Five Siblings and Two Dogs in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Set a Table with Jerusalem Artichokes Harvested from Their Vegetable Garden

In a rural village in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, the daily life of a family living with five siblings and two dogs was revealed through KBS 'Animal Theater: Best Friends'. In the video, the family prepares meals using crops they directly cultivated in their vegetable garden, capturing the children growing up in nature.

Vegetable Gardening and Jerusalem Artichoke Cooking Continued for 5 Years

According to the video, the family of five in Hapcheon has been farming their vegetable garden for five years, directly cultivating and using various crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, green onions, strawberries, and tomatoes as ingredients. In particular, the mother, Ji-eun, presented dishes using Jerusalem artichokes harvested from the garden as the main ingredient. Dishes prepared included Jerusalem artichoke pancakes made by stir-frying Jerusalem artichokes with green onions and pork, and a dish where Jerusalem artichokes were used like a sauce to season anchovies and dried filefish with red pepper paste.

During the family's mealtime, there is a rule to serve oneself as much as one wants to eat. Ji-eun stated that she uses this serving method to have the children serve themselves only as much as they can eat and to make them take responsibility for the food they have scooped.

Rural Homeschooling Chosen Instead of Private Education

The children's method of education also drew attention. About four years ago, instead of the competitive private education environment in the city, the family chose homeschooling in the countryside and moved to Hapcheon. This decision, made to coincide with when the eldest child would go to elementary school, means the children spend time learning with the family through books in the morning.

In the afternoon, they use nature as a learning ground by engaging in outdoor activities in the mountains, fields, and the yard. The video shows the daily life of the children, including the eldest child opening a book to study and the children being active in nature.

Grandfather's Firewood Delivery and Preparing for Winter

The family's preparation process for winter was also captured. To ensure the children can spend the winter warmly, the maternal grandfather visits about once a month with a truck loaded with firewood for the wood-burning boiler. The family prepares for winter by researching ways to stay warm with minimal wood. Through the process of helping their grandfather move firewood, the children undergo a process of practical education, naturally learning farming experience and life skills.