The life of a naturalist living with 9 dogs at the summit of a mountain in Goseong, Gangwon Province

The daily life of Choi Chang-seok, a naturalist living with nine dogs in a greenhouse at the summit of a rugged mountain in Goseong, Gangwon Province, has been revealed. According to a video from KBS's 'Good Morning, Korea' broadcast on February 15, 2013, Choi continues a unique mountain life with his companion dogs in a greenhouse he built himself using wood and red clay obtained from the mountain. Despite it being a greenhouse, he built a traditional furnace to burn fire, and even while enduring the discomfort of living in a space made of red clay, Choi expressed that he is happiest during this time.

From the top-ranking Gaeddong-i to the troublemaker Bokki, a large family of nine siblings

Nine dogs stay by the side of Choi Chang-seok. The video introduces the unique personalities of these dogs. Along with the top-ranking 'Gaeddong-i', the playful 'Geomdari', the troublemaker siblings 'Bokri' and 'Boksun-i' who cannot control their excrement, the skilled hunter 'Pungju', and the beautiful No. 1 and No. 2, Wang-eomma Seung-hui, Cheolcheon-gyeong, and Gil-i, a large family of nine accompanies Choi's mountain life.

Small disturbances also occur during mountain life. During filming, an incident occurred where one of the responsible PD's shoes went missing, and after an investigation targeting the dogs, the culprit was revealed to be the troublemaker 'Bokki'. Choi showed a deep bond by carefully caring for them, such as spraying medicine on the top-ranking Gaeddong-i to prevent pests. He emphasized his relationship with them, saying, "If the dogs suddenly disappeared, it would feel so empty."

Ice water baths and a cave refrigerator healing the wounds of the IMF

There was a heartbreaking story behind why Choi went into the mountains. He confessed that he suffered great wounds to his body and mind due to the economic and psychological shock he received during the IMF era. He, who said he even released his resentment by wailing while climbing the mountain, expressed satisfaction in now living as a part of nature. He had time to become one with nature by throwing himself into the cold valley water where the ice had not yet fully melted.

His lifestyle is very unique. In the mountains where electricity does not reach, he uses a 'cave refrigerator' he made himself. He even takes out kimchi that he made a year ago from the cave to taste it, explaining that thanks to the cave, the kimchi did not sour at all. Additionally, his meals are simple. Mixing misutgaru with water and salt and accompanying it with kimchi is what he calls his 'health food' and the method of 'eating light' to maintain health. He shared the wisdom that in the mountains, simple meals that do not hinder health are the best.

Playing the daegeum made from copper pipes and the tranquility of the mountains

Choi Chang-seok has also built his own artistic world within nature. He showed himself making and playing a daegeum himself using copper pipes obtained from the surroundings. His high-level daegeum performance echoing through the mountains harmonized with nature, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Choi said, "I don't know how long I will live this way, but I want to be with these children until I grow old," conveying that this mountain life, which he chose to heal the wounds he received from people, is a happy time where he can live while dreaming, even if it is lonely.