The Prosperous South Gate they named me, and I have borne that name with pride for centuries. I have been a rampart against attackers and a conduit of prosperity to my people within; the First Fortress of the Honam region, I was the first, the greatest, and now I am the last. I am Pungnammun.
I do not track the passage of time itself beyond remarking the change from the bitter cold that grips at my mortar to the sweltering heat that bakes my stones and slate roof. Still, I remember. I remember the people, the little ones that have walked over and through me and I feel for them in their brief little lives, so full of tragedy and desire.
I remember the day when they passed judgment on three of their kind for worshipping a deity from a faraway land. They beheaded them and hung the heads from my walls. That night the skies poured down rain and soaked my stones with tears that I was unable to cry, washing the martyrs’ blood from my walls and into the eternal soil for burial. I remember an endless stream of peasants and goods entering in to sell at my markets; I remember the bodies being carried out for interment on the mountain slopes. I remember each and every one of them.
Pungnammun in the 19th century. Source.
What I remember most happened long ago, back when my walls were intact and people and animals passed through me every day. Invaders were attacking the country from the east and a young lieutenant of the city guard left to aid in the defense. The night before he left, he met his beloved in my gatehouse and pledged to return to her, if he could. Her name was Seon-Mi; I know because he said it over and over as they held each other. I did not know his name, for she called him only “my lord”.
I never saw him again, or felt his feet on my stones and planks. Seon-Mi came every day to sit in my gatehouse and watch for his return. The tears that she shed soaked into my planks and I kept them for her, pledging silently to hold and guard her until her lord could return. I kept the rain and snow off her as she sat and waited through the years and then, one windy night, I held her body as her soul flew at last beyond the reach of my protection and help.
I am alone now. The wall has been demolished and my sisters and brothers, the North, East, and West Gates of the city, have been torn down to make way for the insatiable step of progress. Their places are forgotten, but I remain. And I remember.
The above account is a mixture of fact and fiction concerning the iconic south gate of the city of Jeonju, South Korea, written in part for the Daily Post Weekly Writing Challenge, whose theme this week is “Iconic”.
The Green-Walled Tower 
April 2nd, 2013 at 9:31 pm
That was beautiful, and a powerful tribute as well!
April 2nd, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Thank you. I love my adopted city of Jeonju.
April 2nd, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Very interesting! Liked reading about it!
April 3rd, 2013 at 3:37 am
What a beautiful story! This would work well for the ‘Iconic” Challenege over at the Daily Post.
April 5th, 2013 at 11:47 pm
Thank you. It looks like we were on the same wavelength, with your post on gates. 🙂
April 3rd, 2013 at 6:00 am
Wonderfully written. You have given its history character and personification, not by name alone but through feeling and emotion.
April 5th, 2013 at 11:49 pm
Thank you so much. It’s interesting to think of all the things a building with a long history has seen and undergone.
April 5th, 2013 at 11:58 pm
Yes, and every city, country has their own to be especially appreciated by its own people.
April 3rd, 2013 at 1:05 pm
David, what a fascinating story. I can sense your high regard for this historical place.
April 3rd, 2013 at 3:16 pm
It’s a really nice place. You might remember it from the background of the photo of mine used for Friday Fictioneers a few months back.
April 3rd, 2013 at 2:45 pm
what a story! it was amazing! it is partially historical, is not it? I wish you write some more stuff like this, then I might start reading historical novels!
April 3rd, 2013 at 3:17 pm
It is mostly true, all except for the story of the man and woman. They really did kill Catholics and hang their heads from the gate.
April 4th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
human beings are so ruthless about things they don’t like/understand or control!
I too assumed that love was your special touch.
April 4th, 2013 at 12:52 am
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April 4th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
Beautiful! I would like to visit Korea soon and some of my friends reside in Jeonju. This fictional yet historical post you have here is written so well that I am sure you fit the theme for the challenge “iconic”
April 4th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
I’m glad you like it. Jeonju really is a beautiful city; halfway between countryside and big city with a lot of traditional and modern things together.
April 6th, 2013 at 4:40 am
What a lovely, evocative story.
April 6th, 2013 at 6:01 am
How iconic, may peace rein in this region!
April 6th, 2013 at 7:30 am
Love it. I’ve been following you for a few months, if you’re interested in some travel blogs find me at http://www.worldcelebrationblog.com. Thank you, keep it up!!
April 6th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
My friend has been there and he said if he could, he would never come back. Rich culture, great food, unique people and personalities. I wish to go one day. Nice post!
April 6th, 2013 at 10:49 pm
Yeah, I understand that. I came here for one year originally. Now, eight years later… it’s an addictive place.
April 6th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
this reminded me of the Suwon city tour I had in South Korea two weeks ago. I was so excited to see the gates but I ended up sick on the tour bus and wasn’t able to see some the great views 😦
April 6th, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Yeah, the Suwon fortress of Hwaseong is very impressive, since the walls are intact and you can walk around them. In Jeonju, the only part that’s left is the south gate. I wish we still had city walls here, although we do have a mountain fortress near the city. Are you living in Korea or just visiting?
April 6th, 2013 at 8:11 pm
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April 6th, 2013 at 10:56 pm
I loved the pictures and the writing! It was very interesting.
April 6th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
April 6th, 2013 at 11:34 pm
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April 7th, 2013 at 2:37 am
I liked your pictures and story. It almost sounded like a fairy tale. And I love fairy tales. Thanks for sharing!
April 7th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
Thank you. I’m glad you liked it. Old, majestic places like this seem to be the perfect breeding ground for legends and fairy tales. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
April 7th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
We’re on a road trip looking at awesome blogs. Vampires stopped by! Thanks for having us 🙂
April 8th, 2013 at 5:31 am
A beautiful display of your writing talent!
April 8th, 2013 at 10:06 am
Thank you, as always, my friend.
April 10th, 2013 at 3:32 am
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April 11th, 2013 at 11:00 pm
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
April 13th, 2013 at 11:57 pm
남태문 – 너무 아름답습니다 – Both Jeonju’s and Seoul’s south gates are very beautiful indeed. They both had stood the test of time and man until Seoul’s fell to the hands of an arsonist. Great tribute.
April 14th, 2013 at 11:05 am
Thank you. The two gates are both pretty impressive. They just reopened Namdaemun after 3 years of restoration. I’m pretty sure the security on it will be higher now.
January 16th, 2014 at 4:55 am
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