A postcard of Changgyeong Palace during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation, with visitors admiring the cherry blossoms / Robert Neff Collection
April is arguably one of the best months to visit Seoul — not only because of the mild temperatures, but because the city and surrounding mountains become breathtaking mosaics of fragrant pink, white and lavender blossoms from cherry and lilac trees. Unsurprisingly, these displays of natural beauty have become popular backdrops for social media posts by families, young lovers and tourists.
Foreigners have long been enchanted by April’s splendor in Seoul.
In April 1884, a group of U.S. naval officers traveled overland from Jemulpo (part of modern Incheon) to Seoul and visited the American Legation. In his journal, George W. Woods, a naval surgeon, noted upon entering the city, “almost everyone [they encountered in the streets was] carrying little twigs of plum and cherry, thick with pale pink blossoms — many of them large and double.”
A postcard sent in May 1948 by Father Charles Hunt, a prominent member of Royal Asiatic Society, Korea. He died in 1950 as a North Korean prisoner. Robert Neff Collection
When they arrived at the legation, they were struck by the recent renovations, including the new garden.
“The whole place looks very pretty,” observed Woods. “The quaint little buildings are all touched up ‘brightly,’ the paths and stone walk are in good order, the spring violets and azaleas, with other early flowers, are in bloom, and the peach, plum, and apricot trees are heavy with blossoms.”
While visiting Lucius Foote, the American minister, and his wife Rose, an invitation arrived from the palace. It was written “on parchment paper in the Corean alphabet” and was, according to Woods, “in quite perfect style.” Rose was invited to view “the palace gardens in all their glory of spring blossoms.”
In late April 1888, Col. Charles Chaille-Long, secretary of the American Legation, received an invitation from Jo Byeong-sik, the Korean minister of foreign affairs. It read:
“The red is turning pale, the green is growing fat, and the pleasant color of the springtime has come. It is the season of joy! Will you not, then, give me the pleasure to join me and my friends in the feast of good things which I have prepared for noon of the 1st of May?”
Source: Korea Times News
