Plants & Nations: South Korea

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Since the turn of the 21st century, South Korea has become a major exporter of pop culture, music and TV drama.

The South Korean wave is spreading. /VCG Photo

The Korean Wave, which refers to the phenomenon of the global prevalence of Korean culture, first landed in Japan and China, then to Southeast Asia and other regions of the world.

In 2012, PSY's "Gangnam Style" became the first YouTube video that surpassed one billion views. In 2017, BTS, a South Korean boy band also known as Bangtan Boys, was the most tweeted about celebrity. In 2018, they became the no.2 best-selling artists worldwide.

The growth of the Korean wave has contributed immensely to the Korean economy and image. Along with the trend, the beauty of nature in the Korean Peninsula is also gaining more attention. Many tourists travel to see the scenes where popular Korean dramas were filmed, such as Namiseom Island, which received international fame when drama Winter Sonata aired in 2002.

The Korean rose is the national flower of South Korea. /VCG Photo

In this article, we introduce the plants that are getting more popular with the Korean Wave.

Korean ginseng

Korean ginseng. /VCG Photo

Products made of this slow-growing perennial plant are among the most popular souvenirs to buy in South Korea. It is native to mountainous regions of the Korean peninsula, far eastern Siberia and northeastern China.

Korean ginseng is also called Panax ginseng, Asian ginseng, and true ginseng. The plant has dark green leaves and red berry clusters. The root of the plant has been highly appreciated in traditional Chinese medicines. It's supposed to have various health benefits.

But be cautious, it has side effects as well, so consult your doctor first if you have blood pressure or other health issues.

Korean rose

A Korean rose. /VCG Photo

Korean rose is a flowering plant that can reach two to four meters high. It has large trumpet-shaped flowers. The blooming of an individual flower only lasts for a day.

A Korean rose. /VCG Photo

The plant is a popular ornamental shrub which can tolerate drought and air pollution. The Korean rose is the national flower of South Korea. Its name in Korean is mugunghwa, "Mugung" means eternity in Korean. From 1910 to 1945 when Korea was annexed by Japan, many Korean independence fighters used the flower as a symbol of resistance.

Metasequoia

Metasequoia Road, South Korea. /VCG Photo

Metasequoia is a fast-growing deciduous tree, which is one of the reasons why Damyang County, located southwest of Seoul, chose the species for landscape design in the early 1970s. Now the Metasequoia Road is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the country, attracts millions of visitors.

The species is native to Hubei province, China. But they are resilient in cold weather and adapt well to Korea's climate. The trees can grow as high as 36 meters, so they can be a good choice for large parks.

About 'Plants & Nations'

"Plants & Nations" is a series of articles and pictures about common plants in the world. It serves as a guide to beautiful plants from different countries.

For more articles of the series, you can check:

Plants & Nations: Yemen

Plants & Nations: Germany

(Top image via VCG)

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