The race of 2024 is coming to an end. The year 2025 is waiting next in line at the finish line. We welcome the rising sun on the first day of the new year as if passing the baton to 2025. Hoping it brings a future unlike any before! Every year, on January 1, New Year’s sunrise events are held across Korea. Among these, Jeongdongjin in Gangneung is a popular spot for watching the sunrise. A place where the sun ascends from beyond the horizon, instilling hope in the hearts of those who witness it; where moments glitter like grains of golden sand, piling up into cherished memories; where the year’s end gracefully transforms into a fresh start—Jeongdongjin promises an unforgettable experience.
The name “Jeongdongjin” originates from its geographical location, which lies due (“jeong”) east (“dong”) of “Dobongsan Mountain” in Dobong-gu, Seoul. Jeongdongjin rose to fame after being recognized as the filming location for the 1995 drama Sandglass. As the drama gained immense popularity, a pine tree named after the lead actress from the show was planted at Jeongdongjin Station, and the Sandglass became an iconic new symbol of Jeongdongjin.
Thus, the “Sandglass Park” was established in 1999 to commemorate the dawn of a new millennium. At the heart of the park stands a colossal Sandglass, measuring 8.06 meters in diameter and 3.2 meters in width, radiating an awe-inspiring presence. Far from being just a symbolic Sandglass, it functions as a real one, with 8 tons of sand trickling down over the course of a year. On January 1 each year, visitors are treated to a breathtaking spectacle as the massive Sandglass rotates and resets itself, perfectly synchronized with the sunrise over the sea.
Walking about five minutes from Sandglass Park toward the beach will lead you to a long structure extending toward the sea on your right. This is a newly popular sunrise spot, the maritime observatory. From this observatory, the vast expanse of the sea greets you with open arms, and the magnificent Sun Cruise Resort, designed like a majestic sailing ship, appears so close that it feels within reach. With an open view in every direction, the observatory provides breathtaking scenery.
Before leaving Jeongdongjin, there is a train you absolutely must take. It is the “Jeongdongjin Time Museum,” which consists of eight train cars. The Jeongdongjin Time Museum, which opened in 2013 featuring the country’s first steam locomotive and passenger cars, offers engaging and unique exhibitions centered around the theme of “time.”
From combustion clocks that use the burning rate of materials to weight-driven clocks, pendulum clocks, and atomic clocks, visitors can take a sweeping journey through the history of timekeeping. Medieval clocks, adorned with exquisite and intricate patterns, provide a rare and captivating visual experience. Particularly moving is the display of a pocket watch that stopped working at the exact moment the Titanic sank, evoking a profound sense of solemnity.
The highlight of the Jeongdongjin Time Museum is its collection of masterpieces by world-renowned contemporary artists who have visualized time through their art. James Borden’s “Seagull’s Dream,” which won the national award in the Wood Carving category at the Smithsonian Exhibition in the United States, showcases a wooden sculpture inspired by the wings of a gliding bird, gracefully marking the passage of time as though capturing a fleeting dream.
One of the works that piques the curiosity of visitors is Jeff Funkhouser's “Mega Ball Clock.” This piece uses the physical phenomena of speed and weight to change the ball’s position, thereby creating visual entertainment.
It is a rare privilege to see one of the only two existing “Grandfather Eight Man Clocks” in the world here. Created by inventor and designer Gordon Bradt, this clock employs eight mechanical dolls to depict the “relationship between humans and time.” It is an intriguing work that can be interpreted differently depending on one’s perspective. Beyond this, an array of clock artworks by various artists invites contemplation on the meaning and value of “time.”
Jeongdongjin feels like a place where time lingers and settles. Stepping away from the relentless pace of daily life, you may find Jeongdongjin offering you a fresh perspective on time.