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South Korea once had a very strict past regarding gender issues. In the 1970s, when patrolling the streets, police even measured the length of women's skirts. Conservative is a word often used to describe this country, especially when compared to its neighbor, Japan.
Loveland is considered a destination for many couples to explore and learn more about sex. Photo: wordpress.com.
Sex education in South Korea therefore seems to be a neglected issue. As a result, many people may be confused by the fact that South Korea has opened a sex museum called Loveland, located on Jeju Island in the south of the country. On its official website, Loveland is described as having "broken all traditional rules about sex."
Upon entering, you'll be greeted by friendly symbols such as gloves or headwear shaped like sensitive body parts. This makes Loveland look more like an art gallery than a park. A series of sculptures in suggestive poses are accompanied by pun-filled signs, such as "Alice in Wondickland".
Lee Sung-huyng, director of Loveland, shared that the park's purpose is to bring joy to viewers through its sculptures. "Normally, Koreans are very hesitant to talk about sex. But here, anyone can openly discuss sex. This is something rarely seen elsewhere," Sung-huyng said. In the museum's café, many traditional dishes are also served, such as kimchi or bulgogi (marinated beef), or custard shaped like genitalia.
Besides viewing the exhibits, another interesting aspect of Loveland is observing the park's visitors. Most are Korean citizens, laughing and chatting loudly. Some young couples are a little more reserved but no less enthusiastic. For a country that strictly prohibits obscenity, the statues at Loveland might seem strange to some.
Confused and blushing at the exhibits at Loveland, Kim Woo, a young man, said he and his girlfriend came to the park to "learn more about sex." Seo Jung and her boyfriend shared that other couples they knew had also visited the park to explore.
Loveland Park can be seen as an answer to the lack of sex education in South Korea, with a range of educational content. Many of the exhibits are considered to be disturbingly pornographic images from the 1980s. However, the number of visitors to the park is tangible evidence that Loveland means more than just laughter.
One visitor, Sean Han, candidly stated that it was his parents who brought him to Loveland. "My parents used to visit the park, and now they suggested I bring my girlfriend along to get to know each other better," Sean shared.
Besides the sex park, Jeju also has many other attractive places for tourists to explore. Currently, the island boasts three stunning UNESCO-recognized landscapes: Mount Hallasan, rising in the center of the island; Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak – a giant volcanic crater; and finally, colorful caves formed from lava eruptions.
