A South Korean man struck gold—or rather, ginseng—after following a mysterious dream. Guided by an elderly figure who appeared in his sleep and claimed to be a 1,700-year-old pine tree, the man hiked into the mountains and made an extraordinary discovery: 11 wild ginseng roots (산삼 / sansam), including one estimated to be over 70 years old.
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| Wild ginseng discovery in Gangwon |
Dream Leads to Rare Wild Ginseng Discovery in Gangwon Province
According to reports on May 8, 2025, Ra Hyun-woo (62) from Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, made the discovery on May 4, while hiking in a mountainous area that appeared in his dream. He unearthed:
- 1 root of wild ginseng over 70 years old
- 4 roots aged over 20 years
- 6 more roots discovered the following day, aged between 20 to 50 years
These 11 roots are considered a “family ginseng set” (가족산삼)—a rare and highly valued find in Korea’s mountain regions.
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| Old pine tree |
A 1,700-Year-Old Pine Tree in a Dream?
Ra’s journey began late last month when he dreamed of an elderly man who told him, “I am this pine tree, and I’m 1,700 years old.” The tree was located in Shinpo-ri, Sabuk-myeon, Chuncheon, and had left a strong impression on Ra when he saw it 20 years ago.
The mysterious elder, who had appeared in Ra’s dreams during major life events, instructed him to visit a specific mountain slope. Trusting the vision, Ra ventured into the mountains on May 2 and discovered the first five ginseng roots on May 4.
That night, the elder returned in another dream and said, “You need to go back and collect the rest.” The next morning, Ra returned to the same spot and unearthed six additional wild ginseng roots.
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| Wild ginseng roots |
Estimated Value: 100 Million KRW (≈ $73,000 USD)
According to Yoon Gyo-seon, CEO of the Korea Wild Ginseng Association, the ginseng roots were authenticated as Korean wild ginseng (sansam) based on their shape and neodu (growth points).
- The main root is estimated to be 70+ years old
- The offspring roots range from 20 to 50 years old
The total appraised value is around 100 million Korean won, or approximately $73,000 USD.
“30 Years of Searching the Mountains… This Time, It Was Joyful”
Ra, a seasoned ginseng hunter (심마니) with nearly 30 years of experience, shared:
“I’ve spent weeks in the mountains eating raw rice just to find ginseng. Sometimes, the hardship brings me to tears. But this time, it wasn’t tears—it was joy.”
His story is now going viral across Korean media and online communities, capturing attention for its blend of mysticism, tradition, and nature’s rare gift.
References: daum news
Keywords
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