PUFS-Essay+on+Korean+Culture



I want to talk about ' How Korean think - Korean Ways'. Every country has its own customs and polite behavior. For the Korean, politeness and manners are very important. Many of the attitudes about politeness are similar to American ones. However, there are a few differences. One of the biggest differences is that Koreans help and show respect to the elderly. This means they don't begin eating before the older person, they don't smoke in front of someone older, and they give up their seat to the elderly. For example, if an elderly get on the bus, immediately young people offer their seats. Also, Korean try to think of all people as part of the family. That's why Korean call complete strangers 'uncle' of 'aunt'. ( left- picture of Korean bus, right- a poster reminding people to yield their seats )
 * < 20050085 Jang In Kyoung >**


 * (20050002 Kang Min ju)

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 * ( a art work with using Korean tradition color)**

I'd like to talk about beauty of Korea tradition color. Our tradition colors are black, red, blue, white and yellow. The colors used by ancestors include not only a beauty but also a view of the world. The ancestor defined that these five colors are base of forming the universe. Also the colors are symbolized a direction and a season.

Look at the following chart.

the turning point of the season || & Exorcise || Natuaral & humility || Wisdiom || Noble ||
 * color || Blue || Red || White || Black || Yellow ||
 * Direction || East || South || West || North || Center ||
 * Season || Spring || Summer || Fall || Winter || ]
 * Meaning || Creation || Passion
 * Meaning || Creation || Passion

I think that lots of Korean don't know about these colors meaning and ancestor'd philosophy. I'm also surprised at our ancestor's view of colors. I hope that we inherit and develop our ancestor's view of colors.

(20041301 Park Hye Ryoung ) Hi everyone, I'm Haeryoung Indigo.I'd like to tell you about marriage culture of Korea. The marriage culture in Korea is slowly changing. It is easy to see many korean who marry people of different culture background recently. Korean people these days think that they can marry any foreigners, if they love each other. What is the main reason why the marriage culture of Korea is gradually changing? First, they are searching their own happiness by themselves. In the passed time, most people could not marry one who they love, because the marriage was carried out purposely such as "political marriage". But nowadays in spite of objection by their families, they try to marry lovers for their hppiness. Second, atmosphere of our society becomes generous. As our society is changing to accept the foreign culture, Korean bocome open-minded. Accordingly. conservative view for marriage of foreigners decreased a lot. Third, globalization. As the world is becoming a earth village, we have more opportunity to meet foreigners frequently. And so we can get rid of any vague prejudice towards their culture, With the results we are also changing to understand and accept different culture easily than before. With these various reasons, Korean marriage culture is changing to be open step by step.




 * <20040018 Kim,Minhwa>**

There was a big and important internation event in 2002. It's 2002 Korea&Japan Worldcup. All the streets in the world flooded with people yelling their country's victory and there was the hottest street in Korea, Gwanghwamun. Actually, Korean is not a soccer country. I mean, soccer is not so popular in Korea, but soccer was the most popluar sports and activity in 2002. Everyone went out of their home in the middle of night or early in the morning and cheered Korean players. What made it possible? There's only one thing. It's "Koreans' national character" and it makes people get together mentally. Koreans are rather kind and like to help others that other nation in the world because they think they are a kind of family in a sense. There's a good example that prove Koreans' homogeneous thing. Korea had an economic crisis in 1997 and needed help of IMF. Korea had a huge debt and took a lot of time to pay that. And there were a lot of effort to recover it and one of them was "Gold-gathering movement". Korean had this movement to gather gold and pay the debt with this money. Huge people volunteerally put out their gold and Korean paid back 2.1billion dollar. Korea had many crisis in the past and we would have them in the future, but I believe we will get through it with the Koreans' ethncity. That's us, Korean.

 



Hi, everyone. I'm Yoo-jin indigo in PUFS. I want to tell you about our own unique alpabet called Han-geul. Hangeul is considered to be one of the most efficient alphabets in the world. It has recieved a lot of prase for its scientific design and excellence. During thd Choson Dynasty, most intelligentsia used the Chinese script, it couldn't fully express the words and meaning of Korean thoughts and spoken language. Otherwise, common people didn't know the Chines script, so they could neither read nor write. It was very difficult for common people to learn the Chinese script. Becuase of these reasons, King Sejong during the Choson Dynasty (1393-1910) created Korean unique alpahbet.In 1446, the first Korean alphabet was proclaimed under the original name Hunmin Jeong-um, which literally meant "the correct sounds for the instruction of the people." Hangeul has many vowels, so its pronunciations are very various. In the Korean language, there are spaces between the written words and most of the characters can be pronounced as they are written. Not surprisingly, it's very easy to learn to read and write the words. For these reasons, Hangeul is considered to be one of the most logical and rational writing systems in the world. We have Hangel Proclamation day. We celebrate Hangeul Proclamation day every year.

Hello~ guys^^ Now, I'd like to tell you about life styles of Korea. Actually, it's been changing very quickly. We're living in very different environment from our parents' or grandparents' generation. Long time ago when our parents were very young, Korea was not developed a lot.
 * 20030033 An, Sungeun**

They lived in Korean traditional houses such as thatched houses( Choga-jip ) or tile-roofed houses( Giwa-jip ) which look similar to temple. These houses were made of earth and wood. People lived near and they were very close to their neighbors. They helped each other and trusted like their own family. They didn't even have doors. At that time, many things weren't enough but they shared their food and things. Most people did farming for their living. However, nowadays it's hard to see these kinds of traditional houses. Only some people in very country town, people live in traditional houses. Korea is small country but there are a lot of people living. I think that's why there are many apartments than other countries such as U.S.A. or Canada and so on. Most people in big cities in Korea live in apartments. As ylou can see the picture below, a lot of people live in same building. So they don't know much about their neighbors than before. Also people move their houses if they get jobs which is located in a different city. Living in an anpartment is convenient but the life styles of past are better in some parts, I think. What do you think about that?^^

Hi, I'm Heejung Indigo. Are you interested in pretty and fancy clothes? Then, how about wearing Korean traditional dress, //HANBOK//? If you don't know what //HANBOK// is, I'll show you about it from now. :)

Hanbok is one of the representative things of Korea such as Hangul, Kimchi, Taekwondo, and so on. Koreans have been wearing this national costume since Goguryeo times and it has been changed gradually over the centuries. As you see the picture below, the basic elements of women's Hanbok are //jeogori//, the upper part of the clothes with a long ribbon, skirt called //chima//, socks called //beoseon//, and many undergarments and bloomers that wear under the //chima//, whereas men's are consist of a longer //jeogori// and baggy, loose-fitting pants called //baji//. It symbolizes elegance and beauty, and is characterized by its vivid colors and simple, curved, and flowing lines without pocket. It also reflects our traditional values and dignity, and many kinds of Hanbok used to indicate the social status of the wearers. If you see the historical dramas or movies, you can recognize that many people wore the different types of Hanbok at that time. It was made of silk and highly decorated for the king and the queen or the people who were in the upper classes of the society, and there was simple and plain Hanbok for the commoners. Also, the colors of Hanbok showed people's status. Usually, the upper classes wore variety of colors of Hanbok, but the commoners had to wear the clothes of white except for the special occasions when they wore bright colors of Hanbok such as pale pink, light green, and so on. And, whenever they went out, men were required to wear overcoats known as //durumagi// and women wore long coats called //jangot// to hide their face in public.



Like this, Hanbok has reflected our lifestyle and culture, and stood for the identity of Korea. As time went by, it has been changed little by little and many people tried to reform Hanbok in a modern style, which is more refined and stylish to show the traditional beauty. You can see that a lot of fashion designers, especially the famous Korean designer, Andre Kim, are holding the fashion show using Hanbok. These days, we don't wear it everyday like before, but most of Korean people still think it is the most beautiful clothes in the world and try to wear Hanbok during formal occasions like celebration, wedding, Chuseok and Seolnal (Korean Thanksgiving Day and New Year's Day).

- about Korea...
 * [[image:KOREA.JPG width="293" height="217"]]by Jinyi Hastings

Now I am about to tell you Koreans' language habits and behaviors in daily lives. I think these are the best way to find out unique characteristics of the nation. Because they can be seen and be experienced when you are in the country. I will tell you 3 cases you could face in Korea. First, Korean's response to the elderly is quite different from western countries. As Confucianism had long been major religion, most Koreans have been accustomed to being polite to the elderly. For example, most of young people, not everybody these days, offer their seats to them, and help them to carry out their heavy bags. In the US, it can't happen. Someone who helps the old is usually mistaken for stealing their belongings. Second, Koreans show their modesty even when they deserve to be praised. In case of business, one of the team members did much better than any other member on their project. But the one who did well say like this, "I didn't anything. Thanks to you, I think we could do it." This kind of saying should be understood by Koreans, but what about the others? Many people in the world can not understand this. It is from modesty, I think, which has been in Koreans' mind since Chosun Dynasty. Third, emotion that something has to be done quickly. Many foreigners can experience this almost in every place such as markets, streets, and even buses getting on and off. You can also see this haste when Koreans order their food and wait their food in a restaurant. Sometimes, it may be good to be hasty, but I think Koreans need to have more patience.

There are more representing things except 3 cases above. But I think these are the most frequent occurrences in everyday life. Through these, I hope you can be closer to Koreans. ||

20030001 Kong Eunsuk Korean people like doing something with group playing. Korean people don't like solo play. Have you ever seen 2002 Korean-Japan World Cup? Strictly speaking, have you ever seen Korea soccer supporting team? Every Korean people wore red T-shirts and went to the city hall and street, shouted "Dae-Han-Min_Kuk". I am still excited thinking of the scene Korean supporter did on World Cup. It was unbelievable sight. Five years left, people went to their routine life and anyone do not remember that fantastic memory. Korean seems to boiling pot. Boiling pot boils not only very fast but also cools fast. Every Korean has a similar personality. About five years ago, Korean Newspaper told history distortion by Japan everyday. At that time people went to street and do an intimidatory action just like burn a candle in hand. Time goes by, people didn't think about the history distortion and forgot about that. How about Korea people's good point? Korean is very kind and hard-working. Korean young people should thank for our ancestor. Korea was a third nation but nowadays, Korea's GNP locates in 11 in world. Our ancestor did a hard-working throughout every field. They are hero for Korea which is exist. I love Korea and Korean people. I am proud of what I am Korean. I think Korean people do everything ever every people want. I do remember 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup and Korea people's support work. I can't forget a shout of victory. Korea Fighting!

Hi! I'm Myungmee. Have you ever tried kimchi before? I wish you have. To most Koreans, a meal without kimchi, no matter how lavish, is incomplete or even unthinkable. It is low in calories and cholesterol and very high in fiber. It is also very nutritious. In fact, it is richer in vitamins than apples. Had the individual who coined the well-known saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" been Korean, perhaps he would have said "Some kimchi a day keeps the doctor away." It is an ideal health food as well as diet food and with its increasing inclusion on supermarket shelves around the world and its designation as an official food at events such as the 1998 World Cup in France, it is fast becoming an international food to be enjoyed around the world.



There are basically two kinds of kimchi, seasonal and winter, with numerous varieties of each. The seasonal varieties are made with whatever vegetables are available and are for short-term storage. The winter varieties, made with mostly cabbages and turnips, are for long-term storage to provide vegetables during the cold winter months. Winter kimchi is usually made in late November and early December when the weather is quite cold. At the time, women gather in groups throughout the country to turn mountains of cabbages and turnips into kimchi to feed their families throughout the cold winter months. However, today many urban families including my family don't make kimchi. Instead we just buy it at the market and the quality of factory-made kimchi is tasty as well. Nowadays there are many companies that produce kimchi for export as well as for local consumption. If you want, anytime and anywhere you can try nutritious and healthy Korean food, kimchi.

Hello, everyone! I am Eunah Indigo from PUFS. Do you like sweets? Then why don't you try //YAKKWA// and //TASHIK//(Korean traditional sweets)? Let's find out delicious Korean traditional sweets! First, here comes //YAKKWA.// Second, I would like to introduce you //TASHIK.// Source : the book **//Let's eat Korean food//** by Besty O'brien
 * [[image:recipe_681_list_1-lsa7233.gif caption="recipe_681_list_1-lsa7233.gif"]] || //YAKKWA// are honey cookies made with flour, sesame oil, honey rice wine, cinnamon and ginger juice. They are pressed into a patterned mold and then deep fried. After cooking they are soaked in syrup and sprinkled with chopped pine nuts.It is coated with cyrup so it has shiny and glmorous look. In traditional Korean culture, there are florid colors in clothing, food and artcraft. When it comes to fashion, you will realize especially young women in this contury are very conscious of fashion. Fashion industry in Korea is quiet large. Also there are many individual-running-clothing shops in downtown of the main cities. People are don't afraid to express themselves trough fashion. ||
 * [[image:khjlovefm_12.jpg caption="khjlovefm_12.jpg"]] || The cookie cutter of Western Kitchens is replaced by the cookie mold in Korea. Molds pass down through families and are chosen for the beauty of their design. //TASHIK// cookies are made from ingredients such as rice, chestnuts, soybean powder, black sesame seeds and even pine tree pollen. The ingredients give bases of different colors which are mixed with honey or grain syrup. The paste is pressed into shapes using a traditional //TASHIK// mold which has several patterns incorporated in it. //TASHIK// is rather simple and composed of one ingredient. Modesty is one of top value in Korean society. Korean language has terms of respect. Self-effacement is underlying Korean life style. ||

Introduction of Korean Culture (by Taejin Davies) 1. Korean philosophy represented in its flag This paragraph is about Korean culture which is introduced by its flag named "Taegeukgi". Because the national flag is representing its culture as a symbolic meaning. The South Koreans may well have the most philosophical flag in the world. The white background represents both Confucian 'purity' and the Buddhist concept of 'emptiness'. In the centre lies a taegeuk, the Taoist symbol of balance or harmony between opposites, which was adapted from the Chinese. The Korean version is more colourful and divided horizontally, with the top red half representing 'Yang' which means heaven, day, male, heat, active etc, and blue lower half represents 'Eum' which means earth, night, female, cold, passive etc. These two cosmic forces are cycled perpetually, in perfectly balanced harmony as two sides of the same icon. The three lines at each corner, known as trigrams, were from the ancient book of Chinese thought, the Classic of Changes. The three unbroken bars symbolize heaven (creative), while the opposite three broken bars symbolize earth (receptive). The trigram in the upper right corner is water (treacherous danger), and in the opposite corner lies fire (loyal love). (referred to the book of Korea published by Lonely Planet) As you see above Korean philosophy might be summarized as featured as eternity, peace and universal harmony, which has been proved in Korean historical facts that Korea hasn't take any preemptive strike to the neighbors and sustain its existence for several thousand years between continental and maritime powers. 2. Characteristics of Korean culture As described above Korean culture is like 'melting pot' of great ideas, philosophies, religions and cultures from other countries for a long history, which was caused by its geographical location. However Korean thoughts and identity for themselves are very firm and unique. They believe that those cultural items are their own, not borrowed, which indicates that Korea developed its culture nurtured by other cultural bases. Almost all Koreans have very strong homogeneity in culture, not ethnical distinction, because Koreans look much different each other as genetic report shows its diversity. In my opinion Korean culture have strengths in learning and evolving continuously. "Why is that so ?" We might find the answer in Korean attitude toward history. Great goodness of Korea is that Korea is not manipulating and distorting its history for short sighted benefits. Ultimately to preserve the history as it was is really substantial resources to the next generation and to provide its people genuine power in developing their culture. In conclusion, although Korean culture sometimes looks exclusive to foreigners, it is found to really accomodate other cultures. However in order to be born again as a competitive global culture contemporary Koreans should remove any kinds of prejudice on other cultures and ethnicity caused by biased ideas for Korean culture.

Thank for reading, Taejin Davies

I want to introduce two great architectures in Korea. The one is beautiful Korean Bulguksa Temple, Actually I'm a christian but to know Korea you can't understand Korea without buddism. Bulguksa Temple, built with a combination of stylish architecture, Buddhist spirit and natural surroundings, symbolizes Buddha's land on earth. The stone layers harmonize perfectly with the different structures, such as the several halls and the statues of Buddha within them. Bulguksa Temple was built in the 10th year of King Gyeongdeok,751 A .D. by Kim Dae-seong, in memory of his parents. It was restored to its original condition in 1973. Another is the biggest church in Korea(maybe in the world), Pentecostal Church located in Yeoido in Seoul city. There are a lot of church in Korea. A foreingner who visited korea by plane thought there are many graves in Seoul city. So you know why he thought like that? The cross of graves were the cross of the church. Seoul was not the city of dead. ^^ Like this you can see many churhes inside of the cities and many temples outside of the cities of Korea.. ( By Hyunjeong Davies)

Korean culture written by mihae hastins ( Kim mihae ) The most important thing in Korean has always been the family. All things are done with the families permission. The eldest in the house is considered the most wise, and therefore makes most of the decisions. This tradition was started years ago, and is still being used today. Every relative in the family that is of the same blood is referred to as ilga(일가). This means one house. These relatives are a very tight knit group that, in many cases, lived together in one home. Only paternal relatives can be in the ilga. Maternal relatives can never join this group. The ilga is mainly controlled with the property of the head family. In other words, the oldest living relatives take care of this group. Officials are appointed, and the family has a type of small government running the family. These officials hold special meetings where they discuss things ranging from ancestral rights to repair of graves. The final decisions of these meetings are made by the oldest living male. This leader takes care of things like funeral planning, festivals, graveside rituals, and helps with daily life. Koreans take great pride in their ancestry and never forget the dead. From an early age the children are taught to respect their elders and the people who have passed away. Shrines are constructed in honor of the deceased and are maintained by the ilga. The shrines are kept on sacred grounds that are consistently kept up. When walking in Korea you may see an area with beautiful trees or shrubs in a pattern. This is probably the place where a family buries their dead. When a parent dies in a family the eldest son is in the most mourning. He walks around with a hat made of reeds and covers his face with a fan. He goes about his daily life, but refrains from meeting people and calls himself a sinful man. The way Korean people treat their dead is just one of the many interesting things these people believe in.

This is Omar1hastings introducing to you one thing he misses a lot: Moroccan Food. Moroccan cuisine is exotic!; It is extensive in its variety and remarkable in its taste and aroma. Morocco's long history of invasions have contributed to the diverse sense of good food traditions, different ingredients and naturally the best possible combination of all these factors. Morocco produces a large range of fruits and vegetables: nearly all tropical and Mediterranean varieties. Fish and seafood are plentiful due to its strategic maritime location. It also farms large quantities of sheep and goat. Poultry is also very popular throughout the country. Even the desert supplies a rich harvest of dates from its remote oases. Most these ingredients have always been used by the indigenous Berber people of Morocco in their traditional dishes. Also the invaders introduced a large number of now traditional ingredients, along with previously unknown preparation and cooking methods. The people of Andalucia from southern Spain taught the Moroccan cooks how to use the ingredients such as; olives, olive oil, some fruits, nuts and herbs in cooked dishes. The Arabs introduced spices, different varieties of bread and dishes based on grains. French and Italian cuisine had a profound effect on the contemporary Moroccan cuisine as well. Bread is eaten in every meal. Equally well known is the Moroccan "tajine". Tajine is mainly a casserole of meat and poultry named after the pot in which it is cooked. Tajine may be common menu item in every Moroccan restaurant but the most famous national dish is still "couscous". Couscous is cream-colored grains of wheat steamed over a highly-flavored stock made from meat and vegetables, and served with the meat and a sauce made from the bouillon Olives pickled in lemon juice and salt are essential ingredient of many Moroccan dishes. All kinds of olives are used for different recipes. Various sizes and colors of olives are utilized for different occasions, mainly for taste but also for presentation. In special occasions, the most popular dish is always "bastilla". It is made with an extravagant combination of spiced pigeon meat, creamy lemon flavored eggs and almonds. Then it is baked or fried in a circular case of overlapping leaves of pastry and topped with a lattice-like sugar and cinnamon decoration before served. Charcoal roasted lamb, known as 'mechoui' is traditionally served during the Aid al Kebir (celebrated in honor of the prophet Abraham when he intended to sacrifice his son Ismael as a proof of his loyalty to God. Eid ul-Adha is translated into English as "The Feast of Sacrifice").

The word "Jesa" means a lot to Korean. "Jesa" is a kind of ancestral momerial service, which is done several or many times a year depending on the family background. It is a mandatory service for major holidays in Korea. It's a complex affair, and many Koreans are unsure about the principles for setting out the ritual table or the procedure for the service and just follow what others do. Here, let me introduce the procedure in easy-to-follow steps.
 * **A Guide To "Jesa" by Kim, Youngtae [Hastings]**

◆ How to set out the Chuseok ritual table Make five rows on the table. In the first row from the folding screen, place songpyon, goblets, spoons and chopsticks. In the second row, place grilled and seasoned meat or fish (jeok) and pan-fried dishes (jeon). In the third row, put soup, in the fourth row, slices of dried meat or fish and seasoned vegetables and in the fifth row, fruit in odd numbers. The principles may vary from region to region or from family to family, but the following seven principles are common. Remember, however, the most important thing is sincerity in preparing the dishes. Assuming that the ancestral tablet is the north: △ Red fruit should be put in the east and white fruit in the west. △ Place jujube, chestnuts, pears and persimmons in that order from the left. You can change the order of pears and persimmons. △ Put beef jerky on the left, and shikhye (an authentic Korean drink made from fermented rice) on the right. △ Place kimchi in the east and seasoned and steamed greens in the west. △ Place meat in the west and fish in the east. △ Let the fish face east with its tail in the west. △ Put rice in the west and soup in the east.

No kalchi (hairtail), samchi (a kind of mackerel) or kongchi (saury) should be served on the table. In Korea, fish, whose names end with "chi" are considered negative, and they can also smell bad. Nor should peaches appear on the table, since Korean spirits don't like peach trees. Spicy seasonings such as powdered red pepper, garlic and green onions should not be included in the dishes for the Chuseok ritual table. But the ancestral memorial service aims to honor our ancestors, so it is permissible to put dishes that they enjoyed in their life on the table.

◆ The ceremony 1. Place the paper ancestral tablet on the altar and fumigate the altar with incense. The head of the family, who leads the service, pours liquor into the goblet three times, and bows twice. 2. Everyone bows twice. 3. Pour liquor for each ancestor and put chopsticks over the songpyon. 4. All should leave the room for a while or lie on their faces after shielding the table by setting up a folding screen in order for the souls of ancestors to eat the food. 5. Remove chopsticks. After everyone bows again, the service is over. 6. Burn the ancestral tablet. Then everyone may eat and praise the ancestors' virtues.