Traditional Fireplace in Yeoju

On Saturday, I met the photographer and his family. We drove to a place near Seoul called Yeoju. This traditional pottery place is one of the last places around Korea that fireburns pottery in a traditional way. I'm not too sure of the name but I guess a lot of people go there. It's owned by a guy and his 4 sons. We started first by taking some shots of me spinning some clay into these pots. It took a while but I think I did a fair share don't you?


We had to wait until after sunset to take some photos near the fireplace. This fireplace was unbelievably hot and within a few meters or so you would start to burn....really burn! The main reason the photographer wanted to get some shots there was because it is cultural part of Korea's past, the old furnace in the background which went up the side of a hill about 50 meters. To tell you the truth, I wasn't much into getting close to the fire and waiting patiently as they shot. I imagined them telling me to back up a few steps and then tripping on something and the hanbok slowly catching on fire and then me along with the rest of the pots. They would have got some great shots then! Finally, we got set up and it was only a few minutes of shooting and then we were on our way.




On the way back home I was starting to get very sleepy, the combination of that very hot fire and the cold wind. But I knew I had to stay awake for at least another 12 hours as Paul and I were meeting and heading to Itaewon. Even though I was tired, I was looking forward to going there and watching some football and maybe meeting someone nice to have a coffee with later. Liverpool played and also it was the Manchester Derby which is always a classic game. Paul and I were rooting for Man City ofcourse and after a few banters from Paul everyone else knew we were too. It just so happened that some big wigs that work for AIG, Man Utd's sponsors, were sitting right in front of us! So, we did watch some good football and I did meet someone nice to have a coffee with later so it was a successful night all around. But as much as I like to go to Itaewon, it's still nice to leave it.


Traditional Korean Pot Fireplace