From Koifarm to a great theme park

And now breeding Koi again!

written by Hugo J. Smal

From Goyang Koifarm to Baedagol brought me to Korea. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) named Incheon airport the best airport in the world. You become aware of it as you walk towards the exit. It is modern, efficient and above all, very beautiful. The marble floors shine. The Yi dynasty tribal statues of Confucian scholars and soldiers are tough. I admire modern art – though from the Korean tradition. Everything immediately gives me a reassuring feeling. It was August 2003. I had landed in Korea. In the coming years, it will go from Goyang Koifarm to Beadagol theme park.

In the Koreans and I.

I wrote: “From the airport, they brought me directly to the first Korean koi show. I had to give a short speech. The organization wanted me to pass judgment. But I didn’t know if they judged the fish in a Japanese way. They want me to point out the best fish. I noticed one Sanke who should win. The other fish were not of good quality. To my astonishment, a Showa claimed the top prize. Despite its apparent lesser quality, this fish, lying sick at the bottom of the basin, prevailed.” According to our standards, this fish would have been removed from the competition,” I commented to a journalist.
After my remark, a loud tumult broke out. Tumult? Let’s call it a fierce argument. I was put in a car and after a long journey dumped in a hotel room. Somewhat nervously I thought about what had happened and what task I had if it was still waiting for me? ”

The next step is from Koifarm to the theme park.

The next morning Kim Young Soo picked me up at the hotel and we drove to Goyang Si. This city belongs to the Seoul Capital Area, and around 1 million people live there. What was striking was the great contrast. New neighborhoods boast beautiful flats, while the old ones evoke the Korea I had always pictured. The countryside and the big city; alternating and devouring. Neither of them prevailed.

Once we walked through the always busy Gangnam (Seoul). A thousand people on the street all heading for something. An old lady is sitting in the middle of the street. In front of her a tablecloth with melons on top. Yes, it was hot! She was really in the middle of the stream of people. Nobody touched her or stood on the rug. They bowed and bought a part of the refreshing fruit. Yes, it was very hot!

It was not until evening that we arrived at the then Goyang Koifarm. The office was quite basic, yet it offered a view that stretched as far as the eye could see, complete with neatly arched ponds.”I observed a multitude of koi swimming in it,” I mused. Kim Young Soo fed the fish. The passersby swimmers were the only visitors I saw. All I could discern was that the colors were vibrant.

Journey from Koifarm to the theme park?

The koi farmer mentioned that the nursery would soon relocate. A residential complex with apartments is set to replace the area currently inhabited by the fish. The urban migration and booming economy have necessitated such moves for many companies. Thankfully, the government is providing compensation for these expenses.

During my inaugural visit, Kim Young Soo escorted me to Seoul’s palaces, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, fulfilling a grand dream. It was also my first time at a Buddhist temple, Yongjusa in Hwaseong, and the week was rich with cultural experiences, delectable Korean cuisine, and discussions about koi.

At Goyang Koi Farm, we also ask whether a pond can become more climate-conscious. Read more in Sustainable Koi Pond Design.

He expressed a desire to make Korean Koi renowned globally. With Chinese rice undercutting the market, Korean farmers were compelled to find new revenue streams. My host viewed Koi farming as a viable alternative and aimed to rival Japanese breeders. I proposed that integrating Korean culture could be beneficial to this endeavor.

Patriotism.

Many Koreans have this patriotism. Shortly after the Korean War, the Dae Han Minguk was one of the poorest countries in the world. Park Chung Hee, head of the military junta and later elected President introduced economic innovations in the 1970s that led to “the miracle of the Han River”. President Park is very controversial, he did not shy away to use a strong hand, but his economic reforms brought in money. Just after the Korean War, the country was one of the poorest in the world. In 2017 is ranked 11th place. This was one place above Russia, and many Korean are still grateful to him for that, hard hand or not.

The Koifarm is the team park.

In the book, I am writing with the working title “The Koreans and I” includes the following piece:
“Hwaejeong Dong (the former village is now a district) is already described in the historical books Samguk Sagi and Samguk Yusa.
The first is the chronicles of the three kingdoms, written by Kim Busik on behalf of King Im Jong and published in 1145. Samguk Yusa is the “Memorabilia of the three kingdoms”. This is written by the monk Ir Yeon and contains legends, folk tales, biographies and historical reports. Originally people from the Han clan settled in Hwaejong Dong but in 18 BC the state of Baekje was founded. What this has to do with the from koifarm to themepark Baedagol you read in The Koreans and I

A man brimming with passion.

Kim Young Soo is very much aware of his Korean roots. Confucianism flows through his veins. He links this to a great love of nature and perhaps even greater social awareness. Or link? Perhaps this is embedded in philosophy. He visits his Shamanic Mudang once a year and then receives a large ceremony. Just to clear the soul and the mind.

Talking to everyone in full, he enlarges his network. He prefers to visit farmers and growers. He seems to know everything about vegetables, fruit, meat, fish and he invariably goes into discussions with the people who conjure this up on the table. It is a teacher that I love to listen to. This is s a bit strange because I don’t understand Korean but his way of talking speaks volumes. Take a look at the video at the bottom of the page and you see.

A cultural mistake.

During one of my first journeys, we lost our interpreter due to a cultural error. You would think: “Kim Young Soo no English and Smal no Korean; that must be very annoying. ” We visited all kinds of farmers for a week and had a great time. With hands and feet, we come a long way together.

It was hilarious when we went to buy grapes from an old woman. We just sat down to eat on a curb. The woman came to sit with us and a passionate conversation about grapes arose. Together they looked at the grape and discussed it. And yes, after half an hour a Jerry can arrived and food became drink. It tasted very good.
I think it is an honour to be able to call Kim Young Soo my friend. During Chuseok I bowed to his ancestors and I felt included in his family circle. It is good to be there.

Koifarm and theme park are results of goals.

Kim Young Soo had greater ambitions than just breeding koi. According to his youngest brother, Kim Young Soo has set himself three goals. First, his family had to be cared for. In Korea, it always concerns the extended family. So not only wife and two children, but also mother, sisters, younger brother and everything around it. His father Kim Jae San died when Kim Young Soo was about fourteen years old and the poverty in the then underdeveloped Korea was very great.

Growing roses first, then Goyang Koifarm to Baedagol.

He took over his father’s rose nursery. The young men sold the flowers he grew on the street. He later discovered a way to grow roses from seed. Together with a Japanese breeder, he started a new company with which he earned enough money to start breeding lotuses and then switch to ornamental carp. In this way, for example, he could also fund Jin Soo’s training as a structural engineer. This, in turn, would design and build the buildings on the Baedagol theme park.

His second goal was to help the Hwajeong Dong people. Baedagol theme park is the final result. The park has a major economic impact on its immediate surroundings. After all, it provides work. The suppliers are not getting any worse either. His third objective was the Korean community. Hence the desire to give nature in Goyang Si a basis. The Goyang Koifarm became the Baedagol theme park. The theme, of course, is the koi.

Fall in love with the Koifarm or the team park!

I already told you. My wish was to visit a Buddhist temple someday. Standing in front of Daegu-jeon, the main building of the Yongjusa temple, I let the area take possession of it. The beautiful exuberance of the buildings. The rhythmic chanting of the monks. The beautiful surrounding landscape. Birds chattering in the air and the Ginko already turned yellow. A fantastic counterbalance to the bright red Acers. I planted my feet firmly on the ground. The environment absorbs me. I fell in love with Korea.

My first trip to Korea also marked the start of an in-depth study of Korean culture. The moment Kim Young Soo noticed that I wanted to have the bottom stone up in this regard, he asked me to promote beautiful Korea. In the end, that was the start of www.mantifang.com and the road that my host travelled from Koifarm to theme park.

Koifarm to Baedagol and then again the Koi breeding.

I can see it happening. The first Zen Nippon Arinkai supported koi show in Korea at the Baedagol theme park. There are enough growers to fill the basins. Of course, I hope that there are also enough hobbyists to participate. The required knowledge must be transferred. So that it can also be carried out safely. There must also be a flourishing association. So there is a lot of work to do. If Kim Young Soo wishes I will go for it.

The Baedagol theme park is not only a swimming paradise for Koi. During the hot days of summer, it attracts thousands of visitors every day for a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. There is a petting zoo for the little ones. Their parents can enjoy a large Bonsai exhibition or visit the folk museum. You can eat in the restaurant but you can also prepare your food. In the winter you can skate there. 

For more information theme park Baedagol  Koifarm  Goyang Koifarm

You can follow me and Mickey Paulssen’s Baedagol adventure on Facebook

Temporary pause on koi exports — healing park in development

International koi exports are currently on hold. Meanwhile, we are laying the foundations for a nature-driven healing park in Goyang that blends koi culture, art, and quiet craftsmanship. For updates or collaboration, feel free to get in touch.

Contact Kim Young Soo

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