A lot of people have been moving to the island over the past few years. That, coupled with a booming real estate investment market, means big changes to local communities. KCTV is taking a look at some of the coastal villages that are transforming, and today Mike Balfour profiles Daepyung-ri.

Located in the south of Jeju is a small village called Daepyung-ri located in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo.

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Daepyung-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo
Traditionally named Nandeure, population: 553

The word (난드르) Nandeuru is Jeju dialect meaning ‘large and flat’. The village is now known as Daepyung-ri.

There are only 227 homes and 553 residents in this village which is the smallest of the villages located in Andeok-myeon. The little village slowly became trendy about 3-4 years ago.

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Old buildings remodeled into cafes, restaurants

Old houses have been remodelled into cafes or restaurants. Along the coastline are approximately 30 pensions.

The town’s magnificent scenery and subtle atmosphere spread by word of mouth and the local real estate became popular.

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Booming real estate market

Construction continues throughout the village. Surprisingly, the landowners and those constructing new buildings are mostly from outside of Jeju.


About 70% of the total area of about 3.87 million square meters is owned by people who have immigrated to Jeju.
Meaning that 3-4 out of 10 residents are from outside of Jeju.


70% of land
35% of residents not from Jeju


[INTERVIEW]
Lee Chang-gi / Village chief, Daepyung-ri
Morea than 70% of the land, excluding Gunsan, is owned by non-islanders. Most of the younger generation are from outside of Jeju while the elders have lived here their whole lives. About 35% of the residents are not from Jeju.
< 이창기 / 안덕면 대평리장 >
군산 말고 이 안에 경작하는 토지의 70% 정도는 (외지인 소유입니다.) 젊은 사람들은 외지인이 많고 나이드신 분들은 토박이이고...
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35% 정도는 외지인으로 봐도 무방합니다.

[camera]
Kim Yong-min

So what exactly makes Daepyung-ri so appealing?
Some say it is the cliffs surrounding the village that offer a picturesque view.
Not only do the rocks provide a superb view, they also protect the village leaving it cool in the summer and warmer in the winter, making it a pleasant climate for living.

[INTERVIEW]
Jo Dong-hee / Moved to Daepyung-ri in 2012
The nearby mountains give the village a cozy feel and make it a great place to live.
< 조동희 / 안덕면 대평리 (2012년 이주) >
뒤에 산이 있으니까 여러모로 포근한 생각도 들고 쉬는 면에서는 입지조건이 좋지 않나라고 많이들 생각합니다.

Daepyung-ri is becoming popular among immigrants who are looking for a suburban location that is quiet and not highly populated.
Residents originally from Daepyung-ri show different reactions.

[INTERVIEW]
Daepyung-ri villager
It was always a pretty quiet village, but the outsiders when they come...all the people walking around here at night aren’t from here.
< 대평리 마을 주민 >
우리만 조용히 살다가 외지인들 오면 아무래도...밤에 다니는 젊은이들도 다 외지인들이고...

[INTERVIEW]
Daepyung-ri villager
We never thought so many tourists would be visiting Daepyung-ri or that people would be building so much here.
< 대평리 마을 주민 >
관광객들도 많이 오고 우리 대평리에 사람들이 와서 건물도 많이 짓고 할 줄은 몰랐지…

[REPORTER]
Mike Balfour

Daepyung-ri has 300 years of history. It suddenly began to change 3-4 years ago. While it has helped to boost the local economy, it has also brought complications such as traffic, trash issues and a scarce water supply.

Mike Balfour KCTV