From an honorary reporter Photeini Chatsudi from Greece
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched the “K-Suwon Enjoy with Local 100” campaign on February 7 to promote tourism in the country’s rural areas.
Maronko Moise, a broadcaster from Rwanda, participated in the initiative. For his part in the promotion, he toured Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do Province, tried traditional archery at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and visited a special tourist area in the area.
After living in Korea for almost eight years, Moise quit his job at the Rwandan embassy in Seoul to enter show business and start a fashion label. He has appeared in the KBS cooking reality TV show ‘Paik Jong-won Class’, TV commercials and a promotional video for the Visit Korea 2023-24 tourism campaign.
Below are excerpts from an email interview with Moise from February 12-29.
How did you get involved in the ‘K-Suwon Enjoy with Local 100?’
I was invited to join after my friends and I explored Suwon while filming the MBC TV travel reality show “Welcome, First Time to Korea?” in the Rwandan episode. Our visit to Hwaseong Fortress and a taste of Suwon’s famous chicken dish left us with a lasting delight.
Maronko Moise (front right) embarks on the Augmented Reality Bus Tour to the 1795 Experience in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Korea.net)
What was your favorite thing to do on the campaign trail?
The performances were unforgettable and became my favorite as I had never seen such captivating performances despite repeated visits to Suwon and Hwaseong (Gyeonggi-do Province). The bus tour was fantastic with its historical and cultural insights on the screens. I wish all visitors to Suwon can enjoy these experiences.
What aspects of this tourism initiative made a strong impression on you?
I would say there is always something to discover even though I have visited Suwon and Hwaseong many times before. Each visit provided unique experiences. I realized that depending on the time of day, day of the week, or even the season, one can engage in different activities with a fresh perspective each visit.
What should visitors to Suwon experience and what makes the city different from others?
When in Suwon, don’t miss the famous Suwon in the morning (roasted chicken) and other culinary delights at the town’s traditional markets, which offer everything from seafood to fried foods, biscuits and rice cake.
Suwon offers a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, different from busy cities like Seoul. It has a significant population, but popular places scattered around the city create a less crowded and comfortable atmosphere. Suwon is an ideal vacation destination that combines natural beauty with urban amenities.
Maronko Moise wears a hanbok with a folding fan jeopsun(Maronco Moise)
What do you like most about Korea?
I appreciate its safety, advanced development and cutting-edge technology. I consider Korea to be the perfect environment to embrace technological innovation without restrictions. With just my smartphone and internet access, I can navigate anywhere or order food online 24/7. This level of convenience really makes living in Korea enjoyable for me.
What are your plans for this year?
I want to give Koreans a deeper understanding and familiarity with my homeland, which is relatively less known in Korea. So my goal for 2024 is to play the role of a bridge between the two countries in facilitating cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
*This article was written by an honorary reporter of Korea.net. Our group of honorary reporters is from all over the world and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.
