“Ever since my first visit to the Hanok Village 23 years ago, I’ve been trying to find ways to help the city of Jeonju thrive. I opened Gyo-dong teahouse inspired by the idea to save and preserve local bits and bobs that feel uniquely Jeonju. I wanted to create a place that could carry on the legacy of our history and culture.” When you think of the Hanok Village, most people will think of Gyo-dong. I named my teahouse the Gyo-dong teahouse because it is a tea garden in Gyo-dong, Jeonju. I have long been very interested in Korean fermented tea. And I always thought it was a pity that most of the traditional fermented tea available on the market was green tea. So, I cultivated my own tea garden near Moaksan Mountain, and started researching fermented tea. Hwangcha is a product of that research. Gyo-dong teahouse is a teahouse at the vanguard of Korea’s fermented tea culture, and is constantly researching and striving to be a proud face for Korean teahouses. My hope is to make Gyo-dong teahouse a space where visitors can engage in some deep introspection and heal themselves. As a teahouse, Gyo-dong teahouse has the spirit and substance to write its own story with every cup.