Charmed by the breathtaking beauty of the Old Geoje Bridge.

Charmed by the breathtaking beauty of the Old Geoje Bridge.

A bridge built 55 years ago (opened on April 8, 1971) has more architectural beauty and style than the New Geoje Bridge built 27 years ago, several decades later.
 
Captured at 4:40 PM on Sunday, September 13, 2026.


[Reference Information]

Geoje Bridge (Geojedaegyo) is a bridge connecting Geoje-si and Tongyeong-si in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. Constructed by Hyundai Engineering & Construction, it opened on April 8, 1971.

Overview: Construction began on May 13, 1965, and it opened on April 8, 1971. At the time of its opening, it connected Sinchon-ri, Yongnam-myeon, Tongyeong-gun and Sadung-myeon, Geoje-gun. It is 740 meters long, 10 meters wide, and 53 meters high (26 meters above sea level, 27 meters underwater), supported by 20 piers. Built by Hyundai E&C, it took 5 years and 11 months to open, mobilizing a total workforce of 330,000 people.

The opening of Geoje Bridge connected Geoje Island to the mainland and acted as a driving force for the Geoje shipyards. Due to heavy traffic volume, the New Geoje Bridge—measuring 940 meters in length and 20 meters in width—began construction in October 1992 and opened on April 22, 1999.

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It was hot and stuffy at home, so I just headed out on the road without a destination. Of course, my car's trunk is always loaded with plein-air painting tools, so I am ready to paint at any time.

Sunday is a day off for most people, but weekends don't hold much meaning for a plein-air artist. I once painted this bridge back when spring flowers were in full bloom. It was a really tough project, but looking at it now, something didn't feel quite right, so I tucked it away as-is. I kept thinking I would fix it whenever I had time, and it has remained an unfinished piece left sitting for years.

Driving around here and there, I ended up coming all the way here. I intended to do some plein-air painting, but perhaps due to accumulated fatigue from the past, my body just wouldn't cooperate readily. After resting in the car for a long while, I slowly took in the scenery.

By the roadside, pokeweed berries had already ripened into a dark, pitch-black purple, hanging down and showing off a hint of mystery.


Pokeweed with its vibrant magenta flower stalks and black berries.


A harmony of colors creating a striking contrast and balance.


The look of Gyeonnaeryang at low tide is truly unique and captivating.

At low tide, Gyeonnaeryang presents a distinctly different kind of beauty, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere.

. . .

Next time, I should share a piece I painted in the past—[Spring Landscape of the Old Geoje Bridge], painted from Cafe Mongha on the right side of the Tongyeong-side entrance of the Old Geoje Bridge.

For your reference, Yeongi seaweed produced in Gyeonnaeryang is truly top-tier in flavor, so I highly recommend giving it a try.

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