It’s been almost a year since I took this photo. As cherry blossom season returns to Korea—already underway in the south and just beginning elsewhere—I’ve been looking back at my shots from that trip and decided it was time to share this one.
Cherry blossoms (벚꽃, beotkkot) are a beloved symbol of spring here, drawing crowds to iconic festivals in Jinhae (진해) or famous Seoul spots like Yeouido (여의도) and Seokchon Lake (석촌호수). However, I captured this scene at Daewangam Park (대왕암공원) in Ulsan. The park is known for cultivars like ‘Shirofugen’ and ‘Shogetsu,’ which stand out for the dense, layered petals seen in this shot.
The blooming period is famously brief, which is part of its appeal, but it also puts time into perspective. It doesn’t feel like much time has passed, yet a full year has already cycled through since this moment.
Scientific classification:
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Tracheophytes
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Rosales
Family:Rosaceae
Genus:Prunus
Subgenus:Prunus subg. Cerasus
Section:P. sect. Cerasus
Species:P. serrulata
Prunus serrulata cultivar ‘Shirofugen’ or ‘Shogetsu’
Daewangam Park, Dong-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Camera: Canon EOS 800D / Rebel T7i / Kiss X9i
Lens: TAMRON SP 28-75mm F/2.8 Di A09E
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 75.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/320
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO: 100
Photo Taken: April 27, 2025
High resolution
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