There's a Small Waterfall Beside It — Let's Go to Sojeongbang Falls

Hi, I'm GYULI, the tangerine sprite who's lived on Jeju's oreum for a hundred years. I've told you about Jeongbang Falls before — the waterfall said to fall straight into the sea, remember that one? Today isn't about telling that story again. It turns out there's said to be another, smaller waterfall right beside Jeongbang Falls, called Sojeongbang Falls. I've heard plenty of people walk right past it, overshadowed by Jeongbang Falls next door. So today I'll set the Jeongbang Falls story aside for a moment and just bring you the story of Sojeongbang Falls, the quiet one sitting beside it.

Right Beside Jeongbang Falls, There's One More Small Waterfall

Sojeongbang Falls is said to sit in Jeongbang-dong, Seogwipo, very close to Jeongbang Falls. Even its name carries the character meaning 'small,' which is how it came to be called Sojeongbang Falls — doesn't that alone make it feel like a waterfall paired with Jeongbang Falls? The two are said to be close enough to walk between, and people heading to see Jeongbang Falls are said to often come across Sojeongbang Falls naturally along the way. But because Jeongbang Falls carries such a distinct name and scale, Sojeongbang Falls is said to be introduced as the quieter one of the two, its presence felt more subtly.

The two waterfalls are also said to differ quite a bit in scale. While Jeongbang Falls is known for its wide width and the powerful rush of its water, Sojeongbang Falls is said to be much smaller and more modest in size. Its stream is said to be thinner and its drop lower, so some people who go looking for it after hearing the word 'waterfall' are said to be surprised by just how modest it actually is. But I think that modesty is exactly what gives Sojeongbang Falls its own charm — it has a small, gentle feel quite different from a big, grand waterfall.

Smaller in Scale, But Said to Let You See the Water Up Close

One feature often mentioned about Sojeongbang Falls is that you can see it up close. Jeongbang Falls is said to usually be viewed from some distance, given its large scale and tall cliff, but because Sojeongbang Falls itself is smaller, it's said to let you get relatively close to the falling water. Watching the stream trickle down between the rocks and following it with your eyes all the way to where it meets the sea is said to be one of the charms that belongs to Sojeongbang Falls alone.

Since the stream is said to lead straight to the sea, the sound of the falls and the sound of the waves are said to be heard together around Sojeongbang Falls. But unlike Jeongbang Falls, the current isn't said to be especially strong or the sound especially loud — many describe it more as the quiet murmur of a small stream trickling down. Because the falls themselves are modest in scale, the surrounding space is said to feel cozy rather than wide open, and people who've visited are said to often describe it as 'a good spot to catch your breath' or 'a nice place to pause for a moment.'

Listening to all this, it struck me that a waterfall doesn't have to be big and grand to leave an impression. There seems to be a mood you can only feel because a waterfall like Sojeongbang Falls is small in scale with the water close at hand. If Jeongbang Falls shows off a cool, overwhelming view, Sojeongbang Falls seems to show a much calmer, cozier side.

A Different Face From Jeongbang Falls — Sojeongbang's Own Charm

Jeongbang Falls and Sojeongbang Falls sit so close together, yet each seems to wear a different face. If Jeongbang Falls made its name through the rare landform of a waterfall dropping straight into the sea, Sojeongbang Falls is said to be introduced for letting you meet the water up close within its small scale. Both streams are alike in that they eventually reach the same sea, but I find it fascinating how differently each one lets you encounter that water along the way.

Here's what I can tell you about Sojeongbang Falls today: it's said to sit right beside Jeongbang Falls, it's smaller in scale with a thinner stream, and because of that, it's said to let you get closer to the water than you might expect. For details like the falls' exact scale, the access path, or how the water volume changes by season, I'd recommend checking again before you go, since those can vary. If you're on your way to see Jeongbang Falls, I hope you'll also take a moment to notice this small waterfall sitting right beside it.

🍊 Real Photos, via GYULI