To what extent would you go if knowing that having knowledge of a specific language meant the possibility of getting your child into an Ivy League university? Driven by a shared dissatisfaction with South Korea’s rigid educational system, parents in rapidly expanding numbers are seeking to give their children an edge by helping them become…
Mukbang. It comes from the word to eat (muk-da) and the word broadcast (bang-song). Not only in Korea, but globally, the act of eating ridiculous amounts of food in one sitting is a growing phenomenon. Koreans call this ‘mukbang’ and have been broadcasting it live since around 2014. In 2018, TODAY Food had pointed out…
After the successful Canadian TV-series release of Kim’s Convenience, Minari (미나리) becomes the first American film to portray the lives of Korean-American immigrant families. Following its January 20, 2020 world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Minari had received both the prestigious U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury prize. It has also…
On December 16, 2020, the Cultural Heritage Association declared Yeondeunghoe (lantern lighting festival) as an intangible cultural heritage in the fifteenth session of the committee. Yeondeunghoe, also known as the Lotus Lantern Festival dates back to the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – A.D. 935) and is held annually on the 8th day of the…
Hanbok’s literal translation is ‘Korean clothing’ and is referring to a traditional two-piece clothing worn in Korea. Historically, it used to be worn daily. However nowadays it is only worn during special occasions such as first birthdays, weddings, funerals, Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving 추석), and Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day 설날). Most Koreans always have a…
“Oh, you mean Korean sushi?” One of my top three Korean foods is no doubt Gimbap. One of the most common misconceptions about Gimbap is that it’s Korea’s version of sushi. Although I understand the thought process, Gimbap is not “Korean sushi”. Sushi originates from Japan back when fermented rice was used to prevent…
With catchy melodies, amazing singers, and lyrics that you can’t help but sing along to, it’s no wonder that the music of bands like BTS, BlackPink, GOT7, and EXO have led to K-Pop music dominating the global charts and capturing the attention of fans across the globe. With all that being said, this increased interest…
For over 75 years, the National Museum of Korea (NMK) has sought to educate its visitors about Korea’s long history and rich culture through a variety of mediums. Temporary and permanent exhibitions and educational workshops help museum visitors experience thousands of years of Korea’s history through a variety of artifacts including, but not limited to,…
The tou, or Silla clay dolls, are one of the most highly regarded cultural heritages of Korea that reveal the lifestyles of the ancient Korean people. The word tou literally translates to ”clay dolls” or ”dolls made from clay.” In a broader sense, not only do these dolls take on the human form, but they…
Located in the city of Gyeongju of Gyeongsangbukdo Province, South Korea, Cheomseongdae is the oldest living observatory in the world. It stands as one of the most monumental sites that reveal the importance of astronomy and astrology on the ancient Korean civilization. Roughly translates to the ”star-gazing tower (Atlas Obscura)” or the ”reverently regarding the…