Undam, Naming

Deciding on a name took longer than expected. Even while purchasing the land and searching for water, we couldn't seem to settle on a name. There were many plausible options, but none seemed to fit this land and water perfectly. This story is about the name we finally found after a long search: "Undam".

A Name Already in the Neighborhood

The clue to the name was unexpectedly found within the neighborhood. The area had long been associated with the name "Undam". There's an Undam Elementary School, and an old name, Undam Seowon, has been passed down. Instead of forcing a new, unfamiliar name, we decided to adopt the name that this land had long possessed.

There's a difference between a place with a newly coined name and one that has inherited a name that has been called out for a long time. The latter carries the weight of years. Although we are new to this land, we wanted to respect its name.

Once you understand the meaning behind a name, the place itself appears different. The fact that the name "Undam" has long been associated with this area suggests that our ancestors may have appreciated the water and fog here. The beauty of this land, which we've recently discovered, may have been known to someone a long time ago. Overlapping our name with that long-standing gaze was a comforting choice.

Clouds and Pond

The name "Undam" can be broken down into its Chinese characters: clouds (雲) and pond (潭), meaning "a pond reflecting clouds". We thought this meaning was well-suited to this land and its water.

This valley, surrounded by mountains, is often shrouded in fog in the mornings. Clouds pass over the water, and their reflections ripple on the surface. The serene moment when the sky and water meet is similar to the atmosphere we want to offer our guests. A place where one can quietly stay, without being disturbed, and feel their heart settle. That's what we aimed to create.

The Character for Pond

We were particularly drawn to the character "dam" (潭). It refers not just to water, but to deep, still water. Not a shallow stream, but water that quietly rises from the depths. This character resonated with the nature of the water we drew from the ground.

Deep water is not showy. Although it may not flow visibly, it holds abundance within. We hoped this place would be like that water – a place where the heart can be filled while staying quietly, rather than being dazzled by spectacular sights. We put that wish into the name.

The Direction Set by the Name

After deciding on the name, the rest of our decisions became surprisingly smoother. Things that didn't fit with the name "Undam" naturally fell away.

Loud amusement facilities and pretentious imitations didn't suit this name. Instead, we followed the direction indicated by the name, simplifying things by focusing on the mountains, water, shade, and quiet resting places. A good name serves as a compass for the project, guiding us on what to remove rather than what to add.

A Name to Be Called for a Long Time

A name, once chosen, stays with us for a long time. That's why we preferred a name that wouldn't become outdated in ten years, rather than a trendy, sophisticated one. "Undam", a name this land has long held, was reassuring in that regard. If our guests can comfortably call this place "Undam" and recall the serene water reflecting clouds, that would be all we could ask for.

There's a saying that as we call out a name, we come to resemble it. We hope the name "Undam" will seep into the hearts of those who visit, making this a place where simply calling out the name can calm the mind.

After settling on the name, we began to cultivate the land in earnest. In the next story, we'll share the tale of how we acquired this land and took the first steps in developing it, in Pocheon, Ildong, Sajik-ri.