▶ Daegwallyeong, a land of snow and wind at an elevation of 832 meters. When winter arrives, a fantastic landscape submerged in heavy snow unfolds. A panorama of coexistence unfolded by people who have long adapted to heavy snow and the wildlife living in the snowfields! Using high-quality video techniques, this documentary vividly conveys the beautiful four seasons of Daegwallyeong and the traces of life unfolding in this land of plateaus and snowfields.

1. The Pass That Rolls Big

Daegwallyeong is located between Gangneung-si and Pyeongchang-gun, standing at an elevation of 832 meters. It is said that the name Daegwallyeong was derived from the sound of "Daegul-ryeong," meaning "a pass that rolls big and big" when ascending or descending, due to the pass's ruggedness since ancient times. As a watershed of the Korean Peninsula's climate and a gateway to the Yeongdong region, Daegwallyeong is deeply imbued with the sentiments of the people of Gangneung along the path traversed by figures such as Shin Saimdang and Yi Yulgok. This documentary introduces the four seasons and history of Daegwallyeong, which have never been covered in any other documentary.

2. Opening the Dried Pollock Drying Grounds

Every December, drying grounds for making dried pollock are set up throughout Daegwallyeong. Dried pollock is a local specialty created by residents utilizing the cold climate of Daegwallyeong, which is characterized by large diurnal temperature variations. Dried pollock is pollock dried amidst biting winter snowstorms and clean spring breezes; as it repeatedly freezes and thaws in the winter cold, the flesh separates into bite-sized pieces and takes on a yellow hue. Since high-quality dried pollock is produced by repeating the cycle of thawing only on the outside during the day and freezing solid at night at least 20 times, Daegwallyeong, where the average nighttime temperature drops below -10 degrees Celsius for more than two months, possesses the ideal natural conditions for producing dried pollock with superior texture and mouthfeel. The drying grounds, where hundreds of thousands of dried pollock are spread out, present an irresistible temptation even for winter wildlife. We meet the people of Daegwallyeong who spread out and dry pollack amidst the winter cold and spring breezes, capturing vivid scenes of close-up shots of raccoons and wildcats roaming the drying racks every night in search of dried pollack.

3. Daegwallyeong, the Land of Snow and Wind

Heavy snowfall continues even in February. Humid air currents blowing from the East Sea collide with the Baekdudaegan mountain range and rise, forming massive snow clouds. In Daegwallyeong, which remains covered in snow throughout the winter, there are people who have long adapted to living in heavy snow. "Foot sleds," skis carved from wood for transportation, and sleds—a symbol of children—occupy a significant place in the lives of the people of Daegwallyeong. As the cradle of winter sports and the only place where skiing can be enjoyed from November to April, Daegwallyeong was the main stage for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. When the snow subsides in Daegwallyeong, the wind takes its place. The wind, blowing with a consistent intensity, generates the highest level of electricity through 53 wind turbines. Climate conditions that once made life difficult for local residents have not only become resources for creating and fostering new industries but are also being reborn as cultural and tourism assets. The fantastic scenery of Daegwallyeong, the land of snow and wind, unfolds.

4. Winter Wonderland: Roe Deer Encountered in Daegwallyeong, the Snowfield

How do wild animals spend the winter in Daegwallyeong, the "Korean Alps," which embraces snowfields? High-altitude fields rich in vegetables are the main feeding grounds for roe deer. However, when winter arrives, heavy snowfall presents a trial even for the deer. A roe deer descends into a village to find food amidst a meter of snow. How will the roe deer manage to survive the winter? We vividly present the scene of our encounter with a roe deer, successfully captured in close-up on the snow-covered landscape of Daegwallyeong.

5. Nature’s Generous Feast

When spring comes, Daegwallyeong transforms into a field of potatoes. In Daegwallyeong, the home of seed potatoes where production first began in 1961, the hands of the women working in the fields are busy. Animals visit the fields where the greenery has deepened, and a feast of wildflowers unfolds on the verdant rolling hills. In August and September, the planting of cabbage begins in the misty Anbandegi. Daegwallyeong, beloved as a summer retreat due to its cool climate even in the summer, offers ideal natural conditions for cultivating highland vegetables; highland agriculture has become the foundation of the local people's livelihoods. Daegwallyeong, the original source of Korea's seed potatoes and a symbol of highland vegetable cultivation... ...