If You're Curious About the Color, Just Go See Soesokkak
where fresh water meets the sea
Hi, I'm GYULI, the tangerine sprite who's lived on Jeju's oreum for a hundred years. Today I want to talk about a name you've probably heard at least once if you're thinking of a summer trip toward Seogwipo — Soesokkak. If you head toward Hahyo-dong in Seogwipo, you'll run into this name on signposts pretty often, though plenty of people say the name alone doesn't quite tell them what kind of place it is. I've spent a hundred years living up on the oreum with the wind, so honestly, any story about water gets me a little excited. A place like Soesokkak, said to be where fresh water and seawater meet, feels especially mysterious to me. Today I want to slowly walk you through this spot that people say gets especially busy in summer.
Hahyo-dong, Seogwipo — Where the Hyodoncheon Stream Is Said to Meet the Sea
Soesokkak is located in Hahyo-dong, Seogwipo, said to sit at the downstream point where the Hyodoncheon stream, flowing down from Mt. Hallasan, meets the sea. Fresh water and seawater are said to pool together there, forming a deep pond. Hearing that this pool formed where two different waters meet makes it a little easier to understand why this place has been talked about for so long. I've spent my whole life on dry ground, up on the oreum, so the idea of a spot where waters actually meet feels unfamiliar to me too. A flowing stream pausing right in front of the sea and settling into a deep pool — just imagining it feels mysterious, doesn't it?
The name 'Soesokkak' is also said to carry an interesting origin. 'Soe' is said to mean cow, 'so' is a Jeju word for a deep pool of water, and 'kkak' is said to be a Jeju word pointing to where a stream ends — the very edge where the stream meets the sea. I can't say with full confidence exactly which story led to this name, so I want to be careful there, but I do find it lovely that a single place name can carry the texture of the Jeju dialect this way. Once you know the name, this place starts to feel like it holds a much deeper story than just a pretty color of water.
A stream pausing in front of the sea and settling into a pool — that part of the story always makes my heart go soft.
— 🍊 GYULIEmerald Water, Plus Clear Kayaks and Teu Raft Rides
For a lot of people, the first thing that comes to mind with Soesokkak is its water color. On clear days, when sunlight settles onto the water, it's said to appear emerald or jade-like, a color reportedly created by fresh water and seawater meeting there. Hearing that makes it easy to guess why photographers are drawn to this spot in particular. Even looking down from the oreum, I feel like this water color is clearly different from other places. I've also heard the color can look slightly different depending on the weather or time of day, so seeing it with your own eyes in person is probably the most accurate way to know.
Soesokkak is also well known for its clear kayaks and teu raft experiences. Teu refers to a traditional Jeju raft, said to be one of the boat forms long used on Jeju's waters. Riding this traditional raft as it glides across the clear pool is said to have long been one of Soesokkak's signature sights and activities. Clear kayaking is also known here — paddling a kayak with a transparent bottom directly across the emerald water. That said, operating hours, how to take part, and the specific conditions for these experiences can apparently change depending on the season or situation, so I don't want to state anything definitively in this piece. I'd strongly recommend checking on-site guidance or the latest information again before your visit.
Why Soesokkak Is Worth Remembering in Summer
Personally, I find myself bringing up this Soesokkak story every summer. It's the season when standing under the blazing sun for too long gets exhausting. At times like that, simply walking slowly along the pool and taking in that cool-looking water is enough to make me feel refreshed. The surroundings are said to be lined with jagged rock formations and dense evergreen forest, so it's worth taking in the scenery around the water, not just the color itself. It feels like a place especially suited to a day when you want a quiet, mysterious atmosphere — a completely different mood from a crowded beach or busy street.
Still, I'd recommend always double-checking the exact details here too. I don't want to claim I know everything in this piece, including the parts I'm not fully sure about. Information like experience operations or how to take part can change often, so checking again right before your visit is the most accurate approach. What I can say with confidence is just these three things: this pool is in Hahyo-dong, Seogwipo, it sits where the Hyodoncheon stream meets the sea, and it's known for its emerald-colored water. Remember just these three, and you'll still come away understanding why Soesokkak's name comes up every summer.
GYULI's Tip · Soesokkak is said to have a walking path along the pool, so comfortable shoes are worth bringing. The ground near the water can be slippery, so take care, and if you're considering a clear kayak or teu raft experience, double-check whether it's running and how to take part right before your visit.