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 While this may seem inhumane and outdated to some, it … Read More
Category: Korean Culture
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
The Way Koreans Kept Intergender Distance
Written by Shin Sang-soon (Originally appearing in the August 2009 issue of the Gwangju News.) 남녀칠세부동석 男女七歲不同席 “Males-females age-seven not-same-seat!” “Reaching the age of seven, boys and girls are no … Read More
The Godfather of Korean Rock: Shin Jung-hyeon
Written by Ryan Berkebile 하늘은 파랗게 구름은 하얗게 Skies are blue and clouds are white 실바람도 불어와 부풀은 내 마음 A light breeze fills up my mind 나뭇잎 푸르게 강물도 … Read More
The Original K-Pop Sensation: The Kim Sisters
Written by Ryan Berkebile In recent times, Korea has successfully exported its culture to larger audiences around the world through pop idol groups, K-dramas, and critically acclaimed movies. As a … Read More
Korea’s March 1st Independence Movement
Originally written by Shin Sang-soon (Originally appearing in Gwangju News, March 2006) As this March is the centennial observance of the March 1st (1919) Independence Movement, we thought it fitting … Read More
The Year of the Golden Pig
Written by Scott Findlay The expression “새해 복 많이 받으세요!” (Good luck in the new year!) takes on a special meaning this Lunar New Year (Seollal) on February 5, 2019, … Read More