Travel Phrases — Entry No. 0383
제주
jeju · noun
제주
jeju
[JEH-joo]
nounbeginner
Meaning
Jeju (제주), officially Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, is South Korea’s largest island, rising from the sea off the southern tip of the peninsula. Famous for its dormant Hallasan volcano, dramatic black lava coastlines, tangerine orchards, and the haenyeo (해녀) — the island’s legendary female free-divers — Jeju holds UNESCO World Natural Heritage status and is Korea’s most beloved domestic travel destination.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Jeju’s otherworldly landscapes make it irresistible to K-drama production teams. The Legend of the Blue Sea (푸른 바다의 전설, 2016–2017) starring Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun features sweeping mermaid sequences set against Jeju’s crystal coastline, turning the island into a fan pilgrimage site overnight. IU’s beloved cover of ‘제주도의 푸른 밤 (Blue Night of Jeju Island)’ introduced a younger generation of K-pop listeners to the island’s poetic, moonlit atmosphere, and Stray Kids members have cited Jeju as a personal retreat destination in their fan content.
Example Sentences
제주도는 한국에서 가장 큰 섬이에요.
Jejudo-neun Hanguk-eseo gajang keun seom-ieyo.
Jeju Island is the largest island in Korea. (Note: 도 attached to a place name means ‘island,’ while 섬 is the standalone noun for ‘island’)
제주 한라산은 한국에서 가장 높은 산이에요.
Jeju Hallasan-eun Hanguk-eseo gajang nop-eun san-ieyo.
Jeju’s Hallasan is the highest mountain in Korea. (At 1,950 m, Hallasan is a dormant volcano and a popular hiking destination)
제주 감귤은 정말 달고 맛있어요.
Jeju gamgyul-eun jeongmal dalgo massisseoyo.
Jeju tangerines are really sweet and delicious. (감귤 = tangerine — the signature Jeju souvenir; saying this to a local islander will earn instant warmth)
⚠️ Don’t use jeju when…
Always use 제주 (Jeju) or 제주도 (Jeju-do) — never ‘Cheju,’ which is an outdated romanization that still appears in older guidebooks and can cause confusion. Also, the suffix -도 in 제주도 means ‘island’ in this context, but the same character 도 can mean ‘province’ or ‘also’ elsewhere, so beginners often trip over its multiple meanings.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: The Legend of the Blue Sea (푸른 바다의 전설) — Jun Ji-hyun’s mermaid emerges from Jeju’s crystal-clear waters in visually stunning sequences that transformed the island into an instant must-visit destination for drama fans worldwide.
- K-Pop: IU — 제주도의 푸른 밤 (Blue Night of Jeju Island) — IU’s tender cover of this classic ballad captures the dreamy, starlit quality of Jeju nights and introduced millions of younger K-pop fans to the island’s poetic legacy.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.