Published by the Gwangju International Center since 2001
Located about an hour and change southeast of Gwangju, Obong-san (literally “five-peak mountain”) has left me smitten for its topographical variety, bucolic bayside views, and one of the most unique rock formations I’ve ever seen: Knife Rock (칼바위). In this edition of “Lost,” I’ll carve out a few paragraphs on what puts this mountain in my top 10.
Ahhh, good old Shinan. Characterized by farmland, tidal flats, and all-around nice people, the 1,004 islands of the region are spread out, isolated, and beautiful.
“Joseon Korea was repeatedly laid to waste, expos[ing] long-accepted abuses of power and privilege, gross inequities in society, and the inefficiency of established institutions.”
We often think of Korea’s neo-Confucianism of Joseon Dynasty times as a singular concept, but in actuality, it was more of an umbrella term for the differing schools of thought that existed simultaneously as well as those that developed sequentially during Joseon times. One of these schools of neo-Confucian thought was that of the Nosa School, developed in the Jeolla area by Ki Jeong-jin.
“It was not only one of the fiercest struggles by commoners for democratic reforms, but it was also the beginning of the anti-Japanese movement.”
“As a general, he eliminated Chinese pirates attacking Korea’s coast and made his country prosperous through active trade.”
The month of March signals a change in South Korea that seems to breathe life into every corner of the peninsula. The air itself changes and the world seems to … Read More
From expensive herbs to illegal dealings, the story of how a five-day market became the built up department stores it is today
