A Hometown Acceptance at Different Periods of Life

Introduction to Hometown

Every person has their own hometown, wherever they are in the world. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a hometown is defined as the town or city you are from or the one in which you were born and lived while you were young (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.). For some individuals who moved around frequently during their childhood, it might be challenging to define their own hometown. However, I lived in Gyeong-Ju, Korea, which I can confidently call my hometown as I have spent a significant part of my life there since I was born and raised. Having lived in Gyeong-Ju for so long, it is natural to develop a strong attachment to my hometown. Unlike many, I never moved around much, spending most of my life in Gyeong-Ju. It is one of the most historically significant cities in Korea. Due to its abundance of historical relics from ancient times, Gyeong-Ju is a quiet and static city. While many young people aspire to move to more dynamic cities, for me, Gyeong-Ju always evokes nostalgia and provides a sense of release.

A Historical Overview of Gyeong-Ju

To introduce more about my hometown, Gyeong-Ju was the capital city of the Shilla dynasty since it was established in 57 BCE. The Shilla kingdom ruled over most of the Korean peninsula in the 7th century (Kim, 2010). From time immemorial, Gyeong-Ju has been rich in cultural heritage. Consequently, Gyeong-Ju is South Korea’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to numerous other national treasures (UNESCO, 2000). Because of this, a lot of tourists visit Gyeong-Ju to enjoy its cultural heritage and sightseeing opportunities. In comparison to other large metropolitan cities, such as Seoul, Busan, and Daegu, Gyeong-Ju has not seen significant development. This is because the government has imposed strict restrictions on development and construction to protect traditional heritage and cultural properties.

The Desire for Change

When I was young, I also wanted to leave my hometown, as it was a very quiet and unchanging city for the younger generation. This often leads young people to seek out more vibrant and dynamic cities where they can enjoy their lives, and I too wished to move away from Gyeong-Ju. After enrolling in university, I moved to Daegu, one of Korea's metropolitan cities. I was genuinely excited and enjoyed activities I had never experienced in Gyeong-Ju. However, I began to miss my hometown occasionally. Undoubtedly, large cities often lack the close-knit community bonds typically found in country villages.

Nostalgia and Memories

Additionally, I missed many aspects of my middle school and high school days. Reflecting on my school days, I had several close friends, and we made many cherished memories together. Although Gyeong-Ju has a relatively small downtown and lacks attractions for the younger generation, my friends and I spent a lot of enjoyable time together. For instance, we shared many delicious meals and engaging conversations. Gyeong-Ju always brings back memories and nostalgia from that period of my life. Since graduating from high school, my friends have dispersed to different cities and universities, making it challenging to stay in touch and meet up. However, my hometown, Gyeong-Ju, always reminds me of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

Conclusion

Although I did not appreciate my small hometown due to its perceived monotonous life when I was young, I now truly love and miss my hometown for the beautiful memories it holds. Today, my little hometown provides a sense of calm and relaxation whenever I think about it. It also brings to mind my most memorable experiences, which I cherish deeply.

References

Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Hometown. In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hometown

Kim, J. (2010). The history of Gyeong-Ju: Capital of the Shilla dynasty. Korean Historical Review, 45(2), 123-145.

UNESCO. (2000). Gyeong-Ju historic areas. In UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved from https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/976