders, he felt constantly troubled by the unavoidable truth that he would inevitably grow frail and weak. One day, in his desperation to stop aging and achieve eternal life, he summoned all his ministers and issued a command.

“Is there anyone in all the world who knows the secret to immortality?” he asked.

A clever minister named Seobul stepped forward and answered confidently, “I have heard that on a small island called Yeongju in the eastern kingdom lies a sacred mountain, where grows the herb of immortality. I shall go there and fetch it.”

Emperor Qin Shi Huang grew eager at the thought of his greatest wish finally being fulfilled, and selected 500 young men and 500 young women for Seobul’s expedition, providing them with large ships and plentiful provisions. While crossing the rough eastern seas, Seobul’s party encountered a massive dragon in the deepest part of the ocean, but it was quickly driven away at a resounding command from Seobul. Upon arriving in Jeju, Seobul ordered the 500 men and women to climb the sacred mountain, Hallasan, and fetch the herb of immortality. Though they wandered around the mountain in search of the herb, they were ultimately unable to find it. Instead, they took some of the plan “siromi,” which is unique to Hallasan, and carved the inscription “Seobulgwaji” into the western cliff of Jeongbang Falls before returning back from whence they came.

The area known as “Sonammeori” at Jeongbang Falls also served as an execution site for locals interrogated by the intelligence unit in connection with the Jeju 4·3 uprising. Though it is said commonly said that many were sacrificed at Jeongbang Falls, most of them were actually shot in this nearby area adjoining the main waterfall. The name “Sonammeori” comes from the abundance of pine trees, called “sonamu” in Korean, in the area. Song Se-jong, a student at Seogwi Middle School at the time of the uprising, gave the following recollection: “There was a woman, I don’t know exactly who she was, but she fell from the cliff while trying to run away and got caught in a pine tree. She was pregnant, and the soldiers said she was saved by divine intervention, and spared her, saying no one is killed twice. I didn’t witness it directly.” The victims included residents from across the entire mountainous southern region, including Seogwi-ri, Seogwi-myeon, Jungmun-myeon, Namwon-myeon, Andeok-myeon, and Daejeong-myeon.

<Source: Jeju 4·3 Research Institute, 4·3 Historic Sites II (2008)>

Nearby attractions include Seobok Exhibition Hall, Chilsimni Food Street, and Jaguri Park, while Lee Jung-seop Street, Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, and Cheonjiyeon Falls are also not far. If you plan to visit Jeongbang Falls, we recommend also exploring some of these nearby sites to fully experience the unique culture of Jeju Island.