Rainy Days in Jeju Don’t Ruin the Fun: An Hour of Unexpected Joy at Actmon Playground
박해연
3 months ago
All photos were personally taken by me
The most special part of traveling is often not the planned itinerary, but those spontaneous changes that bring unexpected surprises to the journey. On this trip to Jeju, I experienced a moment like this. I had originally planned to take a walk outdoors and take some photos, but the weather suddenly changed and it started pouring rain. At that moment, we could only quickly find a place to take shelter. Unexpectedly, as we were passing by, we saw Actmon Playground and decided on a whim to go inside and try our luck. Little did I know, that one hour would become the most relaxing and joyful highlight of the trip.
The photo wall at the entrance
Speaking of Actmon Playground, we actually didn’t have high expectations at first. We just thought, “Since it’s raining outside, it’s not a bad idea to go in and take a break.” But as soon as we walked in, we were immediately drawn in by the atmosphere. The place is bright and spacious, filled with classic arcade machines in every corner—basketball games, claw machines, shooting games, even racing. It’s pretty much a mini version of the arcades from our childhood. That familiar feeling instantly made us forget about being “foreigners” and instead, it felt like we were back in those childhood days playing games with friends.
The best part is, even in a foreign language environment, we never felt uneasy because we 'couldn't read Korean.' Almost every machine is designed to be very intuitive—just press start and you can play right away. This is also what I find so fascinating about Actmon Arcade—it makes entertainment 'barrier-free.' You don't need to speak any particular language; everyone can find shared enjoyment in the games.
Luggage storage available!!!
In this hour, we almost tried all of the classic attractions inside. Each game was simple and straightforward, but could spark a lot of joyful emotions. Maybe because it was raining outside, the air felt a bit damp and chilly, but inside it was filled with laughter and the whole atmosphere was very relaxed. At that moment, I suddenly realized that the joy of traveling doesn’t always come from the big attractions—sometimes, just a small amusement park can bring a long-missed burst of happiness.
First time experiencing an excavator!
Darts
Another thing that made me feel cared for is that the overall environment of Actmon Playground is kept very clean. Although there are quite a few people, the space doesn't feel crowded or oppressive, and each game machine is tidied up regularly, making it very comfortable to use. This is an important detail for travelers, because when you walk into an unfamiliar place, if the environment is messy, your mood can be affected quickly; but here, we were able to relax right away and simply enjoy the fun that the games bring.
At first, seeing the rain, it was inevitable to feel like our plans were ruined and a bit disappointed; but because we changed our plans at the last minute, we actually ended up having a wonderful time we never expected. This kind of spontaneous happiness is exactly what makes traveling so charming.
Sometimes we focus too much on the 'must-see attractions' on our itinerary, always thinking about what check-in photos to take or which famous restaurant to try. But actually, when you slow down and embrace unexpected plans, that's when you truly experience the freedom and surprises of travel. Just like this time at Actmon Playground, we didn't spend much time, nor did we plan carefully, but in the end, we laughed even more happily than we did at some popular tourist spots.
This experience also made me realize that the meaning of travel is not just “seeing the sights,” but also “finding happiness.” Even though it was only a short hour, we created some truly unforgettable memories. Every time I think of the sound of the heavy rain that day, and remember us shooting hoops like crazy and screaming as we drifted around the racetrack in the amusement park, I feel like it really was a very precious little moment of happiness.
If someone asks me what to do on a rainy day in Jeju in the future, I will not hesitate to recommend: find a playground like Actmon. You don't need to wait in long lines, and you don't need to know Korean. It will let you temporarily forget the disappointment of a rainy day and simply immerse yourself in the fun of playing games.
