Anticommunism and Counterespionage in the Middle of Nowhere
“My aim here is neither to extol nor vilify the Saemaul Movement, but rather to highlight its continued impact on the Korea we see today.”
Tag: history
Jang Bo-go and the Rise and Fall of Unified Silla
“As a general, he eliminated Chinese pirates attacking Korea’s coast and made his country prosperous through active trade.”
The “Magical” Castles of Romania
Romanian castles preserve between their walls medieval stories about voivodes (governors) and kings, hide legends and bloody battles, or bathe in jewelry and treasures – castles that seem to rise from a rock and that give even more charm to a country that has so much to offer.
How I Became a North Korean by Krys Lee
Inhumane actions described by Lee actually occur on a daily basis in North Korea.
Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson
Would an acknowledgement of failure change anything? Did Isaac have a responsibility to protect the credibility of the weather bureau?
The Land of Hats
Why hats? Today, hats are primarily seen as a fashion accessory, but hair has always held a great deal of symbolic significance in societies. Joseon Korea (1392–1897) was no exception: Hairstyles and the various accessories used to maintain and decorate them during the Joseon Dynasty were imbued with sociocultural meaning.
The Humanity in Humiliation: The Search for Yangsim in National Disasters
Understanding yangsim – its origins, ramifications, and altogether common absence – is the beginning of the necessary philosophical work to prevent all national disasters, not just deadly protests that marked South Korea’s turbulent past.
Destination: Jangheung, June 19−20, 2021
“As if to prove that my days as an American-Korean traveler are not over, I went to Seoul’s express bus terminal on Saturday morning, bellied up to the counter, bought a ticket to Jangheung, and hit the road.”