Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province ― Sometimes a lot more goes into a steamed bun than simply sweet red beans, according to Choi Dong-bun, a leading figure in Yangpyeong County’s Sumi Village in Gyeonggi Province.

Choi is not just a leader in Sumi; she is the woman responsible for making her village particularly renowned for steamed buns.

The steamed buns that a group of tour professionals, officials and media learned to make at a rural experience camp site in Sumi ― treats that have made Sumi Village a renowned travel destination ― contain a special story in addition to the sweet red beans.

A Buddhist monk, Ven. Wongong, well known in South Korea for traveling across the country by foot and for such charitable activities as raising funds for orphanages, taught Choi how to make the steamed buns.

Asked how she learned to make the popular treats from a famous Buddhist monk, Choi said: “The Ven. Wongong taught me how to make them, not just as a way to supplement the income of our farming village, but also just as a way to make something beautiful and delicious.”

Since she learned how to make steamed buns, Choi has been busy churning out thousands of them.

Choi, 61, was actually born in Seoul, but moved with her husband to the countryside and eventually settled in Sumi Village.

“What I love about making steamed buns most of all is making people happy,” she said.

For information about reservations to Sumi or any of the Rural 20 camp sites, contact Mode Tour at (02) 3788-4845. For general information about Sumi Village and the Rural 20 Project, visit the Rural 20 website at www.rural20.kr which is available in English, Japanese and Chinese.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)