Black mountains turn crimson: Cheoram Autumn Leaf Festival returns

The name of Cheoram-dong in Taebaek — a neighborhood that once housed more than 40,000 residents despite being classified as a village-level unit during the coal industry's boom years, when it was known as Cheoram-ri in Jangseong-eup, Samcheok County — traces its origins to Soebaui, a rock formation at the northern entrance to the village. Rendered into hanja, "soe" (iron) and "bawi" (rock) become "cheol" and "am," giving the neighborhood its name.

Rich in iron, the reddish rock stretches like a folding screen along the railway just past Baeksan on the approach to Cheoram. Baeksan takes its name from the Chinese character for white, a reference to the clear water that flows there — the only area in Taebaek without coal deposits beneath it.

Cheoram was home to a coal-sorting facility that selected the finest coal, and after the mines closed the site became a cultural heritage landmark. Just beyond the southern edge of Cheoram lies Gumunso, a spectacular geological site designated as a national geopark.

Autumn in Cheoram is no longer defined by black mountains, black soil and black rivers. It now blazes to life in brilliant shades of crimson.

The Taebaek City Cheoram-dong Community Service Center announced Tuesday that the 15th Cheoram Autumn Leaf Festival, organized by the Cheoram Autumn Leaf Festival Committee, will be held Friday through Sunday at the autumn foliage grove near Cheoram Elementary School.

The venue runs along a leaf-viewing walking path between Soebaui Rock and the midpoint of Cheoram Coal Mine History Village and its coal-sorting facility.

The Cheoram Autumn Leaf Festival is the region's signature autumn event, set against the backdrop of Cheoram's foliage turning red each fall and offering a range of performances, hands-on activities and exhibitions.

This year's festival again offers a variety of programs so visitors can soak up the atmosphere of autumn along the foliage-lined paths and create lasting memories with family, partners and friends.

On the opening day, Friday, festivities kick off with pre-ceremony performances by percussion troupe Taeullim and fusion traditional music group K Sori, followed by an opening ceremony and a celebratory concert by invited singer Kim Beom-ryong. Singers Park Sang-hyeon and Bae Min-so take the stage Saturday, and the festival closes Sunday with performances by Park Eun-gyeong and Kim Seon-yeong, capped by the final round of a singing competition.

A highlight of the program is the "autumn leaf walk," which lets visitors experience Cheoram's fall scenery up close. The course departs from Danpung Bridge and loops back via the second rest stop, following a path of crimson foliage; participants who complete a stamp rally receive a commemorative gift.

On the grounds of Cheoram Elementary School, visitors can take part in a range of hands-on activities themed around autumn foliage — making leaf photo frames, miniature crafts, LED keycaps and car diffusers, and getting face paint. Along the stream near the foliage grove, a small-boat photo zone and character photo zones featuring the festival mascots Danpungi and Eunhaengi will give visitors extra opportunities for memorable snapshots.

Alongside this, an exhibition at the Cheoram gateball court will display photographs of miners, artworks by local artists and drawings by Cheoram Elementary School students. Food stalls will be set up throughout the festival grounds, offering plenty to see and eat.

In short, the event promises a full variety show. For those who once came to Taebaek — the "promised land" — in search of hope before moving on to distant cities, the festival is likely to stir a deep sense of how much time has passed, and bring a quiet sting of emotion.

Standing before the stilted building at Cheoram Coal Mine History Village, many visitors will find themselves reflecting: "Back then, we pushed ourselves this hard — building out in every direction just to get by — and because of that, our children ended up doing better than we did."

Kang Ho-taek, chairman of the Cheoram Autumn Leaf Festival Committee, said the event had been carefully prepared "so that residents and tourists alike can come together beneath Cheoram's crimson autumn leaves and create unforgettable fall memories." He added that he hoped "many people will visit Cheoram and enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery and the wide range of programs on offer."

Meanwhile, the 3rd Taebaek Soebauwgol Meat Festival, held Friday and Saturday at the Cheoram Soebauwgol coal culture market area, drew far more visitors than in previous years and closed to great success, with attendees savoring the distinctive flavors of Taebaek Hanwoo beef.