Timeline reference

 How to Survive a Lifetime of Government Betrayal and Still Die Poor on a Beautiful Island

1950s: Welcome to Your First Bad Decision—Being Born

Ah, the miracle of life! Ae-sun and Gwan-sik enter the world, unaware that they’ve chosen to be born at possibly the worst time in Korean history (which is saying a lot). The Jeju Uprising (1948-1954) is either over or still ruining people’s lives. It’s hard to tell when you’re a baby with zero rights. Meanwhile, the Korean War (1950-1953) starts up, because clearly, things weren’t chaotic enough.

Their parents are probably thinking, “Great. We’ve brought a child into a world where bullets are more common than food.” But hey, at least the tangerines are free... until the government finds a way to tax them.

1960s: Love, Tangerines, and Political Coup d'états

Ae-sun and Gwan-sik hit their teenage years, full of dreams, hormones, and absolutely no prospects. Jeju is still the forgotten child of South Korea, while the mainland is busy industrializing like a kid on a sugar rush. Meanwhile, General Park Chung-hee says, “Democracy? Never heard of it,” and takes over the government in a military coup (1961).

The economy is improving (for the rich), Seoul is stealing all the jobs, and the number of Jeju’s legendary haenyeo (women divers) is plummeting faster than Ae-sun’s hopes of ever leaving the island. The government also decided to send troops to Vietnam (1965) in exchange for American money because apparently, they have a thing for sending young men off to die.

But wait—there’s more!

• 1960: The people decide they’ve had enough of Syngman Rhee’s dictatorship, so students lead the April 19 Revolution, bringing him down. For five minutes, democracy looks like it might actually work. But don’t get too excited—after a year of chaos, the military says, “Nice try,” and takes over in the May 16 coup (1961).

• 1962: Park Chung-hee’s government launches its Five-Year Economic Development Plan, meaning factories start popping up like mushrooms, but only in the mainland—Jeju still gets left behind.

• 1963: Park "retires" from the military, puts on a suit, and wins the presidential election (because, surprise, he's not ready to let go of power). The Third Republic of Korea is born.

• 1964: Students protest against the Japan-South Korea treaty, because why would anyone want to make nice with the country that colonized them? The government responds with tear gas, arrests, and general repression.

• 1965: The Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and South Korea is signed, restoring diplomatic ties. In exchange, Japan throws some money at South Korea and calls it "reparations." Many Koreans are not happy.

• 1966: The U.S. asks South Korea to send more soldiers to Vietnam, and Park happily obliges, since it means more American cash for his economic plans. Young Korean men get shipped off to a foreign war.

• 1967: Park runs for re-election—and wins again, because he rewrote the rules to make sure he never loses. Authoritarianism intensifies.

• 1968:

  • North Korea tries to assassinate Park Chung-hee with the Blue House Raid (January 21). It fails, but South Korea freaks out and militarizes everything.

  • The Uljin-Samcheok Infiltration happens in October—more North Korean guerillas sneak in, and South Korean forces go into full panic mode.

• 1969: Park changes the constitution again so he can run for a third term. At this point, calling South Korea a democracy is just a joke.

Meanwhile, back on Jeju:

• The fishing industry is dying, and factories aren’t coming—so people start leaving the island in droves to work in mainland sweatshops.

• The government realizes Jeju has tourism potential, so it starts pushing it as a vacation spot, but only the rich can afford to visit.

• The scars of the Jeju 4.3 Massacre (1948–1954) still linger—surveillance and fear keep people in line.

• By the end of the decade, South Korea is richer, but only for the few. For everyone else, it’s the same old story: work hard, stay quiet, and hope you don’t get crushed.
  
  

1970s: Congratulations! Jeju is Now a Tourist Trap!

Political Events

• 1971 Presidential Election (April 27, 1971) – Park Chung-hee wins again, because democracy is more of a suggestion at this point. His opponent, Kim Dae-jung, comes surprisingly close to winning, which freaks Park out so much that he decides elections are too risky for his taste.

• The Yushin Constitution (October 17, 1972) – Park declares martial law, scraps the existing constitution, and gives himself unlimited power. The new system is called Yushin, which means “revitalization,” but really just means dictatorship with extra steps.

• State of Emergency & Repression – Any political opposition is swiftly crushed. Student protests? Beaten and arrested. Newspapers? Censored. Anyone vaguely left-leaning? Good luck.

• Opposition Movements & Protests

  • Student protests become a national pastime, but with the risk of getting dragged away by the KCIA.

  • The “Myungdong Cathedral Incident” (October 1974) – Catholic priests and activists protest the government, which is a brave move considering Park’s tolerance level for dissent is zero.

  • Assassination of Park Chung-hee (October 26, 1979) – The KCIA director, Kim Jae-gyu, pulls the ultimate I quit by shooting Park during dinner. The country collectively gasps, but before anyone can process, the military steps in because South Korea never allows a peaceful transition of power.

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Economic & Industrial Developments

• Heavy & Chemical Industrialization (HCI Policy) – Park Chung-hee is obsessed with turning South Korea into an industrial powerhouse. He forces companies into shipbuilding, steel production, and electronics—whether they like it or not.

• Chaebols Take Over – Samsung, Hyundai, and LG go from being big businesses to mega businesses, thanks to government favoritism. If you’re not a chaebol, good luck competing.

• Economic Boom & Labor Exploitation – Sure, the economy is growing, but factory workers are pulling 12-hour shifts for wages that barely cover a bowl of ramyeon.

• Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement, 1970) – The government’s way of saying, “Hey rural folks, stop being poor,” by forcing villages to modernize at lightning speed.

• Oil Crises Impact (1973, 1979) – The oil crises hit, and suddenly South Korea’s economy isn’t looking so invincible. Inflation skyrockets, and businesses start panicking.

Social & Cultural Events

• Birth Control Campaigns – The government, worried about overpopulation, aggressively pushes family planning. The slogan? “Two kids are enough.” (A generation later, South Korea’s birth rate would be so low they’d beg for more kids.)

• Rise of K-pop & Cinema – Early versions of K-pop and cinema exist, but everything is heavily censored. Want to write a song about freedom? Not unless you enjoy prison food.

• Growth of Protestant Christianity – Christianity spreads like wildfire, with mega-churches popping up everywhere.

Military & Security Events

• South Korea-Vietnam War Involvement – South Korea sends soldiers to Vietnam until 1973. They gain a reputation for being brutal, but hey, at least the U.S. pays them well.

• Korean Air Flight 902 Incident (1978) – A South Korean plane accidentally flies into Soviet airspace. The Soviets shoot it down because Cold War tensions weren’t dramatic enough already.

• North Korean Threats & Infiltrations

  • The Blue House Raid (1968, but its aftermath continues) – North Korean agents almost assassinate Park Chung-hee. Security gets ramped up permanently.

  • The 1974 assassination attempt on Park Chung-hee – A North Korean agent tries again, but instead of hitting Park, he kills his wife, Yuk Young-soo. Park, of course, uses this as an excuse to crack down even harder on anyone remotely suspicious.

  • The 1976 Korean Axe Murder Incident – U.S. and South Korean soldiers try to trim a tree in the DMZ. North Korean soldiers respond by murdering them with axes. The U.S. almost nukes North Korea over a tree.

  • North Korean submarine infiltrations – North Korean spies keep washing up on South Korean shores like unwanted seaweed.

Events in Jeju

• Tourism Development – The government has a brilliant idea. If people can’t escape Jeju, why not trap rich people in Jeju instead? They start promoting it as “Korea’s Hawaii,” which is cute if you ignore the fact that talking about the Jeju Massacre can still get you arrested.

• Lingering Trauma of the Jeju Uprising (1948-1954) – The 4.3 Massacre is still a fresh wound. Many survivors live in silence, too afraid to talk about what happened.

• Expansion of Fisheries & Agriculture – Jeju’s economy is all about tangerines, fishing, and convincing tourists that Jeju is a paradise (and not a historical crime scene).

1980s: Let’s Pretend Everything is Fine!

1980

• Inspired by the Gwangju Uprising, young activists in Jeju start speaking up, which the military government politely responds to with violence and censorship.

• Jeju International Airport expands, bringing more tourists—mostly rich mainlanders who see Jeju as their personal playground. Locals keep selling tangerines like their ancestors.

• Martial law cracks down on college students, activists, and labor organizers, leading to late-night arrests and disappearances.

• Electricity finally reaches remote Jeju villages, but the bills are higher than expected, so people still rely on oil lamps.

• The government bans long hair for men and “indecent” miniskirts for women, because apparently, that’s the real threat to national security.

1981

• Chun Doo-hwan takes full control. Everyone acts like they’re okay with it. They’re not.

• The first luxury resorts open in Jeju, owned by mainland investors. Local businesses struggle to compete.

• Jeju’s dialect is still dying—schools and workplaces punish kids for speaking it.

• Farmers start using chemical fertilizers heavily, leading to bigger crops but worse soil.

• Black-and-white TV starts dying out as people scramble to afford color TVs. Not everyone can.

1982

• Hyundai Shipyard Fire in Ulsan kills 26 people. The government tells everyone to stay calm. Workers don't.

• Students in Jeju secretly form activist groups, distributing pamphlets against the dictatorship. Some are caught and disappear.

• First local protests against tourism development—they don’t accomplish much.

• More cars appear in Jeju, but the roads are still bad, so accidents skyrocket.

• Cassette players become popular. Jeju teens listen to contraband Western music.

1983

• Rangoon Bombing fails to kill Chun Doo-hwan, but 17 South Korean officials die. North Korea says, “Wasn’t us.” Nobody believes them.

• Jeju fisherman go missing, some blame bad weather, others blame the military’s trigger-happy patrols.

• Government tells farmers to grow less barley and more vegetables for export. Some comply, some don’t.

• The first modern hotel in Jeju opens, marking the start of luxury tourism.

1984

• Colored TV is finally legal, but it’s expensive. Jeju families crowd around a neighbor’s TV to watch.

• A major typhoon devastates Jeju, causing massive crop losses. The government barely helps.

• Plastic products flood Jeju’s markets, replacing traditional crafts. People hate it, but plastic is cheap.

• Young people leave Jeju for Seoul, hoping for a better life. Most end up working long hours for low pay.

1985

• Kim Dae-jung returns from exile. The government acts like this isn’t a big deal. It is.

• Busan’s first subway line opens. Jeju residents wonder if they’ll ever get one (spoiler: they won’t).

• First real estate boom in Jeju. Wealthy mainlanders buy land, pushing locals out.

• University students in Jeju protest tuition hikes, facing tear gas and beatings.

• Korean wrestling (ssireum) gains popularity, giving people a distraction from politics.

1986

• Asian Games held in Seoul. South Korea wants the world to think it’s modern now.

• Military checkpoints in Jeju decrease, but soldiers still harass locals.

• First Western-style fast food restaurant opens in Jeju, confusing old folks.

• More students arrested for activism. The government insists everything is fine.

• Lee Choon-jae begins his 'job'.

• Betamax finally dies out, VHS wins the format war.

1987

• Park Jong-chul dies from police torture. The government says he just “fainted.” Nobody believes them.

• The June Democracy Movement shakes the country. Jeju residents join in, despite knowing the government’s history with island uprisings.

• Direct presidential elections are announced. People cheer, then remember elections don’t fix everything.

• Jeju elders still aren’t allowed to talk about the 1948 Massacre, but the rage bubbling under their skin is now shared by a younger generation.

• Satellite TV arrives, bringing foreign news. People start realizing how much their own media has been lying to them.

1988

• Roh Tae-woo becomes President. South Koreans hope for democracy but don’t expect much.

• 1988 Seoul Olympics. South Korea successfully shows off, but poverty and inequality remain unchanged.

• Jeju tourism explodes after international coverage, but locals still see little benefit.

• First modern shopping mall opens in Jeju, changing how people shop forever.

• Old public bathhouses start disappearing, replaced by fancy saunas.

1989

• South Korea starts opening up to the world. North Korea remains hostile.

• First-ever inter-Korean sports exchanges happen. People realize North Koreans aren’t monsters, just starving.

• KBS exposes government human rights abuses. People aren’t surprised, just angry. Chun is unavailable for comment. 

• Economic liberalization begins. It’s great for some, terrible for others.

• Jeju's first McDonald's opens. Elders scoff, kids love it.

1990s: Now With 50% More Capitalism and 100% More K-Drama!

Politics & Society

• 1991 – Democracy Movement: Student activist Kang Kyung-Dae was killed by riot police, sparking nationwide protests.

• 1992 – Kim Young-sam was elected as the first civilian president in over 30 years, marking the decline of military rule.

• 1993 – Kim Young-sam launched anti-corruption reforms, targeting military officials and chaebols.

• 1994 – North Korean leader Kim Il-sung died, leading to heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

• 1995 – The Sampoong Department Store collapse in Seoul killed over 500 people, one of South Korea’s worst peacetime disasters.

• 1996 – South Korea and North Korea signed an agreement to promote peace, but tensions remained high.

• 1997 – South Korea was hit hard by the Asian Financial Crisis, leading to mass layoffs and bankruptcies. The country had to seek a $58 billion IMF bailout.

• 1997 – Kim Dae-jung was elected as president, marking the first peaceful transfer of power to an opposition leader.

• 1998 – Kim Dae-jung launched the "Sunshine Policy" to improve relations with North Korea.

• 1998 – The government, in a moment of reflection (or PR damage control), finally apologizes for past massacres. Naturally, this fixes nothing.

• 1999 – The first North Korean naval battle (Battle of Yeonpyeong) occurred near the Northern Limit Line.
  
  
  

Economy & Business

• 1990s – Rapid industrialization led to Korea becoming one of the "Asian Tigers."

• 1993 – Hyundai, Samsung, and LG expanded into global markets.

• 1997 – The Asian Financial Crisis hits South Korea like a truck. Chaebols collapse, people lose their jobs, and, in a stunning display of consistency, the government screws over the poor once again.

• 1998 – Economic recovery efforts included mass gold donations by citizens to repay IMF debt.

• Late 1990s – Capitalism wrecks everything, but at least consumer culture explodes. Credit cards become popular, leading to a whole new set of financial problems.

Disasters & Accidents

• 1993 – Seohae Ferry Disaster: A ferry sank near Gunsan, killing 292 people.

• 1994 – Seongsu Bridge collapse in Seoul killed 32 people due to structural failure. Lee Choon-Jae does his last crime.

• 1995 – Sampoong Department Store collapse, one of the deadliest structural failures in modern history.

• 1999 – Incheon gas explosion killed dozens when an underground gas line exploded near a construction site.
  
  
  

Culture & Entertainment

• 1992 – Seo Taiji and Boys debuted, revolutionizing Korean music and influencing the rise of K-pop.

• 1994 – First Korean online service Chollian launched, marking the start of the country’s internet boom.

• 1995 – SBS launched the drama "Sandglass" (모래시계), one of the most influential dramas about Korea's political struggles.

• 1996 – First Korean PC Bang (Internet café) opened, fueling gaming culture.

• 1998 – The first K-pop idol group, H.O.T., gained national popularity, launching the industry that would one day take over the world.

• 1999 – The MMORPG Lineage became one of the first globally successful online games.

• Late 1990s – K-dramas discover Jeju, proving that the best way to profit off tragedy is to make it look pretty on television. Romantic scenes featuring tragic backstories? Check. Jeju’s painful history ignored in favor of soft ocean waves? Also check.

Jeju Island

• 1991-1999 – Jeju tourism industry expanded significantly due to improved infrastructure and increased domestic travel.

• 1995 – Jeju was designated a special self-governing province to boost tourism.

• 1997 – The first Jeju Fire Festival was launched, celebrating local traditions.

• Late 1990s – Developers realize Jeju is perfect for tourism… and profit. Cue resort construction, commercialization, and the inevitable displacement of locals.

2000s: Apologies, UNESCO, and More Government Gaslighting

2000

• First Inter-Korean Summit between Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-il. Hopes are high, handshakes are exchanged, and peace seems possible—for now.

• First family reunions between North and South Korea. Tears, hugs, and heartbreaking goodbyes dominate the event, reminding everyone that the war never really ended.

• Kim Dae-jung wins the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in democracy and North-South reconciliation. Meanwhile, South Korean politics remain as messy as ever.

• South and North Korea march together at the Sydney Olympics, waving a unified flag. 

• Jeju is designated as a free international city, because nothing says “global tourism hub” like an island still recovering from historical trauma.

2001

• Daewoo Flight 129 crashes near Busan, killing 129 people.

• South Korea sends troops to Afghanistan after 9/11. The U.S. says jump, and South Korea asks how high.

• The government starts seriously promoting Jeju as a global tourist destination, because what better way to cover up a violent past than with scenic beaches and luxury resorts?

2002

• 2002 FIFA World Cup – South Korea reaches the semifinals, making history and ensuring that every Korean over 30 will talk about this forever.

• Second Battle of Yeonpyeong – North and South Korean naval forces clash. People die, tensions rise, and everyone pretends to be surprised.

• Anti-American protests explode after two schoolgirls are killed by a U.S. military vehicle. The U.S. soldiers involved are acquitted, fueling more outrage.

• Roh Moo-hyun wins the presidential election, setting the stage for political turmoil, impeachment, and eventual tragedy.

• Jeju is rebranded as a Peace Island, because nothing says peace like a government trying to erase its own violent history.

2003

• Roh Moo-hyun inaugurated as President. Reformist hopes rise. Political chaos soon follows.

• Daegu subway fire – A mentally ill man sets fire to a train, killing nearly 200 people.

• Plans announced to relocate South Korea’s capital, triggering endless political debates. Spoiler: It never happens.

• South Korea sends troops to Iraq. The country debates, protests happen, but the deployment moves forward anyway.

• President Roh Moo-hyun apologizes (again) for the Jeju Massacre. This time, he really means it. No, seriously. The government super promises that it regrets murdering all those people.

2004

• Roh Moo-hyun is impeached by the National Assembly. It’s dramatic, chaotic, and ultimately overturned by the Constitutional Court.

• South Korea begins negotiating the KORUS FTA (Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement). Economists debate. Corporations celebrate. Farmers panic.

• Jeju is officially designated as a Special Self-Governing Province, giving it more autonomy. The central government still keeps a tight grip.

2005

• A real estate bubble begins, especially in Gangnam. Speculators rejoice. Millennials cry.

• A truth-finding commission starts investigating the Jeju 4.3 Massacre, because decades later, the government finally decides that maybe murdering civilians was bad.

• The South Korean Supreme Court pardons former dictator Chun Doo-hwan, because accountability is overrated.

• The APEC Summit is held in Busan. Important people talk. Nothing really changes.

2006

• Jeju becomes a Special Self-Governing Province, gaining more autonomy. The government calls it progress. Residents remain skeptical.

• North Korea conducts its first nuclear test, reminding the world that tensions on the peninsula are forever.

• The free school lunch program expands nationwide, proving that sometimes the government does nice things.

• Jeju is promoted as a renewable energy hub, because after years of destruction, now the island is supposed to be "eco-friendly."

2007

• Samsung corruption scandal breaks. Slush funds, bribery, and corporate greed make headlines. No one is truly surprised.

• Second Inter-Korean Summit – Roh Moo-hyun meets Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang. Handshakes happen. Promises are made. Peace remains elusive.

• Lee Myung-bak wins the presidential election, marking a shift back to conservative politics. Reform is officially over.

• Jeju Global Education City Project is launched, aiming to attract foreign schools and turn Jeju into an international education hub.

2008

• Lee Myung-bak inaugurated as President. Business-friendly policies return. Progressives brace for impact.

• 2008 U.S. beef protests ("Mad Cow Protests") erupt. People flood the streets, terrified of American beef. The government ignores them.

• Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee resigns over corruption. He doesn’t stay gone for long.

• The global financial crisis hits South Korea, sending shockwaves through the economy.

• Jeju earns a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, which is nice, but it doesn’t change the fact that the island’s history is still a giant open wound. But don’t worry! The government is now promoting Jeju’s natural beauty! (Which, again, it once tried to burn down with military raids.)

2009

• Roh Moo-hyun commits suicide amid a corruption investigation. The nation mourns. His legacy becomes even more complex.

• Yongsan Tragedy – Police violently suppress protesters fighting eviction in Seoul. People die. The government blames the victims.

• North Korea conducts missile tests. The world watches, shakes its head, and prepares for more of the same.

• The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project begins under Lee Myung-bak. It’s supposed to help the environment. Instead, it wrecks ecosystems.

• Jeju is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Tourists celebrate. Historians sigh.

2010s: Dictators’ Kids, Global Stardom, and Scandals

2010

• Cheonan Sinking: On March 26, a South Korean naval ship, ROKS Cheonan, gets blown up. Forty-six sailors die. South Korea blames North Korea, North Korea denies everything, and tensions skyrocket. Basically, another chapter in the never-ending drama of inter-Korean relations.

• Yeonpyeong Island Shelling: North Korea decides to bombard a South Korean island in November, killing civilians and soldiers. South Korea fires back. The world holds its breath. Nothing changes.

• G20 Seoul Summit: South Korea hosts its first-ever G20 Summit, proving that it has officially leveled up in global economics.

2011

• Jeju World Cup Judo Tournament: Jeju hosts an international judo event. Athletes throw each other around while Jeju locals casually go about their day, probably more concerned with whether the seafood market has good catches that morning.

2012

• Presidential Election: Park Chung-hee’s daughter, Park Geun-hye, becomes president, because South Korea has a weird history of letting dictators’ families run things.

2014

• Sewol Ferry Disaster: A ferry carrying hundreds of students sinks on its way to Jeju. Over 300 people die. The nation mourns. The government’s response is slow and awful. Parents demand answers. Nobody gets justice.

2016

• Political Scandal and Impeachment: Park Geun-hye gets exposed for letting her friend Choi Soon-sil run the country like a personal playground. The people protest in the millions, demanding her removal. Turns out, South Korea can be pretty effective when it’s angry.

2017

• Presidential Election: With Park Geun-hye out, Moon Jae-in wins the presidency. He promises reforms, and the people hope—until they realize no president can really fix everything.

2018

• Inter-Korean Summits: Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un shake hands multiple times. For a brief moment, people believe peace might be possible. Then reality kicks in.

• PyeongChang Winter Olympics: South Korea hosts the Winter Olympics, and North and South Korean athletes march together in the opening ceremony. The world watches, hoping for reconciliation. Then, the Olympics end, and things go back to normal.

Throughout the 2010s in Jeju Island:

• Tourism Boom: Jeju becomes the go-to spot for vacationers. Chinese tourists, Korean honeymooners, and influencers flood the island. Jeju locals debate whether this is a blessing or a curse.

• Environmental Concerns: Too much tourism means too much development. Jeju’s untouched landscapes start looking more like mini-Seoul. Conservationists raise alarms, but money talks.

• Haenyeo Take Over the World: Jeju’s legendary haenyeo, who have been diving for generations, suddenly become an international sensation. Foreigners are fascinated by these badass elderly women who hunt octopus with nothing but sheer willpower. Jeju locals, meanwhile, are just wondering why the world took so long to notice.

• Korea’s Cultural Explosion: K-pop, K-dramas, Korean food—suddenly, the world can’t get enough. It’s great, but Ae-sun and Gwan-sik are probably just wondering if they can finally retire.

2020s: The Final Act—Life Still Sucks, But at Least We Have WiFi

Ae-sun and Gwan-sik are now at the end of their journey. They’ve survived literal wars, economic collapse, political chaos, and about fifty different government betrayals. Do they finally get a peaceful life?

No.

They live just long enough to see South Korea become a global tech and culture leader, while Jeju gets buried under tourists taking selfies in front of historical sites where people were literally massacred.

As they sit together in their old age, they finally understand the truth of life:

• Life never hands you what you expect.
• Sometimes it gives you sweet tangerines.
• Sometimes it gives you sour ones.
• And sometimes, it just hurls a whole basket at your face.

Thank you, Cora, for this article.

 Irene:

Hello. I found what you wrote very informative. Do you have any books recommendations about the Jeju uprising/Korean war? Have a good day.

'The Guest' by Hwang Sok-yong (Set during Korean war)

'Human Acts' by Han Kang (Gwangju Uprising)

'The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War' by David Halberstam(a non-fiction discussing US involvement in the Korean War)

'War Trash' by Ha Jin (a Chinese  soldier's experience in the Korean War)

Thank you for this!

Brilliant read, as it goes hand in glove with the drama. I reread before each 4 Episodes are released.

Thank you very much for the brief summary of recent SK history. 

Thank you so much for this article! After seeing Jeju Island featured in so many K-dramas, it’s great to finally learn more about it.