You can play without knowing Korean! First experience at Jeju Actmon Playground
小梅
7 months ago
For this trip to Jeju, I was originally looking forward to scenery under blue skies and white clouds. Unexpectedly, the weather in Jeju Island is unpredictable, and this afternoon it suddenly started pouring rain, which completely disrupted our plans.
I originally wanted to go outdoors and see the scenery by the sea, but I had to give up. At first, it was inevitable to feel a bit disappointed, thinking, 'What should I do now?' But that's how traveling goes—unexpected situations often happen. If you let yourself relax, you'll discover new surprises.
At that time, we happened to pass by an amusement park called Actmon. It was raining heavily outside, and the kids were already getting a bit restless, so we simply pushed the door open and went in. We originally just wanted to take shelter from the rain, but unexpectedly, this short hour became the most special memory of our trip. At the entrance, there was even a cartoon I liked when I was a child (Mazinger Z).
As soon as you enter the amusement arcade, what catches your eye is row after row of game machines. Although it’s not as grand as a large amusement park, each attraction is a classic: basketball machines, racing games, shooting games, dance machines that even have songs by my favorite singer (Hong Jin-young), and even claw and digging machines... These games aren’t unfamiliar to us; instead, they bring a sense of familiarity.
I smiled and said to the kids, 'These moms used to play like this a lot when they were young too!' The kids got even more excited when they heard that and pulled me along to try everything. No need to worry about your luggage either—the front desk can hold it for you.
What surprised me was that even though we don't understand Korean, it didn't affect us at all. Every machine is very easy to operate; just press the start button and you can play. This kind of design is very friendly for travelers. The language is different, but happiness is universal. When my child was working hard to shoot each ball into the basketball machine, that focused look made me feel very gratified; and when the score came out, he jumped up excitedly, and that smile was more charming than any tourist attraction.
I was drawn to the racing simulator. Gripping the steering wheel, the track on the screen twisted and turned, and the sense of speed made me fully concentrate. Although I ended up with 'one crash after another,' I had a great time. My child watched and laughed out loud, wondering why Mom kept crashing into the walls, but still cheered me on from time to time. This kind of happy interaction is more precious than buying any number of souvenirs. For a mom, the happiest part of traveling is probably seeing her child happy.
Besides the games, the environment at Actmon Playground also made me feel comfortable. The venue is clean and bright, with no noisy smell of smoke and no crowded uneasiness. Coming in on a rainy day to take shelter not only solved our 'blank time in the schedule,' but also gave us a safe place to rest. Most importantly, there are clean restrooms. These kinds of details are very important to me. When traveling with family, I have to consider not only whether we have fun, but also whether the environment is suitable for staying. In this regard, Actmon left a very good impression on me.
Looking back, traveling is actually a lot like life—things rarely go exactly as planned. When you run into situations like rainy weather, just complaining about 'how unlucky you are' will only make you feel worse. But if you're willing to look at it from a different perspective, you might discover new kinds of fun.
The hour we spent at the amusement park this time is the best example. The children were no longer disappointed about not being able to go outdoors; instead, they had a great time playing. I myself also temporarily rediscovered the simple happiness of my youth through these games.
After fifty, I cherish these little moments even more. Many of the big scenes and grand occasions in life will gradually fade with time, but the happiness that comes from a spontaneous family decision on a rainy day stays deeply in my heart. The true meaning of travel might be just this—not checking off must-see attractions, but finding happiness even in the midst of change.
When the rain stopped, we reluctantly left Actmon. The child kept saying, 'I want to come here again next time.' I smiled and replied, 'That's what travel is like—you may not come back again, but these memories will always stay with you.'
This trip to Jeju, although it had beautiful ocean views and delicious food, what touched me the most was this unexpected rainy day episode. It reminded me that happiness in life doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes, a basketball arcade game, a round of play, or a child's smile is enough to make you feel content. I recommend everyone come and visit Jeju Island.
