From an outside perspective, Director Bong Joon Ho’s historic win at the 2020 Oscars signaled a critical shift in the Republic of Korea’s film industry. Bong, winning Korea’s first four Oscars that night, was seen as a hero of Korean cinema, bringing it to the global spotlight and opening the door for dozens of Korean…
Even if you are not an expert on Korean history or culture, I am almost positive that you have heard of K-Pop, Korea’s popular music. I am sure you have at least caught a glimpse of the flashy costumes and hair dyed in every shade of the rainbow, have watched the sharp and precise dance…
Bunsik (분식, 粉食) A variety of Bunsik(s) I am aware this may sound incredibly stereotypical, as an American, but I miss fast food. Or rather, I miss the meaning that fast food held in my life. Fast food restaurants are not known for their high quality cuisine, excellent customer service, and consistently satisfying dining…
If you are a fan of the hit drama “Squid Game,” I am sure that you already have some knowledge about Korean traditional games. Of course, the games seen on screen were much more…dramatic, for lack of a better word, but they still gave us a look into the games that constitute many Koreans’ childhoods.…
The name BTS (방탄소년단) has, over the last few years, essentially become a household name not just in Korea, but in countries all over the world. As Hallyu (한류), or the Korean Wave, continues to gain momentum, Korean culture and history has begun to spread to all corners of the world not just within the…
When you think of the Republic of Korea, it is almost guaranteed that Seoul will be one of the places that first comes to mind. With a population of around 9.7 million people (almost a fifth of the entire country’s population) occupying just about 234 square miles(606 square kilometers), Seoul is packed to the brim…
Korean traditional baby’s first birthday. Baby wearing hanbok and gold ring. Do you happen to know how old you are in “Korean age”? Just in reading that one sentence, I imagine there are plenty of questions running through your head. For starters, “What’s Korean age?” and “Does everyone not calculate age the same way?” Korean…
The Heartless, published by Minumsa Co., Ltd There are many Korean historical novels and novel writers throughout Korean history. There are those who have created pieces of literature that allow us to have a view of the historical period while also still being important topics that affect us today. Na Hye-sok was a poet and…
Hanbok stickers made by VANK Hanbok(한복), Korean clothing is a form of clothing that is worn for traditional holidays or special occasions such as weddings and child’s first birthday. Hanbok can be traced back to the time of the three kingdoms. This is when Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje were ruling over the peninsula. There have…
Honggildongjeon, published by Minumsa Co., Ltd Many people know of the story of Robin Hood, the English folk hero who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. But, did you know that Korea also has a similar tale? This story is about Hong Gil Dong and is the first story written in Hangeul.…