[This article is written by a JDC Junior Journalist. The JDC Junior Journalist program is an educational project sponsored by Jeju Free International City Development Corporation (JDC). JDC Junior Journalist articles are only briefly edited by mentors before publishing.]

On November 2nd, the five day market finally opened again for people who waited for five days to visit the market. From the parking lot to the marke, throngs of people from all over crowded the grounds. This popular market in Jeju island is called ‘The 5 day market’, which means it opens every 5 days. There are lots of other 5 day market in mainland and usually travelers visit markets to experience culture of the region that they visited. In jeju island, there is a 5 day market in Dodu dong, Jeju city. The market has been opening for over 100years and it is continuing the unique history of Jeju island.

Lisa and Theresa, teachers at KIS (Korean International School,) were visiting the 5 day market to buy some fruits and vegetables. They said, “We come to this place even though there are big markets like emarts and lotte mart, because the foods in here are fresher and cheaper. We like buying things here.” They also said, “We think that the 5 day market in Korea is very unique, we are from USA and there are no markets like this market. Foreigners like us could learn variety culture in this area.” Lisa summed up the 5day market as, “disverse,” and Theresa summed it up in the word, “atmosphere.”

Like Lisa and Theresa said, there are many big markets in city such as emart and lottemart. However many people wait 5 days to visit the market. People who visit the 5 day market usually say that food in this place is more trust worthy and cheaper. Park Sanghyun, who lives in Eeedo 2dong said, “I visit here with my family sometimes and I feel very comfortable and warm whenever I visit this place. I think the market is very good for people because they can experince alot of things. I like this place very much.”

There are many corners in this market such as the food corner, clothes corner, animal corner, etc. Lee Jung Ja, who sells vegetables at the market said, “I’ve worked here for about 10 years, so I know how the market has changed throughout the last 10 years. However, one thing that has never changed is that lots of people still visit the market, even young people and students too.” She also replied, “I got my the permit to work in this market from City Hall. This area is called the ‘Grandmother’s corner.’ Only grandmothers can sell food here.”

Baek hyung oh, who worked in the 5 day market for 3 years said, “I sell a Korean snack ‘peong tee qui’ (cornflake.) I started working here by a recommendation. I am very happy when people buy a lot of my snacks… obviously.” Not only the customers wait 5 days for this market, but merchants who sell their food at the market also wait for the market to open like Mrs. Lee and Mr. Baek.

5 days, it could be a short time for most people, but it is not a short time to people who have been waiting for the 5 day market. Anxiously anticipating the open of the market qith only 24 hours to get down to business, merchants peddle their wares to the crowds. One of the engines of the local economy, this 5 day cycle keeps repeating, on and on and on.