The Traditional “Fragrance of Spring”
Arranged by David Shaffer. It is April, and it is spring in Korea. In this installment of Blast from the Past, we bring you Korea’s most beloved traditional love story, … Read More
Category: Korean Culture
Burying the Dead in Korea
Compiled and supplemented by David Shaffer. Traveling along the expressway or the railway to Seoul, or anywhere in Korea, one is sure to see the hillsides dotted with pockets of … Read More
Valentine’s Day: Amour than Meets the Eye?
Written by Colin Farabee. This month, the hearts of young lovers all over the world will flutter and sigh as Valentine’s Day comes, with each aspiring romantic attempting to woo … Read More
The Penal Code in the Joseon Dynasty: Harsh Punishments
Corporal punishment administered during the Joseon Dynasty was severe and of five basic types: whipping, flogging, hard labor, banishment, and death (see Gwangju News, December 2019, pp. 20–21). In this … Read More
Happy New Year – Rats!
Written by David Shaffer. Happy New Year! Happy 2020! Happy Lunar New Year! Having two New Years to contend with in a single year – one solar, one lunar – … Read More
The Penal Code in the Joseon Dynasty
Arranged by David Shaffer. Capital punishment is a legal penalty in South Korea, and executions are carried out by hanging. While this may seem inhumane and outdated to some, it … Read More
Hangeul Has Its Day
Unlike Korea, few nations have a holiday celebrating their alphabet. In commemoration of this day and the Korean alphabet, we bring you a compilation of excerpts from several related articles … Read More
A “Blessed Occasion” (Chuseok)
Chuseok is one of the most important holidays on the Korean calendar. This lunar calendar date – the 15th day of the 8th moon – falls on September 13 this … Read More