Ji-hun, living on a deserted island with 12 dogs, collects rainwater to wash dishes

On Daegwangido, a heart-shaped deserted island that can be reached by a 15-minute boat ride from Deokbok Port in Geoje, lives Ji-hun, who resides with 12 dogs. According to the KBS Animal TV: animal4u video, Ji-hun chose life on a deserted island to provide an environment where his companion dogs can run around freely.

Deserted island life started to take responsibility for pregnant dogs

The reason Ji-hun began leading a large family of 12 on a deserted island started with a companion dog named 'Kkamsun-i'. While staying with three dogs—Kkamsun-i, Kkambyeol-i, and Hwinbyeol-i—at an acquaintance's farm in the past, local male dogs jumped over the fence, causing Kkamsun-i and Hwinbyeol-i to become pregnant. Two years ago, when Kkamsun-i gave birth to eight siblings, it became difficult for them to stay at the farm, and naturally, life on the deserted island began.

At first, it was too heartbreaking to send the puppies born to Hwinbyeol-i for adoption without even being able to name them, so he decided to keep them. In particular, it was not easy to decide on adoptions because people were reluctant to take mixed-breed dogs with large builds. Feeling a sense of responsibility, Ji-hun has been living together with them for two years, naming each of them one by one. Currently, 12 dogs reside on the island with Ji-hun. The dogs in the video show off their unique personalities and have adapted to island life, including one with a yellow spot as a point on its snow, one that looks like it is wearing a sock on only one foot, and Kkamsun-i, who is very affectionate despite her brave appearance.

Hard daily life carrying water with a traditional A-frame carrier and washing dishes with rainwater

Life on a deserted island is a continuous series of hard processes where all resources must be procured directly, unlike on the mainland. Ji-hun stores bottled water and dog food brought from the mainland by boat in a rocky shore warehouse, and then uses a traditional A-frame carrier (jige) to transport them when climbing steep hills. Carrying heavy water bottles up and down five or six times a day is like 'hell training.' Ji-hun also demonstrates his own life wisdom, such as using a camping shower bag to hang water high up to use it as if he were at home.

Ji-hun's shelter is a prefabricated tent-style structure made by connecting steel structures. This house, which has a foundation made of steel stakes and uses a shade net to block sunlight, is equipped with a bedroom, kitchen, and even a closet. In particular, for the dogs, the lower floor is laid with artificial grass to look like a 'companion dog share house,' and he even provides individual private spaces for each dog. Since water is very scarce on the island, he focuses on the task of collecting rainwater on rainy days. Ji-hun installs a rainwater collector using tarps and stones, and uses the rainwater collected overnight. In the video, he shows a spirit of frugality by washing dishes with only water and a scrubber, without using dish soap, using the rainwater he collected this way.

SNS videos of dogs filling the lacking balance

The deserted island life, which began with money saved through working holidays and shipyard work, lasted longer than expected, and he faced a situation where his balance was gradually running out. To make a living, he began to capture the daily lives of the deserted island dogs in videos and introduce them on social media. The videos, which capture the unstable island life and the witty appearances of the dogs, attracted the interest of fans.

Thanks to the help of subscribers, he was able to reduce the burden of dog food costs, and the dog food and snacks sent by fans are a great strength in raising the large family of 12 dogs. Although there are days when he has to worry that the tent might blow away due to wind and rain, or days when fierce waves are threatening, Ji-hun spends warm nights with the dogs by turning on a heater. On clear mornings, Ji-hun's life on the deserted island continues today, starting the day by enjoying sunbathing with the dogs.